Can't Seem to Lose a Single Pound

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Replies

  • rankinsect
    rankinsect Posts: 2,238 Member
    Really, there are three possibilities to any lack of observed progress:

    1. You're consuming more than you think you are. The kitchen scale will help a lot here.
    2. You're not burning as much as you think you are. Don't think that's an issue here, your TDEE has got to be higher than 1300 calories.
    3. You actually are losing fat, but aren't seeing this on the scale, either because too few data points mean fluctuations are obscuring the real change, or because you're gaining mass somewhere else, most likely in the form of retained water.
  • _Figgzie_
    _Figgzie_ Posts: 3,506 Member
    tighten up your food logging, you cannot gain weight if you are in a caloric deficit
  • seska422
    seska422 Posts: 3,217 Member
    If you do get hungry, try upping your protein, fat, and/or fiber a bit. Find a balance of macros that works for you.
  • crownr2882
    crownr2882 Posts: 10 Member
    Equus5374 wrote: »
    Are you counting the little things too (that are actually big) like butter, cooking oils, creamers or other coffee additives, etc. Those can add up too.

    I don't typically add anything because of this.
    diannethegeek wrote: »
    crownr2882 wrote: »
    Sounds like a plan. I'll try to save up for a scale, or only eat pre-packaged food.
    In the meantime, any suggestions on how I could gain an edge?

    You've logged your food for 5 days. My honest advice is to stay consistent and be patient with the process. You've got some good advice in this thread. Read through some of the stickied "must read" posts at the top of each forum section for more. But this isn't a sprint. It's going to take some time.

    :flowerforyou:

    Thanks, but I've been eating the same things in the same portions for over a year (with very few exceptions) now and just now started gaining. That's why I am here.
  • elaineamj
    elaineamj Posts: 347 Member
    The database entries are rough. Yesterday I made baked eggplant and When I built the recipe (and yes, I check each ingredient - but I didn't take the time to compare to usda), it said my portion was 800 cals - which is what I was aiming for. This morning I rechecked each ingredient even more carefully as my sodium numbers were off and it turned out to be about 500 cals. A big difference!
  • Maxematics
    Maxematics Posts: 2,287 Member
    glitterdone wrote: »
    I am with you. I am 5 foot 7, 227 pounds, 39 years old. MFP says to eat 1200 calories a day. I sit at a desk most of the day. I do an elliptical for 30 minutes a day (track that) anything over and above and beyond I do not. I do not use a HRM.
    I have gained 6 pounds in 12 weeks. 6!! I do not go over my intake, I track accordingly - nothing is wrong medically. Is it this program is 'off'?

    No, the program isn't off. If you've gained 6 pounds in 12 weeks it's because you are eating too much. You're definitely not eating 1200 calories and if you are eating your exercise calories back from the elliptical, calorie burns on machines and in MFPs database are overinflated.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    edited February 2016
    elaineamj wrote: »
    The database entries are rough. Yesterday I made baked eggplant and When I built the recipe (and yes, I check each ingredient - but I didn't take the time to compare to usda), it said my portion was 800 cals - which is what I was aiming for. This morning I rechecked each ingredient even more carefully as my sodium numbers were off and it turned out to be about 500 cals. A big difference!

    OP the recipe builder (should you cook a recipe with many ingredients) this poster mentions will through you off when you select entries using this recipe builder. You can use the old one, way better.

    The standard food entries (not the recipe builder) does have confirmed entries, sometimes you just need to re-arrange the words in the food you are looking for so that you can see all of them you want to select from. You can take a label from your food and create your own in your diary and it does not have to be made public, it can be only for your use, should there not be an exact match from the default database entries.
  • pottsoconnor881
    pottsoconnor881 Posts: 4 Member
    Sleep eating?
  • crownr2882
    crownr2882 Posts: 10 Member
    pottsoconnor881 wrote: »
    Sleep eating?

    I wouldn't doubt it. I slept-walked for years.
    The thought of sleep eating is pretty horrifying, though.
  • ZeroDelta
    ZeroDelta Posts: 242 Member
    _Figgzie_ wrote: »
    tighten up your food logging, you cannot gain weight if you are in a caloric deficit

    But...but...How about the special snowflakes? :wink:
  • elaineamj
    elaineamj Posts: 347 Member
    gia07 wrote: »
    [

    OP the recipe builder (should you cook a recipe with many ingredients) this poster mentions will through you off when you select entries using this recipe builder. You can use the old one, way better.

    The standard food entries (not the recipe builder) does have confirmed entries, sometimes you just need to re-arrange the words in the food you are looking for so that you can see all of them you want to select from. You can take a label from your food and create your own in your diary and it does not have to be made public, it can be only for your use, should there not be an exact match from the default database entries.

    Are you talking about the different recipe builders on the app vs the website? I use the iPhone app, the mobile website, and the regular website - depending what device is nearest me. I remember seeing something about an old recipe thing and a new one. But have never been sure which I am using at any given time.

    When I use the iphone app, sometimes the green check mark shows up, sometimes not. I assume it depended on the order of my words.

    Lots to learn about the best ways to handle recipes. These days I cook about 60% from scratch so not too many labels to rely on.
  • Psychgrrl
    Psychgrrl Posts: 3,177 Member
    My way of double checking the accuracy is to compare the non-USDA info to what I'm looking at on the label. If they match, I use it and then keep using the same entries. I only like the computer-based recipe builder, it seems so much harder on the phone.

    The new recipe builder is where you can import a recipe from a url. The old one (the one i use) is the one where I enter in ingredient by ingredient. I have a ton of recipes saved by date. I like cooking in bulk, makes my life easier. :smiley:
  • Shrinking_Erin
    Shrinking_Erin Posts: 125 Member
    Weigh everything. I weigh EVERYTHING. Any sauces or condaments and my almond milk too. And prepackaged food.

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