Really struggling with MFP
Replies
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Open up your diary and we can take a look and give help. Are you weighing everything in grams on a food scale ?
I'm keeping to the serving sizes on the labels, which includes using cups to measure as well as the scale. I use that often for my meats. Even if it's not down to the exact gram on some items, it's a miniscule difference. I'm talking say a carrot stick or two or an ounce of milk. Forgive my ignorance, how do you share your diary on here?
Ok. Cups can be off by a massive amount you'd be totally surprised. Even packet weights can be of. I once had a pack of nuts that had 25g on the label but when weighed was around 47g that is almost double the calories.
Almost everything has a substantial margin of error that can and does have a massive impact on your calorie intake.
If you are saying what you are currently doing is not working for you then it is time to look hard at what could be wrong and the easiest thing to do is start to weigh in grams everything you are eating.
Fair point. Never really thought there would be any significant margin of error from the label. Good advice
It's crazy how off things can really be-measuring in grams will seriously be an eye opener!1 -
ReaderGirl3 wrote: »Open up your diary and we can take a look and give help. Are you weighing everything in grams on a food scale ?
I'm keeping to the serving sizes on the labels, which includes using cups to measure as well as the scale. I use that often for my meats. Even if it's not down to the exact gram on some items, it's a miniscule difference. I'm talking say a carrot stick or two or an ounce of milk. Forgive my ignorance, how do you share your diary on here?
Ok. Cups can be off by a massive amount you'd be totally surprised. Even packet weights can be of. I once had a pack of nuts that had 25g on the label but when weighed was around 47g that is almost double the calories.
Almost everything has a substantial margin of error that can and does have a massive impact on your calorie intake.
If you are saying what you are currently doing is not working for you then it is time to look hard at what could be wrong and the easiest thing to do is start to weigh in grams everything you are eating.
Fair point. Never really thought there would be any significant margin of error from the label. Good advice
It's crazy how off things can really be-measuring in grams will seriously be an eye opener!
I realized my scale is in ounces, but it's not hard to convert. I think it will make a difference0 -
ReaderGirl3 wrote: »If you haven't lost weight in 4 weeks, either you're eating more than you think, you aren't as active as you thought, or it's a combo of the two.
This. OP, if you make your diary public we can take a peek at it and offer suggestions. Are you weighing all your food on a food scale, set to grams, or are you estimating/using ounces and cups etc/using wrong entries etc etc. That's the culprit more times than not.
I'm very careful to not use wrong entries. My scale is in ounces, which still is pretty easy to use and convert when necessary.0 -
Really appreciate the advice everyone. I think I know the changes I need to make and I'm feeling better about seeing results in the coming weeks. The biggest thing I'll have to get used to is the effects of eating less than usual. Going to take a few days to get used to it
Good for you buddy. You're taking on board the good advice and being honest with yourself. The amount of times people just really don't want to hear it is unreal and being successful at this is mostly about the attitude.
Good for you.
Well, it's obvious what I'm doing isn't working, so I'm comfortable consulting the opinions of those who might know better. Weighing what I do shows I'm no weight loss expert, so I'm happy to take advice from those who have had success. Appreciate it.2 -
"I record nearly everything I eat."
This is probably causing more of an issue than you think. Say you have two or three small snacks or soft drinks per day that you don't record in MFP. You could easily be eating a several hundred more calories per day than you think you are by not logging those snacks.
Also, if you are just guessing at how much food you're eating instead of actually measuring it or weighing it on a scale, you are probably eating much more than you think. This applies to prepackaged foods as well. Never assume the label is correct as the labels will usually be incorrect by a small amount. Always weigh and measure everything and record every food and drink that passes your lips.
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I just turned 50 and starting weight was 259lbs. My suggested calorie intake was 1990 (without exercise, which I do about 6 days a week).
Regarding exercise:
Can't afford a gym either. Took a while but I purchased a used treadmill for $50 that had a max weight capacity of 250 and had purchased some time ago one of those Chuck Norris machines that uses your bodyweight for resistance, except I purchased the generic one for $150.
In short fitness equipment can be purchased used pretty damn cheap and there are deals to be had.
As far as time, while I don't have a 2 year old, my treadmill time is my guilt free TV time and that is called multi-tasking!
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ReaderGirl3 wrote: »If you haven't lost weight in 4 weeks, either you're eating more than you think, you aren't as active as you thought, or it's a combo of the two.
This. OP, if you make your diary public we can take a peek at it and offer suggestions. Are you weighing all your food on a food scale, set to grams, or are you estimating/using ounces and cups etc/using wrong entries etc etc. That's the culprit more times than not.
I'm very careful to not use wrong entries. My scale is in ounces, which still is pretty easy to use and convert when necessary.
Just remember that if the lowest fraction of an oz you have is 1/4 then that is 7 grams. So 4 oz could be anywhere from 106 grams to 120 grams so almost 20%. If you have higher or lower fraction then it will vary.
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2011rocket3touring wrote: »I just turned 50 and starting weight was 259lbs. My suggested calorie intake was 1990 (without exercise, which I do about 6 days a week).
Regarding exercise:
Can't afford a gym either. Took a while but I purchased a used treadmill for $50 that had a max weight capacity of 250 and had purchased some time ago one of those Chuck Norris machines that uses your bodyweight for resistance, except I purchased the generic one for $150.
In short fitness equipment can be purchased used pretty damn cheap and there are deals to be had.
As far as time, while I don't have a 2 year old, my treadmill time is my guilt free TV time and that is called multi-tasking!
Absolutely! I'll figure something out1 -
kelseymallen wrote: »"I record nearly everything I eat."
This is probably causing more of an issue than you think. Say you have two or three small snacks or soft drinks per day that you don't record in MFP. You could easily be eating a several hundred more calories per day than you think you are by not logging those snacks.
Also, if you are just guessing at how much food you're eating instead of actually measuring it or weighing it on a scale, you are probably eating much more than you think. This applies to prepackaged foods as well. Never assume the label is correct as the labels will usually be incorrect by a small amount. Always weigh and measure everything and record every food and drink that passes your lips.
That's the plan now. No exceptions1 -
If you haven't lost weight in 4 weeks, either you're eating more than you think, you aren't as active as you thought, or it's a combo of the two.
My calorie goal is about 2900 and some change a day. I'm usually 3-400 below that. I'm also below my fat intake and sugar intake everyday as well. I record nearly everything I eat. With the exercise, I'm not sedentary by any means. I walk a ton at work everyday and do might workouts at home. I'm wondering if working midnights night impact it.
How tall are you? What is your BMI?
That calorie goal seems high to me. I would think you'd need to be closer to 1800 to lose very effectively. Have you consulted a physician or dietitian for calorie recommendations?0 -
If you haven't lost weight in 4 weeks, either you're eating more than you think, you aren't as active as you thought, or it's a combo of the two.
My calorie goal is about 2900 and some change a day. I'm usually 3-400 below that. I'm also below my fat intake and sugar intake everyday as well. I record nearly everything I eat. With the exercise, I'm not sedentary by any means. I walk a ton at work everyday and do might workouts at home. I'm wondering if working midnights night impact it.
How tall are you? What is your BMI?
That calorie goal seems high to me. I would think you'd need to be closer to 1800 to lose very effectively. Have you consulted a physician or dietitian for calorie recommendations?
I honestly have not, but I am adjusting my calorie intake for sure. Leaning towards around 1800-2200. And in pretty sure my BMI is not good, lol. I'm 5'110 -
Open up your diary and we can take a look and give help. Are you weighing everything in grams on a food scale ?
I'm keeping to the serving sizes on the labels, which includes using cups to measure as well as the scale. I use that often for my meats. Even if it's not down to the exact gram on some items, it's a miniscule difference. I'm talking say a carrot stick or two or an ounce of milk. Forgive my ignorance, how do you share your diary on here?
Change your Diary Sharing settings to Public here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/diary_settings0 -
If you haven't lost weight in 4 weeks, either you're eating more than you think, you aren't as active as you thought, or it's a combo of the two.
My calorie goal is about 2900 and some change a day. I'm usually 3-400 below that. I'm also below my fat intake and sugar intake everyday as well. I record nearly everything I eat. With the exercise, I'm not sedentary by any means. I walk a ton at work everyday and do might workouts at home. I'm wondering if working midnights night impact it.
2900 kcal seems a lot for someone who is trying to lose weight. 23 yo, 220lb and my goal is 158. I work on my feet as well, and MFP suggested 1640 kcal a day tops. I made my own diet, and i found out that i can fulfill my needs with something like 1100-1300 kcal a day, plus at least 30 mins bicycling and a 30 min walk to work. I lost 9 pounds in less than 2 weeks, and ive never felt more energy before.
The more you weigh and the taller you are, the more calories it takes to maintain your current weight. The deficit gets subtracted from your maintenance weight. The OP weighs almost 100 pounds more than you.
Also, as a 23 yo male you are seriously undereating at 1100-1300 kcal a day, plus an active job and exercise. I'm 26 years older than you and female and lose weight eating 1660 calories per day before exercise, and I exercise. Of course, I don't lose 4.5 pounds per week, but then I don't want to.
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If you haven't lost weight in 4 weeks, either you're eating more than you think, you aren't as active as you thought, or it's a combo of the two.
My calorie goal is about 2900 and some change a day. I'm usually 3-400 below that. I'm also below my fat intake and sugar intake everyday as well. I record nearly everything I eat. With the exercise, I'm not sedentary by any means. I walk a ton at work everyday and do might workouts at home. I'm wondering if working midnights night impact it.
How tall are you? What is your BMI?
That calorie goal seems high to me. I would think you'd need to be closer to 1800 to lose very effectively. Have you consulted a physician or dietitian for calorie recommendations?
I honestly have not, but I am adjusting my calorie intake for sure. Leaning towards around 1800-2200. And in pretty sure my BMI is not good, lol. I'm 5'11
Ok, just entered your info into a TDEE calculator and it's showing that you do have quite a bit of calories to play with. Chosing 'light activity/exercise 1-3 times a week', I got 3747 calories as your TDEE, which is what you need to maintain your current weight. Then I x that times 7 days. Then I subtracted 7,000 calories from that number, which is the equivelant of calories needed to lose 2lbs per week, and then I divided the remaining calories by 7 days. It's giving me a daily calorie allowance of 2,747, to lose 2lbs a week. Can someone check my math? (i used fitness frog's tdee calculator).
eta: if I change it to 'little or no exercise', it breaks down to 2,270 calories a day, to lose 2lbs a week.0 -
ReaderGirl3 wrote: »If you haven't lost weight in 4 weeks, either you're eating more than you think, you aren't as active as you thought, or it's a combo of the two.
My calorie goal is about 2900 and some change a day. I'm usually 3-400 below that. I'm also below my fat intake and sugar intake everyday as well. I record nearly everything I eat. With the exercise, I'm not sedentary by any means. I walk a ton at work everyday and do might workouts at home. I'm wondering if working midnights night impact it.
How tall are you? What is your BMI?
That calorie goal seems high to me. I would think you'd need to be closer to 1800 to lose very effectively. Have you consulted a physician or dietitian for calorie recommendations?
I honestly have not, but I am adjusting my calorie intake for sure. Leaning towards around 1800-2200. And in pretty sure my BMI is not good, lol. I'm 5'11
Ok, just entered your info into a TDEE calculator and it's showing that you do have quite a bit of calories to play with. Chosing 'light activity/exercise 1-3 times a week', I got 3747 calories as your TDEE, which is what you need to maintain your current weight. Then I x that times 7 days. Then I subtracted 7,000 calories from that number, which is the equivelant of calories needed to lose 2lbs per week, and then I divided the remaining calories by 7 days. It's giving me a daily calorie allowance of 2,747, to lose 2lbs a week. Can someone check my math? (i used fitness frog's tdee calculator).
eta: if I change it to 'little or no exercise', it breaks down to 2,270 calories a day, to lose 2lbs a week.
Well, you can skip multiplying by 7 and subtracting 7000 calories and dividing by 7 if you realize that a 7,000 calorie weekly deficit is the equivalent of a 1,000 calorie daily deficit. So 3747 calorie TDEE less 1,000 calories yields 2747 to lose 2 lbs a week. Math checked.0 -
lynn_glenmont wrote: »ReaderGirl3 wrote: »If you haven't lost weight in 4 weeks, either you're eating more than you think, you aren't as active as you thought, or it's a combo of the two.
My calorie goal is about 2900 and some change a day. I'm usually 3-400 below that. I'm also below my fat intake and sugar intake everyday as well. I record nearly everything I eat. With the exercise, I'm not sedentary by any means. I walk a ton at work everyday and do might workouts at home. I'm wondering if working midnights night impact it.
How tall are you? What is your BMI?
That calorie goal seems high to me. I would think you'd need to be closer to 1800 to lose very effectively. Have you consulted a physician or dietitian for calorie recommendations?
I honestly have not, but I am adjusting my calorie intake for sure. Leaning towards around 1800-2200. And in pretty sure my BMI is not good, lol. I'm 5'11
Ok, just entered your info into a TDEE calculator and it's showing that you do have quite a bit of calories to play with. Chosing 'light activity/exercise 1-3 times a week', I got 3747 calories as your TDEE, which is what you need to maintain your current weight. Then I x that times 7 days. Then I subtracted 7,000 calories from that number, which is the equivelant of calories needed to lose 2lbs per week, and then I divided the remaining calories by 7 days. It's giving me a daily calorie allowance of 2,747, to lose 2lbs a week. Can someone check my math? (i used fitness frog's tdee calculator).
eta: if I change it to 'little or no exercise', it breaks down to 2,270 calories a day, to lose 2lbs a week.
Well, you can skip multiplying by 7 and subtracting 7000 calories and dividing by 7 if you realize that a 7,000 calorie weekly deficit is the equivalent of a 1,000 calorie daily deficit. So 3747 calorie TDEE less 1,000 calories yields 2747 to lose 2 lbs a week. Math checked.
Ha, didn't even think of doing it that way lol
Thanks for checking! 0 -
lynn_glenmont wrote: »ReaderGirl3 wrote: »If you haven't lost weight in 4 weeks, either you're eating more than you think, you aren't as active as you thought, or it's a combo of the two.
My calorie goal is about 2900 and some change a day. I'm usually 3-400 below that. I'm also below my fat intake and sugar intake everyday as well. I record nearly everything I eat. With the exercise, I'm not sedentary by any means. I walk a ton at work everyday and do might workouts at home. I'm wondering if working midnights night impact it.
How tall are you? What is your BMI?
That calorie goal seems high to me. I would think you'd need to be closer to 1800 to lose very effectively. Have you consulted a physician or dietitian for calorie recommendations?
I honestly have not, but I am adjusting my calorie intake for sure. Leaning towards around 1800-2200. And in pretty sure my BMI is not good, lol. I'm 5'11
Ok, just entered your info into a TDEE calculator and it's showing that you do have quite a bit of calories to play with. Chosing 'light activity/exercise 1-3 times a week', I got 3747 calories as your TDEE, which is what you need to maintain your current weight. Then I x that times 7 days. Then I subtracted 7,000 calories from that number, which is the equivelant of calories needed to lose 2lbs per week, and then I divided the remaining calories by 7 days. It's giving me a daily calorie allowance of 2,747, to lose 2lbs a week. Can someone check my math? (i used fitness frog's tdee calculator).
eta: if I change it to 'little or no exercise', it breaks down to 2,270 calories a day, to lose 2lbs a week.
Well, you can skip multiplying by 7 and subtracting 7000 calories and dividing by 7 if you realize that a 7,000 calorie weekly deficit is the equivalent of a 1,000 calorie daily deficit. So 3747 calorie TDEE less 1,000 calories yields 2747 to lose 2 lbs a week. Math checked.
So maybe the estimate wasn't that far off after all. Still going to try and go lower0
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