Not losing weight!

Do you weigh all of your food?

syndeo wrote: »

1200 cals a day seems a bit low to me, I would expect a TEE to be around 2200.

That being said, losing 2 pounds in three weeks is about normal I would say. Maybe a little on the low side, but nothing too low.

160 pounds at 5'7 is just a hair over the line from normal. So it isn't like you have lots and lots of extra weight to lose.

MFP recommends 1200 calories/day for me to lose 2lbs/week. So far, so good, it just depends on the person. For example; my older sister would eat her own hand in her sleep, if forced to only have 1200 calories/day.

Are you eating back your calories from exercising? If so, try dropping those out and/or decreasing what you eat back. I've found that MFP greatly overestimates the calories burned in exercise - the only exception to this is if you're using a heart rate monitor which should be fairly accurate. Changing foods can help, as can changing exercise routines. If you normally exercise in the AM, try PM (if possible) or vice versa. Also, Karen mentioned weighing food...weighing and measuring with cups really helps. I keep a cup, 1/2 cup, tbsp, and tsp ready at all times since those are the most frequent portions. When I first started I was "estimating" and ended up eating more than I thought. If you have a desk job try getting up for a quick walk break in the AM and PM, extra calorie burn and gets everything moving again. Depending on how much water you are currently drinking, you could try upping that too. I really only drink water (and enjoy it), so I do hot and cold, but I've heard that drinking it cold helps burn more calories so that could be an option to try too.

At your height and weight with only 10-20 lbs to lose you should only be trying to lose 1/2-1 lb a week so 2 lbs in 25 days seems right on target. Don't try to rush the process. Reset your deficit to lose 1 lb a week or less, weigh your food, eat back 25-50% of your exercise calories and you should be good.

When I played basketball I would take in upwards of 3000 cals in a day, but it was all good food. I also needed all those cals as I played rough. The point is don't just eat 1200 you need to burn what you eat everyday, not just 3 days a week (which is still good stuff). Otherwise you just lose really slow, if anything. Also remember that what you eat must be good food and not just low in everything, hence why I don't think anyone should go in for weight watchers crisps or ready meals, it's not good food. It'll leave your body empty and just wanting more, which makes dieting a nightmare.

Going by your average day, what would your meals/ snacks consist of?

I know it's frustrating to feel like you're punishing yourself for next to no results, but it will happen with a few changes.

You are losing. With 20 pounds to lose, .5-1 pound per week is about where you should be. Making sure your logging is accurate (you may need to use a food scale to ensure you're eating what you say) will help you in the long run.