Why my weight loss is so slow?
redheadmommy
Posts: 908 Member
Today is my 6 months anniversary here on MFP. I always thought, I will post a big cheerful topic in the success story on this day. Well, I feel gloomy and not very successful. I lost 23 lb since joining MFP. That is a bit less then 1 lb a week. I know MFP suggest a 1 lb per week weight loss, but everybody else seems to losing sooo much faster . It is really discouraging. I actually started my journey much before MFP, and I lost the first 10 lb prior to joining , but that was even slower like 0.5lb / week or less.
I am on a 1500 calorie diet, which by MFP supposed to make me lose 1.5 lb per week. I barely do a 1 lb on average.
Every day when I hit complete my day , I get mad at MFP and just want to quit. It predict that I will be such and such weight in 5 weeks and it is a big fat lie. I may get to that point that MFP predict in 10 weeks instead of 5 weeks.
I work out 3 times a week and based on everybody suggestion, now I do strength training instead of cardio. I tried eating back my calories, now I try not to eat back my calories. I do feel stronger an all, but I do not care. I just want to be thin. I am still freaking obese based on my BMI. I have like another 5 lb before I can say I am only overweight. I just wanted to close this year as NOT obese. It is less then 4 weeks left, and I am going to start yet an other year as a big fatso.
I am on a 1500 calorie diet, which by MFP supposed to make me lose 1.5 lb per week. I barely do a 1 lb on average.
Every day when I hit complete my day , I get mad at MFP and just want to quit. It predict that I will be such and such weight in 5 weeks and it is a big fat lie. I may get to that point that MFP predict in 10 weeks instead of 5 weeks.
I work out 3 times a week and based on everybody suggestion, now I do strength training instead of cardio. I tried eating back my calories, now I try not to eat back my calories. I do feel stronger an all, but I do not care. I just want to be thin. I am still freaking obese based on my BMI. I have like another 5 lb before I can say I am only overweight. I just wanted to close this year as NOT obese. It is less then 4 weeks left, and I am going to start yet an other year as a big fatso.
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Replies
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You should be doing cardio AND strength training. Try upping it to 4 times a week, and 1,400 calories. You need to change things up to confuse your body.0
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I had on my profile that I was slightly active. Unless your on your feet all day your not slightly active. I then choose a sedentary life style and it changed my calorie amount and then I started loosing weight. I maybe ran a few errands a day but it was not enough to consider slightly active.0
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Slow and steady is the best way to lose anyway! Don't be discouraged...it is a learning process.0
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I totally understand, because my loss isn't tracking the way it "should" according to MFP and all the calculators. Whenever I see that "in five weeks" thing I want to throw my computer.
But we have to remember that all these predictions are based on standard calculations, and don't take individuals into consideration. Maybe we're moving less than we think. Maybe we're eating more than we think. Maybe our metabolism is a little slower. Maybe we're bloated or not getting enough sleep or not baying at the moon correctly.
I've lost nearly 20lbs here since the summer, but that's less than I wanted to and hoped to lose. But I really only have myself to blame for that, and I have to remind myself that it's a marathon, not a sprint. 20lbs lost is still 20lbs, and your 23lbs is still an accomplishment! Be proud of it!
I have to trust that if we stick to it and be as consistent as possible (without losing our marbles), then it WILL happen. Maybe slowly, but I'd rather go slow and steady and have it be a real lifestyle change than just be able to post big numbers on the Success Stories board but not understand how to approach the rest of my life.0 -
First let me tell you the 23lbs you have lost looks amazing! On alot of people the loss shows mostly in their face....yours is in your tummy area and you look so awesome!
I too am a slow loser. Alot of my friends lose 1.5-2lbs a week and some even lose weight DAILY! Not me!
Maybe you should mix cardio and strength training together. I hear together it yields the best results. I have recently started doing that to see if I can shake things up a bit.
Hang in there, you’re doing great! You look awesome!0 -
It is so easy to get discouraged. I more than understand. I love all of these replies! All right on the mark. Keep your head up and enjoy your accomplisment thus far! Big hugs from Texas!0
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You're looking GREAT! Fabulous pics. And I agree with others, slow and steady means you're more likely to maintain your weightloss-- think big picture. You could certainly tweak things by doing both cardio and strength-- and maybe add 1 more day-- but I think you're on the right track and just need to talk more positively to yourself-- you have LOTS of reasons to. Just remind yourself what those are.0
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Congrats on your 23lbs, imo that is fantastic!!! Do NOT ever let everyone elses losses determine your mood towards your own. I have been trying to lose weight since August 2010 and have lost 3 pounds, I would be doing a friggen happy dance if I had a 20+ pound loss.
Also, have you tracked your measurements? I can see a pretty big change in your picture so I was just curious - sometimes the loss in inches can be more motivating than the loss on the scale!0 -
Please don't be discouraged! I'm one of those < 1 lb/wk folks, too, and I also am on 1500 calories. I intentionally picked 1500 calories because I knew I'd be hungry/frustrated on the 1200 that MFP recommended. And for me, hunger = no willpower. And consider it this way, the slower it comes off, perhaps the less likely it will come back on because you'll have been practicing good habits that much longer.0
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I set my profile to sedentary lifestyle originally for the initial 4 months, and I was eating back my calories as described. I hit a long 7 weeks plateau, which I managed to get out by changing up things a bit including switching my lifestyle to slightly active. It it less then 200calories difference a day (=1400 calories a week) , and I do NOT eat back my exercise calories since I switched to slightly active. I exercise 3 times a week for almost an hr, which actually would come out about the same 1400 calorie per week. So at the end of the week I eat the exactly same calories as before, but more spread out.I had on my profile that I was slightly active. Unless your on your feet all day your not slightly active. I then choose a sedentary life style and it changed my calorie amount and then I started loosing weight. I maybe ran a few errands a day but it was not enough to consider slightly active.
I am doing my Phd AND have a 3 yr old who I am running after hrs and hrs every day. I literally carry his 40 lb *kitten* on my shoulder on average an hr a day. We have a dog and go for big walks and he gets tired, and I end up carrying him. Or we go for a walk with a sled and the darn kid shouting the entire time that "mommy go faster , faster" and the 1 hr dog walking end up being a jog/walk training. I do not tract these as an exercise, because it is just part of my daily routine.
At the summer , I was biking 1 hr daily, as I used my bike as a transportation device. That was great mainly because it didn't add much time to my commute, and got a lot more exercise. Unfortunately I live on a cold climate and my biking days are over until April or so. I am really short on time, I do not watch TV, I have barely have any social life left. Really the only way I could increase the amount of exercise if i sleep less...0 -
Slow loser here, too. It can do a mental trip on you when others lose so much faster. Plus, there's always the worry that the weight loss will stop altogether at a higher weight than you want to be. I am not sure that MFP factors in your personal tracking in resetting your calorie requirements, or if it's one-size-fits-all the whole way down to your goal. Does anyone know that?0
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Yes I did lose a lot of inches, especially around my tummy, which is great. When I had an almost 2 months plateau from mid September to mid November, the inches lost was the only thing that kept me motivated. Still i just want the stupid scale to move .Congrats on your 23lbs, imo that is fantastic!!! Do NOT ever let everyone elses losses determine your mood towards your own. I have been trying to lose weight since August 2010 and have lost 3 pounds, I would be doing a friggen happy dance if I had a 20+ pound loss.
Also, have you tracked your measurements? I can see a pretty big change in your picture so I was just curious - sometimes the loss in inches can be more motivating than the loss on the scale!0 -
We're in the same boat. Proof that the universe has a twisted sense of humor! Hang in there. Your post made me realize that I've been on here exactly five months, writing down everything I eat and thinking "thin" thoughts. I'm only halfway to where I planned to be...but I like me better now than then. This is a crappy time of year to expect ourselves to feel all motivated. How about we just tell ourselves, "good job" and accept that the "in five weeks" function on mfp is effing retarded?
Friends if you like,
Christiane0 -
i am the same way. That is why I switched around, and set things up so I have a steady 1500 calorie everyday regardless exercise day or not. I am much more likely to keep the every day 1500 calorie, then having 1200 calorie one day and 1800 on the exercise days.Please don't be discouraged! I'm one of those < 1 lb/wk folks, too, and I also am on 1500 calories. I intentionally picked 1500 calories because I knew I'd be hungry/frustrated on the 1200 that MFP recommended. And for me, hunger = no willpower. And consider it this way, the slower it comes off, perhaps the less likely it will come back on because you'll have been practicing good habits that much longer.0 -
Don't give up! I've been on this journey for about six months myself, since July and I've lost 23 lbs. also. I am happy with a 1 lb. a week loss..... it's better than the alternative of staying the same or gaining! Even on the weeks that I didn't lose lbs., I did lose inches. I'm down 2 sizes in my clothing and look and feel 100% better than I did 6 months ago.
Would I like to lose more quicker? YES! Wouldn't we all?! Keep on your path and don't get discouraged!0 -
Do you have a heart rate monitor? MFP isn't very accurate when it comes to calories burned.0
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Do you have a heart rate monitor? MFP isn't very accurate when it comes to calories burned.
Oh, I need to get one of those. What kind do you have? I'm very tempted to get one before Christmas. I came really close to getting one by Timex that got good reviews on Amazon but then I saw in the reviews that it way overestimated calories for women.0 -
I think 23lbs is great success! My only advise would be to focus on how you feel, and that you are still moving forward toward your goal. You arn't moving backward, you are just not moving as quickly as you like and perhaps that means that the weight you are loosing will stay off. I know a lot of folks who lose pounds really quickly only to gain it again or simply plateau. Seeing results on a scale is nice, but don't let it be your only indicator of your success!0
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Today is my 6 months anniversary here on MFP. I always thought, I will post a big cheerful topic in the success story on this day. Well, I feel gloomy and not very successful. I lost 23 lb since joining MFP. That is a bit less then 1 lb a week. I know MFP suggest a 1 lb per week weight loss, but everybody else seems to losing sooo much faster . It is really discouraging. I actually started my journey much before MFP, and I lost the first 10 lb prior to joining , but that was even slower like 0.5lb / week or less.
I am on a 1500 calorie diet, which by MFP supposed to make me lose 1.5 lb per week. I barely do a 1 lb on average.
Every day when I hit complete my day , I get mad at MFP and just want to quit. It predict that I will be such and such weight in 5 weeks and it is a big fat lie. I may get to that point that MFP predict in 10 weeks instead of 5 weeks.
I work out 3 times a week and based on everybody suggestion, now I do strength training instead of cardio. I tried eating back my calories, now I try not to eat back my calories. I do feel stronger an all, but I do not care. I just want to be thin. I am still freaking obese based on my BMI. I have like another 5 lb before I can say I am only overweight. I just wanted to close this year as NOT obese. It is less then 4 weeks left, and I am going to start yet an other year as a big fatso.
I totally understand. I see all these people losing big time. Have you tried to lower your calories? My thyroid is messed up. Perhaps having your doctor do a blood test to make sure everything is ok.0 -
Don't get discouraged! Everyone's metabolism is different, everyone's body is different. Some people will lose at a faster rate than others. Slower is actually healthier & more sustainable in the long run, because you're more likely to be just losing fat, rather than fat & muscle.
And make sure your weight goal is realistic, too. You said you've been losing inches even when you're not losing weight, so you may just be getting more toned, and a toned body with plenty of muscle will weigh more (because muscle is more dense than fat). In fact, my doctor just told me that my physical build is more muscular, just by virtue of nature and genetics, than many people's. So my original weight loss goal is unrealistically low. The BMI (and everything else, really, calorie goals, BMR etc) as calculated by MFP is just a vague guideline based on your height & gender. But in my case, the doc said that I'm tall & big-boned and have a high percentage of muscle mass so we're increasing my goal weight by 25 lb. According to MFP's BMI calculator, that would still leave me in the low end of the "obese" category. But according to my doctor, that would be my ideal weight (if I maintain my current musculature). So if I were you, I'd double-check that your goal weight isn't set too low, too. You may not have as far to go as you think!
You certainly are looking good! Best of luck to you.0 -
Don't quit lady. It can be frustrating, but like another poster said, you need to switch it up and confuse your body.
Since 9/3, I've lost 23.5 lbs. Here is what I do. Maybe it'll help (and I average the same amount of calories as you do).
I work out 5 days a week.
Day one - 30 minutes of cardio
Biceps and Triceps
Day two - Cardio
Abs
Day three - Cardio
Shoulders and back
Day - four - Cardio
Legs
Day 5 - Cardio
Abs
All of my cardio workouts are between 30 - 40 minutes. I put on Pandora and listen to lots of Eminem or metal lol. Fast, crazy music helps me. Also, numbers can really agitate you. Focus on some NSV's. They will get you through.
Finally, do some research. Read other peoples diaries. Google, suggestions, etc. Remember, this is a journey. You want to win. You will win, just have to fight through.
If it were easy, everyone would be doing it 0 -
BODY COMPOSITION, what AdAstra47 said.
As you have reduced extra cardio (cycling) and increased strength training, you have probably increased muscle mass and may still have decreased fat mass. 1kg of fat takes up 3-5 times more space than 1kg of muscle! This balancing act can mean the scales don't move but you are actually making huge improvements on you shape and size.
Remember, we should be aiming to lose FAT, not WEIGHT (which may be made up of muscle and bone tissue as well as fat, leaving us in a worse health position!0 -
keep going you are doing great!! me I haven't lose weight in 4 weeks and is horrible but I hope this Saturday when I weight my self the scale will tell me that at least I lose 1lb so hung in there!!!0
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We are battling with infertility ,so I see an endocrinologist quite often. My thyroid is actually fine.My T4 is on a bit of the higher side, but still considered normal. On the other hand, I have the progesterone level equivalent to a 3-4 months pregnant women. Which is totally ironic, because we are trying to have an other baby. I can not get pregnant, because my body hormones think I am already pregnant. grrr.I totally understand. I see all these people losing big time. Have you tried to lower your calories? My thyroid is messed up. Perhaps having your doctor do a blood test to make sure everything is ok.
Anyway my Dr tried a few different things, and so far the only way to reduce my progesterone is putting me on birth control pill. Probably because of this , my weight loss is twice as fast when I am on the pill. Except, I do not want to take the pill, because I am trying to get pregnant. It is really frustrating when my body isn't cooperate with me in so many ways.0 -
I've been on for 55 days and my clothes are fitting amazingly well - too big in some cases yeah! But the scale? No love. NO LOVE. It's really discouraging so I've just stopped weighing myself because like you, I would get too discouraged to see no movement. Instead, I have one pair of jeans that I put on every Monday. They've gotten consistently better fitting and that's what I'm focusing on. I also really, really need to start working out more but sometimes my schedule just doesn't allow for it. But my schedule ALWAYS allows for me to make the right eating choices and that's what I'm concentrating on.
23 pounds is amazing. You've changed your lifestyle and that's all that matters - just keep it going! Keep it up! 0
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