Very hungry, haven't lost a pound in a month.

haggerty1383
haggerty1383 Posts: 1 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I am sure there are many of these types of posts, but I am struggling to lose weight. I am at an all-time high for myself and have almost 100 pounds to lose. I thought that I would at least lose maybe a pound a week or so in the beginning. But this time, I haven't lost a single pound (actually gained some water weight), and I am insanely hungry all the time. Here's what I know.
  • I've kept my calories around 1200 - 1400 each day for the last month
  • I have been diligently recording my food, and I recently got a scale. I found that I was overestimating my food a little bit when I did it by volume, so I did get to increase my portions some. Hooray!
  • I have cut out processed foods and dining out as much as possible. Ate out once and ordered the salad.
  • I eat plant-based with rare (once a month) fish or dairy.
  • I have upped my water from 0 ounces of any liquid all day to 64 ounces.
  • I am trying to walk or hike about a minimum of a mile most days.
  • I live in a very small, 22 ft. motorhome, so I have some limitations on food storage and inside space in general.

I was thinking about trying intermittent fasting as well, but I am not sure if that would make me more hungry or about the same. But I am looking for some suggestions that would help me kick start this weight loss. I just turned 40, and I am female. I have lost 70 pounds in the past when I was counting calories, so I know that it can be done.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Replies

  • tariqari
    tariqari Posts: 38 Member
    Firstly, proud of you. Especially on the food front. Don’t fast unless it’s for religious or spiritual reasons.

    Secondly, buy a liter water bottle. Fill it to 500ml maximum at a time. If you are sedentary, drink only two liters a day. If you are working out on a particular day, add 500 to 1000ml.

    I lost 125 lbs and have 14 to go. I am hungry all the time while maintaining a 1500 calorie regimen. My solution is to remind myself to stay hydrated enough to pacify the hunger. Water is great because it can go in and out. Just don’t exceed 3 liters. You can over drink and it can cause problems.
  • goal06082021
    goal06082021 Posts: 2,130 Member
    I'm seconding (thirding?) the possibility that 1200-1400 calories is too low, possibly way too low. You didn't say how tall you are or what your starting weight was, but if you have 100 lbs to lose you're probably in the upper or mid 200s weight-wise, I would guess? A 40yo woman in the 230-260 lb range has a basal metabolic rate of between 1600 and 1900 cal/day, depending on how tall she is; you're eating well below that, so no wonder you feel terrible all the time. BMR is your absolute baseline, the number of calories you burn just to stay alive, to say nothing of getting out of bed and going about your business. Even a sedentary person's TDEE is usually at least a little higher, because most people do get out of bed and go about their business. You can probably eat quite a bit more than 1400 calories and still lose and you'll feel better doing it.

    Redo the guided setup and set it to lose 1lb per week - the temptation is there to set it to 2lbs per week because you want all this excess body fat gone yesterday, but as you've seen, going too hard doesn't feel good.
  • Poobah1972
    Poobah1972 Posts: 943 Member
    edited March 2021
    What every one else said... I would also add, what is your average macro content on the day? Are you trying to restrict to much fat intake? Just curious, as cutting down refined carbs and increasing protein and fat goes a long way in reducing hunger. Not saying that's whats happening, but a better idea of your macro's certainly would be helpful information in assisting you better.

    P.s. You Can do it!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,985 Member
    haggerty1383 wrote: »
    I am sure there are many of these types of posts, but I am struggling to lose weight. I am at an all-time high for myself and have almost 100 pounds to lose. I thought that I would at least lose maybe a pound a week or so in the beginning. But this time, I haven't lost a single pound (actually gained some water weight), and I am insanely hungry all the time. Here's what I know.
    • I've kept my calories around 1200 - 1400 each day for the last month
    • I have been diligently recording my food, and I recently got a scale. I found that I was overestimating my food a little bit when I did it by volume, so I did get to increase my portions some. Hooray!
    • I have cut out processed foods and dining out as much as possible. Ate out once and ordered the salad.
    • I eat plant-based with rare (once a month) fish or dairy.
    • I have upped my water from 0 ounces of any liquid all day to 64 ounces.
    • I am trying to walk or hike about a minimum of a mile most days.
    • I live in a very small, 22 ft. motorhome, so I have some limitations on food storage and inside space in general.

    I was thinking about trying intermittent fasting as well, but I am not sure if that would make me more hungry or about the same. But I am looking for some suggestions that would help me kick start this weight loss. I just turned 40, and I am female. I have lost 70 pounds in the past when I was counting calories, so I know that it can be done.

    Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
    I agree with most that you may be too high on deficit. Also, how's your sleeping and stress?


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  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Lietchi wrote: »
    Counterintuitive, but I'm wondering if you aren't aiming for a deficit that is too aggressive? Stressing your body and causing water weight retention that is making fat loss on the scale.

    1200-1400 is very low for someone with a 100 lbs to lose, how did you arrive at that number? I ate upwards of 1700 calories at the start of my weight loss journey, as a 5ft5 woman with about 60lbs to lose.

    Furthermore, having that much to lose, you need to choose a sustainable path, something you can stick with long term. So the fact that you are very hungry is a warning sign to me that your strategy is not sustainable.

    You mention eating a plant-based diet mostly, are you eating enough protein? That might help with the hunger too.

    Yes, under-eating stresses the body, stress can increase cortisol, which can lead to water retention, which will mask fat loss on the scale.

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