Frustrated What to do? More calories?

I am the same, 5'7" and weigh 151 (usually fluctuate between 147 - 149). I would like to get down to 140 - 142. I work out with a personal trainer 2x/week, 2x/week Pilates sessions & 2x/week cardio. I get 10,000 steps daily on my fit bit. My personal trainer told me I need to eat 1,625 cal/day to lose 0.5 - 1 pounds/week given my activity level. It seems like a lot of food because when I was in weight-loss mode without exercise, I was eating around 1,100 - 1,200 cal/day and losing consistently on Weight Watchers.

Do you have a cheat day or cheat meal every week? If so, it would explain a lot.

Do you weigh everything, every day? Even things like pieces of bread, pieces of fruit, scoops of protein powder and whatnot? Do you use recipes from the MFP database that sound like your own, or do you enter your own recipes? Do you account for cooking oils, beverages, condiments?

And another thought: do you often consume food made out of your site? Food bought from restaurants, or made by family/friends: you don't really know what is there. Even if a restaurant publishes its nutritional information, you can't know if the chef is heavy handed on portion sizes or uses more oil/sauces/etc. than he/she should.

If you are not losing any weight at all, and it has been more than 8-12 weeks eating at 1450: then either you are not eating at 1450 or there is something wrong such as thyroid issues. (Thyroid problems can affect the way in which your body burns calories, meaning it affects the CO portion of the CICO equation.)

Agree with above post. I was at my highest weight 183 at age 51. Now 136 at age 58. What worked for me was portion control for the most part. As we age we just don't need to eat as much. And it sneaks up quickly late 40's /early 50's. If you are gaining ? Could be lots of reasons. But increasing calories as suggested by trainers is not working so you need to figure out what does work, for you. I am also 5'7. Good luck, hope you find success in your weight loss journey.

You are perimenopausal. Go and get a thorough medical exam.

Neither age nor menopause affect weight loss to any large degree (MFP adjusts calories for age as well as height and weight) so long as any medical problems have been diagnosed and are being treated.

If your daily life is sedentary, start moving more. We do naturally slow down as we age so making a conscious effort to move is sometimes needed- especially as we have spent decades doing chores as efficiently as possible so we can fit everything in the day.

(FYI. I speak from experience on the movement thing. My weight had been steady my whole life within a 10 lbs range. Between 49 and 54 I put on 30 lbs and couldn't understand why- I wasn't eating any differently -menopause?
Nope, that wasn't to blame.

Oops, I had bought a car. After years of walking, biking, and public transport, I was walking out the door and jumping in that jolly green mini and driving every where.
It took a slight calorie deficit, upping my daily activity, and starting to exercise (first time in my life) consistently for me to lose those 30 lbs in a year, and keep them off for 7.)

Cheers, h.

title015944 wrote: »

acorsaut89 wrote: »

title015944 wrote: »

I am a 48 year old female 5'7 and 170. Last year was at 158. I was told by trainers that I was not intaking enough calories. So in May I changed my routine to include the following: I set my goal to 1450 calories per day which I hit most days. It is clean eating not junk. I drink 110oz of water daily, walk 1-4 miles daily, and workout with a trainer 1x/wk minimum. Since I started I have not gained anymore weight but I have not lost 1 oz. Literally not 1. My clothes are also not fitting as well. I never feel hungry. I am wondering if I need to take in more calories to fuel metabolism because if working out. Scared because I don't want to gain more that I can't get off. I'm at a loss and frustrated. Any thoughts?

This does not matter - you could eat 1,400 calories of nothing but pure sugar and if you're below your calories out then you'll lose weight.

For workouts where you perform at your optimum rate, you need to fuel properly. That doesn't mean eating more, that means eating nutritionally dense foods. These foods do tend to be more bang for your buck foods - as in less calories with higher volumes (sometimes) but that doesn't mean you need to consume more. If you aren't losing weight you're likely eating more than you think you are - as in consuming more than you burn in a day. That's really the science behind losing weight.

To fuel workouts, yes you should probably make sure you eat better but not necessarily more.

Thanks for that. I do need to clarify I'm thinking in my head by more calories not eating more quantity but more foods like meat and nuts that have higer calories but also provide more energy and are sustaining. Currently I eat a lot of veggies and some fruit.

No, I assumed that you meant more calories . . . I didn't mean a higher quantity of food.

If you're truly eating 1,400 calories (approx) then you should be losing weight. 900 calories isn't healthy but you'd lose SUPER fast on it if you did genuinely eat that much. I'd wager you're eating more than you think you are. You don't need to eat just fruit and veggies to sustain yourself at all - you can legit eat whatever you want, and as long as you're under your CO you'll lose.