New here and full of doubts
MartaJas
Posts: 11 Member
Hi everyone,
Have started eating healthy about 6 weeks ago. Decided that at 75 kilos (165 pounds) and 1,60m (5´2) at 45 years of age, this was getting ridiculous, especially since I had always been skinny. I used to be 110 until I stopped smoking. Then it went up to 120. After that I had two kids and lost all control of my weight. So to cut a long story short, I was 165 pounds up until six weeks ago and feeling really frustrated. Had a huge stomach that made me look pregnant. My self esteem was below 0. I started having high blood pressure issues, cholesterol issues and felt tired all the time. I know it might not sound too much, but I've always had a thin frame and been really active, so I guess it was really too much weight. So 6 weeks ago I decided to revolutionize my eating habits. I know I can be healthy again. So I ditched all the crap food, the excess carbs, the sugar, the fats, the lot. I lost 5 kilos (11 pounds) in 5 weeks. I was drinking 1,5 litre of water a day (something which I never used to do) and realized my constant headaches were gone. I began feeling really good about myself. My stomach was disappearing! YAY! I then decided to join MFP (on the 23rd october 2014). I started recording everything I ate and taking all measurements. It said I had to eat 1200 calories a day, considering the fact that I don't exercise at all, I spend all day sitting at a desk because of work. So I began following all the guidelines. I now weight 153 pounds. It's been the same weight for the last week. Does this mean I'm stuck or that my body thinks there's no more weight to be lost? I still need to loose 20 more pounds but it now seems unrealistic. I also started getting kind of lightheaded after lunch and was suffering from slight constipation. I will not be changing back my eating habits, I know this is now the way to eat. A normal eating day for me would be: whole wheat bread (2 slices) and coffee for breakfast, an apple mid morning, a lettuce salad with smoked salmon or shrimps and an avocado for lunch, sometimes a chicken breast steak with cooked spinach and a pineapple slice, then a yogurt mid afternoon and a vegetable soup and some grapes for diner. I drink 1,5 litre of water per day. What am I doing wrong? Hope you guys can put me in the right direction. Thank you so much.
Have started eating healthy about 6 weeks ago. Decided that at 75 kilos (165 pounds) and 1,60m (5´2) at 45 years of age, this was getting ridiculous, especially since I had always been skinny. I used to be 110 until I stopped smoking. Then it went up to 120. After that I had two kids and lost all control of my weight. So to cut a long story short, I was 165 pounds up until six weeks ago and feeling really frustrated. Had a huge stomach that made me look pregnant. My self esteem was below 0. I started having high blood pressure issues, cholesterol issues and felt tired all the time. I know it might not sound too much, but I've always had a thin frame and been really active, so I guess it was really too much weight. So 6 weeks ago I decided to revolutionize my eating habits. I know I can be healthy again. So I ditched all the crap food, the excess carbs, the sugar, the fats, the lot. I lost 5 kilos (11 pounds) in 5 weeks. I was drinking 1,5 litre of water a day (something which I never used to do) and realized my constant headaches were gone. I began feeling really good about myself. My stomach was disappearing! YAY! I then decided to join MFP (on the 23rd october 2014). I started recording everything I ate and taking all measurements. It said I had to eat 1200 calories a day, considering the fact that I don't exercise at all, I spend all day sitting at a desk because of work. So I began following all the guidelines. I now weight 153 pounds. It's been the same weight for the last week. Does this mean I'm stuck or that my body thinks there's no more weight to be lost? I still need to loose 20 more pounds but it now seems unrealistic. I also started getting kind of lightheaded after lunch and was suffering from slight constipation. I will not be changing back my eating habits, I know this is now the way to eat. A normal eating day for me would be: whole wheat bread (2 slices) and coffee for breakfast, an apple mid morning, a lettuce salad with smoked salmon or shrimps and an avocado for lunch, sometimes a chicken breast steak with cooked spinach and a pineapple slice, then a yogurt mid afternoon and a vegetable soup and some grapes for diner. I drink 1,5 litre of water per day. What am I doing wrong? Hope you guys can put me in the right direction. Thank you so much.
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Replies
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You are off to a good start but now it may be time to pace yourself. You are not stuck. Your body is probably adjusting and if you can stay the course your drop should continue. But now may also be a good time for you to think about adjusting since you are feeling lightheaded. You should eat to the point that you feel you are gaining energy not losing it. Try slowing down your weight loss goals and upping your intake. You want this journey to be pleasant not a hell ride. You should throw in exercise 30 mins a week, 3-4 times to help repair damage from BP and cholestrol. Great job so far. Any path to success is full of doubts.0
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It happened to me too. I joined Mfp and began calorie counting. First couple of weeks my weight was constant. Then next couple of weeks it began going down slowly. Like half kg in a week or so. But now since last week I have been losing at a faster rate. Last week I lost 1.3 kgs!! So I would say give yourself some time. And like the poster above said. Do try to add a 30 min cardio session at least 3 times a week. You can do 2 sessions on weekends and one in between.0
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Thanks so much for replying.
20yearsyounger: I will do just that. But am I right in aiming at 1200 calories daily? Having some trouble counting calories, but have been reading those posts meant for newbies and realize I've been counting them wrong, guiding myself by the calories count that Food Diary gives out and not so much weighing my food. Have a food scale and will do just that, only problem is finding an accurate calorie counter guideline.
Bcomingfitmom: cannot do much cardio, since I got asthma that gets triggered by intense workout. I've started yoga classes, once a week, for one hour. That might help.
Thanks for your support, I need to hear someone on the other side of this screen, this can be a lonely journey...0 -
The real driver is your Xmas goal. The lower the calories the faster you can lose (and possibly the more painful the process). Ultimately, you should continue to lose if you eat under 1400. If you exercise light 2-3 days a week, that moves up to 1600. How much under is up to you. Yoga does count as good exercise. It should also help you eat more while staying within your goal. I'll add you as a friend so that it doesn't feel so lonely.0
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Thank you, 20yearsyounger.
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You have plateaued. Your body has adapted to your routine, this just means to spice it up, try changing what you eat, less carbs more protein, same calorie intake. Or add in some mild exercise. You are not doomed, your body just wants to be surprised again Way to go on your progress this far. You can do anything you put your heart too. 0
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The most important thing for you (or anyone for that matter) is weighing everything you eat! I do that and use the MFP calorie guide but I make sure I choose the food item that has several entries with the same calorie count! If you have difficulty with an item-look it up on the net!
Also measure your caloric drinks.
Can you take walks with your asthma-if yes, walk everywhere as much as possible. Burns calories-lifts your spirits!0 -
Have a food scale and will do just that, only problem is finding an accurate calorie counter guideline.
What do you mean by that? The MFP food database works pretty well. You're using that, right?
Not all weeks show a scale loss, especially after big losses week after week. Be patient. The scale will move again!
Good luck.
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Thank you, Dayners and Herspoons. And thanks for the heads up, means a lot.
Healthygreek: I will start weighing everything. But I'm confused about many things: first, MFP gave me a BMR of 1867 calories /day, whereas another counter gave me 1307 calories /day. Which one is correct?
Also, can you link me up with a correct calorie counter online, where I can see exactly how many calories does a particular type of food have besides the automated MPF counter on the food diary thing?
I can walk, yes, and will start taking 20 minute walks 3 times a week from now on (accompanying my kid to his basketball practice) as well as the yoga class once a week.
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For now if it's too complicated, just use MFP. To find the calories that a food have, look at the label on packaged goods or search the MFP database.
It's totally normal not to lose weight, or even gain, every week. Weight loss is not linear and water retention tends to slow things down a bit.0 -
How much weekly weight are you trying to lose? 1200 calories is the lowest MFP will give and that is usually because someone is trying to lose too fast.
Logging accurately and consistently is the key.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide?hl=Logging+accurately
and logging accurately means choosing correct entries.
As for MFP giving a BMR of 1847...hmm sounds more like your maitenance calories actually. Meaning you can eat 1847 and maintain your weight, esp at your height...
Weight loss comes from your calorie deficit you don't have to exercise and if you do choose to it doesn't have to be heavy cardio...
Walks are great.
Weight lifting is another option which shouldn't aggravate your asthma.0 -
Thank you, Franc. I also realize it's that time of the month and from what I've read on this site, you tend to retain more water during.
Sezxy: Thank you, will make sure I log accurately. I've been registering everything I eat and drink on a daily basis now, but probably am miscalculating some calories because am relying on not so accurate entries. Will rectify that.
Will start walking three times a week. It's only 15/20 minute walk, but it's better than not walking at all, right? Also the yoga class once a week should help.0 -
http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/
^ This is good for whole foods. I try to check all the MFP stats against this. Walking is great for weight loss! Also, if you're on your last 20 pounds, it will come off slower. Be patient, readjust your calorie count for your new weight, and reassess your rate of loss (maybe move it down to .5 per week). Here's a good calculator to find your TDEE. http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/0 -
Thank you, Pincushion!0
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