I'm on the edge of being UPSET with my PROGRESS HELP?!

BCXMC · April 2011

You guys!!!!!! I weighed in..is it possible to gain a lot of muscle mass?! because my weigh is back to 194 when I'm originally 190<<<<is that possible..My intake is on the 1200 intake>>I burn 800+ and I only intake 900 from the 1200. So at the end of the day I'm only consuming like 100-200 calories I never eat my workout calories...is something wrong?! What should I be doing better?! Anyone want to see my food intake.??

dlaplume2 · April 2011

Yes! there is something wrong.

You are not eating enough.

Celo24 · April 2011

You guys!!!!!! I weighed in..is it possible to gain a lot of muscle mass?! because my weigh is back to 194 when I'm originally 190<<<<is that possible..My intake is on the 1200 intake>>I burn 800+ and I only intake 900 from the 1200. So at the end of the day I'm only consuming like 100-200 calories I never eat my workout calories...is something wrong?! What should I be doing better?! Anyone want to see my food intake.??

If you are eating 900 and burning 800+, then your body is getting ZERO fuel for it to do the things it needs to do to keep you going. YOU NEED TO EAT MORE!! If MFP sets your goal for 1200 calories, then you need to eat a NET 1200 calories. Read the links in my signature for a more detailed explanation why.

Also, you were wondering about gaining muscle mass. It is literally impossible for you to gain muscle when you are eating as little as you are. So, no, you are not gaining weight from muscle mass. You are gaining because you are starving yourself and your body is hanging on to all the precious resources it can get.

fanceegirl75 · April 2011

Not getting enough cals in at the end of the day sweets. You're working out and burning a good amount. Eat back more cals. Get you a good protein shake for after your workouts and maybe incorporate some healthy snacks in between meals!

nicshaw95 · April 2011

I agree, you are not eating enough. Your body goes into starvation mode and stores all the fat. Start eating regular healthy meals and the weight will start dropping off. I usually aim for at least 1350 - 1500 calories a day for me to get enough energy from food for my exercise and still lose weight.

BCXMC · April 2011

Well you guys, I was basically failing myself

...Now I'm back at square one it feels like... I start consuming more..NO WONDER I ALWAYS feel tired when I'm driving>>even to short distances..it was becoming odd!! Thanks for all the great information.. I wont hurt my body..I'm kinda happy to eat 1200 scared to go over at the same time.

angiezee · April 2011

I agree with everyone. You are putting your body in starvation model. You need to eat more calories. It doesn't mean you have to eat anything, try eating an extra 300 cals with fruit and nuts. That will give you body the fuel it needs and the calories to keep burning. Are you eating every three hours? Constantly eating will keep your body burning calories.

babyhughes111409 · April 2011

DON'T GET UPSET, THAT WAS MY PROBLEM
I DIDN'T BELIEVE I WAS DOING GOOD GAVE UP,
BUT THIS TIME AROUD I WON'T IMA KEEP GOING!
DON'T GIVE UP NOR GET UPSET!

llkilgore · April 2011

I burn 800+ and I only intake 900 from the 1200. So at the end of the day I'm only consuming like 100-200 calories I never eat my workout calories...is something wrong?!

Oh, yeah, something is definitely wrong. With so few net calories from your diet you're having to cannibalize your muscle mass to keep your heart beating, brain working, etc. The weight gain is probably water retention from chewed up muscles that don't have what they need to repair themselves.

At best you're doing yourself long term damage by lowering your metabolic rate, which will make it harder to lose weight with a reasonable calorie budget. And if you keep it up long enough, you'll do permanent damage.

BCXMC · April 2011

You guys!!!!!! I weighed in..is it possible to gain a lot of muscle mass?! because my weigh is back to 194 when I'm originally 190<<<<is that possible..My intake is on the 1200 intake>>I burn 800+ and I only intake 900 from the 1200. So at the end of the day I'm only consuming like 100-200 calories I never eat my workout calories...is something wrong?! What should I be doing better?! Anyone want to see my food intake.??

If you are eating 900 and burning 800+, then your body is getting ZERO fuel for it to do the things it needs to do to keep you going. YOU NEED TO EAT MORE!! If MFP sets your goal for 1200 calories, then you need to eat a NET 1200 calories. Read the links in my signature for a more detailed explanation why.

Also, you were wondering about gaining muscle mass. It is literally impossible for you to gain muscle when you are eating as little as you are. So, no, you are not gaining weight from muscle mass. You are gaining because you are starving yourself and your body is hanging on to all the precious resources it can get.

Say if I eat 1200 cals...then burn 800+..that leaves me with 400 for my intake for the day. (this is also including my fuel after workout) is that a good way to go?!

littlemissanguissette · April 2011

You guys!!!!!! I weighed in..is it possible to gain a lot of muscle mass?! because my weigh is back to 194 when I'm originally 190<<<<is that possible..My intake is on the 1200 intake>>I burn 800+ and I only intake 900 from the 1200. So at the end of the day I'm only consuming like 100-200 calories I never eat my workout calories...is something wrong?! What should I be doing better?! Anyone want to see my food intake.??

If you are eating 900 and burning 800+, then your body is getting ZERO fuel for it to do the things it needs to do to keep you going. YOU NEED TO EAT MORE!! If MFP sets your goal for 1200 calories, then you need to eat a NET 1200 calories. Read the links in my signature for a more detailed explanation why.

Also, you were wondering about gaining muscle mass. It is literally impossible for you to gain muscle when you are eating as little as you are. So, no, you are not gaining weight from muscle mass. You are gaining because you are starving yourself and your body is hanging on to all the precious resources it can get.

Say if I eat 1200 cals...then burn 800+..that leaves me with 400 for my intake for the day. (this is also including my fuel after workout) is that a good way to go?!

No. You need to eat almost all those 800 calories you exercised, or at least most of them. Your NET CALORIES needs to be at or over 1200 at the end of the day.

o0oAliciao0o · April 2011

You should try to maintain a NET 1200. So if you burn 800 a day that means you get to eat 2000 a day (2000-800=1200). The thing is, you think you would lose weight twice as fast if you cut your calories in half, but studies have shown that if you decrease your calories below say 1000 a day, your metabolism slows down so much that you lose the same amount of weight or less than if you eat 1000 a day (and your metabolism will stay at a healthy rate). So enjoy the food! And remember that when you want to lose a large amount of weight, eating 100 calories a day is not sustainable long term. Exercise regularly, eat healthy, stay around 1200 calories a day, and make it something that you can live with months down the road.

solpwr · April 2011

My net has been around 1,000 per day, I can't imagine going lower than that. My goal is 1,300 net, I've been eating about 1,800 and my cardio has been about 800. 1,300 net for me should provide about 2 pounds per week loss.

I wouldn't consider going under 900 net calories on any given day, certainly never on a weekly average, if I were you.

InspiredByStreisand42 · April 2011

If you are eating 900 and burning 800+, then your body is getting ZERO fuel for it to do the things it needs to do to keep you going. YOU NEED TO EAT MORE!! If MFP sets your goal for 1200 calories, then you need to eat a NET 1200 calories. Read the links in my signature for a more detailed explanation why.

Also, you were wondering about gaining muscle mass. It is literally impossible for you to gain muscle when you are eating as little as you are. So, no, you are not gaining weight from muscle mass. You are gaining because you are starving yourself and your body is hanging on to all the precious resources it can get.

Can I have some advice about my intake please? My weight loss has slowed right down too (in fact, I haven't lost anything this week...). I eat between 1300 and 1450 per day, and usually burn 600cals or so with exercise... I can't work out if I'm not losing because I'm eating too little or whether it's just because I've been doing 40mins a day (6 days a week) on the elliptical since mid-February and my body has become used to my exercise regime/diet!?! I've lost 14lbs eating/exercising like this, so I'm very confused as to why it's stopped working!!!

o0oAliciao0o · April 2011

You are having the same problem. 1300 calories food - 600 exercise = 600 NET. Try not to go below 1000. It does take some time for your metabolism to slow down so it's probably been progressively slowing down. The good news is it's reversible! It's weird to think that if you eat more you might lose more weight, but this is what will happen if you eat at least 1000 calories NET (Ie if you are burning 600 a day then try to eat at least 1600-1800 calories a day).

Plateau's do happen when your body gets used to a certain exercise. Those muscles get stronger and the exercise you're doing becomes less of a challenge over time, meaning you burn fewer calories doing the same amount of work (you also burn fewer calories for the same amount of work as your weight goes down). If you switch up your exercise and make sure you get your heart rate nice and high you should lose more. Try doing full body exercises, like swimming or burpees or kickboxing or something you find fun. Good luck!

jerseygirlmaggie · April 2011

Ok, so today I had my light bulb moment on this very issue. See my post on this http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/208935-newbie-but-i-think-i-finally-got-the-net-calorie-thing

You have gotten some great advice today. Up those calories!!!!

skinnyjazz130 · April 2011

You have come to the right place for support:flowerforyou: . We can all learn from each other. You are going about your goal incorrectly. You really need to eat more. Your body is probably in starvation mood and clinging unto every morsel of food. You should strive to follow the caloric guideline that MFP calculated for you. I have often heard that 80% of losing weight is based on your nutrition. However, they are numerous benefits to exercise. So you are doing that part right. You should change up your exercise so your body doesn't get used to the same routine. Interval training on cardio equipment is good for fat burning. Also, include some strength training 3 times a week. Hand weights and a kettle ball will be sufficient for working out at home if you are not a member of a gym. It's a good idea to share your diary so you can get feedback on your food.

Best wishes girl....progress will be yours soon!!!

daddyratty · April 2011

1) You can do this.

2) Others who were suggesting you eat more: they're right.

3) Don't listen to your body on whether or not to eat (that's what got most of us into this mess). Follow the math for awhile, and try to get as close as possible to your daily total (eating all your exercise calories, too). It will take several weeks for you to begin recalibrating, but it's pretty amazing when that happens. If you can get within 50 calories one way or the other you're doing amazing.

4) Stick around this place ... it's amazing and 99% of the folks here will encourage you when you need to be encouraged, kick you in the butt when needed, and rejoice with you at your victories.

Celo24 · April 2011

You guys!!!!!! I weighed in..is it possible to gain a lot of muscle mass?! because my weigh is back to 194 when I'm originally 190<<<<is that possible..My intake is on the 1200 intake>>I burn 800+ and I only intake 900 from the 1200. So at the end of the day I'm only consuming like 100-200 calories I never eat my workout calories...is something wrong?! What should I be doing better?! Anyone want to see my food intake.??

If you are eating 900 and burning 800+, then your body is getting ZERO fuel for it to do the things it needs to do to keep you going. YOU NEED TO EAT MORE!! If MFP sets your goal for 1200 calories, then you need to eat a NET 1200 calories. Read the links in my signature for a more detailed explanation why.

Also, you were wondering about gaining muscle mass. It is literally impossible for you to gain muscle when you are eating as little as you are. So, no, you are not gaining weight from muscle mass. You are gaining because you are starving yourself and your body is hanging on to all the precious resources it can get.

Say if I eat 1200 cals...then burn 800+..that leaves me with 400 for my intake for the day. (this is also including my fuel after workout) is that a good way to go?!

No. As others around me have said, you should have your NET calories at the end of the day as close as possible to the goal MFP sets for you. Take a look at my diary if you like and you can see what I'm talking about. I may not always get there, but I always get as close as I can. Did you read the links in my signature? Those will really answer your question for you.

BCXMC · April 2011

Okay you guys, I can't quote every one but I would like to say I've received a lot of good feedback from the articles and you guys!! I changed my program intake..Now its 1330<<< But I think I'm going to have to down size on my workout from 800+ to 400 I realized that I'm not rewarding my body at alllll. My net intake will be 1200 since my program is 1330 soo I'm going to start with today (April 4, 2011). I also do 30DS which is my strengthening sooo I'm good with that, I just need to find a new workout besides the elliptical which I get on everyday :indifferent: . If that doesn't work IDK what else to do but just go back to doing what I do best!!!<<EAT MY HEART OUT!! :frown: Thanks for yall of your feedback once again. I'll be sure to give you guys a follow up on my progress.

Mal

shaunshaikh · April 2011

I'm on the edge of being UPSET with my PROGRESS HELP?!

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