help me?

On some days, you appear to be eating at or above what I would expect is maintenance for you.

TimothyFish wrote: »

On some days, you appear to be eating at or above what I would expect is maintenance for you.

I only looked back about 1.5 weeks but with her target of 1200 cals and her weight loss ticker, I don't think what she logs would be maintenance for her

JaneiR36 wrote: »

TimothyFish wrote: »

On some days, you appear to be eating at or above what I would expect is maintenance for you.

I only looked back about 1.5 weeks but with her target of 1200 cals and her weight loss ticker, I don't think what she logs would be maintenance for her

That was my thought too. I was like, "How far back did he go? All I see is 1200 and 1300 days." That being said, i agree with the advice about weighing and measuring. You say the scale hasn't budged in "a while." What's a while? I see a lot of sodium, water retention could have you temporarily stalled if it's only been a couple of weeks.

That said, first, what's "a while"? Weight loss is not linear sometimes you just need to be patient and hang in there to wait for the results, if you're doing everything right. Especially with people complimenting your shape, I just wonder is all

I did notice what seems to be other people recipes like market place chicken salad, etc. I don't know if you got the nutritional info from the package (not too bad), but if you just randomly guessed an entry from the database you may wish to scrutinize your selections a bit more. Maybe use the recipe function or add the ingredients individually to see what your cals really come up to

Then there are what appear to be partially filled days. If these are days where you weren't a perfectly awesome good girl and decided aw screw it, I just won't finish logging, know that you're removing the data that could explain your progress or lack thereof, since you have to take the average. Also if you have the real data it will give you the info to know that the one 2500 cal day every two weeks (for example) may not affect your overall diet like you think, and that any scale fluctuations are just that and not real fat gain

Also wanted to mention your sodium may be a touch high which unless you have certain health conditions I wouldn't worry too much, BUT the sodium could tend to cause water retention and mask weight loss results. Read these:

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1234699/logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide/p1

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1296011/calorie-counting-101/p1

My post is already long enough but I'll just say you could have a higher daily target than 1200 cals. If another poster didn't already touch on this topic, you could search old MFP posts for some info and perspective on the subject

May I ask how you arrived at 1,200 calories? That is the absolute minimum women should eat, and that's usually if you either only have a few pounds to lose or are a shorter, much older woman. Do you mind giving us your age, height, weight, level of daily activity at work (i.e., are you sedentary at a desk or do you chase kids around all day), and how many times a week you exercise and for how long each time? If you can do that, I can tell you exactly how much to eat each day.

legowrangler wrote: »

I've been doing this 25 days and lost like 20 lbs the first two weeks but nothing since but everyone says I look thinner

20 lbs in four weeks, you should change your thread title you braggin' lady? :laugh:

Especially with increasing your target to 2110 (and I assume not continuing to eat exercise calories), I'd just keep doing what you're doing with a goal to make sure you're using the right entries down the line. The main reason I'd even take any action is that logging is a skill. Most people who think they're eating X amount of calories are really eating much more. So say if you were one such person, now that you've increased to 2110 are you really eating 2110 + ???? Per day? I can't say this conclusively since you've indeed lost 20 lbs in four weeks. So just hang in there and keep at it, you're at the very start of your journey, be patient, work hard, you can do this!!

And how much exercise do you do?

I don't have anything to add but i'm curious about the sodium. I don't know what's normal for others but you regularly consume enough to make me bloat so big i wouldn't be able to button my jeans or bend my fingers.

carriebtz wrote: »

I don't have anything to add but i'm curious about the sodium. I don't know what's normal for others but you regularly consume enough to make me bloat so big i wouldn't be able to button my jeans or bend my fingers.

I agree with this as well. While you do a great job of adding in some lean proteins and veggies, I noticed your diary is mostly jammed with processed junk. While there is nothing wrong with treats at all, and processed food in moderation is fine, making it the *bulk* of your diet will sabotage you - not only nutritionally, but it fuels cravings that you have to fight...and will power can only last so long.

I'd add an additional challenge to start replacing some of those donuts, cookies, chips, etc. with *real* food. Whole food. It's not easy, but once you get over the initial hump it gets easier and easier, and you actually start to crave healthy food. Let yourself have treats (as long as they don't trigger you to binge), but try to make 75-80% of your diet whole, rather than processed, foods.

Re: "trying to be patient". I found one of the most empowering things for me on my health journey, was to turn my thinking around from "try" to "will".

The word "try" connotes images of half-a$$ing it, putting in a little effort but not really believing anything will actually change. Trying is not a strategy for success.

The word "will" is an action word. It puts you in the driver's seat. It means you have actually taken responsibility and are ready to REALLY do something. "I WILL be patient". Hear the difference? You've half succeeded before you've even started, whereas with "trying", you fail before you even begin. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy, you see?

Speaking of Patience....One of the reasons we got so big in the first place is because we had zero patience. We wanted pleasure, comfort, the feeling of being full, NOW. When we had the urge, we just grabbed something and ate it. Immediately. Losing weight will require you to grow up emotionally and develop many character traits that will mature you in such a way that you can sustain success long-term - not the least of which will be Patience.

By eating more food, exercising consistently, eating healthy foods (for the most part), and not allowing yourself to get discouraged when you don't lose as much as you'd like as fast as you'd like, you practice Patience. It's no different than exercising your muscles with weight. It's an emotional muscle.

You will not be able to get into a pick-up game with Michael Jordan if you never practice basketball. Similarly, you will not be able to sustain the years-long process it will take to lose the amount of weight you need to if you don't exercise your Patience, Loyalty, Love for yourself, Protection of your mind and body, Peace of mind, Gratefulness, Contentment, Discipline, Determination, Grit, and Courage (to name a few). To play in the big leagues (of weight loss) you have to be strong.

Thankfully, you don't have to do all of that in one go. You don't have to be that strong right *now*. You can do this one day at a time. Like the change you take out of your pocket and put in a big jar, those nickels and dimes add up over time, and before you know it, you're 10x stronger than you were before. Then 20x. Then 30. Character *builds* upon itself.

So the question is: are you WILLING to do this? Not to TRY to do this. To DO this. It's a mind-shift. See if you can make it!

Hi, have you tried other markers such as clothes and tape measure. Also keep drinking lots of water sometimes you do plateau whilst your body adjusts.

Other alternatives is have a massive blowout cheat meal (at night so it's not a cheat day

I was once 259lbs, my tip is don't focus on the total amount but focus on making every meal a healthy one and also once a week plan all your meals with calories/macros whatever all worked out, type it out stick it on your cupboard or fridge and stick to it it makes eating a lot easier and less stressful (or is that just me?!?