Can't seem to lose weight
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cerise_noir wrote: »just to satisfy you all i will prove that i'm not over eating by measuring everything tomorrow
http://i.imgur.com/QYrwxNO.png imagine this bowl, i have it half full with porridge or oats, and i never finish eating it that is not 600calories
Why are you being....snarky? You asked for help and got many answers form those who have taken the time to learn all this themselves and become successful from it. They also took the time to help YOU.
I'm sorry, but weight loss happens of you eat LESS CALORIES than you need to maintain, not LESS FOOD.Also, when you say you eat pasta, surely it's not just plain pasta bolied. What do you add to it? That needs logging and while you are at it, weighing too. Smoothie with 2 or 3 bananas, what about adding the milk? Measuring the milk. That sounds like a decent smoothie that would take 400 calories at least and you say you eat 1000 for the whole day. If you had 3 bananas at 126 calories each assuming they are what the average banana is in MFP, that's 450 just in bananas. Add milk and you have a 550 calorie smoothie. Oats are very high in calories, l nearly died when l saw how small a 50 gram serving was. Add pasta with something on it, a sandwich with fillings etc. Just saying it like that sounds more than 1000 calories, a lot more.
just to be more specific
oats/porridge - would only be half of a bowl but i usually never finish it because im not a morning person.
banana smoothie - i use water for that and less than half of teaspoon of cinnamon.
Steamed veg would be in a lunch box and its a decent size of a lunch box and its not too cramped with veg.
for pasta i eat those gluten free pastas but i dont use anything to flavor the pasta.
for a sandwich i'd use a brown bread and half of Mozzarella
when im eating i try not to mix too much but sometimes its hard. i try not to mix too much because my stomach is very sensitive that is why i cut out meat or pastries or sweets because every time i ate them i felt like it wasn't right and i never felt good
Again, bowls vary in size. You cannot say you have 'a bowl' of porridge and expect everyone to understand that. Handfulls. Bowls. Mugs. Plates. Lunchboxes. All vary in sizes.
Gluten free pasta can be higher in calories, so keep that in mind.
Each brand of of the same food can be vastly different.
It's ALL about the calories when it comes to weight loss.
You have to log everything that goes into your sandwich. Everything that goes with your pasta.
I agree every bowl is different in size what can be half a bowl for you can really be 3/4 or more weighed out(if you weighed food) we arent telling you this to be jerks we are telling you this because we have all been where you are at and couldnt figure it out either when our weight stalled or what have you. we learned the hard way and started weighing our food and figured what was wrong. you will too once you start weighing foods and logging accurately and start eventually seeing the weight come off.it could take a month or so so be patient.5 -
i completely understand, dont take me wrong. and I've been doing this for more than a 5 months, maybe i am over eating, like i said i will log everything and scale everything i eat tomorrow, but its a weekend so i will probably under-eat but for a Monday that will be my regular day.
I used to log everything i ate but i never reached the 1,200 cal, my usual would be 700-900 but i guess that's because i never used a scale then (i'd estimate it by cup sizes).
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These last three weeks I stopped weighing my foods. guess what. I gained a pound. Best assured that today after grocery shopping I prepped and weighed all my food for this coming week. Gaining a pound was enough for me to understand I have to weigh my foods.
Such great advice on this thread. Please consider it.3 -
Pretty sure OP is a troll? People giving her tons of common sense advice and all their responses are confrontational or dismissive. If you're not losing weight, you're eating too much. If you're always hungry, stop drinking smoothies and have something more satiating.
nvm saw their most recent post. You should really consider how you converse with people whom you're expecting help from, though.7 -
i completely understand, dont take me wrong. and I've been doing this for more than a 5 months, maybe i am over eating, like i said i will log everything and scale everything i eat tomorrow, but its a weekend so i will probably under-eat but for a Monday that will be my regular day.
I used to log everything i ate but i never reached the 1,200 cal, my usual would be 700-900 but i guess that's because i never used a scale then (i'd estimate it by cup sizes).
If you've been doing this for five months and you have not lost weight then you ARE overeating as far as a calorie deficit is concerned. It's not a maybe, it is a definite; every human body works in this way. The good part is that you haven't put on weight either, so you are eating at maintenance pretty much. Weigh your food tomorrow and be honest about EVERYTHING, then things will fall into place.
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bclarke1990 wrote: »Pretty sure OP is a troll? People giving her tons of common sense advice and all their responses are confrontational or dismissive. If you're not losing weight, you're eating too much. If you're always hungry, stop drinking smoothies and have something more satiating.
i dont always drink a smoothie, that would be only 1-2 times per week and the smoothie is the only thing that would fill me up. also dont be so ignorant if you read the previous posts i just posted you'd see that im willing to scale my food0 -
To the op. Do you drink coffee tea soda etc. Along those lines1
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shortcdngirl wrote: »To the op. Do you drink coffee tea soda etc. Along those lines
i would drink green tea, but not everyday. and the only other drink would be just water
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OP, I'm glad you will weigh your food tomorrow - it can be interesting to see how we can easily view something as "not much" but actually it contains quite a lot of calories.
To get an objective view of what you've been eating, it would be interesting for you to choose your portions before weighing them tomorrow. Usually, I would tare the scale with my bowl on it, then add the number of grams of food that I wanted. However, it would be cool if you tared the scale with your bowl on it, removed the bowl and added the amount of food that looks good to you, and then put it back on the scale to find out how much it weighs. Just interesting to not let the scale influence you tomorrow, to get a good idea of what you've been eating.5 -
OP, I'm glad you will weigh your food tomorrow - it can be interesting to see how we can easily view something as "not much" but actually it contains quite a lot of calories.
To get an objective view of what you've been eating, it would be interesting for you to choose your portions before weighing them tomorrow. Usually, I would tare the scale with my bowl on it, then add the number of grams of food that I wanted. However, it would be cool if you tared the scale with your bowl on it, removed the bowl and added the amount of food that looks good to you, and then put it back on the scale to find out how much it weighs. Just interesting to not let the scale influence you tomorrow, to get a good idea of what you've been eating.
Yes that's how i will do it, i will weight my food as i would eat it daily. just that tomorrow is a weekend so i'm likely just to eat 2 meals because i'm not working so i dont feel as hungry as i would when i actually am working1 -
i completely understand, dont take me wrong. and I've been doing this for more than a 5 months, maybe i am over eating, like i said i will log everything and scale everything i eat tomorrow, but its a weekend so i will probably under-eat but for a Monday that will be my regular day.
I used to log everything i ate but i never reached the 1,200 cal, my usual would be 700-900 but i guess that's because i never used a scale then (i'd estimate it by cup sizes).
Ive been at this almost 2 years. I dont think I will give up weighing my foods ever because while sometimes I can eyeball a portion and it can be correct its not correct a lot of other times lol and with only 15-24 lbs left to lose I have to be as accurate as I can be although lately Im eating closer to maintenance as I have been having a rough week.weight loss takes time and hard work but its worth it. you will get there and since you are willing to weigh stuff makes it that much better. Im willing to bet you will be like" holy cow". some packaged foods from time to time may be what the package states but often its not. you learn as you go3 -
Fantastic that you are going to use a scale. I love my scale and have been using it since day one. You get used to it pretty quickly. I just got back from the supermarket and checked out plain oats while l was there.... 125 calories for 33 grams!1
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OP and everyone, I really appreciate this thread. I have not been measuring and weighing my food (although I have a food scale)... Somehow I've managed to lose 37 lbs but I've been stuck at a plateau for the past 2 months. Sitting here wondering what I'm doing wrong, I can safely assume it has everything to do with my portions. I barely weigh my food but seeing this thread makes me want to reevaluate that. I don't always portion out my food and I definitely do eyeball everything. However, I'm really starting to get the feeling that if I don't make this change soon, I'll always stay within the weight range I've been for the past 2 months.
I haven't really stressed about the numbers on the scale because clothes are fitting loosely despite the lack of movement on the scale, but I'd like to reach my goals one day. I'll continue to follow this thread to see how the OP makes out on the weighing of food tomorrow. I'm very interested in seeing how this all turns out.21 -
musicalityrnb wrote: »OP and everyone, I really appreciate this thread. I have not been measuring and weighing my food (although I have a food scale)... Somehow I've managed to lose 37 lbs but I've been stuck at a plateau for the past 2 months. Sitting here wondering what I'm doing wrong, I can safely assume it has everything to do with my portions. I barely weigh my food but seeing this thread makes me want to reevaluate that. I don't always portion out my food and I definitely do eyeball everything. However, I'm really starting to get the feeling that if I don't make this change soon, I'll always stay within the weight range I've been for the past 2 months.
I haven't really stressed about the numbers on the scale because clothes are fitting loosely despite the lack of movement on the scale, but I'd like to reach my goals one day. I'll continue to follow this thread to see how the OP makes out on the weighing of food tomorrow. I'm very interested in seeing how this all turns out.
Don't follow, just get a food scale. Mind blown! Watch this!
https://youtu.be/XpHykP6e_Uk3 -
I have to echo other sentiments though about your lack of protein and fat contributing to you being hungry. Get your calories in a deficit and figure out how to add some fats and proteins and you won't feel so hungry even in a deficit.
(Hopefully. Ideally. In a perfect world. But most likely.)2 -
Hahaha oh man, this thread.
It's like watching someone yell at a brick wall.25 -
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I think that sometimes people can be a bit resistant to/defensive about this whole subject, because being told that you're eating more than you think sounds like you're being told you're greedy, and no one wants to hear that! Especially when they already know they're overweight. But the truth is, if a person really is eating fewer calories than their body needs, they can't help but lose weight. You can't argue with science! (Well, you can, but it won't get you anywhere. )
I know that I always thought I didn't eat too much, but fortunately I learned about weighing and proper serving sizes from a friend when I first joined this site so I didn't have to hear these kinds of responses from other members!
OP, if you haven't already watched the videos that others have posted, then please do take the time to watch them. It's interesting to see just how far off our estimates can be! I hope that you find it enlightening to actually weigh your food, and that you'll see how useful a tool it is (along with choosing correct entries from the database, because many of them show the wrong amount of calories).
Please believe that people are trying to help you and trying to explain why you may not be losing weight. Proper weighing and logging is almost always the first thing suggested in these threads for a reason - it really does make such a huge difference! I hope you'll give it a chance for a few weeks and see if it helps you.
I'd also echo what someone else said about including more protein and fats in your diet. For many people, and I'm one of them, they are more satiating than carbs and might help you feel full for longer. Give it a try - it can't hurt to experiment a bit!
Good luck, and keep us posted on your progress!
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OP I was the same as you (although not quite as obstinate ;-)).
I really thought I had my portions down. I started weighing and I was wrong! Like you my breakfast of Greek yogurt and cereal was not huge at ALL but when I actually weighed it it was twice what I should eat! I am now used to the new smaller - well right-sized - portions and have finally had a 2lbs loss.
1000 cals a day is nothing! There is no way you are eating that few calories going by your daily spread. But anyway see how you go with weighing, I will be interested to see your findings.3 -
Just for comparison, OP, I am also 5 foot 5 and moderately active (walking 10,000 steps on average every day, no other exercise), and I've been losing weight exactly as predicted by MFP - 1 pound per week on 1,500 calories per day and 1/2 pound per week on 1,700 calories per day. I weigh absolutely everything I can.1
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Ditto on trying to get some protein and fat in that diet. Can you do eggs?
Do you know what's exactly causing your stomach problems? Like, just had a friend learn she was allergic to corn, which is in everything. Knowing would help expand your diet because currently it seems kind of limiting and if it's not filling you up properly or losing you weight might be time to experiment in the kitchen.0 -
queenliz99 wrote: »musicalityrnb wrote: »OP and everyone, I really appreciate this thread. I have not been measuring and weighing my food (although I have a food scale)... Somehow I've managed to lose 37 lbs but I've been stuck at a plateau for the past 2 months. Sitting here wondering what I'm doing wrong, I can safely assume it has everything to do with my portions. I barely weigh my food but seeing this thread makes me want to reevaluate that. I don't always portion out my food and I definitely do eyeball everything. However, I'm really starting to get the feeling that if I don't make this change soon, I'll always stay within the weight range I've been for the past 2 months.
I haven't really stressed about the numbers on the scale because clothes are fitting loosely despite the lack of movement on the scale, but I'd like to reach my goals one day. I'll continue to follow this thread to see how the OP makes out on the weighing of food tomorrow. I'm very interested in seeing how this all turns out.
Don't follow, just get a food scale. Mind blown! Watch this!
https://youtu.be/XpHykP6e_Uk
That video is insane! I've dusted off my food scale and started using it last night. My word...9 -
I agree with the other folks here.
I 'eat clean' and couldn't understand why I wasn't losing weight with such a careful diet and exercise. Turned out my portion sizes were bigger than I realised and I genuinely had no idea what my calorie intake was. Sadly, after years of various diets I have finally realised that the ONLY way to lose weight is to know what my base metabolic rate is, so that I know how many calories I should be eating. To lose 1lb a week I need to be in 500 calorie deficit a day. Now I am properly tracking my food I know what my calorie in take it, I don't go hungry because I choose foods that fill me up - like protein. Plus I exercise - that does make a difference.2 -
just to satisfy you all i will prove that i'm not over eating by measuring everything tomorrow
http://i.imgur.com/QYrwxNO.png imagine this bowl, i have it half full with porridge or oats, and i never finish eating it that is not 600calories
Instead of half filling it with porridge or oats, weigh it instead. And what you having with it? Milk, water, fruit, yoghurt? Until you buy a scale there is no way what you are logging is right.
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Wondering how your weighing and measuring went OP.
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CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »I thought I was eating a normal amount when I started putting weight back on after I lost some. bought a scale and found out I was overeating everything. even packaged foods can be off by a good bit.
This.
When I first starting using MFP I would just choose the items in the food bank for my diary. It took me about 5 months to lose 10 pounds. I think its because I didn't weigh everything. I just assumed. I used to only weigh meat, chips, other things that measured by ounces. I would use measuring cups for cereal, rice, etc. I still use measuring cups for many cooked things. I use the scale for dry pasta.
To weigh or not to weigh was also an issue for me and I never considered it a big deal or major factor in loosing, but I realized it was, with potatoes. I would select the default medium potato option. It has a 'med' potato ranging from 110-150 calories. I decided to listen to MFP people and start weighing everything. But I never weighed potatoes or other 'single serve' items I could 'eyeball'. Well, I decided to weigh my 'medium' potato by grams and sure enough it wasn't medium at all. After weighing my 28 gram potato, I realized that the caloric damage was actually 260-280 calories. 100-150 calories is a big difference. If someone is doing this all day, that adds up.1 -
Yes that's how i will do it, i will weight my food as i would eat it daily. just that tomorrow is a weekend so i'm likely just to eat 2 meals because i'm not working so i dont feel as hungry as i would when i actually am working
Time to get brutally honest with you the OP - aocix.
Read THIS. It answers all the questions why YOU are not losing.
At 5'5" and 170, cut down to 1356 calories per day to lose one pound a week. Yup - as three pages of responses have said - you've got to be brutally honest with your counting what goes in, and what gets burned.
It's clear you are underestimating how much you eat, and overestimating how much you burn. That's what we call classic denial here at MFP.
The link above which is entitled "Why Am I Not Losing Weight: 11 Reasons You’re Failing To Lose Fat" will get you out of the boat on the River DeNial.
Tough love is needed here. It's been provided. The horse has been led to the water. Now it is up to you to drink it if you seriously want to lose weight.5 -
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how could i be over eating when
07:30 breakfast- Oatmeal or porridge Sometimes i dont even finish the bowl which is never full from the begening
10:30 snack- Banana smoothie or a fruit banana smoothie only has 2-3 bananas
13:00 lunch- vegetables or a sandwich or Salad vegetables are good eitherway, which i put in a lunch box which is a normal lunch box
15:00 Snack- a fruit or usually skip this snack
18:00 Dinner- Pasta or steamed vegetables or fish or a sandwich i usually measure the pasta by cups which i only use a lil bit more than half of cup, and if i would be eating steamed vegetables it wouldn't gain too much weight from a plate of steamed vegetables, and steamed is digested faster than raw anyway
i do assume this is a normal amount for a person who works 8 hrs which includes constant lifting/ moving/walking in a fast pace
one banana alone is over 100 calories at LEAST. It seems to me that you are eating at maintenance calories.0
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