Scale not moving, ideas?

mxexotics · January 2019

Hey all! I’m new to MFP and so far loving it! I started on the 1st and quickly lost 3+ pounds. I’ve been on vacation all week and on point with my calories, but the scale either hasn’t budged or gone up.

I feel almost constantly hungry. Last night I said screw this feeling and ate a good bit over my calories, and this morning I’ve lost weight.

I have the projections at 2# a week, would dropping it down to 1.5# a week be beneficial?

Any tips appreciated! And friends!

leanjogreen18 · January 2019

Yes if you’re constantly hungry bump up your calories a bit to lose 1 1/2lb.

Redordeadhead · January 2019

So you've lost 3lbs in 12 days? How is that the scale not moving?
Patience! Weight loss doesn't happen in days.

mxexotics · January 2019

It hasn’t moved since day two. And I know it’ll take time, I just want to set myself up for success.

snickerscharlie · January 2019

mxexotics wrote: »

Hey all! I’m new to MFP and so far loving it! I started on the 1st and quickly lost 3+ pounds. I’ve been on vacation all week and on point with my calories, but the scale either hasn’t budged or gone up.

I feel almost constantly hungry. Last night I said screw this feeling and ate a good bit over my calories, and this morning I’ve lost weight.

I have the projections at 2# a week, would dropping it down to 1.5# a week be beneficial?

Any tips appreciated! And friends!

What are your stats? Height, current weight, goal weight? Your weight loss goal may be too aggressive, depending on these stats.

Also, weight loss isn't linear. It will go up and down all over the place from day to day, especially for a female. It's the long-term weight *trend* that determines how you're really doing.

Here's a handy chart that might help you out:

Dilvish · January 2019

First off don't weigh yourself daily!! Weight fluctuates throughout the day just like blood pressure due to a number of factors, water retention is the biggest one.
Weigh yourself once per week at the same time of day for consistency.

Tracking your eating, counting calories and measuring are keys to success. Incorporate some activity every day, especially resistance/weights and you will see the weight go down.

Eat nutritious foods and try to stay away from anything packaged. Most processed foods and manufactured foods contain large amounts of one or a combination of fat, sodium and sugar, all of which can make losing weight very difficult.

When I started out I cut my carb (sugars) intake to no more than 150g per day. I lost 26 lbs. in under 12 weeks. I had cheat days (at least once a week) and my average intake (1450 calories) was such that I didn't feel hungry all the time. I was only slightly active but mostly sedentary.

emmamcgarity · January 2019

Weight loss happens over time. What you are seeing in the scale are weight fluctuations. It’s not fat loss. Fluctuations can happen due to water retention from sodium content and make you look like you had a gain. Or you might weigh less immediately after use the bathroom in the morning. Neither of these are fat gain or fat loss. Fat loss takes time as you chip away day by day, meal by meal. Consider weighing just once a week so that you have a better idea if your goals are being met. If you really like to weigh yourself daily look into using Happy Scale or one of the other trending apps.

jennifer_417 · January 2019

We often say around here that weight loss isn't linear. What that means is that it doesn't always follow that you'll lose the exact amount of weight you "should" according to the number of calories you eat or burn. Hormonal fluctuations, water retention, sodium intake, and the fact that calorie counting is, at best, an inexact science all contribute. That doesn't mean calorie counting doesn't work, it just means we have to be as accurate as we can and accept that daily fluctuations, both up and down, are normal.

nikkirowles5815 · January 2019

This is a usefull thread -Thanks

try2again · January 2019

Dilvish wrote: »

First off don't weigh yourself daily!! Weight fluctuates throughout the day just like blood pressure due to a number of factors, water retention is the biggest one.
Weigh yourself once per week at the same time of day for consistency.

Tracking your eating, counting calories and measuring are keys to success. Incorporate some activity every day, especially resistance/weights and you will see the weight go down.

Eat nutritious foods and try to stay away from anything packaged. Most processed foods and manufactured foods contain large amounts of one or a combination of fat, sodium and sugar, all of which can make losing weight very difficult.

When I started out I cut my carb (sugars) intake to no more than 150g per day. I lost 26 lbs. in under 12 weeks. I had cheat days (at least once a week) and my average intake (1450 calories) was such that I didn't feel hungry all the time. I was only slightly active but mostly sedentary.

Lots wrong here.

Our body weight is constantly fluctuating, mostly due to water weight. If you can't handle seeing that on a day-to-day basis, you may just want to weigh weekly, but fluctuations can skew that data as well. The only true gauge of our weight loss is the trend over time.

Weight loss happens because of a calorie deficit. You don't need to exercise for that, but it will likely make you feel & look better in the long run.

You don't have to "stay away from anything packaged", as most long-term successful users here will tell you.

While it's beneficial to give attention to getting enough protein during weight loss, macros (protein, fat, & carbs) are a matter of personal preference and you should aim for what gives you the greatest satiety.

Oh, and if you are doing things right and eating a balanced diet that includes the things you enjoy, you won't need to "cheat".

TavistockToad · January 2019

You've lost more than 3lbs in 12 days, that isn't the scale not moving...

try2again · January 2019

Often when people start a new weight loss plan, they drop a few quick pounds of water weight and not much else happens on the scale for a week or two. You're still burning fat as long as you are in a calorie deficit, but it's being masked by the initial drop in water weight. It'll catch up.

In the meantime, make sure a 2 lb/ week goal is appropriate for you (it's basically for those w/more than 75 lbs to lose) and focus on accurate logging.

Scale not moving, ideas?

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