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Program Formula NOT working for me - HELP!

hfminerva72
hfminerva72 Posts: 7
in Health and Weight Loss
I am 27, 5'6" and weigh 155 lbs. After a recent 4 month spurt of neglecting the gym (working too much) I decided I need to go back and drop about 10 lbs before my wedding (because my wedding gown no longer fits thanks to my little gym break). I weighed more beforehand, and it took me nearly a year of working out and eating right to lose about 6 lbs. I ate right t(see below) the 4 months I did not go to the gym and still put most of it back on.
At 155 now, I joined myfitnesspal.com in hopes it could help me figure out why my metabolism doesn't seem to kick in. I have followed my program EXACTLY for the last week - with the goal to lose 1.5 lbs per week. 1200 calories a day, rigorous exercise for 5 days a week (turbo-kick, kicboxing, step, weight training, and circuit training). I eat super healthy in PROPER portions, and keep nourished in small spurts throughout the whole day. I eat fresh fruits, and veggies, limited fats, only whole grains, and I watch my sodium intake.
This morning was weigh-in and I lost .3 pounds. Yes - 1/3rd of a lb.
I am beginning to think this is just how my body is with weight loss. It just does not come off no matter what I do. It seems I have to be a slave to nurtrition and exercise just to stay the way I am. I am not being unrealistic. It's just 10 lbs which is what I believe I need in order to be healthy. I am not aspiring to be heidi klum and turn into a size 0. I know my body type. I just want to lose a reasonable 10 lbs.
ANY SUGGESTIONS to how I can tweak my program to make this worK???
HELP! I am getting very frustrated.
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Replies

  • MaryDreamer
    MaryDreamer Posts: 439
    I used to be exactly like you. Have you had your thryoid checked? Found out mine is underactive FINALLY! There are new thyroid charts but most docs still go off the old charts and will say your thyroid is FINE. (UGH heard that for years!) Not until I got on the low dose of 25 mcg did my weight loss begin. Another thing could be your Sodium intake. Good luck!
  • drog2323
    drog2323 Posts: 1,343 Member
    keep with it - only been a week. your body could be adjusting. open your diary and let others take a look for suggestions.

    the last 10 is going to be the hardest, just keep with it.

    chin up and keep working!
  • paulettac
    paulettac Posts: 101
    You can try to "shock" your body by eating more calories one day or changing up your exercises. This has helped me.
  • KellyBurton1
    KellyBurton1 Posts: 529 Member
    What pops out to me is- are you eating some of those burn off calories. Look at your NET and see if you come in at 1200. You can look at it through reports and go under nutrition. You'll see a graph there to se if you actually been staying within 1200. If you are below you need to up your food. Hope it helps.
  • leslielove
    leslielove Posts: 251 Member
    I'd be willing to bet money that you have a thyroid problem. Get to a GOOD doctor who will look at you as an individual and not a number on a chart. Your TSH should be under 4.5 at the high end of normal. Are you having any other symptoms? Dry skin/hair, fatigue, irritability, etc etc?
  • bzmom
    bzmom Posts: 1,332 Member
    You said you have been following your eating plan religously. How bout you spike it up for like 1 day or so just to confuse your metabolism??? it has worked for me might just work for you and I dont believe 1 day of spike healthy eating (meaning healthy foods not fast food) will hurt you.
  • glfrgl
    glfrgl Posts: 5
    I'm no expert here, but maybe 1200 calories isn't enough for you? I know this doesn't make sense, but if your body is feeling deprived and thinking it needs to hang on to what you have to prevent starving, you won't drop the weight.

    Shake things up, have a day when you eat more, and see what happens. I promise I'm not trying to sabotage you. Read up on this and see what you find out.

    For me, I have actually put on about 3 pounds, but it is muscle because my clothes fit fine and my waist measurements are smaller than before when I weighed less.
  • Mindful_Trent
    Mindful_Trent Posts: 3,954 Member
    A week is not long enough to expect results. Many people find their bodies need time to adjust to their new routine before weight loss really kicks in (especially when you're not far from a healthy weight). Unfortunately our bodies don't always react the way they "should" - since we don't know the exact specifics of our metabolism or what else is going on. You could be retaining water from increased exercise, for example.

    On top of that, everything is an estimate - MFP *estimates* how many calories you typically burn a day (before exercise) and you enter your exercise calories either from MFP's calculator or a HRM (which are estimates) and you enter your calories consumed (which are estimates - food packages, restaurant foods, etc. are known to be significantly off from what they say the nutritional values are).

    So - stick with it, given it more time. Make sure you eat some of your exercise calories back (if you're doing regular rigorous exercise, you need more than 1200 calories - you should be closer to 1200 NET calories). If you can, get a HRM to estimate exercise calories if you don't already - MFP & gym machines tend to estimate high.
  • sabrinalg
    sabrinalg Posts: 237 Member
    You may have to eat some of your exercise calories back if you're really working out hard.
  • Caper88
    Caper88 Posts: 418 Member
    I feel the same way. I think sometimes this program is too standard to work for everyone. I think you need to figure out what foods work for you and what does not. I have PCOS and I have been trying to do low carbs. I think the carb number on here is still too high for me though it might be great for you. So maybe you need to add or limit foods until you figure out what works for you.
  • hfminerva72
    hfminerva72 Posts: 7
    I have been asking about my thyroid for over a year...they use the old way of measuring and are saying it's fine. I have other symptoms of it, as well, so I've been meaning to actually go see a specialist and hope they test me correctly. Maybe that's it! I don't think it's sodium because I stay under the daily limit and watch it.
    Thanks so much for your suggestion.
  • pilotgirl2007
    pilotgirl2007 Posts: 368 Member
    I have the same problem! I either have to diet hard to maintain weight or I gain... but there really is no such thing as losing. The thing is I had lost 50 lbs a while back and gained it back... even with being a very active person. I also had my thyroid checked several times and was told that I was fine. I had cut my calories so far to the point of starving myself (not intentional just didn't account for ALL of the exercise) anyhow I went and had my thyroid done again and I was put on 25 mcg as well. I have not started to lose again but it has only been a few weeks since I have been back on it and I started a new birth control after not taking any for several months... Just hang in there and know that even if the scale doesn't move you are being healthy and that is really what is important.

    I do suggest talking to your doctor though, it could be a sign of something else i.e. thyroid etc.
  • hfminerva72
    hfminerva72 Posts: 7
    Thanks Sabrina - I try to make up the calories I lost but maybe i'm not making up enough? Maybe I need some tweaking! And Caper88 I have PCOS too! :) Sucks doesn't it?
  • hfminerva72
    hfminerva72 Posts: 7
    Thank you accountantboi!!! I'm sticking with it!!! Fingers crossed!
  • jnywalsh
    jnywalsh Posts: 1
    Hi! I know your frustration. I had been following the recommended 1200 calories and vigorous daily exercise for about 3 months and I GAINED weight. A few weeks ago I had my thyroid rechecked and found they needed to up my dose a little bit, but still saw no results. Finally I went to a local gym that has something called the "Bod Pod" that measures your BMI (it's like a little pressure chamber - cost me $20), and found out I was eating too many calories!!! Not by much, only about 150 calories, but over time I guess that adds up. That was a week ago and I've now lost 3 pounds. Just something to consider. Good luck! Don't give up!
  • hfminerva72
    hfminerva72 Posts: 7
    Thanks again everyone!! I really appreciate it!
  • Upsy_Daisy
    Upsy_Daisy Posts: 15 Member
    I did not loose anything the first couple of weeks, stick wih it.
  • mrsyac2
    mrsyac2 Posts: 2,784 Member
    I'm the same way forever to lose seconds to gain... Good luck don't quit
  • hfminerva72
    hfminerva72 Posts: 7
    LeslieLove -
    My TSH according to the last time it was checked last year was 1.12. It said it was "within range .4-4.5) on the report. Seems low to me. And yes there have been other symptoms which was why I wanted it checked in the first place - thinning hair, peeling fingernails, fatigue, transluscent skin, low libido etc. etc. All uncharacteristic of me.
  • LianeM
    LianeM Posts: 1 Member
    Hi, I went back and check my profile. And although I'm not exercising, which I'm planning to start soon to flatten my tummy, I lost 16 lbs. I first started with a long term range but was starting to get discourage, so I like you I decided to lose 10 lb at a time. I found out through some of my friends who are on this program that when you exercise you burn more calories that need to be replenish by eating more cal. So don't forget to check that feature under your goals. And also, breakfast is a must. Gaining a 1.5 lb a week is reasonable, losing too much too quickly will only come back just as quickly. Believe me, I've been there and I wasn't even trying, dropped almost 50 lbs due to meds and when for medical reason I had to change them I gain it all back all 50 lbs and plus within a month, my body didn't even get a chance to gradually get use to it. So hang in there, don't change your eating habits, just watch your portions, your cals, fat and sodium intake, I'm sure that in 4 mths you will be a beautiful bride. All the best to you and to the groom-to-be.

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