Help!

whitney_elyse
whitney_elyse Posts: 24 Member
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I've been eating well and exercising for about 2 months now. I stay between 1300-1500 calories per day...all of which come from whole grains, fruits, veggies, etc. I exercise about 5 days per week...burning at least 500-600 per session. I'm consistent and track everything and really feel like I'm doing everything right. However, I have not lost ONE ounce. Not one. In fact, I am actually up 2 lbs from when I started. I'm not overweight, just average sized--just looking to shed about 10-15 lbs but I truly have no idea what else to do? Any ideas what is wrong with me or what else I can do? I'm feeling frustrated and at the end of my rope.

Replies

  • sarajmitch79
    sarajmitch79 Posts: 42
    I'm in the same boat myself, very frustrating
  • dawn_eichert
    dawn_eichert Posts: 487 Member
    This may sound wierd but you may not be getting enough calories. If you eat between 1300 - 1500 but are buring 500 - 600, then your net calories are significantly below 1200 and you may be actually starving your body. I am no expert but this popped into my head on reading your dilemma. Stick with it and it will come
  • PedmomJill
    PedmomJill Posts: 505 Member
    What works for me when I stall is zig zagging my calories. It sounds like you are eating the same amount every day. Maybe your body has gotten used to it too much? I will eat a normal amount for a couple of days, then a high calorie day followed by a low one. And I mean a few hundred different. So if I averaged 1400, I'd do at least 1800 one day, and then under 1000 the next.

    I'm not a scientist. I just know this helps me!
  • katcena
    katcena Posts: 326 Member
    Dawn is right, are you eating back those exercise calories you are burning? Or eating 1300-1500 calories a day no matter what you do? If so, then that is your problem right there. If you are exercising and burning that much,you should be eating around 2100 calories a day. That still gives you a deficit....but gives your body fuel to keep everything functioning correctly.
    The fact that you have been at this 2 months and have seen a weight gain is a big red flag to me! Up your daily calories by 600 (or whatever you burn) and you will see a change.
  • godslilgerl
    godslilgerl Posts: 64 Member
    i agree you probably need more calories...i was losing extremely slowly when i was sticking to my 1200 cal but still burning 400-700 cal per day...as soon as i started eating most of my excercise calories back the weight started falling off... mfp is already creating a calorie defecit for you so any exercise you do on top of that is extra calories that need to be eaten because if they aren't the defecit become to great and you end up starving your body
  • katcena
    katcena Posts: 326 Member
    Another thought....have you been keeping track of your measurements? Often,the scale doesn't reflect the changes in our bodies when we are exercising as well as dieting. If you haven't, then have you noticed your clothes fitting looser? Or a change in sizes in the past 2 months? Muscles does weight more than fat....since you are exercising, maybe your body is replacing the fat with muscle?
    I still think you need to up your calories a bit as well....are you hungry after your workouts? Do, you have times where you just feel like you can't eat enough? Or is your appetite lacking? These both can be indications of what is going on.
  • whitney_elyse
    whitney_elyse Posts: 24 Member
    Thanks guys, I appreciate your taking the time to respond! Typically no, I don't eat back my exercise calories unless I'm particularly hungry after but maybe I should? I try not to eat after 9 but I usually eat enough to feel full and satisfied before then. Though there is usually a big chunk in my day where I do feel kind of hungry...would you just suggest snacking more then? Or eating higher calorie foods? It just is so frustrating because I have upped my exercise more than anything...I'm training for a 15K in December so I've really been doing a lot of running and time in the gym and it feels so, so pointless! ah!
  • PedmomJill
    PedmomJill Posts: 505 Member
    Whitney, you also don't look like you need to lose much weight, if any. If you only need to lose a few pounds it may take longer. :)
  • ALH1981
    ALH1981 Posts: 538 Member
    Have you taken a look at WHAT you are eating - despite the calorie count? For example i find that if i eat a lot of carbohydrates (even rice etc) which may be low in calories, i wake up heavier and my body processes food more slowly. If i eat protein (which are typically higher in calories) or fruit/vege my systems begin to function 'faster' and i drop weight faster.

    ALso, have you thought about the way you are tracking - are the calorie contents actually reflective of what you are eating? Perhaps reevaluate those...?
  • psych101
    psych101 Posts: 1,842 Member
    What did you set your goal to?

    With only a small amount of weight to lose, you should set it to 0.5lbs per week. My advice - set your goal to 0.5lbs per week, eat back most, if not all of your exercise calories and see how you go
  • whitney_elyse
    whitney_elyse Posts: 24 Member
    Jill. You just made me a very happy girl haha...thanks everyone! Today I'm trying to make sure I eat around 1600 calories and eat more after I exercise. What do you think about that number?
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