Trouble Losing Weight: too few calories?
Panda_Poptarts
Posts: 971 Member
I've been going strong with the weight loss thing for about 8 weeks now. I've lost 10 pounds, which is an awesome start. I have another 100 to go!
For the past couple weeks, I haven't been able to lose anything. In fact, I am yo-yoing the same 5 pounds around. I realize this 5lbs is most likely water weight. However, I did start a hormonal birth control 6 weeks ago to help with hormonal problems, and it's possible that the gain is legitimate.
At this point, I am feeling pretty discouraged. I continue to eat within my calories, and am seeing no results. I wonder if my caloric intake has anything to do with it? I am currently shooting for 1200 calories a day (except for once a week, which is a day I don't usually log), with a maximum of 1400. One of the doctors I work with said this is the best way to lose weight for someone who is obese.
Is it possible that I'm just eating too few calories? I've heard so many pieces of advice on the topic of calories, that I'm not sure what way I should be leaning. I just want to see some progress!
For the past couple weeks, I haven't been able to lose anything. In fact, I am yo-yoing the same 5 pounds around. I realize this 5lbs is most likely water weight. However, I did start a hormonal birth control 6 weeks ago to help with hormonal problems, and it's possible that the gain is legitimate.
At this point, I am feeling pretty discouraged. I continue to eat within my calories, and am seeing no results. I wonder if my caloric intake has anything to do with it? I am currently shooting for 1200 calories a day (except for once a week, which is a day I don't usually log), with a maximum of 1400. One of the doctors I work with said this is the best way to lose weight for someone who is obese.
Is it possible that I'm just eating too few calories? I've heard so many pieces of advice on the topic of calories, that I'm not sure what way I should be leaning. I just want to see some progress!
0
Replies
-
Have you allowed MFP to calculate your intake for you? Many of us have had success using their calculations. My goal starts at 1200 and I earn more calories when I work out, etc. I am currently 125 pounds. I hope that helps!0
-
if you eat too few calories, what will happen is you will lose muscle mass
I'd say you are eating far too few calories, best bet is to have a chat with your doctor, your body needs a minimum of calories to function
using myfitnesspal and entering my details and losing at the max recommended weight of 2lbs, my recommended calorie intake is 1820 calories per day and that is with light activity0 -
jessicaesqueda0409 wrote: »I am currently shooting for 1200 calories a day (except for once a week, which is a day I don't usually log), with a maximum of 1400.
Always always always log, I am betting that is your problem. If you are eating whatever you want then it is totally possible you are erasing all the deficit your created all week long.
Also read:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1234699/logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide#latest
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
0 -
I think you should log on that one day off and see just how much you are eating. If it's way over, that would erase any deficit and you would have no loss.
edit: I posted too slow...I see someone else has suggested the same
0 -
from everything I keep reading on here, it seems as though doctors are clueless as to what it takes to lose weight and they all just pull out that 1200 calorie number. A medical degree is not necessary to give it so little thought. See a nutritionist, not a doctor if you are planning to take professional advice on this.
I never stalled due to eating too little, just kept losing weight, so I'm going with that not being a real cause for stalling. It also doesn't make much sense that not eating enough would truly make someone stall for life. Need food to create mass.0 -
I couldn't tell from your post if the day you do not log your max is 1400 or you don't log because you are way over. I will tell you, one cheat day can kill your diet. I don't believe you are eating too little. You are probably eating too much and not logging or weighing accurately. If you are truly staying between 1200-1400 cals/day, you will absolutley lose weight, though it is too low for someone your age/weight.0
-
bump
0 -
farfromthetree wrote: »I couldn't tell from your post if the day you do not log your max is 1400 or you don't log because you are way over. I will tell you, one cheat day can kill your diet. I don't believe you are eating too little. You are probably eating too much and not logging or weighing accurately. If you are truly staying between 1200-1400 cals/day, you will absolutley lose weight, though it is too low for someone your age/weight.
I keep it under 2k on the cheat day. The past few weeks I've logged it. We usually eat out out that one night a week for dinner, but the rest of my day stays pretty normal.
Maybe a food scale is in my future.
0 -
In a perfect world, if you were eating too few calories, you would probably still be losing weight. (Note that I am not advocating eating too few calories!) However, you did mention that you have some level of hormonal imbalance--that can definitely have an effect on your weight loss efforts. Also, there is the matter of not tracking an entire day--you *think* you're not going over, but there is no way to be sure without tracking. Tighten up your tracking (don't underestimate your intake), log everyday, don't overestimate your calorie burn from exercise, and the weight should continue to come off. If it doesn't, then check in with your doctor about the hormone thing.0
-
jessicaesqueda0409 wrote: »farfromthetree wrote: »I couldn't tell from your post if the day you do not log your max is 1400 or you don't log because you are way over. I will tell you, one cheat day can kill your diet. I don't believe you are eating too little. You are probably eating too much and not logging or weighing accurately. If you are truly staying between 1200-1400 cals/day, you will absolutley lose weight, though it is too low for someone your age/weight.
I keep it under 2k on the cheat day. The past few weeks I've logged it. We usually eat out out that one night a week for dinner, but the rest of my day stays pretty normal.
Maybe a food scale is in my future.
^ My gosh yes!! It is KEY!! Focus on teaching yourself how to log and weigh everything as accurately as possible! When I was in weight loss mode I didn't allow myself to have a cheat meal once a week. I would treat myself every 8 or 9 pounds. This could be what is hurting you!!0 -
"Maybe a food scale is in my future. "
A food scale should definitely be in your future! It doesn't have to be expensive. And digital is maybe a bit less hassle. Get whatever you like. It takes a bit of adjusting to, at first, but I promise it gets easier.
And it's *so much better* because you'll be eating what you think you're eating, so there will be a lot less frustration.
Agree with others about the 1200 -- do what MFP thinks. There's no, like, magic number that is good for "someone who is obese." And actually, the more you weigh, the more you can eat and still lose at a good clip!
Someone posted this the other day and I thought it was a really great example of what a food scale could do for you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjKPIcI51lU
0 -
futuremanda wrote: »"Maybe a food scale is in my future. "
A food scale should definitely be in your future! It doesn't have to be expensive. And digital is maybe a bit less hassle. Get whatever you like. It takes a bit of adjusting to, at first, but I promise it gets easier.
And it's *so much better* because you'll be eating what you think you're eating, so there will be a lot less frustration.
Agree with others about the 1200 -- do what MFP thinks. There's no, like, magic number that is good for "someone who is obese." And actually, the more you weigh, the more you can eat and still lose at a good clip!
Someone posted this the other day and I thought it was a really great example of what a food scale could do for you:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjKPIcI51lU
It's possible that this post will offend.
I never wanted to be THAT girl. The one micromanaging every grain of rice I put in my mouth? And yet I kind of feel like I have to be.
I watched my mom get weight loss surgery, lose 150, and put it all back on and then some within a couple years. She had the same mentality of one bite doesn't matter. Until one bite of chocolate became the whole box, twice a week.
I don't want to be THAT girl either. I want to lose the 100 I put on with motherhood and grad school. I've done well with some things like giving up soda (I was at more than a liter a day), cutting out most snacking that consisted of processed crap, watching my sugar intake. But something isn't working and when I get on a plane in September I don't want to have to ask for the seat belt extender.
I like to think I'm being honest I'm what I'm eating but I'm an eye baller. Maybe I need to become a hardcore measurer.
0 -
Wow,great video - thanks!0
-
jessicaesqueda0409 wrote: »futuremanda wrote: »"Maybe a food scale is in my future. "
A food scale should definitely be in your future! It doesn't have to be expensive. And digital is maybe a bit less hassle. Get whatever you like. It takes a bit of adjusting to, at first, but I promise it gets easier.
And it's *so much better* because you'll be eating what you think you're eating, so there will be a lot less frustration.
Agree with others about the 1200 -- do what MFP thinks. There's no, like, magic number that is good for "someone who is obese." And actually, the more you weigh, the more you can eat and still lose at a good clip!
Someone posted this the other day and I thought it was a really great example of what a food scale could do for you:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjKPIcI51lU
It's possible that this post will offend.
I never wanted to be THAT girl. The one micromanaging every grain of rice I put in my mouth? And yet I kind of feel like I have to be.
I watched my mom get weight loss surgery, lose 150, and put it all back on and then some within a couple years. She had the same mentality of one bite doesn't matter. Until one bite of chocolate became the whole box, twice a week.
I don't want to be THAT girl either. I want to lose the 100 I put on with motherhood and grad school. I've done well with some things like giving up soda (I was at more than a liter a day), cutting out most snacking that consisted of processed crap, watching my sugar intake. But something isn't working and when I get on a plane in September I don't want to have to ask for the seat belt extender.
I like to think I'm being honest I'm what I'm eating but I'm an eye baller. Maybe I need to become a hardcore measurer.
I know it's different for everyone, but personally I found a food scale kind of freeing. It's a lot less hassle than I thought it would be, I have fewer dishes and such than I did when using measuring cups, and I know what my portion size is at a glance when I scoop something into my bowl. Eyeballing works great for some people and I recognize that food scales aren't fir everyone. But they can be a useful tool to check up on and/or calibrate your eyeballing skills when things aren't going well.
0 -
jessicaesqueda0409 wrote: »futuremanda wrote: »"Maybe a food scale is in my future. "
A food scale should definitely be in your future! It doesn't have to be expensive. And digital is maybe a bit less hassle. Get whatever you like. It takes a bit of adjusting to, at first, but I promise it gets easier.
And it's *so much better* because you'll be eating what you think you're eating, so there will be a lot less frustration.
Agree with others about the 1200 -- do what MFP thinks. There's no, like, magic number that is good for "someone who is obese." And actually, the more you weigh, the more you can eat and still lose at a good clip!
Someone posted this the other day and I thought it was a really great example of what a food scale could do for you:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjKPIcI51lU
It's possible that this post will offend.
I never wanted to be THAT girl. The one micromanaging every grain of rice I put in my mouth? And yet I kind of feel like I have to be.
I watched my mom get weight loss surgery, lose 150, and put it all back on and then some within a couple years. She had the same mentality of one bite doesn't matter. Until one bite of chocolate became the whole box, twice a week.
I don't want to be THAT girl either. I want to lose the 100 I put on with motherhood and grad school. I've done well with some things like giving up soda (I was at more than a liter a day), cutting out most snacking that consisted of processed crap, watching my sugar intake. But something isn't working and when I get on a plane in September I don't want to have to ask for the seat belt extender.
I like to think I'm being honest I'm what I'm eating but I'm an eye baller. Maybe I need to become a hardcore measurer.
That was such a heartfelt message...and I get it. In the beginning it sounds crazy to log everything.
I can tell you for me, it is he best thing I have ever done for myself. I have never been happier and feeling more in control. I was overweight for 20 years, I never want to go back. No more high sugar levels, no more high blood pressure and I have a very healthy resting heart rate where before it was very high.
It literally takes me 2 minutes to log each meal, I spend much more time doing stupid things like FB. So, I owe that to myself.
I got fat eating "healthy" foods. I just ate too much!! good luck with what you decide but I dont regret it and will do it probably for the rest of my life!0 -
diannethegeek wrote: »jessicaesqueda0409 wrote: »futuremanda wrote: »"Maybe a food scale is in my future. "
A food scale should definitely be in your future! It doesn't have to be expensive. And digital is maybe a bit less hassle. Get whatever you like. It takes a bit of adjusting to, at first, but I promise it gets easier.
And it's *so much better* because you'll be eating what you think you're eating, so there will be a lot less frustration.
Agree with others about the 1200 -- do what MFP thinks. There's no, like, magic number that is good for "someone who is obese." And actually, the more you weigh, the more you can eat and still lose at a good clip!
Someone posted this the other day and I thought it was a really great example of what a food scale could do for you:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjKPIcI51lU
It's possible that this post will offend.
I never wanted to be THAT girl. The one micromanaging every grain of rice I put in my mouth? And yet I kind of feel like I have to be.
I watched my mom get weight loss surgery, lose 150, and put it all back on and then some within a couple years. She had the same mentality of one bite doesn't matter. Until one bite of chocolate became the whole box, twice a week.
I don't want to be THAT girl either. I want to lose the 100 I put on with motherhood and grad school. I've done well with some things like giving up soda (I was at more than a liter a day), cutting out most snacking that consisted of processed crap, watching my sugar intake. But something isn't working and when I get on a plane in September I don't want to have to ask for the seat belt extender.
I like to think I'm being honest I'm what I'm eating but I'm an eye baller. Maybe I need to become a hardcore measurer.
I know it's different for everyone, but personally I found a food scale kind of freeing. It's a lot less hassle than I thought it would be, I have fewer dishes and such than I did when using measuring cups, and I know what my portion size is at a glance when I scoop something into my bowl. Eyeballing works great for some people and I recognize that food scales aren't fir everyone. But they can be a useful tool to check up on and/or calibrate your eyeballing skills when things aren't going well.
It's quite possible that whether or not I WANT to, I actually NEED to.0 -
farfromthetree wrote: »jessicaesqueda0409 wrote: »futuremanda wrote: »"Maybe a food scale is in my future. "
A food scale should definitely be in your future! It doesn't have to be expensive. And digital is maybe a bit less hassle. Get whatever you like. It takes a bit of adjusting to, at first, but I promise it gets easier.
And it's *so much better* because you'll be eating what you think you're eating, so there will be a lot less frustration.
Agree with others about the 1200 -- do what MFP thinks. There's no, like, magic number that is good for "someone who is obese." And actually, the more you weigh, the more you can eat and still lose at a good clip!
Someone posted this the other day and I thought it was a really great example of what a food scale could do for you:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjKPIcI51lU
It's possible that this post will offend.
I never wanted to be THAT girl. The one micromanaging every grain of rice I put in my mouth? And yet I kind of feel like I have to be.
I watched my mom get weight loss surgery, lose 150, and put it all back on and then some within a couple years. She had the same mentality of one bite doesn't matter. Until one bite of chocolate became the whole box, twice a week.
I don't want to be THAT girl either. I want to lose the 100 I put on with motherhood and grad school. I've done well with some things like giving up soda (I was at more than a liter a day), cutting out most snacking that consisted of processed crap, watching my sugar intake. But something isn't working and when I get on a plane in September I don't want to have to ask for the seat belt extender.
I like to think I'm being honest I'm what I'm eating but I'm an eye baller. Maybe I need to become a hardcore measurer.
That was such a heartfelt message...and I get it. In the beginning it sounds crazy to log everything.
I can tell you for me, it is he best thing I have ever done for myself. I have never been happier and feeling more in control. I was overweight for 20 years, I never want to go back. No more high sugar levels, no more high blood pressure and I have a very healthy resting heart rate where before it was very high.
It literally takes me 2 minutes to log each meal, I spend much more time doing stupid things like FB. So, I owe that to myself.
I got fat eating "healthy" foods. I just ate too much!! good luck with what you decide but I dont regret it and will do it probably for the rest of my life!
I think it's worth a try. I'm young... approaching 24. The older I get the harder it will be to lose. I'm 300lbs. I don't want my kids to grow up thinking it's okay to be fat, that it doesn't matter. I want to be healthy for them.
It just so happens that today is payday. Sounds like I'm shopping for a food scale after I get back from from my run.
While my health has always been good I imagine, sooner or later, it wont. You're right. We are worth 2 minutes
0 -
Yea measuring is the best way honestly, it sucks at first but it eventually becomes habit. If you were extremely over weight like I was then pretty much any healthier diet change would trigger weight loss, but it gets to a point where eye balling just doesn't work as good anymore.0
-
nice video, I'm going to show it at home. I do weigh and measure, and sometimes it gets a bit annoying, but it is important if I want to be healthy. Moderation in all things.0
-
. I'm 300lbs. I don't want my kids to grow up thinking it's okay to be fat, that it doesn't matter. I want to be healthy for them.
It just so happens that today is payday. Sounds like I'm shopping for a food scale after I get back from from my run.
While my health has always been good I imagine, sooner or later, it wont. You're right. We are worth 2 minutes
I find that very admirable, I can tell you personally that since I started this journey I have pin pointed several habits that helped me get to my 240lbs self, and I now realize that I have them all in common with my overweight mother. And my normal weight father never had those habits....huh. Its amazing the little things we pick up and don't even realize it.
Also, don't feel like you have to put out a bunch of money for a food scale. I got mine at wal-mart for like $12 and it has done a great job and lasted 2 years. I am sure you can find a super fancy 100$ model if you want but its just not necessary if you are on a budget. Definitely go digital though, its just easier
0 -
This is very helpful. I have a question; What are your suggestions for beverages. Do you actually measure how much fruit juice your drink? Or are your measurements reserved for food items?0
-
Weigh solids and measure liquids
Anything that has calories HAS TO BE LOGGED!0 -
4legsRbetterthan2 wrote: »Weigh solids and measure liquids
Anything that has calories HAS TO BE LOGGED!
Great, Thanks!0 -
I log everything but its hard for me to put things on a food scale because of me being in college. What I do is figure out how many calories are in things such as tablespoons and cups and I can usually figure out what to do from there. I've actually started to eat more and lose more weight this past week but I'm still under my calories by a lot. I also workout twice a day and walk a lot. Once you start getting a hang of things it gets much easier to figure out how much food you eat. And when it comes to things like Crackers or Chips, my guilty pleasure almost every day is teddy grahams or goldfish grahams with peanut butter, make sure to count how many you put on your plate. You'll be surprised by how easy it is to go over.
Went from 133 to 128 in the past few days just by eating more and keeping my metabolism up by working out.
Todays a lazy day and i'm only working out once today but thats okay too.0 -
I log everything but its hard for me to put things on a food scale because of me being in college. What I do is figure out how many calories are in things such as tablespoons and cups and I can usually figure out what to do from there. I've actually started to eat more and lose more weight this past week but I'm still under my calories by a lot. I also workout twice a day and walk a lot. Once you start getting a hang of things it gets much easier to figure out how much food you eat. And when it comes to things like Crackers or Chips, my guilty pleasure almost every day is teddy grahams or goldfish grahams with peanut butter, make sure to count how many you put on your plate. You'll be surprised by how easy it is to go over.
Went from 133 to 128 in the past few days just by eating more and keeping my metabolism up by working out.
Todays a lazy day and i'm only working out once today but thats okay too.
You may be eating a higher quantity of food...but you are eating less calories.0 -
4legsRbetterthan2 wrote: ». I'm 300lbs. I don't want my kids to grow up thinking it's okay to be fat, that it doesn't matter. I want to be healthy for them.
It just so happens that today is payday. Sounds like I'm shopping for a food scale after I get back from from my run.
While my health has always been good I imagine, sooner or later, it wont. You're right. We are worth 2 minutes
I find that very admirable, I can tell you personally that since I started this journey I have pin pointed several habits that helped me get to my 240lbs self, and I now realize that I have them all in common with my overweight mother. And my normal weight father never had those habits....huh. Its amazing the little things we pick up and don't even realize it.
Also, don't feel like you have to put out a bunch of money for a food scale. I got mine at wal-mart for like $12 and it has done a great job and lasted 2 years. I am sure you can find a super fancy 100$ model if you want but its just not necessary if you are on a budget. Definitely go digital though, its just easier
Congratulations on your insights! That's pretty huge. I've pinpointed a few things too... like being a boredom muncher. Eek!
Budget scales are more my style. Thank you for the suggestion! I like the idea of $12 0 -
4legsRbetterthan2 wrote: »jessicaesqueda0409 wrote: »I am currently shooting for 1200 calories a day (except for once a week, which is a day I don't usually log), with a maximum of 1400.
Always always always log, I am betting that is your problem. If you are eating whatever you want then it is totally possible you are erasing all the deficit your created all week long.
Also read:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1234699/logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide#latest
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
0 -
I totally disagree with this statement. I've been on mfp for going on two years and I do the same thing. Saturday is my cheat day and I don't log. Probably a good day to burn a few extra calories but your body needs days like that. I know everyone is different but I still maintain the weight I want and never gain anything back. Now having said that, It doesn't mean you go out on an eating and drinking binge and ingest a ridiculous amount of calories, but a few extra's to treat yourself shouldn't hurt. You WILL NOT erase everything you've done that week.0
-
I totally disagree with this statement. I've been on mfp for going on two years and I do the same thing. Saturday is my cheat day and I don't log. Probably a good day to burn a few extra calories but your body needs days like that. I know everyone is different but I still maintain the weight I want and never gain anything back. Now having said that, It doesn't mean you go out on an eating and drinking binge and ingest a ridiculous amount of calories, but a few extra's to treat yourself shouldn't hurt. You WILL NOT erase everything you've done that week.
agree. it would take an insane number of calories to erase an entire week if you are really only eating 1200 calories a day. my guess is that the o.p. is not really eating only 1200-1400 calories on the non-cheat days and that's the problem.0 -
It's impossible to log accurately without a food scale. I'm logging 15 months already and I still need a food scale.jessicaesqueda0409 wrote: »farfromthetree wrote: »I couldn't tell from your post if the day you do not log your max is 1400 or you don't log because you are way over. I will tell you, one cheat day can kill your diet. I don't believe you are eating too little. You are probably eating too much and not logging or weighing accurately. If you are truly staying between 1200-1400 cals/day, you will absolutley lose weight, though it is too low for someone your age/weight.
I keep it under 2k on the cheat day. The past few weeks I've logged it. We usually eat out out that one night a week for dinner, but the rest of my day stays pretty normal.
Maybe a food scale is in my future.
As a rule, dry food gets weighed and liquid gets measured. Never measure dry food. It won't be accurate. And by inaccurate, I'm not talking about 10%. You can be off by close to 50%.
0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.6K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 176K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.6K Fitness and Exercise
- 431 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions