Can anyone help me!!!?

I have gone from 475 to 253. Now I have stopped losing. For the past couple of months now I have been 253, 254, 256, then down to 253 again. My weight will not budge! I walk six days a week, and I eat exactly how I am supposed to. I do have a great deal of loose skin. Am I done losing weight? I have had so many back surgeries that I pray I don’t have to get the skin removed right now. Do I go down in calories, or up or what can I do to break this plateau? I am so frustrated.

Replies

  • MichelleSilverleaf
    MichelleSilverleaf Posts: 2,027 Member
    How are you measuring your calorie intake?
  • pastortim33
    pastortim33 Posts: 8 Member
    I just count calories using the my fitness pal app. I weigh and measure everything.
  • 88olds
    88olds Posts: 4,534 Member
    If you aren’t losing you aren’t in a calorie deficit. Why? We would need more information.

    Have you adjusted your calories for your current weight? How long did it take you to lose 200+lbs? That’s good work.

    How far are you from goal weight?
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    You've chosen to keep your diary closed to us, so we're all sort of floundering to guess what might be going on. If you're willing to open your diary for a bit, it might help. Otherwise these would be my generic tips:

    1. If you aren't already, be sure that you're logging everything. Sometimes people forget about things like veggies, drinks, cooking oils, and condiments. For some people these can add up to enough to halt your weight loss progress. It's possible that after losing so much weight your margin of error is much lower now.

    2. Consider buying a food scale if you don't already have one and weigh everything solid. Everything. They're about $10-$20 dollars in the US and easily found at places like Amazon, Target, and Walmart. Measuring cups and spoons are great, but they do come with some degree of inaccuracy. A food scale will be more accurate, and for some people it makes a big difference.

    3. Logging accurately also means choosing accurate entries in the database. There are a lot of user-entered entries that are off. Double-check that you're using good entries and/or using the recipe builder instead of someone else's homemade entries.

    4. Recalculate your goals if you haven't lately. As you lose weight your body requires fewer calories to run. Be sure you update your goals every ten pounds or so.

    5. If you're eating back your exercise calories and you're relying on gym machine readouts or MFP's estimates, it might be best to eat back just 50-75% of those. Certain activities tend to be overestimated. If you're using an HRM or activity tracker, it might be a good idea to look into their accuracy and be sure that yours is calibrated properly.

    6. If you're taking any cheat days that go over your calorie limits, it might be best to cut them out for a few weeks and see what happens. Some people go way over their calorie needs without realizing it when they don't track.

    7. If you weigh yourself frequently, consider using a program like Libra or Happy Scale to even out the fluctuations. You could be losing weight but just don't see it because of the daily ups and downs. You might also be sure your scale is working and doesn't need new batteries or anything.

    8. Some people just burn fewer calories than the calculators predict. If you continue to have problems after 4-6 weeks, then it might be worth a trip to the doctor or a registered dietitian who can give you more specific advice.
  • promisesstandin
    promisesstandin Posts: 150 Member
    First of all, I am SO proud of you! Thank GOD you took the grace He offered to make your move and keep to your progress of better health!
  • promisesstandin
    promisesstandin Posts: 150 Member
    I am down about 95lbs. and still have some more to go. That being said, I have used MFP to track and find that after a bit I do have to readjust my macros. If you wouldn't mind sharing what your age and activity level is, I would be glad to look at your macros from the two different websites I follow. Perhaps I can make a suggestion to help you break from your plateau. I am listed as Sis Vicki on FB, if you want to send a FR and follow me in one of the free support groups I am on in there. Most of the time, the folks are very kind and encouraging. That may help you, too. Please try to let go of the frustration, it causes cortisol release which prompts insulin pump-out into your system and with that, there is no possibility of fat burning. Praying for you, in Jesus' Name.
  • pastortim33
    pastortim33 Posts: 8 Member

    88olds wrote: »
    If you aren’t losing you aren’t in a calorie deficit. Why? We would need more information.

    Have you adjusted your calories for your current weight? How long did it take you to lose 200+lbs? That’s good work.

    How far are you from goal weight?

    I am hoping to get to 180 but my next goal is for 200. It has taken me three years to lose this much weight. My daily calorie intake is set at 1560 cals. I walk according to my garmin fenix 5 8-900 cals six days a week. I usually eat back half of that.
  • promisesstandin
    promisesstandin Posts: 150 Member
    There is something called, "Setpoint." It's a place where your body decides to rest thinking it can be at "homeostasis" = balance. Sometimes it takes a bit to knock it out of that resting place. You are probably healing in other ways, please be patient as your body tries to adjust. You've come so far and are doing great! Rejoice in that and trust you will continue to move in the right direction as you make being healthier your choice. :) . Kudos to you!
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    @pastortim33 Proper weight and height are related. How tall are you?
  • pastortim33
    pastortim33 Posts: 8 Member
    I am down about 95lbs. and still have some more to go. That being said, I have used MFP to track and find that after a bit I do have to readjust my macros. If you wouldn't mind sharing what your age and activity level is, I would be glad to look at your macros from the two different websites I follow. Perhaps I can make a suggestion to help you break from your plateau. I am listed as Sis Vicki on FB, if you want to send a FR and follow me in one of the free support groups I am on in there. Most of the time, the folks are very kind and encouraging. That may help you, too. Please try to let go of the frustration, it causes cortisol release which prompts insulin pump-out into your system and with that, there is no possibility of fat burning. Praying for you, in Jesus' Name.

    I am 43 yrs old and my activity level consists of walking at a brisk pace of 3.5-4 mph six days a week. Other than doing that every morning I am a minister. I spend my days studying the scriptures, visiting, and other various church duties.
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    Another question to ask is whether or not you've taken a proper diet break in this process. Losing over 200 pounds is an amazing achievement and if you haven't yet, it might be a good idea to take a few weeks at maintenance to let everything balance back out before diving back in.
  • MichelleSilverleaf
    MichelleSilverleaf Posts: 2,027 Member
    Agree, a diet break might help you out.