HELP! TMI on MFP is causing confusion!

meaganh13
meaganh13 Posts: 55 Member
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi Everyone,

I joined MFP in October and have been a regular browser of the Posts, especially the Success Stories for motivation, but now, after reading different strategies and perceptions, I'm confused on what/how to eat to kick-start my weight loss. ANY honest help would be greatly appreciated. I know the obvious: eliminate refined sugars, eat little to no starches, increase whole grains, green leafy vegetables and lean protein, but the scale still isn't budging. HELP!

Some info about me:
CW: 219
GW: ~170
Height: 5'6"
Frame: Large frame size (Wrist = 7" and it has no fat on it!!)

Current Calorie Setting:
- Using "Olivia Method" - set at 2190, try to have a 500-1000 calories surplus everyday, no success yet.
- Tried setting it at 1200 previously for a few weeks - no success.
- Tried upping it to 1500, still no success.

Diet History:
- Went from drinking 1L+ diet soda/day to maybe 1L/week, increased plain water intake from 2 glasses/day to 10-15 glasses/day!
- Went from taking no vitamins to taking Omega 3-6-9, D, Biotin, and B12 (for my anaemia)
- Has breakfast EVERY day (usually Special K, a Nutella sandwich, or eggs)
- Has healthy snacks between meals
- Limits "white starches" (pasta, potatoes, white breads, rice)
- Increased veggies and lean proteins (especially enjoying homemade Greek salads)
- Have 'treats' occasionally (maybe once per week) instead of every day (treats are 1-2 Halloween-sized chocolates or 3/4 of ice cream)
- Has a weakness for air-popped popcorn misted with olive oil, sprinkled with sea salt or Spike seasoning.

Exercise History:
- Relatively sedentary lifestyle (Masters student that sits at work 3-4 days/week and then sits at home doing research).
- Walks for at least 60 min. 2-3 times/week
- Started doing 30DS 3-4 times/week

Also, I've had my thyroid and THS checked (it's fine) and was told that my severe aneamia could be slowing down my metabolism but it's not likely....

HELP HELP HELP HELP!!!

Replies

  • kneeki
    kneeki Posts: 347 Member
    The only way to "kick start" your weight loss is to get up and take control of it. You know the nutritional basics, you just need to exercise more.
  • meaganh13
    meaganh13 Posts: 55 Member
    What would you suggest for exercise? I do have an elliptical and it's getting VERY cold outside so outdoor walking/running is almost impossible. I'll keep doing the 30 Day Shred ~4 days/week, but should I try to do a lot of cardio?
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    Although Olivia may be helpful, wild swings between 1200 calories and 2200 calories in the last few weeks are not helping.

    Find three different websites such as this one, WebMD and Mayo Clinic, or any other reputable sites for health.

    Figure your TDEE on all three sites. Most good sites will use the same formulas, so there shouldn't be a huge discrepancy.

    Input your data in the "Goal" section here. Use the numbers you are comfortable using. Eat your exercise calories.

    STICK TO those numbers for a couple months. Your body doesn't react to huge changes immediately. The swing from 1200 to 2190 is not a good plan.
  • kneeki
    kneeki Posts: 347 Member
    There are quite a few good in-home routines you could do. I personally really enjoyed P90X and Insanity. I would start there, or some other body weight training. And I agree with the above, stop swinging your caloric intake so dramatically. Keep it simple and clean.
  • ejohndrow
    ejohndrow Posts: 1,399 Member
    The only way to "kick start" your weight loss is to get up and take control of it. You know the nutritional basics, you just need to exercise more.
    This. Try to change up the cardio you do, try to add some jogging/running in intervals if you can along with weight training to help build up your muscle to aid in jumpstarting everything. (I haven't ever done 30DS, but I hit the gym 5-6 days a week at 1-2 hrs per session, and then I have an hour of mandatory PT on Monday/Wednesday/Friday). I'd say that my cardio and weight training is pretty equal as far as time spent on either, remember to push yourself (safely) and don't let your body get bored. I personally switch my cardio between running, elliptical, and rowing as well as interval training, and distance training.

    And...don't quit because you aren't happy after a couple of weeks. Keep at it; the healthy eating, drinking lots of water and the exercise.
  • meaganh13
    meaganh13 Posts: 55 Member
    Sorry for the misunderstanding guys! The Olivia Method is set to 2190 but I try to have at least 500-1000 calories leftover every day (depending if I exercise or not). So, basically I'm eating 1190-1690/day. Is this still too much of a fluctuation? Thanks for the help so far though!
  • ejohndrow
    ejohndrow Posts: 1,399 Member
    What would you suggest for exercise? I do have an elliptical and it's getting VERY cold outside so outdoor walking/running is almost impossible. I'll keep doing the 30 Day Shred ~4 days/week, but should I try to do a lot of cardio?
    Is there a gym at the university you go to? I know there were at the ones I went to. Also, I know you're busy, but kickboxing is a good way to work out and get in shape as well, and as was suggested before P90x and insanity are great too.
  • meaganh13
    meaganh13 Posts: 55 Member
    What would you suggest for exercise? I do have an elliptical and it's getting VERY cold outside so outdoor walking/running is almost impossible. I'll keep doing the 30 Day Shred ~4 days/week, but should I try to do a lot of cardio?
    Is there a gym at the university you go to? I know there were at the ones I went to. Also, I know you're busy, but kickboxing is a good way to work out and get in shape as well, and as was suggested before P90x and insanity are great too.

    I'm actually not on campus much at all and live 20 minutes from the nearest gym, so I try to get my exercise in at home. My life is not routine. I work 3-4 days at a desk job and double-shift serving at least 2-3 of these days (read: 13-14 work day). When I'm at home, I try to be active but at this stage in my life, a gym membership would remain unused.

    It sounds crazy but I CAN'T WAIT for the day when I have a routine (35 hour) work week and most of my early mornings and evenings free to exercise!
  • ejohndrow
    ejohndrow Posts: 1,399 Member
    What would you suggest for exercise? I do have an elliptical and it's getting VERY cold outside so outdoor walking/running is almost impossible. I'll keep doing the 30 Day Shred ~4 days/week, but should I try to do a lot of cardio?
    Is there a gym at the university you go to? I know there were at the ones I went to. Also, I know you're busy, but kickboxing is a good way to work out and get in shape as well, and as was suggested before P90x and insanity are great too.

    I'm actually not on campus much at all and live 20 minutes from the nearest gym, so I try to get my exercise in at home. My life is not routine. I work 3-4 days at a desk job and double-shift serving at least 2-3 of these days (read: 13-14 work day). When I'm at home, I try to be active but at this stage in my life, a gym membership would remain unused.

    It sounds crazy but I CAN'T WAIT for the day when I have a routine (35 hour) work week and most of my early mornings and evenings free to exercise!

    I'm an MA (basically military cop) in the Navy-my workdays consist of gym at 2:30pm-4pm, shower and make food for my shift and ready by 5:30pm, head to work-arm up and post out, with work lasting until anywhere from 6:30pm or 7:30pm the next morning, downloading my weapon(s) and depending on the day a mandatory PT session at 8am and not getting to bed until 9am and then waking up to do it all over again. Luckily my work schedule is 3223 so one week I work 2 days with 5 off, and then I work 5 days with 2 off. Believe me, I know about 12-14 hr workdays. I'm also taking online college courses to finally finish up my degree as well. It just comes down to how badly you want it I guess.

    All I can say is up the intensity and maybe get handweights or resistance bands if you don't have time for anything outside of the home. I actually lost a lot of weight doing elliptical only so at least you have that piece of machinery to work with.
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