My weight won't budge...?

dreeminbigg
dreeminbigg Posts: 35
edited October 2 in Health and Weight Loss
I've been eating 1,200-1,500 calories of mostly healthy things everyday (I don't like to deprive myself or else I go crazy later on), and I also go walking/running 30 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes 4-6 times a week. I've been doing this for about 3 weeks to a month now, and I know weight loss takes time, but my weight hasn't moved at all. In fact, I've GAINED weight. Last time I checked the scale, I was 145, and today I weighed myself after 2 weeks (even though I promised not to weigh myself for a while since the number only disappointed me), and I was 146.6.
I haven't been doing any strength training yet so this couldn't be muscle weight.

I'm feeling really discouraged right now. Any advice?

Replies

  • AJENLENA
    AJENLENA Posts: 1
    Try to increase the pace of your cardio workout or maybe switching up what you have been doing...think biking, elliptical (if you have access). Also you should really incorporate resistance/strength training into your exercise routine. This will help increase the calorie expenditure and start to give you more tone! Good Luck!
  • Coltsman4ever
    Coltsman4ever Posts: 602 Member
    Believe it or not, you may not be eating enough. If you're a female and eating 1200-1500 calories per day with that much exercise, you may not be getting enough fuel. Your body will store fat if you're not eating enough calories.
    Try eating half of your exercise calories in addition to the 1200-1500 calories you're eating now.
    Drink plenty of water too.
  • RachelSRoach1
    RachelSRoach1 Posts: 435 Member
    try staggering your calories for a week.. that should jolt your body into doing something
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    maybe try doing something different for exercise? swimming, or 30ds or something? I cant really comment on the food as ur diary isnt open, but it could be you're not eating enough if you're working out for over an hour a day?
  • dawnblu
    dawnblu Posts: 95 Member
    Totally - eat more! I know it sounds crazy but the same thing happened to me. I was doing really well with my calories and then working out and I gained weight. I looked back at my dairy and noticed that I was not eating back my exercise cals. I ate more and surprisingly - I lost the weight I had put on. Weird but true. You need to eat more!
  • dreeminbigg
    dreeminbigg Posts: 35
    Believe it or not, you may not be eating enough. If you're a female and eating 1200-1500 calories per day with that much exercise, you may not be getting enough fuel. Your body will store fat if you're not eating enough calories.
    Try eating half of your exercise calories in addition to the 1200-1500 calories you're eating now.
    Drink plenty of water too.

    I only burn 400 calories max, and that's only when I go for an hour and thirty minutes. Usually I burn around 200-300 calories.
  • dogwhisperette
    dogwhisperette Posts: 177 Member
    I feel your frustration! I have been sitting at the 144ish mark for some time. I do the 30 day shred daily and am on Level 3, Day 2. Walk almost daily at least 30 min at a brisk pace and eat well. UGH! So they say take measurements! Did that, not moving either. So as I type this I see my scales and measuring tape sitting on my couch ready to go in hiding until Oct. 1st. Care to join me in the challenge?
  • kmumansky
    kmumansky Posts: 119
    Make sure you are logging everything accuratly. Don't eyeball measurements for your food, as underestimating can easily cost you a few hundred extra calories a day. Also maybe get a HRM to get an accurate calorie burn reading from your walks/runs instead of relying on the what MFP says.
  • dreeminbigg
    dreeminbigg Posts: 35
    Totally - eat more! I know it sounds crazy but the same thing happened to me. I was doing really well with my calories and then working out and I gained weight. I looked back at my dairy and noticed that I was not eating back my exercise cals. I ate more and surprisingly - I lost the weight I had put on. Weird but true. You need to eat more!

    I always feel so full by the end of the day even if I don't reach 1500 calories :( but I'll try to eat more.
  • dreeminbigg
    dreeminbigg Posts: 35
    I feel your frustration! I have been sitting at the 144ish mark for some time. I do the 30 day shred daily and am on Level 3, Day 2. Walk almost daily at least 30 min at a brisk pace and eat well. UGH! So they say take measurements! Did that, not moving either. So as I type this I see my scales and measuring tape sitting on my couch ready to go in hiding until Oct. 1st. Care to join me in the challenge?

    Of course! I actually told myself a few weeks ago I wouldn't weigh myself until December and hopefully see a huge change in the number then! I just gave in this morning unfortunately. But yes, my scale will be hidden now :)
  • Sezmo83
    Sezmo83 Posts: 331 Member
    Is this net calories or total? If you're exercising that much then you'll need more than just 1200 calories a day. I aim to net between 1200 and 1600 calories a day which means if I exercise I eat at least some of those calories back to stay above the 1200.
  • kcgslp
    kcgslp Posts: 203 Member
    Mix it up a little. The body easily adapts to what we give it. If we continue to give it the same exercise and the same food it figures out how to maintain a homeostasis (ie stay the same weight).

    Fool your body get a video try a new exercise
    and try different foods
    and alternate calories (same weekly amount over all just divided into one high day one low day and something in between)

    Good luck and Don't give up!
  • dreeminbigg
    dreeminbigg Posts: 35
    Is this net calories or total? If you're exercising that much then you'll need more than just 1200 calories a day. I aim to net between 1200 and 1600 calories a day which means if I exercise I eat at least some of those calories back to stay above the 1200.

    My net calories are usually around 1000-1100. I'm guessing that's why I'm gaining weight, right? Since the number is low?
  • sjr1957mfp
    sjr1957mfp Posts: 6 Member
    strength training will help boost your metabolism. you can also incorporate high-intensity cardio intervals to burn more calories. start here: http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/tipsandtricks/a/Intervals.htm to see what it's about. there's lots more information on the web. I particularly like Turbulence Training. good luck!
  • suz155
    suz155 Posts: 326 Member
    Hi....I know the three things that have gotten to me, in the past. No excercise, but, you are doing that. Another was not eating enough, trying to do the "quick weight loss" Last one really messed me up, my mind. For example, last night, I wanted some raisins, I grabbed a handful and said to myself, thats about an ounce. The thing Im doing different now if I'm not going by my food loving brain. I weighed them, it was 4 ounces, big difference. Hang in there.
  • kimmerc1331
    kimmerc1331 Posts: 40 Member
    Your calories are way too low, although I dont know your height/BMI. Sometimes the body gains in the early stages of weight loss. The first month of diet/exercise for me, I gained too. Then the weight came off, then it stopped again. Im still trying to figure out my next move to start losing again. Good luck and dont give up. Also, MFP overestimates exercise calories burned...
  • Coltsman4ever
    Coltsman4ever Posts: 602 Member
    I feel your frustration! I have been sitting at the 144ish mark for some time. I do the 30 day shred daily and am on Level 3, Day 2. Walk almost daily at least 30 min at a brisk pace and eat well. UGH! So they say take measurements! Did that, not moving either. So as I type this I see my scales and measuring tape sitting on my couch ready to go in hiding until Oct. 1st. Care to join me in the challenge?

    Of course! I actually told myself a few weeks ago I wouldn't weigh myself until December and hopefully see a huge change in the number then! I just gave in this morning unfortunately. But yes, my scale will be hidden now :)

    Personally I think it's a good idea to weigh yourself often. I weigh in every morning to keep myself accountable. Some days I see a loss and some days I see a gain. Our weight fluctuates daily, but by the end of the week I have usually lost weight.
    I think you should weigh yourself at least on a weekly basis. I believe it helps keep you on track.
  • BarbieHier
    BarbieHier Posts: 29
    Is your thyroid normal? Have it checked, thyroid problems can make it harder to lose weight.
  • sweetiebelle
    sweetiebelle Posts: 332 Member
    I agree that you my not be eating enough. Eat half your exercise calories. I only work out 10-20 minutes a day im eat 1500 calories. That means you probably don't eat enough.
  • TiffanyA2008
    TiffanyA2008 Posts: 197
    I'm not sure what your goal is, but remember that one pound is equal to 3500 calories. So if your goal is to lose, say one pound per week, then you need to be having a 500 calorie deficit a day.

    Hope that makes sense! Good luck :)
  • Coltsman4ever
    Coltsman4ever Posts: 602 Member
    If possible, have your BMR checked professionally. This will tell you exactly how many calories your body needs, to run itself daily. Add any exercise calories to that number and that's how many calories you need to eat daily. The goal should be to net your BMR calories every day.
    If you can't have your BMR checked professionally, use a calculator to check everything you do in a 24 hour period. Not including exercise. This will give you a more accurate idea of your caloric needs.

    http://www.caloriesperhour.com/index_burn.php
  • koutroulakis
    koutroulakis Posts: 77
    Something else to try is cycling or zigzaggin your calories...alternate b/w higher calorie days and lower calorie days so that your metabolism does not slow down. a website that I use...http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm
  • deninevi
    deninevi Posts: 934 Member
    I think you are not eating enough. Also, your body is probably used to the routine, so switch it up and try resistant training-it doesn't have to be weight , use your body-squats, lunges, push ups, sit ups, jumping jacks, burpees.... Good luck!
  • webdiva1
    webdiva1 Posts: 326 Member
    The closer you are to your ideal weight, the harder it is to lose (but I bet you already know that). :)

    Is it possible you're already where you should be weight-wise? How tall are you?
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    If you can provide us basic information we can calculate you caloric needs (age, height and weight). Also, more importantly, you need need need weight training. Running will just decrease your muscle mass over time which makes yoru metabolism slower. Muscle mass increases your metabolism which allows you to eat more. Also, you are definitely not eating enough but once you provide the data, we can figure out how much you should be eating. Also, can you make your diary public so we can evaluate it?
  • dreeminbigg
    dreeminbigg Posts: 35
    If you can provide us basic information we can calculate you caloric needs (age, height and weight). Also, more importantly, you need need need weight training. Running will just decrease your muscle mass over time which makes yoru metabolism slower. Muscle mass increases your metabolism which allows you to eat more. Also, you are definitely not eating enough but once you provide the data, we can figure out how much you should be eating. Also, can you make your diary public so we can evaluate it?

    I'm 16 years old (I know that's young to be worrying about your weight in the slightest, but I've always been fascinated with healthy eating and exercising, and I'm not really interested in eating like other teenagers do), 5'9 in height, and 146 pounds. Last year I dropped 15 pounds by healthy eating and exercising, but I completely restricted myself. I went 3 months without even touching a piece of bread. This caused me to gain all the weight back around 6-7 months later, with 5 pounds more. My goal weight right now is 130-135 pounds... The lowest I've ever been is 126, but that was because I barely ate for a short period of time.

    And as for my diary, it's not really something I'd like to make public... Atleast not right now. :/
  • dreeminbigg
    dreeminbigg Posts: 35
    The closer you are to your ideal weight, the harder it is to lose (but I bet you already know that). :)

    Is it possible you're already where you should be weight-wise? How tall are you?

    Unfortunately I do :(
    I don't think I'm where I'm supposed to be - last year I was 130 pounds for a couple of months, which is right where I'd like to be. I'm 5'9.
  • dreeminbigg
    dreeminbigg Posts: 35
    I also forgot to mention, that since I'm only 16, I obviously go to school. I have an unusually loud digestive system, so for breakfast and lunch I have to eat very lightly, or else my stomach makes loud and long noises the entire school day, which is really embarrassing for me. I usually limit my breakfast to under 200 calories and lunch under 300 calories because of this.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    Well there are a couple of things right away, you are young so your metabolism is naturally higher than most. Second, without seeing yoru diary, it's hard to provide constructive criticism. Keep in mind, we aren't here to judge but rather to help. If you want, make your diary public to friends only and I will friend you to help. Below is a breakout of your caloric needs based on your exercise levels. More than likely, you should be eating 2000-2300 calories. Also, keep in mind, you don't want to restrict your body as it's still developing. You can't follow the same guidelines as adults. If you do, you could have adverse issues later on in life.

    Additionally, you don't have to eliminate bread (just try to make the bread whole grain or whole wheat). Carbs are NOT the enemy. You want to get complex carbs such as fruits and veggies and whole grains (wheat pasta, brown rice, etc. Also, at your age, I would try to not fuss over weight, i would try to concentrate on body fat. In terms of fitness, look to get strength training and cardio/hiit training. Muscle development is the best thing for you as it's the lifeline increasing your metabolism, insulin control, immune system and brain function. And don't worry, you won't get big and bulky as you don't have tons of tentosterone liek men do. Also, muscle takes up less space than fat... if you don't believe me, google 1 lb of muscle vs 1 lb of fat.


    http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bmr/

    Harris-Benedict Formula

    There are a few different methods to calculating yourbasal metabolic rate (BMR). One of the most popular, developed in the early 1900's is called the Harris-Benedict formula. Based on this formula, your current BMR is 1539 calories.


    How Many Calories Should I Eat?

    Based on your goal weight, the following chart was generated. The chart shows the number of calories that you should eat on a daily basis to reach your goal weight. At Fat 2 Fit Radio we advocate eating like the thin, healthy person that you want to become. The calorie levels you see in the chart are not extreme, but they do create that all important caloric deficit that is required to get you to your goal weight in a safe manner. Once you reach your goal weight, you will continue eating the same number of calories for the rest of your life to maintain that weight. You'll never be on a diet again.

    Based on how much activity you do on an average day, the calories in the right column will be the number of calories that you will be able to eat at your goal weight. If you start eating those calories right now (eating like the thinner you), you will eventually become that thinner person. As you get closer to your goal weight, your weight loss will start to slow down. It is OK to eat a few hundred calories less per day (200-300) to speed up your weight loss at this point.

    Activity Level Daily Calories
    Sedentary (little or no exercise, desk job) 1764
    Lightly Active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/wk) 2021
    Moderately Active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/wk) 2279
    Very Active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days/wk) 2536
    Extremely Active (hard daily exercise/sports & physical job or 2X day training, i.e marathon, contest etc.) 2793
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