We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

petite and CAN'T lose a pound!

blackstarsfall
blackstarsfall Posts: 2
edited March 6 in Health and Weight Loss
I need help.

I quit smoking 3 months ago after 14 years. I'm 29, 5'2" and my 115lb body rapidly increased to 129lbs(last I checked, anyway). Now, as that is not by any means considered overweight, it is an uncomfortable weight for me when it's mostly all fat.

SO, Once I knew I was over the quitting smoking hurdle, I went back to the gym, mostly for weight loss but also to start living a healthier lifestyle. In the past I have never had to lift a finger to maintain my weight, but now, I got to the gym 4-5 times a week. Almost always have a calorie deficit and I have not lost a pound OR an inch for that matter, as I've invested in a measuring tape ( I know not to focus so mich on weight and rather focus on inches lost). Someone tell me what I am doing wrong. My boyfriend say I technically don't have any weight to lose since I am in the normal range which makes it harder to lose. I want to lose 10lbs just to be able to fit into my clothes again! I've been tracking exercise and counting calories for over a month with no results! I can't possibly spend more time at the gym than I already do, what is the problem?!

Replies

  • gail1961
    gail1961 Posts: 111 Member
    I am 5'2" and started MFP after a 12 pound weight gain. I went from 105-117 and like you, my clothes didn't fit. In January I joined MFP and started going to the gym 4-5 times a week. It took weeks for the scale to budge! I had to set my goal at .5 per week.
    I actually gained a .6 the first week. Week 2 lost .3 (so still .3 above where I started.) You see the trend.... Week 7 I was down a total of 2.5. I was so frustrated and ready to quit. Not sure what happened, but week 10 I had a 7.3 total loss! Not sure why, eating and exercise stayed the same. So, I was so glad I didn't quit. There is no reasoning. Many people would say I wasn't logging right. I disagree. I am a vegetarian and a picky eater, so my food diary is very similar from week to week. Stick with it, hopefully you will start to see results soon. Make sure you eat enough. GOOD LUCK!
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    Most the time the answer is your eating calories than you think, and/or not burning as many calories as you think.

    Do you use a food scale? If not, buy one.

    Are you logging calories burned that is spit out by an exercise machine or here at MFP? Both are notorious for over estimating calories burned.
  • Branstin
    Branstin Posts: 2,320 Member
    Your BMI is normal for 115-129lbs. Therefore, you should focus more on strength training than weight loss. Look into Stronglifts 5x5 and Starting Strength programs.


    http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm
  • keithmustloseweight
    keithmustloseweight Posts: 309 Member
    http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/tobacco-firms-used-dietaid-chemicals-2274072.html yum yum

    If you could make your diary open that would help
  • faithsimmons526
    faithsimmons526 Posts: 162 Member
    Do log everything you eat (as Chieflrg mentioned), and take measurements rather than rely solely on the scale ... you may be losing inches even though the pounds aren't coming off right now.

    I hear you about wanting to be slimmer even tho you're in the normal BMI range. Like you, I'd prefer to be at the lower end of the range.

    Don't give up. If you're eating less than your body burns, the weight WILL come off.
  • BombshellPhoenix
    BombshellPhoenix Posts: 1,693 Member
    You never mention what your calorie intake is? Do you own a food scale? How long have you gone without losing? Are you logging in every little thing, every day?

    If you're not losing weight, you're not in a calorie deficit. It's really that simple.

    Since you don't have much to lose, I would focus on losing about .5 lbs per week and focus on weightlifting or some form of resistance training to retain lean body mass. Also, getting about 1g per pound of lean body mass in protein will help muscle retention as well.
  • AOdell79
    AOdell79 Posts: 94 Member
    Yep what's your calorie intake? I'm 5' even and I have to average 1500 or less to get the scale to move. I'm thinking maybe your intake isn't where it should be?
  • forkofpower
    forkofpower Posts: 171 Member
    Hi, we have a similar story. I was very athletic and thin when I was young, and gained a lot of weight in a short while (10 lbs in a few months, lol).

    I'm 5'1, started on MFP at 130 lbs, and am now 102 lbs. I ate 1200 calories a day to lose weight, because my TDEE as a short girl was very low, and has only continued to get lower (it is currently about 1400 calories just to maintain, sob). Unlike my taller friends, I couldn't afford to really 'cheat' that much, or to be anything but precise in my counting. Are you ABSOLUTELY certain you are staying at a deficit overall? Weigh everything you eat, and record precisely. Oh, and one cheat day can wipe out a week's deficit, if you eat enough, especially if your deficit is small to begin with. You can see your weekly average on the app, which is pretty useful for showing you how you're balancing your calories for the week.

    Good luck--know that it CAN be done.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Open your diary.
  • katiekellyfrasier
    katiekellyfrasier Posts: 1 Member
    Hi, we have a similar story. I was very athletic and thin when I was young, and gained a lot of weight in a short while (10 lbs in a few months, lol).

    I'm 5'1, started on MFP at 130 lbs, and am now 102 lbs. I ate 1200 calories a day to lose weight, because my TDEE as a short girl was very low, and has only continued to get lower (it is currently about 1400 calories just to maintain, sob). Unlike my taller friends, I couldn't afford to really 'cheat' that much, or to be anything but precise in my counting. Are you ABSOLUTELY certain you are staying at a deficit overall? Weigh everything you eat, and record precisely. Oh, and one cheat day can wipe out a week's deficit, if you eat enough, especially if your deficit is small to begin with. You can see your weekly average on the app, which is pretty useful for showing you how you're balancing your calories for the week.

    Good luck--know that it CAN be done.

    Where can you find the weekly stats? I can't find them.
  • blackstarsfall
    blackstarsfall Posts: 2
    My calorie intake is 1200. I almost always have a deficit between 3-400 calories because of exercise. To determine calories burned, I used the formula from the getfit website as the machines tend not to be very accurate. YES, I measure/weigh almost everything unless it has a label. I'm naturally muscular in my shoulders and arms so I'm hesitant with upper body weight training. I do a ton of lower body, butt, abs. I'm following the same workout routine as when I was 25 but it's just not working. And I eat much better and drink alcohol a lot less.

    I'm worried that, like so many others, smoking desolated my metabolism :( I feel like I need more time for my body to regulate?
This discussion has been closed.

Categories