How long before results show??

allison_ringo
allison_ringo Posts: 20 Member
edited November 19 in Health and Weight Loss
I have been on MFP for 15 days now, and have not lost any weight yet. I have only eaten over my daily calories once, and every other time I'm always under. I exercise 2-3 days a week also. And I selected to lose a pound a week, and so far have lost none. Is there a certain time frame before results start showing? Any advice will help, just so I dont get discouraged.

Replies

  • KristenMarie1181
    KristenMarie1181 Posts: 216 Member
    What do you do for work outs and are you drinking water? What do you eat? etc etc
  • shadowfax_c11
    shadowfax_c11 Posts: 1,942 Member
    edited May 2015
    I started loosing weight week one. Actually I started CICO a week before I joined MFP and had already lost 8 pounds when I started. (mostly water) But I am at a more aggressive 2 pounds a week and started out with 100 to loose. You don't have much to loose so your loss will probably take longer.

    At 15 days you should be seeing some results. Are you being accurate with weighing all of your food and tracking all of the things you eat/drink? Are your settings correct for your weight and activity level?
  • strong_curves
    strong_curves Posts: 2,229 Member
    It takes longer than 2 weeks. How many calories are you eating a day? If you aren't weighing your food with a food scale you may be eating more than you realize.
  • Arliah
    Arliah Posts: 266 Member
    What exactly do you mean by "seeing results"? On the scale? The way your body looks? The way your clothes fit? If you are referring to seeing weight loss, it could be that you thinkyou are within your calories but that you are, in fact, eating more than you think. Opening your diary would be a great start so we can look at your logging. Also, your profile shows that you don't have that much to lose, so your weight loss will be slower. Just an FYI, with less than 20 lbs to lose, a loss of 0.5 lbs is more realistic than 1 lbs.
  • allison_ringo
    allison_ringo Posts: 20 Member
    For workouts, I usually do the elliptical trainer for about 45 mins and then do the other machines, mainly focusing in on my abs. I weigh my food sometimes, but most times i just use eye measurements, so I guess I'll start using the scale more. And yes I try to drink at least 4 bottles of water a day, sometimes getting up to 6-7 bottles a day. I do need to work on wat I eat though. I stay under my calorie goal, but I need to eat more healthier foods. Right now, I'm just eating wat I want, and just eating smaller portions. And I have 1730 calories a day.
  • blossomingbutterfly
    blossomingbutterfly Posts: 743 Member
    Absolutely use the food scale, it's astounding how often our eyeball estimations can be wrong. That in itself can make a huge difference. In terms of what you're eating - try and balance the macros where possible and stay under your goal.

    You will see results if you use the site as it's intended. Don't get discouraged. You can do it.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    Be patient - making drastic changes seldom last long, so make your changes small, gradual, and sustainable. Before long they become habits - then reassess your goals and raise the bar. You'll get there.

    Introduce some weight lifting concentrating on form at first. Don't alter your diet at first too much, as you want your metabolism to increase from exercise first, then after ~4 weeks cut your intake by 5-10%.

    Think marathon, not sprint.
  • FoxyLifter
    FoxyLifter Posts: 965 Member
    Weigh all of your solids with a kitchen scale, at least for a little while to see how off your estimation may be.

    Patience and consistency (even on the weekends) are key.

    If you see no results for 4-6 weeks (ignore water retention from your period), then consider adjusting your plan.
  • allison_ringo
    allison_ringo Posts: 20 Member
    Oh okay. Are measuring cups ok? Like to measure 1 cup of cereal to use the measuring cup vs the scale?
  • BWBTrish
    BWBTrish Posts: 2,817 Member
    allison_ringo wrote: »
    Oh okay. Are measuring cups ok? Like to measure 1 cup of cereal to use the measuring cup vs the scale?

    nope they are not

    Weigh ALL your solid food on a food scale

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVjWPclrWVY
  • allison_ringo
    allison_ringo Posts: 20 Member
    Oh wow thanks! I had no idea!!!
  • bpetrosky
    bpetrosky Posts: 3,911 Member
    edited May 2015
    allison_ringo wrote: »
    Oh okay. Are measuring cups ok? Like to measure 1 cup of cereal to use the measuring cup vs the scale?

    Unfortunately for solid foods, measuring cups are not very accurate. Chunky foods like cereal are very tough to measure that way. The cereal I usually use has a serving size of 1 1/4 cup, and in parens next to that (59g). I weighed out the cup measurement and came up to 83 g. That's about 40% more.

    The best things you can do is spend a week or two weighing everything with calories. Avoid entries like 1 medium apple, 1/2 banana, 1cup broccoli, 1 chicken breast, etc. You'll probably find a big difference in the totals.

    Also, are you overestimating your activity? If you set up your calorie totals assuming 3-5 workouts per week, and you're logging your workouts on top of that, you're giving yourself double credit since the activity was already factored into your calorie goal. If you're eating back your calories from exercise, you're getting more calories and erasing your deficit.

    Check your setup, tighten up on your logging, and you'll more than likely start to see some progress.


  • BWBTrish
    BWBTrish Posts: 2,817 Member
    allison_ringo wrote: »
    Oh wow thanks! I had no idea!!!

    your very welcome

    Just weigh all your solid food and only use measuring cups for liquids like milk and juice. But even oil i weigh. ;)


  • strong_curves
    strong_curves Posts: 2,229 Member
    It took me almost a month before I saw the number drop on the scale and it didn't drop very much, 2 pounds by the first month. Which was right on track for what I set myself up for on map (.5 lb a week). I have less than 15 lbs to lose so for me I already know it might take a little bit longer than someone who has more to lose. I keep my expectations realistic, meaning I don't expect to lose very quickly or very much every week. My plan is to lose the weight in a healthy, sustainable way... a lifestyle change not a quick fix.
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