Not losing, please advise
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Could someone please explain what a food scale has to do with the topic? The original poster tracked for two months while losing a small amount of weight. It's clear that, however they were doing it, that they were consistently eating at a slight deficit. Otherwise the weight would have been different. Isn't that what the mantra "calories in - calories out" means?
So how would weighing food make things different? The original poster then cut back a bit. Since they were already logging for two months then it's again clear that they really did cut back. The cutback has only been for a few days so I would think that just being consistent a few more weeks will show some results.
Cerad, you might be right and I definitely like the acknowledgment that I am eating at some deficit
. I think the issue is that I would like to lose a little bit faster or more consistently. Based on how much effort I feel like I put in and how little I eat (much less than I would like or used to) I would like to see more results. For the last 2 weeks, for ex, I have been gaining and losing the same 1.5lbs. I'd like to see the scale go up less often, I guess. And I agree with everyone that I don't really weigh everything and pick a lot of estimated entries when I track. I do think it makes sense to really find out how much I am really eating for a while. If that still doesn't work, I'll be back with more questions.
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You don't know if you're eating at a defecit though ..purely due to the estimations that you have already acknowledged...someone looking at the maths on your diary also doesn't know if you are, they can only judge it based on what you've logged0
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You don't know if you're eating at a defecit though ..purely due to the estimations that you have already acknowledged...someone looking at the maths on your diary also doesn't know if you are, they can only judge it based on what you've logged
You're right, I just meant that I have lost a little bit of weight so overall, I have eaten at a slight deficit. Am I looking at it wrong?
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Could someone please explain what a food scale has to do with the topic? The original poster tracked for two months while losing a small amount of weight. It's clear that, however they were doing it, that they were consistently eating at a slight deficit. Otherwise the weight would have been different. Isn't that what the mantra "calories in - calories out" means?
So how would weighing food make things different? The original poster then cut back a bit. Since they were already logging for two months then it's again clear that they really did cut back. The cutback has only been for a few days so I would think that just being consistent a few more weeks will show some results.
That's a really good question and one that I think comes up a lot here.
It comes down to margin of error.
At the beginning of a weight loss program, there's water weight drop and there's also a higher deficit since, hey, when you weigh more, you're also burning more calories. A bigger body takes more energy to move around all day than a smaller one.
So, let's say you start off and you're estimating food and you're losing a pound a week. Great! All good, right?
The problem is, of that pound a week, maybe only half of it was actual weight loss. You thought you had a 500 calorie/day deficit when in truth you had a 250 calorie/day deficit and were eating 250 calories more each day than you thought you were.
Now, fast forward a couple of months and your weight loss stalls. "But I didn't do anything different!" you say.
Ah, but the water weight drop stopped. You're down 10 pounds and your margin of error is smaller. You've gotten a little lax in your tracking, 'cause everything was working and you thought it was all hunky-dory. And suddenly, your slim deficit disappeared and you stop losing weight.
The answer now is to tighten up your logging. Before assuming that you have to change your numbers dramatically, you do the smart thing and invest in a food scale and start weighing everything. Suddenly you realize that you thought you were eating 1500 but you've actually been eating 1750. You adjust and start eating a "true" 1500 (or as close as possible to, since no logging's ever gonna be 100% perfect). And you start losing weight again.
It's VERY common. It's usually the first thing you should try.0 -
Read the original post. She lost several pounds over the course of several months. Body weight scales are fairly accurate so measuring weight loss is not an estimate nor is measuring time. If your weight is less now that is was a few months ago then yes you are eating at a deficit.How is it clear that they are eating at a defecit if they are guessing what calories they are eating ..clearly in the estimation and guesswork and cup measurements they've eaten up the defecit that the screen is showing
Weighing your food may or may not help you track and maintain your day to day deficit. But month to month average body weight measurements are the only practical way to be sure.
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You're right, I just meant that I have lost a little bit of weight so overall, I have eaten at a slight deficit. Am I looking at it wrong?
No, I think you've got the right idea. You just need to tighten up on your logging and weighing. Use that calculator I recommended (or one that's similar) and you'll do great. You would have to be a genetic anomaly to not lose weight at a deficit. It just takes time and a WHOLE lot of patience and consistency.
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You don't know if you're eating at a defecit though ..purely due to the estimations that you have already acknowledged...someone looking at the maths on your diary also doesn't know if you are, they can only judge it based on what you've logged
You're right, I just meant that I have lost a little bit of weight so overall, I have eaten at a slight deficit. Am I looking at it wrong?
Nope ...that's the best measure of all
If you're losing you're at a defecit ...you can guesstimate what kind of defecit by calculating roughly 3500 calories under maintenance per pound loss then average that over the length of time0 -
Read the original post. She lost several pounds over the course of several months. Body weight scales are fairly accurate so measuring weight loss is not an estimate nor is measuring time. If your weight is less now that is was a few months ago then yes you are eating at a deficit.How is it clear that they are eating at a defecit if they are guessing what calories they are eating ..clearly in the estimation and guesswork and cup measurements they've eaten up the defecit that the screen is showing
Weighing your food may or may not help you track and maintain your day to day deficit. But month to month average body weight measurements are the only practical way to be sure.
Agree
Must have misunderstood your confusion in your original post0 -
Sorry to hear you're stalled. I agree that a trip to the doctor is always insightful. The previous suggestions are all good, as well. Food scales, measuring cups, teaspoons stashed in your purse when you are away from your kitchen...these things matter and will, over time and with the data you accumulate from your food diary, teach you about what works for your own body.
I think it is also important to address the "types" of calories you are eating. Perhaps you are eating a lot of sodium laced, manufactured foods. Perhaps your body doesn't give up the fat because you are eating a lot of carbs and you don't digest them as efficiently at this time. Perhaps you are the the type of person who responds better to a higher protein, heavily "vegged out" plate.
I have found that the beauty of MyFitnessPal's tracking system is that, over time, you can more clearly figure out what exactly works best for your body. Through tracking and constantly reviewing my statistics (at least once per week) I can see "trends" and remember what "felt" right for me.
Another thing that has helped me, personally, is not losing too fast. I started MyFitnessPal at my heaviest weight ever, 186.2lbs twelve months ago. Over the course of the past year I have stayed in what I call a "weight decade" for about 6-8 weeks. That is to say, once the initial extra five pounds came off in the first weeks, I stayed in the 170's for two months before I went to the 160's, etc., It has helped me maintain my weight and enjoy where I'm at, and FEEL GOOD ABOUT MYSELF AND WHAT I'M DOING, even with extra to lose.
Good luck to you. I wish you luck accepting your beauty no matter your size, and hope you are able to gain support here learning about safe and sound nutrition, because that's what fuels and fires our movements and minds.
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Danilynn1975 wrote: »queenliz99 wrote: »Danilynn1975 wrote: »Are you cold?
are you losing hair, fingernail changes?
Are you so tired you could sleep as an Olympic event?
are your eyelashes falling out, weird bloating?
do you have a lump in your throat?
and most importantly, have you hit some wall where no matter how hard you log, weigh and measure, work out through pain, tired, and exhaustion can't lose weight?
Go check your thyroid. Don't wait. Don't settle for living a half life of hell.
I have been unable to lose weight past where I am for 2 years. I log so faithfully it is unreal. exercise is a ritual. nothing worked, so I called it done, and have been maintaining/gaining/ping pong bounce with no change in diet between 153 and 164 for that same 2 years.
A lump in my throat as I type this could very well be cancer. They don't know, all they do know right now is it is on my right lobe of my thyroid which is swollen to nearly double it's size with a "normal TSH", which is only 1 test of about 7 for a thyroid panel. You have to fight to get the rest done.
At best right now they suspect I could have an auto-immune disorder called Hashimoto's as my weird stuff is a mix of both Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
Check your throat if any of this sounds like you. Plateaus that won't break? despite what you may read in these forums, it may not be your "failure to accurately log" your "weak exercise routine".
Please don't settle for faux science and get yourself checked out.
So, in the next few weeks, I get to be even more of a pincushion for the medical field, I'm going to drink gross stuff to light up my throat for scans and at some point have needles shoved into that growth to find out. Don't wait thinking it's you and "crap logging" that is causing this. It may just be your thyroid. a few blood tests beat the heck out of being told 1 day before your 40th birthday you might have cancer.
Disregard this
so you my new doctor? really don't recall seeing you in the exam room or when I got an ultrasound on my throat.
Please tell me how you became an expert on what my medical health is. I'd love to know how an enlarged diffuse thyroid 2 times it's normal size with a 2.1 cm growth is normal and to be disregarded.
enlighten me. please oh medical guru
You copied and pasted this post for another thread too? Or, copied and pasted here? I understand you are angry, and I don't blame you, but this in no way addresses the original post.0 -
You're right, I just meant that I have lost a little bit of weight so overall, I have eaten at a slight deficit. Am I looking at it wrong?
No, I think you've got the right idea. You just need to tighten up on your logging and weighing. Use that calculator I recommended (or one that's similar) and you'll do great. You would have to be a genetic anomaly to not lose weight at a deficit. It just takes time and a WHOLE lot of patience and consistency.
Thanks, I just entered all my numbers and if I eat 1,400 calories but track exactly I should be good. Which is great. Thanks for sharing that!0 -
You're right, I just meant that I have lost a little bit of weight so overall, I have eaten at a slight deficit. Am I looking at it wrong?
No, I think you've got the right idea. You just need to tighten up on your logging and weighing. Use that calculator I recommended (or one that's similar) and you'll do great. You would have to be a genetic anomaly to not lose weight at a deficit. It just takes time and a WHOLE lot of patience and consistency.
Thanks, I just entered all my numbers and if I eat 1,400 calories but track exactly I should be good. Which is great. Thanks for sharing that!
Good luck. It's so refreshing to see someone on the forums ask for help, ignore the red herrings and spats, focus and recognise the sound, truthful advice - take that on board and run with it. Hats off to you :-)
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amandarunning wrote: »Good luck. It's so refreshing to see someone on the forums ask for help, ignore the red herrings and spats, focus and recognise the sound, truthful advice - take that on board and run with it. Hats off to you :-)
+1 on this. Sounds like you have the right mindset for success! Best of luck to you.0 -
amandarunning wrote: »
You're right, I just meant that I have lost a little bit of weight so overall, I have eaten at a slight deficit. Am I looking at it wrong?
No, I think you've got the right idea. You just need to tighten up on your logging and weighing. Use that calculator I recommended (or one that's similar) and you'll do great. You would have to be a genetic anomaly to not lose weight at a deficit. It just takes time and a WHOLE lot of patience and consistency.
Thanks, I just entered all my numbers and if I eat 1,400 calories but track exactly I should be good. Which is great. Thanks for sharing that!
Good luck. It's so refreshing to see someone on the forums ask for help, ignore the red herrings and spats, focus and recognise the sound, truthful advice - take that on board and run with it. Hats off to you :-)
I second this!! kudos to the OP!! and best wishes 0 -
Thank you all! You are right and I needed to hear it. I am not religious about weighing and I do estimate quite a bit. That video is awesome and v convincing. I am going to weigh as much as I possibly can for the next 50 days and compare. Thanks, everyone!
Hi There OP. We have similar stats and similar results and I suspect similar causes. I ran across the video above last week and got diligent this week. Every gram weighed and not 'rounding' measurements. I also INCREASED my calories to be inline with the -25% number of TDEE. And what do you know? The scale moved this week. Not hugely but down is down and consistency is the key! Good luck and let us know how it goes 0 -
Good luck. It's so refreshing to see someone on the forums ask for help, ignore the red herrings and spats, focus and recognise the sound, truthful advice - take that on board and run with it. Hats off to you :-)
Agreed. Good luck to you!
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Read the original post. She lost several pounds over the course of several months. Body weight scales are fairly accurate so measuring weight loss is not an estimate nor is measuring time. If your weight is less now that is was a few months ago then yes you are eating at a deficit.How is it clear that they are eating at a defecit if they are guessing what calories they are eating ..clearly in the estimation and guesswork and cup measurements they've eaten up the defecit that the screen is showing
Weighing your food may or may not help you track and maintain your day to day deficit. But month to month average body weight measurements are the only practical way to be sure.
Agree
Must have misunderstood your confusion in your original post
You didn't
They are arguing Against advising using a food scale. Ridiculous.
You can be in a deficit by accident - weighing your food accurately is the only way to work out how much you are eating - how that number affects your weight and therefore how much to eat to lose weight.
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Yes she lost weight - but SHE HAS NOW STALLED - therefore it is time to stop guessing and make sure she eats the calories she thinks she needs to lose weight.
After a month of accurate logging she can see if it is working or not - but only if she has been accurately logging.
Possibly the first time I have seen someone argue against a food scale :noway:0 -
Danilynn1975 wrote: »I posted that because it is important. not everything is because someone is negligent in their tracking. Not everyone is perfect. It is a valid thought.
Most thyroid patients are women, and millions go undiagnosed because they just don't know. No on tells people to check their throat for swelling. But breast health is pushed. thyroid health isn't. Thyroid health is extremely important.
Completely agree with you. I went undiagnosed with postpartum hypothyroidism for 14 months and my health and life went to hell. If you are having any exhaustion then do not wait. Demand that the Dr test you using a full panel and not just a TSH test.
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Thanks again, everyone! I just ordered a new mechanical scale. One of the reasons I don't use my scale faithfully is because I'm always out of batteries. Neither is a fancy scale so I'm glad there's something I can do inexpensively and easily and I can't wait to see what happens in the next month or so. Thank you for all the help!!0
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If by "they" you mean me then no I was not advising against a food scale. I was merely asking how using a food scale would help in the case of someone already eating at a deficit for months.Iron_Feline wrote: »
You didn't
They are arguing Against advising using a food scale. Ridiculous.
You can be in a deficit by accident - weighing your food accurately is the only way to work out how much you are eating - how that number affects your weight and therefore how much to eat to lose weight.
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Yes she lost weight - but SHE HAS NOW STALLED - therefore it is time to stop guessing and make sure she eats the calories she thinks she needs to lose weight.
After a month of accurate logging she can see if it is working or not - but only if she has been accurately logging.
Possibly the first time I have seen someone argue against a food scale :noway:
I am a bit skeptical that this was some sort of accident. Even more skeptical of the notion that calorie deficit can be determined by weighing food. Way too much room for errors both in calorie intake estimates as well as calorie outtake guesstimates.
Take a look at the success forum. How many folks triumphantly announce that they ate at a calculated deficit of x calories a year? Not very many because for weight loss, it's losing weight that counts.
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I am 5'3, currently 194. I exercise very irregularly and not seriously. I used to be a consistent weightlifter and I know that what I'm doing now is nothing, so I would count myself as sedentary.
I think you should start working out, too. It did wonders for my mood and my weight loss. I started at 200 lbs. and I am 5'2". I have lost 27 lbs. by eating right and working out. If I can do it, so can you!
So, here is my question. What is keeping you from going for a 30 minute walk a few days a week?0 -
Danilynn1975 wrote: »I posted that because it is important. not everything is because someone is negligent in their tracking. Not everyone is perfect. It is a valid thought.
Most thyroid patients are women, and millions go undiagnosed because they just don't know. No on tells people to check their throat for swelling. But breast health is pushed. thyroid health isn't. Thyroid health is extremely important.
Danilynn, you are a rare exception. The most common reason people don't lose weight is inaccurate calorie counting...eating more than they realize. I would suggest the OP try to keep accurate count of calories before going to the doctor and having tests run for a condition she very likely does not have. If after some time of accurate counting, she still isn't losing weight, then maybe she should visit her physician, but maybe she shouldn't jump the gun on that one just yet. Sometimes the simplest answer is the right one.
Edit: I notice that in later posts the OP said she does not have any medical conditions, so it is likely what most here are telling her...inaccurate calorie counting. That video above is a great reference and shows how easy that is to do.
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I know that I do not have thyroid problems. I am not logging accurately and this thread has been a great kick in the butt. Thanks very much for all the thoughtfulness in all the posts.0
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If by "they" you mean me then no I was not advising against a food scale. I was merely asking how using a food scale would help in the case of someone already eating at a deficit for months.Iron_Feline wrote: »
You didn't
They are arguing Against advising using a food scale. Ridiculous.
You can be in a deficit by accident - weighing your food accurately is the only way to work out how much you are eating - how that number affects your weight and therefore how much to eat to lose weight.
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Yes she lost weight - but SHE HAS NOW STALLED - therefore it is time to stop guessing and make sure she eats the calories she thinks she needs to lose weight.
After a month of accurate logging she can see if it is working or not - but only if she has been accurately logging.
Possibly the first time I have seen someone argue against a food scale :noway:
I am a bit skeptical that this was some sort of accident. Even more skeptical of the notion that calorie deficit can be determined by weighing food. Way too much room for errors both in calorie intake estimates as well as calorie outtake guesstimates.
Take a look at the success forum. How many folks triumphantly announce that they ate at a calculated deficit of x calories a year? Not very many because for weight loss, it's losing weight that counts.
I. just. can't. even :noway:0 -
I know that I do not have thyroid problems. I am not logging accurately and this thread has been a great kick in the butt. Thanks very much for all the thoughtfulness in all the posts.
Lovely to see an op who takes the good advice given - good luck, I'm sure you'll be losing again in no time :flowerforyou:0 -
If by "they" you mean me then no I was not advising against a food scale. I was merely asking how using a food scale would help in the case of someone already eating at a deficit for months.
Because the point is if a person is maintaining weight they are not eating at a calorie deficit, they just think they are. Weight loss is calories in/calories out, and if you're not losing weight it's 99% due to inaccurate counting or 1% due to an underlying medical issue. A food scale helps with accuracy because (1) our eyeballs are often bigger than our stomachs, (2) measuring cups and spoons are not accurate and weight in grams is, or (3) there is no such thing as a medium banana or small orange or large plum-they may look to be certain sizes, but weighing in grams is much more accurate than gueswork.I am a bit skeptical that this was some sort of accident. Even more skeptical of the notion that calorie deficit can be determined by weighing food. Way too much room for errors both in calorie intake estimates as well as calorie outtake guesstimates.
Well, while you're in skepticism mode, do some research and see how accurate weighing food is. Start taking guesses at the calorie content of food and then put it on the scale. I guarantee most of the time you will see the difference.Take a look at the success forum. How many folks triumphantly announce that they ate at a calculated deficit of x calories a year? Not very many because for weight loss, it's losing weight that counts.
What? The only way to lose weight is to eat less calories than you burn. In this case, it's the deficit that counts.
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In this case she was losing weight over the course of 56 days.Because the point is if a person is maintaining weight they are not eating at a calorie deficit, they just think they are.
Could you point me to some that applies to this scenario? Cases where calculated deficits based on weighing food are more accurate then deficits based on the person's body weight....
Well, while you're in skepticism mode, do some research and see how accurate weighing food is. Start taking guesses at the calorie content of food and then put it on the scale. I guarantee most of the time you will see the difference.
Sure. And the only real way to know if you have a deficit is to track your body weight.What? The only way to lose weight is to eat less calories than you burn. In this case, it's the deficit that counts.0 -
Sure. And the only real way to know if you have a deficit is to track your body weight.
You have to do BOTH. If either one is off, the results of the other will reflect that.
If you're taking in the same amount of calories per day that you burn off, your weight will remain stable and not change (and this is over a long period of time - say 6-8 weeks).
If you're eating more calories than you burn off, you will gain weight.
If you're eating UNDER the number of calories that you burn off, you will lose.
Tracking your weight is ONE way to help determine that you are correctly in a deficit. You can also use measurements or the way your clothing fits, as sometimes the scale may not show you've lost FAT, but you may be either trading fat for muscle or you may be retaining water, and your weight may remain the same even though you are correctly in a deficit.
You use a food scale to more accurately determine the number of calories you eat per day. Eyeballing food is a poor way for someone who is just starting out to count calories. Some are better than others, but for one just starting out, it's best to just use the scale to begin to get an idea of what your serving portions SHOULD look like.
Hence the stressed importance of using the food scale. You need both a deficit and measurements to determine if what you're doing is working.
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Well no. If your weight is dropping over time then we can conclude that your weight is dropping. No other measurements are needed.You have to do BOTH. If either one is off, the results of the other will reflect that.
Of course but an actual deficit is needed, not a calculated deficit.If you're taking in the same amount of calories per day that you burn off, your weight will remain stable and not change (and this is over a long period of time - say 6-8 weeks).
If you're eating more calories than you burn off, you will gain weight.
If you're eating UNDER the number of calories that you burn off, you will lose.
Nope. The subject is weight loss. Body fat does not convert to muscle. If your weight stays constant over time then your deficit is basically zero.Tracking your weight is ONE way to help determine that you are correctly in a deficit. You can also use measurements or the way your clothing fits, as sometimes the scale may not show you've lost FAT, but you may be either trading fat for muscle or you may be retaining water, and your weight may remain the same even though you are correctly in a deficit.
But this thread is about someone who has been successfully tracking and losing weight over 56 days. Your short term arguments are not applicable. The "more accurately" portion of your post is very important. More accurately does not imply accurate. It's doubtful that the accuracy of deficit calculation is better then 20-25%. You need long term weight measurements to determine actual deficits.You use a food scale to more accurately determine the number of calories you eat per day. Eyeballing food is a poor way for someone who is just starting out to count calories. Some are better than others, but for one just starting out, it's best to just use the scale to begin to get an idea of what your serving portions SHOULD look like.
Nope. If the goal is to lose weight then measuring weight loss is all you need to do to determine if you are in fact losing weight.Hence the stressed importance of using the food scale. You need both a deficit and measurements to determine if what you're doing is working.0 -
Cerad, I really appreciate your comments and I think your logic is on-point. I agree with you that measuring is irrelevant if the goal is to lose weight and if one is in fact losing weight. I completely agree with you and I would not be concerned about tracking if I was losing just a little bit more. I am definitely eating at a deficit because I have lost a wee bit of weight, like you said, but I would like to lose just a wee bit more every month. Because of this, I think everyone's suggestion is exactly right, and I do have to try to create a bigger deficit. There may be other ways to do this (exercise, establishing some kind of eating rules, whatever) and accurately estimating the calories is one of those ways. The thing is, I have been measuring weight and it's not really enough for what I would like to see happen. I do have to measure something else now. But if I was losing weight a bit more consistently, I absolutely agree with you that I wouldn't really need to calculate the precise deficit.
I know you know all this already, I just wanted to add this to the conversation since I asked the initial question and I want you to know that I appreciate your thoughtful posts and your points are not wasted on me.0
This discussion has been closed.
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