Not losing lbs.

kajones2009
kajones2009 Posts: 93 Member
edited March 2016 in Health and Weight Loss
Haven't lost any pounds in 2 weeks. I started dieting and lost 8 lbs in about 20 days (i dont think this was water weight because I've consistently been this weight for 2 weeks water weight loss is more fickle) and then the scale stopped moving so I added in a daily work out routine and it hasn't made any difference. I'm starting to feel like giving up. Tomorrow I'm starting Whole30 so maybe that will help make a difference. Hopefully...

Replies

  • misty589
    misty589 Posts: 319 Member
    It hasn't even been a month. Keep at it!
  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    Eight pounds in 20days is very good. Don't despair, keep going!!
  • cathipa
    cathipa Posts: 2,991 Member
    8 pounds in 20 days is a lot in a short period of time. It is probably related to water weight. Too many unknown factors - how close to your goal weight, what your diary looks like, if you are weighing your food and logging correctly.

    20 days is too soon to give up. Keep going.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    How long has it been since you've lost weight?
  • kajones2009
    kajones2009 Posts: 93 Member
    How long has it been since you've lost weight?

    15 days...
  • kajones2009
    kajones2009 Posts: 93 Member
    misty589 wrote: »
    It hasn't even been a month. Keep at it!

    It's been a little over a month since I started. I've been logging 36 days.
  • scolaris
    scolaris Posts: 2,145 Member
    True plateaus last longer than what you're describing.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    How long has it been since you've lost weight?

    15 days...

    15 days is not a plateau. In my opinion, it's too early to change up your plan. You've added exercise (which can temporarily increase water weight). If you begin changing up your diet, it will be harder for you to get a handle or what is or isn't working. You need consistent data to make fruitful changes and after 15 days, you just don't have that yet.
  • missblondi2u
    missblondi2u Posts: 851 Member
    I understand your frustration, because I'm right there with you!

    However, I want to point out that while adding a workout routine is a great idea, it probably won't cause the scale to move in your favor right away, especially if it's a hard enough workout that it causes you to retain more water and glycogen in your muscles. This has happened to me a couple of times, but keep in mind that's it's only temporary and don't give up the exercise if you don't see the scale go down (or even if it goes up a bit).

    Good luck!
  • tiffanylacourse
    tiffanylacourse Posts: 2,986 Member
    @kajones2009 A plateau would be closer to 6-8 weeks at the same weight.

    1. Drink more water.
    2. Make sure you're logging is accurate and that you're not eating more than you think. (Weigh everything except liquid on a food scale to ensure proper logging.)
    3. Make sure you're not logging too many calories burned for your activities. (MFP tends to overestimate - try only eating back 50% - 75% of exercise calories.)

    Feel free to add me if you'd like. :flowerforyou:
  • CasperNaegle
    CasperNaegle Posts: 936 Member
    You will lose, just keep at it. How often do you weigh? I recommend weighing every day and then keeping a seven day running average. While you daily weight will bounce around the 7 day average will show you where your trend is. Don't give up!
  • blues4miles
    blues4miles Posts: 1,481 Member
    How long has it been since you've lost weight?

    15 days...

    15 days is not a plateau. In my opinion, it's too early to change up your plan. You've added exercise (which can temporarily increase water weight). If you begin changing up your diet, it will be harder for you to get a handle or what is or isn't working. You need consistent data to make fruitful changes and after 15 days, you just don't have that yet.

    This! When you start working out your muscles hang on to extra water in order to repair themselves. Hang in there, weight loss will happen.
  • tryin2die2self
    tryin2die2self Posts: 207 Member
    misty589 wrote: »
    It hasn't even been a month. Keep at it!

    It's been a little over a month since I started. I've been logging 36 days.

    Seeing an initial weight loss fade into memory as the scale seems to be frozen like a block of ice is disheartening. This cycle of loss, stasis and loss is a very common cycle when you are trying to lose weight. It is probably the biggest killer to motivation I can think of. Take heart, I have a solution. The scale is not really the arbitrary number most would have you think it is. You see, weight is an illusion. It is not a fixed number. Not saying that weight is not a stat you can use. It most definitely is. Body Fat % is really a better indicator. You can lose body fat and still maintain the same weight. Go get you a tape measure and get the base line of all your curves (calves, thighs, hips, waist, bust, neck, wrist, forarm and bicep). Some of these you are going to use, along with body weight, to help determine your body fat. The rest is just to feel good about. Weigh in every week. Tape ever other week and then calculate you body fat %. Now a taped body fat % is not as accurate as a specialist wielding calipers, but it will get you within +/- 2%.

    If you measured yourself again in two weeks and lost inches, would you be a down? If you could fit into a new pair of skinny jeans, would you be down? People are not noticing the weight, they are going to notice how much thinner you are. Conversely, if you want to put on muscle then the tape measure and body fat % are still going to tell a tale, along with the improvement stats on your set/reps.

    Non Scale Victories, NSV, I believe are more important than some number on a scale. Get your base line. I bet in a few weeks it will be more important than you realize. Good luck!
  • SolotoCEO
    SolotoCEO Posts: 293 Member
    We live in an instant-presto world. We want everything NOW - including weight loss. At your weight (based off your ticker) 8 lbs in 20 days is a lot. At this point you should be setting your goals at 1/2 lb to a lb a week. Make sure you are eating enough and not over exercising. You should be able to see the scale drop in another week or two. I know it's slow - but slow wins this race.
  • size102b
    size102b Posts: 1,370 Member
    I just had a 22 day plateau
    I weigh measure everything
    Don't eat exercise calories
    It sadly frustrating happens :(
    I lost 11.5lbs in 42 day so not fast
  • gcibsthom
    gcibsthom Posts: 30,145 Member
    Plateaus are probably the worst thing about this whole thing. You bust your butt, sacrifice, and the scale doesn't move. Your 8 lbs in 20 days was probably water weight, which comes off pretty fast. We think of dieting and remember the ads on TV for miracle this or that which takes of 50 lbs in 10 days....It's BS. If you want to lose and maintain, it has to be a lifestyle change, not a diet. Slow and easy does it....I have been plateaued now for about 2 weeks. It sucks, but you just have to keep focus on the main objective...to live a healthy lifestyle.
  • kajones2009
    kajones2009 Posts: 93 Member
    @kajones2009 A plateau would be closer to 6-8 weeks at the same weight.

    1. Drink more water.
    2. Make sure you're logging is accurate and that you're not eating more than you think. (Weigh everything except liquid on a food scale to ensure proper logging.)
    3. Make sure you're not logging too many calories burned for your activities. (MFP tends to overestimate - try only eating back 50% - 75% of exercise calories.)

    Feel free to add me if you'd like. :flowerforyou:

    I use an electronic food scale and measuring utensils for everything I eat. I also use a HRM when I exercise to I log my calories accurately.
    I do usually eat back my calories though because everything I've read about that is super controversial and I have typically seen to eat them back. ugh.

    I guess I just wish the scale would move.

    I guess I'll go on assuming it's the muscles using water thing to make me feel better :P
  • kajones2009
    kajones2009 Posts: 93 Member
    It's just disheartening when you're "starving" yourself and MFP says you'll lose 2 lbs a week doing this and then nothing happens. I'll just keep on keeping on. :)
  • kajones2009
    kajones2009 Posts: 93 Member
    edited March 2016
    scolaris wrote: »
    True plateaus last longer than what you're describing.

    Well then I hope it's not a "true plateau" !

    ... I suppose my interpretation of plateau is there's been no change when I've expected changes.
  • tryin2die2self
    tryin2die2self Posts: 207 Member
    It's just disheartening when you're "starving" yourself and MFP says you'll lose 2 lbs a week doing this and then nothing happens. I'll just keep on keeping on. :)

    Don't starve yourself. Willpower is a finite resource. Most people will simple crash and burn with a binge. Which can snowball into eating up you loses. Literally! Find a comfortable deficit and stick to your guns.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,222 Member
    Could time of month be a factor? Many women hold onto some water weight depending on their cycle. Most seem to report gain/retention anywhere from ovulation through the menstrual period, but there seems to be individual variation in timing/magnitude.

    It sounds like this is your first month trying to lose; if TOM turns out to be a factor for you, it'll be easier psychologically once you've been doing this long enough to know what to expect.