new and discouraged

I have been on this site for about three weeks. I was doing real good and dropped 6 pounds right away. Now I have been just staying at the same weight with no loss.I still stay under my calories and I work out regularly. Its hard to stay focused when you don't see the scale go down. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

If you are willing to share it, unlocking your diary will let us take a look at your diet and make some suggestions. Up to you, though.

WELCOME!! Congrats on the 6 lbs. you mentioned you are eating UNDER your calories. Maybe you are NOT EATING enough. If you are exercising more you may need to fuel your body. I was told we should NEVER eat UNDER 1200 calories not sure if that is what your eating. Just keep at it & hang in there things will happen.

Change up your workout. Also up the intensity as high as you can. I jump rope between super sets to keep my heart rate up and do HIIT on the treadmill when I do my cardio. I just started doing these things in the last week, and while I havent lost any weight, I am seeing improvements in my fitness level already.

Also make sure you arent eating too few calories. Staying under your goal is good, but if youre too far under you can alter your BMR, causing it to slow down. You shouldnt go under 1200 (Oh, I thnk thats the right number). If you have been eating too little, you need to up your intake, and give your metabolism time to readjust. That could help.

I have been on this site for about three weeks. I was doing real good and dropped 6 pounds right away. Now I have been just staying at the same weight with no loss.I still stay under my calories and I work out regularly. Its hard to stay focused when you don't see the scale go down. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

yeah, i dropped about 14 pounds int 6 weeks. the last week i haven't dropped an ounce. i've got to change things up a little. different work out routine, different food. stick with it. maybe make your work outs less regular, and by that i mean change things up. take a zumba class, kickboxing, go for a bike ride. anything to keep your body guessing.

Hi Lorie,

Sorry that you're feeling frustrated! I know how that is.

You may want to take a look at exactly what you're eating, even if you are remaining under or at your suggested calories. It doesn't look like your diary is open for viewing, so you may be eating incredibly healthy, but if not, you might want to consider working on getting more protein and fiber into your diet. When I first started trying to lose weight, I was notorious for staying under my calories (or points at the time, as I was doing WW), but still living off of McDonalds and other junk food. That didn't work well at all (surprise, surprise! lol) so I finally had to completely revamp my diet.

Best of luck! And if you need encouragement, or advise, feel free to add me. I'm happy to help (and receive help, as I still have a long way to go).

welcome!m Keep in mind that the first 5-10lbs is water and will come off pretty easy. After that it gets slower and a little harder. Also if you are exercising you might be gaining muscle. Dont just go my what the scale says to determine loss, try taking measurements. You could be slow on the scale but melting inches like crazy!

Yeah I'm guessing you're not drinking enough water or perhaps too heavy on sodium which may be retaining water.

Make sure you eat all of your calories each day because eating under the required amount can actually cause the reverse affect, your body needs those calories inorder to lose weight.

I don't know if this has happened to you, but I spent a few months lamenting the fact that I was doing everything according to the books and nothing was happening... *until* I changed my "moderate activity* to *sedentary* activity. I consider myself pretty active, but lo and behold as soon as I changed that default, and stayed under my daily calories (and as a poster above said minimum of 1200 calories), the magic happened. Most of all, realize that many many folks talk about their journey in the *months to YEARS* time frame.... I always remember I'm in it for the long term. DON'T GIVE UP OR IN! : )

Agree with most above! Huge CONGRATS on your 6 pound loss that's fab! You shouldn't go under 1200 cals honey, I think it is correct above that you possibly aren't eating enough. Also mentioned above HIIT is brilliant and I would highly recommend that. it is also worth remembering lots and lots of CV isn't the answer really, keep that to 30mins a day and don't jog! Lol! Walking is much better, or rowing, cross trainer etc. Keep your body fueled by eating little and often, and keep going, you are doing brilliantly your body is just adjusting.

I'm still learning myself . . . I decided this past weekend to focus on other goals instead of the # on the scale. Such as 1st month I will exercise for 30 min. Then the next month I will add to it such as I will drink no pop (even diet) or no bread or I will do 100 crunches, etc.
I figure I can't be disapointed and fall off the wagon when I don't see the scale moving. Then weigh & measure yourself at the end of each month. Don't give up . . . . see what happens at the end of month 3.