Help please - Only Lost 1lb since starting this 40 days ago!

24

Replies

  • JujiBean
    JujiBean Posts: 187
    I see the problem right off. Too many bad carbs, the calorie counters seems off on the database, potatoes are high starchy carb calories, and it seems way low to me. I have an experiment for you. Eliminate all bread/ pasta from your diet for two weeks and fill them with "green leafy" and "high water" vegetables. Spiniach/ spring salads, romaine lettuse, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, pickles. If you do that I can guarantee about 5 pounds in two weeks. If you don't see any improvement let me know. Alot of people are stuck to the old school "food pyramid" where bread and grains/ high starch is the staple of our diet, when people worked alot harder. Well, maybe if your a manual laborer or farmer/athlete with hardcore calorie deficits you need all that. But for most people these days nutrional neccesity is key. Stop bread. I drop wieght very quickly, what I do is eliminate bread/sugar/fat from my diet and replace them with vegetables/fruit/protien. It works crazy good and I feel super energized after a week. i saw alot of bad carbs in your diet...trade them for veggies and watch the wieght drop off.

    Good advice.
  • normh545
    normh545 Posts: 81 Member
    you eat more than me, you eat lots of snacks, cut out crisps and nibbles just for 2 weeks and see if there is a loss
  • BobbyClerici
    BobbyClerici Posts: 813 Member
    First congratulations on your progress.
    Please, don't fixate on weight so much as measurements, and make sure your food intake is up while calorie burn rate is true and correct.

    Also, here is a site to help determine Body Fat: http://www.scientificpsychic.com/fitness/diet.html

    I wish you well; you can do it!
  • mslovelady
    mslovelady Posts: 4 Member
    One thing that I would recommend to you is this website called ezmeals.com. They have an affordable meal plan its 15.00 for three months of meal plans that have a lot of produce and protien. The food tastses great and I would highly recommend it in the fact that you will eat more at home and get full quicker and be less likely to snack on junk food.

    maddy
  • I was wondering if you have looked into the Olivia Method. Check it out she has a blog on here. She has a whole new way of figuring out how many calories you should be eating..
  • getsveltEagain
    getsveltEagain Posts: 1,063 Member
    I know you're frustrated, but you're on the right track. Have you been taking any vitamins and minerals in addition to your diet? When we put ourselves in a calorie deficit, we don't get all the vits/mins we need. A good daily supplement with iron, in addition to calcium w/vitamin D as well as essential fatty acids (omega 3, 6, & 9) will go a long way to giving your body the tools it needs to lose weight.

    I've tried eating lean cuisines (prepared meal) as a meal substitute, but I've abandoned them since they are so high in preservatives and sodium. They're tasty and make life really convenient, but not at that cost. To make my nutrition much easier to manage, I plan out a weekly menu. I eat the same thing, more or less, each day depending on my weight training schedule. Then I take one day a week to cook or prepare all of the food I'm going to need for the week.

    It might benefit you to see how much a consultation with a personal trainer might cost you at your gym. Even just talking to one of them will give you a MUCH better idea of how to structure your workouts so that you're getting the most from them. Lifting weights is essential and talking to a coach or trainer will help you develop a routine. If you can afford that, I recommend this plan: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jamie-easons-livefit-introduction.html All you need is a gym membership, lol. Check it out and see what I mean when I say that weight training is essential. You can do it, you just need the right tools, and I KNOW how frustrating it can be to see no progress at all as you fumble with trying anything and everything you can. Good luck to you!!

    ://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jamie-easons-livefit-introduction.html how much is this?

    This is a free program that is outlined on Bodybuilding.com.... I actually started a thread to do the 12 week program starting with the new year. Anyone is welcome to join and we will become a group closer to the start date. Check it out

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/420606-start-the-new-year-off-right-jamie-eason-s-12-week-progar
  • Apazman
    Apazman Posts: 494 Member
    1-Dec 96
    2-Dec -316
    3-Dec -978
    4-Dec 787
    5-Dec -188
    6-Dec 234
    7-Dec 226
    8-Dec -141
    9-Dec -41
    10-Dec -681
    11-Dec -453
    12-Dec 120
    13-Dec 203
    14-Dec 240


    in the last 2 weeks half of the days you are over your calorie counts. Most people estimate thier calories on the low end not accounting for dips, salad dressing, oils and such.
    Try to be more consistant. :)
  • MostlyWater
    MostlyWater Posts: 4,294 Member
    Instesad of just weighing yourself, take a tape measure and see if you are getting results around your arms, hips & stomach. The scale is only 1 indication of health.
  • dbhud
    dbhud Posts: 1 Member
    You are exactly correct in your concern. The math has to be off somewhere! If you consume 1500 calories and burn 400-500 in a workout....which is alot!!...then at your beginning weight, you have to lose. So if you are not losing one of the two...either consumption or calories burned is not right.
    I work out on a Schwinn Airdyne regularly and a good workout will be about 600 calories in an hour and that is going at about 16-17 mph or 125 watts so....500 calories is alot unless it is some type of dance/aerobics/spinnig session. I would suggest a spinning session if you have access at your gym. With that you will definitely lose weight and gain muscle.
    Keep it up. The biggest issue is to keep doing the right things and then the weight will come off.

    Good Luck!!
  • uboom
    uboom Posts: 69 Member
    The calorie burn caculators are too high here. I always log my cycling rides in at slower paces to match my real burn and even then I think they are slightly high. I looked through your daily log and I feel your eating way too much sugar through breads and pasta... Yes whole grains still have high amounts of sugar. If grains are used to fatten up cattle, then how are they healthy for you? Your also eating alot of dairy and this is screwing up your Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio in your body. Cut down on the dairy and up your fish intake or use a fish oil supplement. (We are the only species that consumes milk past our infant stages. Even then we don't even consume our own species milk!! How can that be good for you.) Replace all those grains with vegatables for your carbs. Eat lean proteins. Email if this doesn't make sense or questions.
  • janiner79
    janiner79 Posts: 69 Member
    Wow, I can't imagine how frustrating that would be. Have you ever tried a Herbal Cleanse to rid your body of toxins?

    I recommend the Herbal Cleanse from Sangsters health store (not sure where you live) but you can also get it online. It's called Wild Rose by Dr. Terry Willard, Ph.D. It's a 12 day program that actually has a very strict diet you have to follow along with some pills to help clear out your system. After the 12 days, your body and your spirit will feel COMPLETELY full of life and you'll have more energy.
    I did it a while ago, and while it's extremely strict food intake, it's only 12 days... May help...
  • amberl10
    amberl10 Posts: 75 Member
    Just wanted to say I feel your pain. In January it will be 1 year since I started watching what I eat and working out. I've lost only 5 lbs but I've lost 25 inches over all!!!
  • getsveltEagain
    getsveltEagain Posts: 1,063 Member
    Just wanted to say I feel your pain. In January it will be 1 year since I started watching what I eat and working out. I've lost only 5 lbs but I've lost 25 inches over all!!!

    That is great!! I wish I saw 25 inches with only 5 lbs gone! What is your secret?
  • amberl10
    amberl10 Posts: 75 Member
    Just wanted to say I feel your pain. In January it will be 1 year since I started watching what I eat and working out. I've lost only 5 lbs but I've lost 25 inches over all!!!

    That is great!! I wish I saw 25 inches with only 5 lbs gone! What is your secret?

    I try to stay under my calorie goal, and I workout 5 days a week. I alternate my plans from varying weight training/cardio, workout videos, my Wii EA Sports active, heavy cardio, lots of variation and it's worked. There have been times I've gained a inch or 2 back but I get back on track and lose it again. I hate that the scale doesn't budge but I can tell I'm losing by how I look. I'm only 1 size smaller but I'm hoping to get down another size in 2012.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator
    Bump for later
  • missyyclaire
    missyyclaire Posts: 572 Member
    If you're game, try ditching the grains, dairy and sugar. All carbs make our body produce insulin to shuttle the sugar out of our blood. When insulin is in the game, weigh cannot be lost....but it most certainly can be gained.

    I spent all of Oct and Nov on a plateau, so I really know how you feel. For the month of Dec I've committed to the Primal/Paleo plan which is pretty low carb. Even eating big steaks, using real butter, eggs, roast, pork and lots of veggies with oilve oil, I've dropped 4 lbs since Dec 1st. If it keeps coming off, which so far it is, I'm going to commit a much longer period of time to this. (note, I eat a lot of fat, check out my diary if you want to see)

    It might be interesting to note that after just a day or two, all cravings for sweeties dropped. Zero. Zilch.

    Don't give up, keep up the fight, and whichever way you choose, know that it's good that you reached out here and have so many friends willing to support you.
  • I have noted that my caloric burn according to my HRM is about 1/2 what the machine says on almost every piece of cardio equipment. So that might contribute to your slow weight loss if you are not creating enough of a caloric deficit.

    I should also note that my resting heart rate is about 38 bpm though... when I am running it levels out to 130bpm.
  • MelanieAG05
    MelanieAG05 Posts: 359 Member
    Honestly, you're eating way too many processed foods and white carbs. There is a lacking of fresh fruits and veggies which are so important in making you feel full and your body needs them. I also noticed that your water is lacking.

    I don't track my water in MFP - I do drink about 1.5 litres a day but appreciate I could be eating more. I eat 2 or more pieces of fruit everyday and have a large salad every lunch and vegetables with every dinner - again - I rarely put these in MFP diary. All my main meals are home-cooked from fresh ingredients not processed (they are added from my recipe builder). Okay - the odd jar/packet of sauce creeps in now and again - and I only eat wholemeal bread/pasta/rice so not sure where you are getting the white carbs from - do you mean potatoes?
  • MelanieAG05
    MelanieAG05 Posts: 359 Member
    I was wondering if you have looked into the Olivia Method. Check it out she has a blog on here. She has a whole new way of figuring out how many calories you should be eating..

    I did have my diary set this way for a couple of weeks but it gave me a false sense of security as to how many calories I had left lol!
  • snookumss
    snookumss Posts: 1,451 Member
    1g per lb of bodyweight in protein.
    .35g per lb in fats (not trans... the others :D).

    Limit alcohol and drink your water.

    Realize that inches lost are the same as pounds lost. Just measured in a different way. I don't mean they equal, but if you get one or the other its a great change!

    165 and only 1250 calories seems low, I am 180 and I am set at 1650. Maybe you have too small a number as well? Eat within 50 of your calorie limit every day including the above numbers as the minimum. You will lose weight and be healthy :D
  • jhungate
    jhungate Posts: 95 Member
    I would suggest you log EVERYTHING. This means everything you eat and drink as well as all of your exercise. I also suggest you eat 1/2 of your exercise calories. I have done this long enough and tested most scenarios and that is what worked best for me.

    Three suggestions: 1) Minimize what packaged and prepared foods you eat. 2) There is no such thing as a cheat day, some meals we just eat more healthy than others. 3) If you aren't exercising 5-6 days a week for at least 30 minutes a workout, you need to start.

    I really believe most people that struggle with weight issues tend to underestimate what we eat and overestimate how much exercise we get. I hope this helps, good luck.
  • Hey.. you should try up your cals a bit. Choose the 1lb or 1.5lb lose a week and you'll start seeing better results. WORKED FOR ME.. it's weird to wrap your head round but it works.. :)
  • MelanieAG05
    MelanieAG05 Posts: 359 Member
    Hi everyone - thanks for all of your advice! It is all very worthwhile reading through and there is plenty of it as well! There are a couple of running themes which I am going to try:

    1. Replace bread/pasta/rice with more protein and veggies - so for example for breakfast i could have a couple poached eggs with some tomatoes. For snacks fruit and nuts or humous and vegetable crudities. Lunch lovely big bowl of homemade vegetable & lentil soup or big salad with chicken, and dinner - do what I am doing and cut out the simple carbs and replace with veg

    2. Exercise calories - it is my birthday in January so i am going to ask for money to get an HRM to better monitor calories burned and only eat half to 2/3 of them back and see how that goes. I am due for a review of my gym program in the new year so I will organise that as well.

    3. Cut down on alcohol - easier said than done lol. It is so easy just to open a bottle of wine and drink the lot at the weekend :drinker: I find if i drink spirits i will only have one or two with a "diet mixer". Bloody Mary's are good - off to get the tomato juice now lol! I have already cut down my alcohol intake a lot from what it used to be so that is good!

    Over the festive season I am going to continue as I am now and at least maintain my weight and then start the above in the new year!

    Thanks again everyone - have a fantastic Christmas!!

    mel x
  • Hey.. you should try up your cals a bit. Choose the 1lb or 1.5lb lose a week and you'll start seeing better results. WORKED FOR ME.. it's weird to wrap your head round but it works.. :)

    HEEHEE!!! ignore me.. I'm an idiot.. Worst advice EVER! Didn't realise you were set to 1lb already.. my bad
  • Congrats on already cutting down on wine and spirits! That is going to be my biggest challenge. If you hand me a bottle of wine I'll drink it up and ask for more.

    You still may want to cut the spirits back a bit more after the holidays. Until using this tracker I had no clue how many of my calories were coming from alcohol!!!
  • uboom
    uboom Posts: 69 Member
    Hi everyone - thanks for all of your advice! It is all very worthwhile reading through and there is plenty of it as well! There are a couple of running themes which I am going to try:

    1. Replace bread/pasta/rice with more protein and veggies - so for example for breakfast i could have a couple poached eggs with some tomatoes. For snacks fruit and nuts or humous and vegetable crudities. Lunch lovely big bowl of homemade vegetable & lentil soup or big salad with chicken, and dinner - do what I am doing and cut out the simple carbs and replace with veg

    2. Exercise calories - it is my birthday in January so i am going to ask for money to get an HRM to better monitor calories burned and only eat half to 2/3 of them back and see how that goes. I am due for a review of my gym program in the new year so I will organise that as well.

    3. Cut down on alcohol - easier said than done lol. It is so easy just to open a bottle of wine and drink the lot at the weekend :drinker: I find if i drink spirits i will only have one or two with a "diet mixer". Bloody Mary's are good - off to get the tomato juice now lol! I have already cut down my alcohol intake a lot from what it used to be so that is good!

    Over the festive season I am going to continue as I am now and at least maintain my weight and then start the above in the new year!

    Thanks again everyone - have a fantastic Christmas!!

    mel x


    Mel I think you have come to a great conclusion from all the advice given. I think you will see the pounds coming off. Please let us know how things go in a couple of weeks...
  • EddieG77
    EddieG77 Posts: 185 Member
    You are probably gaining MUSCLE weight, rather than fat weight if you are still slimming, but maintaining the same weight. Which is actually a really good thing. If you are looking to just lose weight, don't do as much strength training and switch up your routine. Your body gets used to the same old routine day in and day out. Try doing your routine backwards, or up your weights, or push harder, switch your 'off' days. I hope you get the results you are looking for.

    ^^^ This!!!

    The scale is not the true measure!!! I was the same for MONTHS but my clothes were getting bigger and bigger.....so the mirror plays a big part. Get on the scale once a month or so......it takes time!! Rome was not built in a day and your change to a healthy you won't either!!.....hope that made sense!!
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    If you're game, try ditching the grains, dairy and sugar. All carbs make our body produce insulin to shuttle the sugar out of our blood. When insulin is in the game, weigh cannot be lost....but it most certainly can be gained.

    I eat dairy and grains. I eat about 200 grams of carbs a day. I am still losing weight.

    OP - I feel your pain. I have been in the same spot, over a month with no changes on the scale, but changes in inches. I understand how frustrating it is to want to see results and not get what you want, but you ARE getting results. The scale is the least accurate reflection of your results. and it will move eventually.
    Also keep in mind, although it seems like forever, 1 month is not a long time in the grand scheme of things. In 5 weeks, at 1lb a week, that is 5 lbs, which can easily be masked by water retention. Starting a new exercise plan, working out harder, change in diet, time of the month, and a number of other things can all affect water retention. You also said that you have been trying different things, 1 month isn't very long to see results from one method, let alone several.
    I'd say if you are accurately logging your food, keep doing what you are doing. Although I do agree that maybe cut back a little on exercise cals, at least until you get your HRM.
    It has been said on here before, this is a marathon, not a sprint.
  • SO much false information in here. Wow! Sorry OP :(
This discussion has been closed.