Help! Not cheating and not losing!

pattilindley
pattilindley Posts: 47 Member
edited November 18 in Motivation and Support
I'm frustrated. Two weeks ago Friday I weighed in at 184 pounds. Then Monday I weighed 187 pounds and I have been stuck there for two weeks. Actually this morning I was 186 pounds. I looked through my journal and three days I was over my calorie goal by about 30 calories each time, once about 60 calories over. All of the other days, weekends included, I have been between 300 and 100 calories under my calorie goal of 1230 calories. I started this program at Christmas at 210 pounds so I was doing ok but now I'm stalled. I journal everything and one reason I try to stay about 100 calories under is just in case I don't measure correctly. I really never cheat, not even tempted except those times I just want to be lazy and grab some fast food. I don't understand how I can stay under 1200 calories and still not lose. I'm 64 years old so there is no more TOM involved. Just need some encouragement. Not going to quit!!!

Replies

  • jenngitch
    jenngitch Posts: 190 Member
    It is really common to stall. Just make sure to weigh all you foods and make sure you are eating enough calories. You said you were usually between 100-300 below you goal of 1230. my opinion is you need to eating AT you goal not below because that is already a low number.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    Do you use a food scale to weigh everything?

    oqwqxr6d7lst.jpg
  • jessicaelizabeth918
    jessicaelizabeth918 Posts: 1 Member
    edited April 2017
    I was in the exact same spot until a few days ago. Had lost 15 lbs and stayed there for 2 weeks. I buckled down on my carbs -now eating less than 30 per day-and made sure I was getting plenty of protein. I also got some resistance bands and set a goal to use them 4 days a week. You can set those specific nutrition goals in the MyFitnessPal app. Lost 2 lbs in the last 3 days. Your body just needs a little CHANGE!
  • Rocknut53
    Rocknut53 Posts: 1,794 Member
    How are you determining your calories? Do you WEIGH and measure your portions? IF not, then you are simply just eating more than you think, meaning more than 1230 calories. You should not be eating below that number and it sounds to me like you are netting far lower. That said, if your numbers are correct you would be losing weight as well as feeling "hangry." I'm 63, 5'4" and 130#, and my maintenance now is around 1500 calories, so I don't have much room for error. Above all, don't quit! It took me almost 40 years to get here and am so relieved to have finally beat this weight problem. Are you doing any exercise at all? That will add to your well being and allow you to eat a little more once you get your intake dialed in.
  • Hearts_2015
    Hearts_2015 Posts: 12,032 Member
    @pattilindley

    Hi Patti,

    Do you have a food scale for measuring foods that are solid?
    It would be good to purchase a food scale to weight out the solid foods you eat in grams for better accuracy. Then continue to use the measuring cups and measuring spoons for the liquids you ingest.

    A quick glance at your food diary shows anything from popcorn, cereal, apricots, almonds, shrimp, potatoes, broccoli etc. using measuring cups. that's going back just a couple days. Your take in calories would be much closer in accuracy if weighed on a food scale. There's a good chance this change would help you get unstuck and get your weight loss moving again!

    It's amazing what a difference it can make in calories when we use a food scale vs. a measuring cup in solid foods. If you don't have a scale already it would be a great idea to invest in one, you could get one for anywhere from $15 and up...

    Quick glance at a thread below shows this link at Amazon with one for $14.99
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01609SMS6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10376374/i-just-bought-a-food-scale
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10455266/best-food-scale

    Good Luck Patti! :smiley:
  • amber_m_ruckman
    amber_m_ruckman Posts: 4 Member
    Could also be possible u r under eating with the calories. U really shouldn't eat less than 1200 calories a day, or ur body will hold onto ur stored fat.
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    pattilindley wrote: »
    I'm definitely going to purchase a scale. Maybe my measuring is off. I have not been exercising because of asthma and I get out of breath easily. I'm going to try to start walking. Even a mile would be more than I do now. This is a forever lifestyle, not a diet. I will never stop.

    Great attitude! I think a food scale will make all the difference in the world. If nothing else, it can be eye-opening with regards to portion sizes.
  • Rocknut53
    Rocknut53 Posts: 1,794 Member
    amber_m_ruckman wrote: »
    Could also be possible u r under eating with the calories. U really shouldn't eat less than 1200 calories a day, or ur body will hold onto ur stored fat.

    No, your body does not hold on to fat when you are eating at a deficit.

    @Hearts_2015 Great response!

    @pattilindley Keep up that attitude! That, for me, was most of the battle!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories