Any weight loss 'tricks' that actually work?
rachf2013
Posts: 69
Hi everyone!
I'm wondering if anyone has tried any of the diet pills, weight loss patches, detoxes, clay wraps, etc and had real results?
I'm doing everything right (I think) but I can't seem to lose a pound. I eat 5 servings of veggies a day, 2-3 servings of fruit, less than 1700 cal per day, at least 100g of protein, no processed sugars, I stop eating 3 hours before going to bed, and exercise 3-5 times a week. I've been doing this for 2 months and am becoming very frustrated. [I am 5'2" and 140 lbs)
I know there is NO substitute for a healthy lifestyle but I'm wondering if there are any additions to the lifestyle that has personally worked for you?
Thanks!!
I'm wondering if anyone has tried any of the diet pills, weight loss patches, detoxes, clay wraps, etc and had real results?
I'm doing everything right (I think) but I can't seem to lose a pound. I eat 5 servings of veggies a day, 2-3 servings of fruit, less than 1700 cal per day, at least 100g of protein, no processed sugars, I stop eating 3 hours before going to bed, and exercise 3-5 times a week. I've been doing this for 2 months and am becoming very frustrated. [I am 5'2" and 140 lbs)
I know there is NO substitute for a healthy lifestyle but I'm wondering if there are any additions to the lifestyle that has personally worked for you?
Thanks!!
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Replies
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Eat less. Real results.. I saved money and lost weight. 1700 calories at 5'2" might be your problem if you're not active. Some people don't count the calories in their fruit and vegetables, which is a huge mistake. Count everything, with everything. If you're not losing weight lower your calorie intake.0
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Make sure that you know what you are actually eating, then ensure you eat at a deficit.0
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Calorie deficit.
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Are you measuring with a tape measure? You may be losing inches and gaining muscle. The scale isn't everything.0
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Exercise and eat calorie deficit. That is what all diets are doing anyway. Some more roundabout than others.0
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The simple thermodynamic truth is that you have to burn more calories than you consume.
How to manage that is where complications arise. Some people achieve it by following Atkins. Some by eating 18 meals a day. Some by fasting 16 hours/day or 3 days/week. Some by eating lots of soup. Some by forbidding themselves of some food or food types (like sugars). Some by forcing themselves to eat large amounts of some food or food types (cabbage, grapefruit, etc.). There are no universal tricks, that I know of.
One thing I read on a long-term study on weight loss is that those that lost it successfully are mindful - they eat deliberately, they are aware of what they eat, and they control their portions. So instead of sitting in front of the TV with an ice cream tub they meter their portion and don't suddenly get up with an empty container.
I am having massive issues now dealing with appetite after dinner. For several reasons, most of my workouts are around 9 pm at night. So I am eating when I should be sleeping! Getting a handle on that could make a large difference. And now I am realizing that when I am tired I confuse thirst with hunger. So for me, drinking lots of water between meals probably would be a trick that actually works (this didn't use to be an issue for me, I used to drink lots of liquids daily).
Try lots of things, but remember that essentially it all boils down to eating less than what you burn. Achieving that in a way that is satisfactory to your life is the complicated bit.0 -
Calorie deficit.
Your diary isn't open, so we can't see what your tracking or your intake look like. Do you use a food scale?
How did you determine that 1700 calories is an appropriate amount for your current stats and activity level? Do you know approximately how many calories you burn in a day and how large your daily calorie deficit is?0 -
shibainugal wrote: »Are you measuring with a tape measure? You may be losing inches and gaining muscle. The scale isn't everything.
Not happening. Sorry.
OP, log everything you eat accurately and honestly. If you aren't losing, then you aren't in a calorie deficit. The only thing any of those "tricks" will make smaller is your bank account.0 -
I was 140 at my heaviest and got down to 105. I ate a lot less than 1700 calories a day most days when I was losing weight. you're 24 though and I was 37 when i started losing, so that might make a difference, not sure.0
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Your diary isn't open, so it's hard to tell what you're actually logging. For that matter what you're actually eating. I think a lot of people who look for tricks/quick fixes tend to 'cheat' on their food intake and probably eat more than they think they do or that they report.
Make sure you're measuring out your food or weighing it. When you exercise, it should be actual effort, not just walking around the mall (not saying that you aren't, just a mention). Weight loss is more in the kitchen so focus there and like another poster said, consider reducing your cals by a little bit- you are on the short side and I know that my tdee at 5ft6in was supposed to be 1700-1900 depending on what scale I used.0 -
Based on my personal actiivty level I could likely still lose 1lb/week at 140lbs eating 1700 calories a day. It's all personal based on personal activity levels. If she works out an average of 10 minutes a day, she could lose on 1700 just fine. Chances are it's just poor logging or miscalculating burns or something similar.I was 140 at my heaviest and got down to 105. I ate a lot less than 1700 calories a day most days when I was losing weight.
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Based on my personal actiivty level I could likely still lose 1lb/week at 140lbs eating 1700 calories a day. It's all personal based on personal activity levels. If she works out an average of 10 minutes a day, she could lose on 1700 just fine. Chances are it's just poor logging or miscalculating burns or something similar.I was 140 at my heaviest and got down to 105. I ate a lot less than 1700 calories a day most days when I was losing weight.
she's also younger than me. I added that to my post. That might make a difference.0 -
Belviq (lorcaserin HCI) is FDA approved weight loss drug. I know about it because I told a specialist I saw for my eye, I had lost 40 lbs, and she asked if I used Belviq to lose it.
I did not, caloric deficit works, and you don't need a prescription!
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Hi everyone!
I'm wondering if anyone has tried any of the diet pills, weight loss patches, detoxes, clay wraps, etc and had real results?
I'm doing everything right (I think) but I can't seem to lose a pound. I eat 5 servings of veggies a day, 2-3 servings of fruit, less than 1700 cal per day, at least 100g of protein, no processed sugars, I stop eating 3 hours before going to bed, and exercise 3-5 times a week. I've been doing this for 2 months and am becoming very frustrated. [I am 5'2" and 140 lbs)
I know there is NO substitute for a healthy lifestyle but I'm wondering if there are any additions to the lifestyle that has personally worked for you?
Thanks!!
Hi Rach,
The only trick I know of to lose weight is to eat less calories than I burn. I do this by weighing food and logging everything I eat. I eat all the foods I love but in moderation.0 -
Based on my personal actiivty level I could likely still lose 1lb/week at 140lbs eating 1700 calories a day. It's all personal based on personal activity levels. If she works out an average of 10 minutes a day, she could lose on 1700 just fine. Chances are it's just poor logging or miscalculating burns or something similar.I was 140 at my heaviest and got down to 105. I ate a lot less than 1700 calories a day most days when I was losing weight.
she's also younger than me. I added that to my post. That might make a difference.
Possibly, although I've seen some older women posting numbers similar to mine when they are at my goal stats. I don't think age itself has a HUGE effect on TDEE unless the person has simply lost a lot of muscle mass, but do not quote me on that.0 -
As most of the posters here have said a calorie deficit is a must.
However if you have a medical condition complicating things it can be a lot more complicated than that. IF you are confidant you are logging properly, and creating a deficit you should print out your journal and take it to a doctor. I can't happen to hazard a guess as to what exactly is causing the issue. But a Doctor is a good place to start.
I personally have been where you are, doing it all "right" and not losing a pound. After getting proper treatment for a few issues (because I'm blessed like that, to have more than one medical reason to mess with my weight loss
) I am loosing pretty much calories in...calories out.... 0 -
Possibly, although I've seen some older women posting numbers similar to mine when they are at my goal stats. I don't think age itself has a HUGE effect on TDEE unless the person has simply lost a lot of muscle mass, but do not quote me on that.
No, that's right.
Though standard formula's are obviously just estimates, the march of age doesn't change the BMR that much. (Mifflin BMR)
Even the loss of a few pounds of muscle mass isn't that huge a drop. (Katch BMR, Cunningham RMR)
But not using it - that's a big drop.
- And since not using it along with age can ease then losing it - that's a bad triple combo.
Oh - OP - I'll suggest same as others - decent scale and log all food that goes in mouth.
Weigh pre-packaged items, and then do your own math for how many servings you ate if you don't weigh out an exact serving.0 -
What I'm about to tell you will sound so absurd that you might ignore my advice, but trust me. This definitely works for anyone.
#1 Check the real amount of calories that you need to maintain weight on bmr-calculator.net
2# Subtract 700 calories from the maintenance calories (Make sure it doesn't go lower than 1200 for females)
3# Make sure to track your sodium intake in the "Nutrition" section. The more sodium you have in your body, the more water your body will hold. The average Canadian and American consume approx. 3200 mg of sodium.
4# Make sure to eat less carbohydrates and more protein to maximize your body fat loss.
5# When you're in the gym, do heavy weight workouts in 5 repetitions, a total of 5 sets. Since you're a female, you won't get the physique of a man, UNLESS, you take steroids and eat more than your maintenance goals. Doing more heavy weights will force your body to use your fat and sugar storage for energy, and if you don't get proper protein, you'll also burn muscles with this workout.
#6 Drink lots of water to detox your body to allow you to have a more fresher, moisturized, and beautiful skin. Drink around 2 litres a day to get rid of water weight (search water retention for details).
I know you may ignore my advice, but I hope to have at least helped someone who came here, having the same dilemma as you.
Good luck and try hard!0 -
It's quite possible that water retention is covering any weight loss. I can be carrying 5lbs of water at any given time. Also for me at 5'7 working out 3 days a week 1,700 would make my weight loss seem soooooo slooooooow. So if you have yourself on a 1lb/wk deficit and are carrying any water weight then you aren't going to see any change for a while but that doesn't mean it's not happening. The tape measure is your friend!0
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Based on my personal actiivty level I could likely still lose 1lb/week at 140lbs eating 1700 calories a day. It's all personal based on personal activity levels. If she works out an average of 10 minutes a day, she could lose on 1700 just fine. Chances are it's just poor logging or miscalculating burns or something similar.I was 140 at my heaviest and got down to 105. I ate a lot less than 1700 calories a day most days when I was losing weight.
she's also younger than me. I added that to my post. That might make a difference.
Possibly, although I've seen some older women posting numbers similar to mine when they are at my goal stats. I don't think age itself has a HUGE effect on TDEE unless the person has simply lost a lot of muscle mass, but do not quote me on that.
I am older and have a higher TDEE than many people at my weight. The impact is about 100 calories for every 10 years (on BMR). The biggest impact is the fact that we get more sedentary/less active as we age - which is variable.
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Based on my personal actiivty level I could likely still lose 1lb/week at 140lbs eating 1700 calories a day. It's all personal based on personal activity levels. If she works out an average of 10 minutes a day, she could lose on 1700 just fine. Chances are it's just poor logging or miscalculating burns or something similar.I was 140 at my heaviest and got down to 105. I ate a lot less than 1700 calories a day most days when I was losing weight.
she's also younger than me. I added that to my post. That might make a difference.
Possibly, although I've seen some older women posting numbers similar to mine when they are at my goal stats. I don't think age itself has a HUGE effect on TDEE unless the person has simply lost a lot of muscle mass, but do not quote me on that.
I am older and have a higher TDEE than many people at my weight. The impact is about 100 calories for every 10 years (on BMR). The biggest impact is the fact that we get more sedentary/less active as we age - which is variable.
True, and plenty of older adults are also not very heavy, further lowering TDEE. I've also creeped your profile pics a few times and I'm super jealous of your physique and lifting numbers!0 -
OP: there are very few pills/tricks that have more than a negligible impact on fat loss.
Eat at a reasonable caloric deficit
Try to hit your macros
Try to eat mainly nutrient dense foods but you can have treats if you want (assuming they are not trigger foods) - basically eat in a way that will allow better adherence
Try to be active and try to include resistance training in your exercise routine
Be consistent
Be patient
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Also, when did you start exercising (or increase the amount/intensity)?0
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Here is a trick that I use. I use MFP to count my calories in (food) and out (exercise).
It works!! Also, I set my activity level to Sedentary and only count intentional exercise. I eat back some of my exercise calories, but not always all.
I'm not sure how you got 1,700 cals. as a recommended intake when your BMR is more like 1,250. You may be very active, but perhaps you may also be overestimating calories burned by exercise?? To change goals on MFP, click Goals > Change Goals > Guided, Continue, enter in your accurate information and realistic goal weight, and click Update Profile. Try adjusting your levels, tracking that for a couple weeks, and see if you lose at the new level.
Direct Link: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/my_goals
BMI Calculator: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/tools/bmi-calculator
BMR Calculator: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/tools/bmr-calculator
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at 5'2 I can only have 1,200 - 1,400 cals to loose weight maybe 1,700 cals you're eating at maintenance level0
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I am 5ft 2 I started at 148 pounds have always been active with my horses, I work with horses too when I Wanted to lose weight I Started hiking / hill walking with my other half and I joined a gym.. I was eating less than 1700 to lose.. you will be pleased to know now I am maintaining I am having to eat far more than 1700!! actually fighting a drop 104 pounds this morning would like to be no lower than 105 really my personal cut off low weight!! I still weigh food veges and cereal! to maintain under a very active setting I get 2010 calories with excersize am generally going over 2500 not only do I have an active lifestyle job wise which burns calories I go to the gym 5 times a week.. good luck just thought I would let you know not all of us shorties have to maintain on very few calories
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Thanks for all the advice! So I should have mentioned that I tried 1200-1400 cals about 2 years ago and did get down to 120 lbs but all my hair started to fall out. It's finally growing back so I am super weary of eating less than 1500 a day consistently.
I did take the advice to try a tape measure so I'll keep on that and see if there are any changes there.
I appreciate all the tips and tricks as well but most of them I was already doing. I think I may just need to be patient. Weight loss is not an overnight phenomenon.
Thanks for the help!0 -
So good discovery, well, sad actually, sorry about that.
But since total TDEE isn't really that high anyway, and you genetically may get a stressed body with too big a deficit - you have a narrow margin to play in for a deficit there.
When you were eating 1200-1400 back then, how much of a deficit do you think you were taking from what you burned in total? And did you attempt to hold that much deficit all the way to the end, or lessen it as you got closer to goal?0 -
"Real results" as in those gimmicks did something more than transfer money from the mark to the company?rachf2013 wrote:I'm wondering if anyone has tried any of the diet pills, weight loss patches, detoxes, clay wraps, etc and had real results?
No. They don't work for weight loss.
The only one of those you listed which has any possibility of working (and they don't work for everyone) is a prescription appetite suppressant. At your weight & height, you're not even remotely a candidate to use them, so forget about that.
I'm 5'9"-ish (5'10" on a good day) and when I weighed 275 lb my doctor told me to eat 1700 cal/day. Now that I'm down in the 200-teens, I'm aiming for 1400 & my doctor told me I could go to 1300.... [I eat] less than 1700 cal per day ... (I am 5'2" and 140 lbs)
That's _total_ calories, not net. Ignore net, ignore exercise. Just eat at your calorie goal.
At your height, you should be 105-130 lb to be in a healthy BMI range. So you're not far off, which means weight loss is going to be very slow. 0.5 lb per week would be a big success.
Here's a BMI chart. http://www.shapeup.org/bmi/bmi6.pdf
My doctor & dietician told me to eat 10x my healthy goal weight in order to lose weight to get there. So you should be eating 1050-1300 cal.
Once you get there, Harvard Medical School http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/HB_web/calorie-counting-made-easy.htm says you'll need about 15 cal/lb to maintain, if you're active at least 30 min/day.
So it's no wonder that you're not losing when you're eating so much more than you need.
Never heard of that as a side effect of a lower-calorie diet.I tried 1200-1400 cals about 2 years ago and did get down to 120 lbs but all my hair started to fall out.
For poor nutrition, yes, but at your height you should be able to get everything you need with 1200 cal.
Some classic posts:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10012907/logging-accuracy-consistency-and-youre-probably-eating-more-than-you-think
Other than the usual "eat less, move more" (the ELMM diet), here are some things you might not have thought of which can affect weight loss.
Blog posts have links to the research.
Sleep enough
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/MKEgal/view/2014-08-27-sleep-weight-control-690492
Eating higher protein & lower carbs leads to more weight loss
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/MKEgal/view/2014-08-09-high-protein-diet-685553
Try 45% carbs, 20% fat, 35% protein
Eat about half your calories for breakfast
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/MKEgal/view/2014-06-10-some-studies-about-weight-loss-667818
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"Most weight loss occurs because of decreased caloric intake.
However, evidence shows the only way to maintain weight loss is to be engaged in regular physical activity."
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/physical_activity/index.html
See the second half of http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/MKEgal/view/2014-06-08-exercise-667080 for advice about weightlifting which comes from a reputable source (the American Society for Sports Medicine).
You need to know the maximum amount you can lift, called the one-repetition maximum or 1RM.
For building muscle, you want to do 1 or 2 sets of 8-12 repetitions of a weight that's 70-85% of your 1RM.
For building endurance, do 1 or 2 sets of 15-20 repetitions of a weight that's 50-65% of your 1RM.
Either way, start low on both weight & reps and work up.
You should just be able to do the last 2-3 reps.
When it gets easy to do the maximum # of reps, add 5 pounds and go back to the minimum # of reps.
(From the American College of Sports Medicine's book "Resources for the Personal Trainer, 4th edition".)0
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