stuck since 8/14
CrystalBurns1
Posts: 13 Member
Hello all you knowledgeable people who have been there! I started my path to wellness 3/28/2015. I am a nurse and had my a-ha moment watching patients I loved decline in health at young ages. I have three children and want to be around and active with them for a LONG time! I weighted 240lbs.I decided I want to weigh 140lbs. Signed up with MFP and started logging everything I ate, bought a food scale and use it to weigh out everything I eat. MFP put me at 1520 cal/day. I choose not to eat extra due to exercise as I was worried about accuracy, both mine and MFP. I started do an hour of Zumba at home on the Wii six days a week. I started losing 2lbs a week on average. The first weeks of June took a family vacation to FL, did not eat as strict but did continue to use the elliptical at the hotel and was swimming for hours daily and maintained my weight loss while on vacation. Came home and got right back to being strict with my calorie intake. As I know the importance in gaining muscle in the process to make maintenance easier down the road I also started using Fitness Blender's Total Body Barre workout on YouTube with 2lb weights to do body weight resistance strength training 3 times a week along with the continued cardio. I weigh myself every Friday AM at about the same time on the same scale at work. I ONLY weigh once per week. As of 8/14/15 I saw a glimmer of 199lbs on the scale, I stayed at that for 5 weeks then back up at 200lbs as of 9/18/15 and have been there since. Two weeks ago I decided to try to change things up and went and signed up at my local gym. Then as of last Friday MFP dropped my daily calories to 1280/day. The calorie drop makes sense to me and I though "oh, now I will start to drop again as I weigh 200lbs and need less calories." Granted it has only been a week but I really did expect to see some weight change after this week but not even ounces happened the scale happily beeped a 200.0lbs. I have a FitBit Charge HR I wear faithfully and is connected to MFP. My current workouts are Sun. Les Mills Bodystep (60 min) at the gym. Mon: Walk (light not killing it as this is my rest day) in total 3-4 miles. Tues: Fitness blender total body barre workout (39 min) Brisk walk (3.5mph) (30 min) or same walk and Zumba Toning at the gym (60 min) in place of Barre Wed: Brisk walk 5 miles (1 hour 15min) Thurs: Fitness Blender Barre (39min) and 30 min walk Fri: Walk 30 min and Zumba at the gym (60 min) Sat: Aqua Zumba at the gym (60 min). I feel like I am getting plenty of exercise in. Until yesterday I had still not been eating extra calories to make up for the burn. As of yesterday with the scale being the same I decided to eat a little more still leaing room for error on both my part and MFP/FitBit. My diary is open. Any thoughts? I feel like I am still getting tone in my muscles, do I be patient as can I consider some of this muscle gain? Thoughts? Thank you in advanced!!!!
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Replies
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Are you using a food scale to weigh your food? If not, it sounds like you're eating at maintenance.0
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If you haven't lost in two months, most likely you're eating at maintenance (and, therefore, more than you think).0
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As mentioned, if you're not losing, then you're eating at maintenance. Check the accuracy of your logging, thus use a food scale. Stay with that drop for a few weeks and you should see results.0
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Just a quick update. 2 things EVERYTHING is weighed on the food scale as I said. Right down to my 30grams of cereal, 32 grams of PB ect. My apple is that specific verity and may actually weigh 110 grams but the closest I can get is 115 on MFP so I err on the side of caution use the higher calorie. The scale at work is digital. Just for grins I got on the manual scale at the gym today and it has me at 197lbs. Going to see what next week looks like between the two but maybe the manual is more accurate? Thank you all again. No matter what I am doing good things for me and this makes me happy!0
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Looking your diary, you do not weigh everything. Peanut butter needs to be weighed. Cereal needs to be weighed.
watch this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVjWPclrWVY 0 -
Yep! Know about weighing everything I can tell you my food scale so far has been my best friend. MFP database does not always give me the log option by weight though I know I have again weighed out the 30 grams to equal 110 calories of my special k cereal. 32 grams of JIFF peanut butter is 190 calories. 28 grams of my natural Peanut Butter Co. Smooth operator peanut butter is 180 calories. I have a sweet tango Apple that weighs out at 110 grams but 115 grams is the closest I can log on MFP so I go with that always over never under. I weigh out 1 oz of roasted plantain chips for a snack at work and just the measured portion goes with me the rest of the bag stays home. Put everything individually on the food scale then into the bowl for my taco salad. I really am very diligent. When I have a lean cusine meal or a packet of oatmeal that states it is 240 calories or 130 calories I trust it. I really am getting in 8 plus hours of physical activity in per week as well. I walk 30 min at a good pace (15 min mile) with an average heart rate of 149 BPM by the FitBit still do classes both at home and the gym. Until yesterday was not eating more due to exercise my deficits have been there. Thank you all for checking in! Going to see what the next few Friday's look like at both work (digital scale) and gym (manual scale). It may be time for biomed to come do a calabration! Thank you so much for taking the time to0
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Are you measuring yourself? Sometimes the scale won't budge but you're actually losing inches. If you're not losing inches either then you have to change things up. This worked for me when I had plateaued. I ate MORE (1800-2400 calories-lots of protein) for 3 days then went back to my regular MFP calorie restrictions. Boom. Down 2 pounds in a few days. You have to keep surprising your body otherwise it gets used to things. The other thing is make sure you are logging every bite, every condiment, every beverage. If you're eating little nibbles of this and that and not recording it, it could be adding up and stalling your weight loss. Good luck.0
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P.S. As far as the walking, you need to change things up. Power walk or jog if you can for a couple of minutes then slow down for 30 seconds and back to the power walking. Going at a steady pace all of the time won't do much for weight loss.0
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It won't do anything for weight loss, walking is about fitness and cardio.Samantha21784 wrote: »P.S. As far as the walking, you need to change things up. Power walk or jog if you can for a couple of minutes then slow down for 30 seconds and back to the power walking. Going at a steady pace all of the time won't do much for weight loss.
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Samantha21784 wrote: »P.S. As far as the walking, you need to change things up. Power walk or jog if you can for a couple of minutes then slow down for 30 seconds and back to the power walking. Going at a steady pace all of the time won't do much for weight loss.
Really?
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Then why is my TDEE 3700 but my BMR 2100 and my exercise is walking and jogging?AlphaHowls wrote: »
It won't do anything for weight loss, walking is about fitness and cardio.Samantha21784 wrote: »P.S. As far as the walking, you need to change things up. Power walk or jog if you can for a couple of minutes then slow down for 30 seconds and back to the power walking. Going at a steady pace all of the time won't do much for weight loss.
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DeguelloTex wrote: »
Then why is my TDEE 3700 but my BMR 2100 and my exercise is walking and jogging?AlphaHowls wrote: »
It won't do anything for weight loss, walking is about fitness and cardio.Samantha21784 wrote: »P.S. As far as the walking, you need to change things up. Power walk or jog if you can for a couple of minutes then slow down for 30 seconds and back to the power walking. Going at a steady pace all of the time won't do much for weight loss.
I really hope it's not true, as walking is my only exercise. I cant imagine walking 10 miles a day "wont do much for weight loss"
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It's utterly false. A burned calorie is a burned calorie. It's a question of walking enough to burn enough to do much for weight loss.christinev297 wrote: »DeguelloTex wrote: »
Then why is my TDEE 3700 but my BMR 2100 and my exercise is walking and jogging?AlphaHowls wrote: »
It won't do anything for weight loss, walking is about fitness and cardio.Samantha21784 wrote: »P.S. As far as the walking, you need to change things up. Power walk or jog if you can for a couple of minutes then slow down for 30 seconds and back to the power walking. Going at a steady pace all of the time won't do much for weight loss.
I really hope it's not true, as walking is my only exercise. I cant imagine walking 10 miles a day "wont do much for weight loss"
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DeguelloTex wrote: »
It's utterly false. A burned calorie is a burned calorie. It's a question of walking enough to burn enough to do much for weight loss.christinev297 wrote: »DeguelloTex wrote: »
Then why is my TDEE 3700 but my BMR 2100 and my exercise is walking and jogging?AlphaHowls wrote: »
It won't do anything for weight loss, walking is about fitness and cardio.Samantha21784 wrote: »P.S. As far as the walking, you need to change things up. Power walk or jog if you can for a couple of minutes then slow down for 30 seconds and back to the power walking. Going at a steady pace all of the time won't do much for weight loss.
I really hope it's not true, as walking is my only exercise. I cant imagine walking 10 miles a day "wont do much for weight loss"
That makes much more sense
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Hmmmm, interesting theory about walking.......I guess all the walking I have done didn't have ANYTHING to do with my personal 45 lb weight loss......
Anyway.......
I did not look at your diary, but will tell you what has worked for me.
I do not eat the same level of calories all the time, I eat when I am hungry, my biggest weight losses come when I eat clean and get in my daily walks. I drink ALOT of water and rarely drink any other type of liquid.
If you want to read an interesting book about clean eating, check out "it starts with food". Wishing you the best on your weigh loss journey!!!0 -
MFP default settings are too low of a calorie intake. Period. They are good for initial weight loss, but after a short time, your metabolism will slow down and you won't lose weight.
I changed my calories and macros under "Goals." You should increase your food intake. It's contra-intuitive, but if you are exercising and you weight about 200 lbs, you need more calories. (I was eating 1700 - 1900 calories when I was 200 lbs. and I was steadily losing 2 - 3 lbs. per week.)
Check this article: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/how-to-lose-weight.html
It's very accurate about how much you should be eating and even gives you guidelines after you enter your pertinent information (age, height, weight).
I am maintaining my weight now and MFP default settings tell me to eat 1400 calories per day. I set it to 2100 calories and I eat probably 200 - 300 more than that and am still losing weight. (About 1 lb. every other week or so.)0 -
If you've just increased your workouts, I would still give it another week. I'd also take a day off of exercise, and I mean really, a full day off.
If you still haven't lost within another month, I'd suggest booking an appointment with your doctor for a full blood panel including TSH, Free T3, and Free T4. Make sure that your results are in the optimal range, not just in the 'not abnormal' range that your doctor will be willing to settle for.
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CrystalBurns1 wrote: »Yep! Know about weighing everything I can tell you my food scale so far has been my best friend. MFP database does not always give me the log option by weight though I know I have again weighed out the 30 grams to equal 110 calories of my special k cereal. 32 grams of JIFF peanut butter is 190 calories. 28 grams of my natural Peanut Butter Co. Smooth operator peanut butter is 180 calories. I have a sweet tango Apple that weighs out at 110 grams but 115 grams is the closest I can log on MFP so I go with that always over never under. I weigh out 1 oz of roasted plantain chips for a snack at work and just the measured portion goes with me the rest of the bag stays home. Put everything individually on the food scale then into the bowl for my taco salad. I really am very diligent. When I have a lean cusine meal or a packet of oatmeal that states it is 240 calories or 130 calories I trust it. I really am getting in 8 plus hours of physical activity in per week as well. I walk 30 min at a good pace (15 min mile) with an average heart rate of 149 BPM by the FitBit still do classes both at home and the gym. Until yesterday was not eating more due to exercise my deficits have been there. Thank you all for checking in! Going to see what the next few Friday's look like at both work (digital scale) and gym (manual scale). It may be time for biomed to come do a calabration! Thank you so much for taking the time to
@CrystalBurns1 you are just fine I think. I dropped a few pounds under 200 for the first time in 22 years in June and stay there for a few months and was at 202 the last few days. If we let our weigh stabilize for six months then start the next leg down we have reduced our odds of a 100%+ regain I have read. At my age one more regain could take me out. I know how to lose weight so being at 200 for six months helps my head know I can finally maintain for the first time in my 64 years. Straight line losses can mess with our brain/hormones/etc.
I have to eat at 2600 calories to lose but I maintain at 3000. To restart my losing I just need to eat my last meal by 5 PM and not again until 8 am which will put me at 2600 calories those days.0 -
You seem to be eating a lot of carbs and little protein. I would try reducing some of the carbs (not low carb, but lower than you are eating) and higher protein. I know the big thing on here is calories in vs calories out. But if you can set yourself up for optimal fat burning by dialing in macros, then why wouldn't you?
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I agree about the low calories! Why would a 200 lb woman eat just 1200 calories?? I lose steadily eating between 1700 and 2200 calories. It's never the same day to day. The only thing I hit is 100 grams of protein. I let the carbs & fats sort out differently each day too. Mostly clean. It really does make a difference...
AND I WALK! ~cue evil laugh~
I walk 100k steps a week. All different speeds, slopes, durations, distances.
But thanks for letting me know my 10+ lb weight loss in 8 weeks must have been caused by a unicorn pooping skittles in my path instead. Hahaha
But truly. Enough with the 1200 calories. We're big girls. Eat like you mean business. Real, nourishing food at just enough of a deficit to lose fat steadily over time.0 -
GaleHawkins wrote: »CrystalBurns1 wrote: »Yep! Know about weighing everything I can tell you my food scale so far has been my best friend. MFP database does not always give me the log option by weight though I know I have again weighed out the 30 grams to equal 110 calories of my special k cereal. 32 grams of JIFF peanut butter is 190 calories. 28 grams of my natural Peanut Butter Co. Smooth operator peanut butter is 180 calories. I have a sweet tango Apple that weighs out at 110 grams but 115 grams is the closest I can log on MFP so I go with that always over never under. I weigh out 1 oz of roasted plantain chips for a snack at work and just the measured portion goes with me the rest of the bag stays home. Put everything individually on the food scale then into the bowl for my taco salad. I really am very diligent. When I have a lean cusine meal or a packet of oatmeal that states it is 240 calories or 130 calories I trust it. I really am getting in 8 plus hours of physical activity in per week as well. I walk 30 min at a good pace (15 min mile) with an average heart rate of 149 BPM by the FitBit still do classes both at home and the gym. Until yesterday was not eating more due to exercise my deficits have been there. Thank you all for checking in! Going to see what the next few Friday's look like at both work (digital scale) and gym (manual scale). It may be time for biomed to come do a calabration! Thank you so much for taking the time to
@CrystalBurns1 you are just fine I think. I dropped a few pounds under 200 for the first time in 22 years in June and stay there for a few months and was at 202 the last few days. If we let our weigh stabilize for six months then start the next leg down we have reduced our odds of a 100%+ regain I have read. At my age one more regain could take me out. I know how to lose weight so being at 200 for six months helps my head know I can finally maintain for the first time in my 64 years. Straight line losses can mess with our brain/hormones/etc.
I have to eat at 2600 calories to lose but I maintain at 3000. To restart my losing I just need to eat my last meal by 5 PM and not again until 8 am which will put me at 2600 calories those days.
It truly does confound me that someone can eat 2,600 calories a day and lose weight. Lucky you
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I agree about the low calories! Why would a 200 lb woman eat just 1200 calories?? I lose steadily eating between 1700 and 2200 calories. It's never the same day to day. The only thing I hit is 100 grams of protein. I let the carbs & fats sort out differently each day too. Mostly clean. It really does make a difference...
AND I WALK! ~cue evil laugh~
I walk 100k steps a week. All different speeds, slopes, durations, distances.
But thanks for letting me know my 10+ lb weight loss in 8 weeks must have been caused by a unicorn pooping skittles in my path instead. Hahaha
But truly. Enough with the 1200 calories. We're big girls. Eat like you mean business. Real, nourishing food at just enough of a deficit to lose fat steadily over time.
If she's eating 1200 calories really and truly, and not losing, then she will gain if she eats more. She also shouldn't eat less though, because she *should* be losing on 1200 at her weight! That is when a visit to the doctor is needed. Though most doctors give terrible advice on how to lose weight, I would only trust them on the medical stuff like the TSH info I posted above.0 -
Don't be afraid to eat your exercise calories. Eat half, at least! You may really get stuck later and want to cut back! Eat as much as you can while still losing!
I started at about 250 and am down to 156 as of this morning. I usually lose in whooshes. Nothing for many weeks, then several pounds in a few days or a week. It's taken me a really long time (too long, IMO), but it's happened. It can happen for you, too. Don't quit. Change things around, if you must. Fall down and get back up. Never quit!
I have to disagree with the person who said that just walking won't help. It so will. I'm a huge fan of shaking things up, exercise-wise, using new parts of the body, working them all, keeping it interesting. But you're going to burn calories walking at a steady pace because your body requires energy to do that. Many people do nothing but walking. Don't feel compelled to vary your speed,if you don't feel like it. 0 -
Thats interesting. Where did you read that?GaleHawkins wrote: »CrystalBurns1 wrote: »Yep! Know about weighing everything I can tell you my food scale so far has been my best friend. MFP database does not always give me the log option by weight though I know I have again weighed out the 30 grams to equal 110 calories of my special k cereal. 32 grams of JIFF peanut butter is 190 calories. 28 grams of my natural Peanut Butter Co. Smooth operator peanut butter is 180 calories. I have a sweet tango Apple that weighs out at 110 grams but 115 grams is the closest I can log on MFP so I go with that always over never under. I weigh out 1 oz of roasted plantain chips for a snack at work and just the measured portion goes with me the rest of the bag stays home. Put everything individually on the food scale then into the bowl for my taco salad. I really am very diligent. When I have a lean cusine meal or a packet of oatmeal that states it is 240 calories or 130 calories I trust it. I really am getting in 8 plus hours of physical activity in per week as well. I walk 30 min at a good pace (15 min mile) with an average heart rate of 149 BPM by the FitBit still do classes both at home and the gym. Until yesterday was not eating more due to exercise my deficits have been there. Thank you all for checking in! Going to see what the next few Friday's look like at both work (digital scale) and gym (manual scale). It may be time for biomed to come do a calabration! Thank you so much for taking the time to
@CrystalBurns1 you are just fine I think. I dropped a few pounds under 200 for the first time in 22 years in June and stay there for a few months and was at 202 the last few days. If we let our weigh stabilize for six months then start the next leg down we have reduced our odds of a 100%+ regain I have read. At my age one more regain could take me out. I know how to lose weight so being at 200 for six months helps my head know I can finally maintain for the first time in my 64 years. Straight line losses can mess with our brain/hormones/etc.
I have to eat at 2600 calories to lose but I maintain at 3000. To restart my losing I just need to eat my last meal by 5 PM and not again until 8 am which will put me at 2600 calories those days.
My doctor is kind of high up in his field, so when he called weight loss experts, they called him back. I had plateaued in a big, fat, STUCK kind of way. They advised that I should take a six month break and get back to it. I did (and it was lovely as I was up to here with the weighing and logging) and when I went back to it, the weight FLEW off again, just like I had when I started losing.
As it turns out, many experts recommend six months of dieting, six months off, then back at it again.
I've slowed down again. Hoping I can lose this last 25-30 pounds without another break.
Please let us know where you read that. I'd like to read it.
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A plateau this long, I would add 200 cals for one week, another 200 cals a second weeks (two weeks in total). A third week is not out of the question, depends on the individual. Then eat back at the original cal deficit. Weight loss should resume.0
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Crystal,
I know you have your logging pretty good, but did you know you can alter the serving size on a lot of items?
I just looked up your sweet tango apple, (I added USDA to the query as that will get a better result) and came up with the apple 154 g. But I could alter it to the serving size being 1g. , then put in 110 for the number of servings, giving 57cal for the apple.
There is no need to have the serving size quoted, you can modify a lot of the entries just by clicking on the serving size or number of servings panels.
Cheers, h.
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