Please critique my day... I'm NOT losing and need some help!

sounds to me like you may be eating too little. that will stop weight loss quickly.

You're not eating enough. Your net calories should not be lower than 1200. Ditch the cereal bar. Eat at home.... lots of quick options from oatmeal with fresh/frozen fruit, scrambled eggs/egg whites, whole wheat toast with peanut butter, plain or greek yogurt with fruit. Ditch the prepackaged lunches (have you looked at the sodium in those things!)

I agree you're not eating enough. And I also agree with watching the carbs -- carbs aren't evil, but you do need to make sure you're getting enough protein. If you don't feel like you have time to eat in the morning, you can prepare egg sandwiches or breakfast wraps ahead of time and keep them in the freezer, and just defrost them in the fridge overnight and nuke them quickly in the morning. Much better for you than a sugar-laden cereal bar or yogurt.

Could be not enough calories. Your body will hang onto what it's getting if it's not getting enough. So, you could try increasing your calories a bit.

Could be too much sodium. The more sodium your body has the more likely to bloat and carry water weight you are. I went over my sodium yesterday and it cost me a loss on my weigh in today and I just know it. lol

I try to get the bulk of my calories in my breakfast, a very light lunch, dinner depends on my remaining calories and I may have a snack after dinner if I'm still too low.

What about time of the month? I don't notice anything interesting, but other folks say they tend to have water weight issues monthly.

What kind of cereal bar or yogurt? Maybe try switching the cereal bar for some eggs, whole wheat toast. I definitely recommend greek yogurt with fruit, lots of protein and very filling. I guess the eggs and toast wouldn't be likely since you don't eat breakfast at home. Switch out the lean cuisine or soup for a wrap with lots of veggies and hummus for a sauce rather than mayo. For snacks, try fresh fruit and vegetables, something that is more nutritious than one of the 100 calorie packs.

Another thing that sticks out is your calorie intake. If you're consuming 1200 calories and working out 1.5-2 hours, maybe your body just needs more energy. Try upping it another 100-200 calories and see if that jump starts your metabolism.

I'm no dietician but from personal experience...I would eat as close to when you get up as possible to jumpstart your metabolism. Your breakfast should have some substance, yogurt (try greek yogurt) as it is high in protein, focus on protein and fiber. If you google "south beach quiche cups" I make those on the weekend for an easy breakfast that I can microwave and eat throughout the week.

Next, I am on a high sodium diet for low blood pressure but unless you are the same, that soup/lean cuisine/smart ones/healthy choice/ etc is ridiculously high in sodium and will make your body swell and hold onto water. I have to eat that stuff for my low blood pressure but the average person should avoid it.

I break my "meals" into five 250 cals throughout the day. You can adjust for what your calorie intake should be. But for one I will have pita bread a few carrots and hummus, another greek yogurt and a piece of fruit, the next some almonds and a fiber one bar or vitatop muffin (love those!) you get the idea. I used to do the 100 cal packs of mister salty choc covered pretzels, lorna doones, etc. While they are delicious they give you like no nutrition and they don't really hold over your appetite. I think you should focus on eating more "clean." I don't eat entirely clean but if you put your focus on staying around the outer edge of the grocery store when you shop it WILL help you lose weight. Focus on the produce, dairy, meats, and some frozen.

Eating little nutritiout meals throughout the day will keep your metabolism roaring. Also, I work a desk job too, get up as often as you can to walk to the printer, walk around the building for a few minutes. Just to keep yourself from being so stagnant. Hope this helps!!

Hey cousin, I saw a personal trainer at my new gym
today. He recommended the following things to me:

1. Breakfast, breakfast, breakfast. He said that breakfast is so important on a weight lose journey. He recommended it be my largest meal of the day.

2. He said cardio is great but you will lose more by throwing in weight training.

3. Cardio 4-5 times per week and weights 3 times per week.

4. Stay hydrated.

I sure wish we weren't a plane ride away. We could do this together!

Love ya!!!

The best way I know to lose (works for me anyway) is to cut bad carbs which come from PROCESSED food. Good carbs come from fresh fruit & veggies, whole grains. Watch sugar intake too. Basically, I don't eat anyrhing made with flour. I was at a plateau for the longest time until I tried this. Since joining MFP I have lost an additional 10 lbs. by eating this way and of course exercising. Good luck and just don't give up. Sooner or later it starts to kick in.