What am I doing wrong?

jkleeh
jkleeh Posts: 108 Member
edited October 7 in Health and Weight Loss
Maybe this should go on the support board, but I just need help. I am so frustrated I don't know what to do.


I have been stuck at 165 pounds for MONTHS!!!!!! I would love just once to see 164 on my scale to feel like I am not working my butt off for nothing. I just don't get what I am doing wrong. I work out 5 days a week for 40-50 minutes its a mix of strength training and cardio. I eat 1000-1200 calories a day I drink 72 ounces of water and I take a multivitamin. So what else can I do? My goal is to be back at my pre-pregnancy weight (145) by my birthday April 14th.

My eating looks like this
Breakfast
Oat meal, or toast w/pb, and usually a cup of coffee a glass of water and a fruit ( apples, blue berries, strawberries)

Lunch,
Ham and cheese, chicken salad, or tuna salad on whole grain bread, glass of water and a salad

Dinner
Protein ( chicken, pork, beef)
Veggie
carb ( bread or roll)

for snacks I eat
Sting cheese, lunch meat, salad or fruit


So what am I doing wrong?! please some one any advice is welcome!!
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Replies

  • raven56706
    raven56706 Posts: 918 Member
    watch your sodium intake... sodium can be the culprit
  • chickybuns
    chickybuns Posts: 1,037 Member
    Try bumping up your calorie intake a litte. Try 200 a day at first. I know it seems crazy, but I've read a lot about that on here. I personally eat anywhere from 1700-2500 calories, and am still losing weight and I weigh 157. I focus more on having a 250-500 calorie deficit. Let me know what you decide to do.
  • jkleeh
    jkleeh Posts: 108 Member
    like the veggies and lunch meat?
  • jkleeh
    jkleeh Posts: 108 Member
    Try bumping up your calorie intake a litte. Try 200 a day at first. I know it seems crazy, but I've read a lot about that on here. I personally eat anywhere from 1700-2500 calories, and am still losing weight and I weigh 157. I focus more on having a 250-500 calorie deficit. Let me know what you decide to do.

    I will give it a try! I just find it hard to get any more calories then what I get. My husband is not looking to get healthy so we have a TON of junk in our house and very little healthy foods.
  • surfagirl1
    surfagirl1 Posts: 19 Member
    I have heard that when you plateau you need to change your type of exercise but it sounds like your doing a great job :) I would struggle with so few calories I think ... all the best
  • surfagirl1
    surfagirl1 Posts: 19 Member
    I have heard that when you plateau you need to change your type of exercise but it sounds like your doing a great job :) I would struggle with so few calories I think ... all the best
  • erinw1011
    erinw1011 Posts: 86 Member
    I second upping the calories. I started at 1390 and I was barely losing anything. I bumped it up 200 and starting losing 1.5 pounds a week. Also you could try zig zagging them.
  • raven56706
    raven56706 Posts: 918 Member
    can anyone let me know where i can find the deficit on here aside from messing up the diary settings?
  • chickybuns
    chickybuns Posts: 1,037 Member
    Try eating peanut butter, nuts, olive oil, or any other healthy higher calorie foods. I agree that switching up exercise might help tooo if you're doing the exact same thing. Also, you could try zig-zagging your calories. Just search it here and there is a lot of info about it. I think it's helped me as I've gotten close to goal weight.
  • You could try to change up your food and exercise entirely or zig zag your calories (Up and down).
  • jkleeh
    jkleeh Posts: 108 Member
    I second upping the calories. I started at 1390 and I was barely losing anything. I bumped it up 200 and starting losing 1.5 pounds a week. Also you could try zig zagging them.

    I def think I am going to give that a try, I know my journal always tells me I was calorie deficit for the day but I struggle to find healthy food in the house to eat. what is zig zagging?
  • jkleeh
    jkleeh Posts: 108 Member
    Try eating peanut butter, nuts, olive oil, or any other healthy higher calorie foods. I agree that switching up exercise might help tooo if you're doing the exact same thing. Also, you could try zig-zagging your calories. Just search it here and there is a lot of info about it. I think it's helped me as I've gotten close to goal weight.

    Thanks! I just changed my work out on Friday so I am hoping that will help and I will try putting more pb in my diet I love pb!
  • MochaMixAZ
    MochaMixAZ Posts: 844 Member
    It could also be portion sizing... maybe try eating 3/4 of your usual servings?
  • can anyone let me know where i can find the deficit on here aside from messing up the diary settings?
    Tools > BMR

    That number, minus the calories you eat in a day equals your deficit.

    Edit:
    ( BMR + Exercise Calories ) - Calories In = Deficit
  • bshedwick
    bshedwick Posts: 659 Member
    I'd go with eating a little more (another 200 calories a day), and upping your water intake.
  • jeffazi
    jeffazi Posts: 198
    Your body is probably in starvation mode from eating so few calories for such a long period of time. Your body is hanging onto every ounce. This is evolution at work!

    Try bumping your calories up for a couple of days (say, 200-300 calories per days) and see if your weight loss doesn't improve. If you continue to eat so few calories, I think you will continue to struggle to lose weight.
  • jnanof
    jnanof Posts: 52 Member
    Eat more :flowerforyou:
  • savlyon
    savlyon Posts: 474 Member
    Try using rice and quinoa and sweet potatoes for starches instead of bread and rolls. Just an idea. Also...you seem to eat pretty clean...what about sugary things? I was plateaued and I cut out processed sugars and it started coming off again.

    Best of luck to you!
  • TinaS70
    TinaS70 Posts: 52 Member
    bump
  • jkleeh
    jkleeh Posts: 108 Member
    thank you for the advice! I guess I didn't realize I was starving myself. I appreciate everyone's help! I am glad I posted something I was afraid to come out a s a cry cry baby.
  • nukehiker
    nukehiker Posts: 457
    ok so lets address the water first at a minimum you should be at 64 0z ( 8 servings ) you might try increasing your water intake also. so lets say you are consuming 1200 cals a day, but then you are burning at or around 400 per workout giving you a net of 800 cals per day. it looks like you are in starvation mode ? I would say eat more, not junk food though. you might also try adding a whey protein drink maybe as a smoothie ? i use 2 sccops protein powder, some berries, and coconut milk ( 1 cup ) and some ice and a little water. thats good for about close to 500 cals, 55p 10f 45c
  • jkleeh
    jkleeh Posts: 108 Member
    I put creamer in my coffee but I am pretty careful to only put a tbsp in. I don't know if that could hurt me or not. usually if I crave something sweet like ice cream or candy I try to eat a piece of fruit instead.
  • jchrisman717
    jchrisman717 Posts: 780 Member
    Maybe this should go on the support board, but I just need help. I am so frustrated I don't know what to do.


    I have been stuck at 165 pounds for MONTHS!!!!!! I would love just once to see 164 on my scale to feel like I am not working my butt off for nothing. I just don't get what I am doing wrong. I work out 5 days a week for 40-50 minutes its a mix of strength training and cardio. I eat 1000-1200 calories a day I drink 72 ounces of water and I take a multivitamin. So what else can I do? My goal is to be back at my pre-pregnancy weight (145) by my birthday April 14th.

    My eating looks like this
    Breakfast
    Oat meal, or toast w/pb, and usually a cup of coffee a glass of water and a fruit ( apples, blue berries, strawberries)

    Lunch,
    Ham and cheese, chicken salad, or tuna salad on whole grain bread, glass of water and a salad

    Dinner
    Protein ( chicken, pork, beef)
    Veggie
    carb ( bread or roll)

    for snacks I eat
    Sting cheese, lunch meat, salad or fruit


    So what am I doing wrong?! please some one any advice is welcome!!

    Definitely think your calories are too low. My personal trainer told me to never go under 1200 and to stay closer to 1500, plus he said to eat back my exercise calories. Try bumping up your calories by eating more protein or even having a protein shake in between. Set your calorie goal higher and make sure to log your exercise calories and see if that makes a difference.
  • JOANIE69
    JOANIE69 Posts: 132 Member
    well im thinking your calorie intake is low .x
  • jkleeh
    jkleeh Posts: 108 Member
    ok so lets address the water first at a minimum you should be at 64 0z ( 8 servings ) you might try increasing your water intake also. so lets say you are consuming 1200 cals a day, but then you are burning at or around 400 per workout giving you a net of 800 cals per day. it looks like you are in starvation mode ? I would say eat more, not junk food though. you might also try adding a whey protein drink maybe as a smoothie ? i use 2 sccops protein powder, some berries, and coconut milk ( 1 cup ) and some ice and a little water. thats good for about close to 500 cals, 55p 10f 45c

    Is there a powder that you recommend I have looked at them in the store a few times, but I always associated them with people are are trying to be beef cakes. I want to be toned but not big muscles.

    I have come to realize I don't anything about weight loss and exercise.
  • emmyvera
    emmyvera Posts: 599 Member
    I've gone through something similar and here's what has helped me in the past and recently.

    I watch my sodium very closely. If I get high, I really pump up the water.
    I also watch carbs. This has been my recent epiphany. I was eating too many carbs! :sad: I lowered the level and then I started losing again.

    Also, make sure you eating at least 1200 calories per day. I've noticed the more I eat, the more weight I lose. Weird, but true.
    Changing up your food and the amounts you eat a day can also help. Worth a try.

    Change up your exercise routine. As soon as I start a zumba class or try something new, I also notice a difference.
    If I stick to the same thing every day, there is no challenge and my body is bored. I need to spice it up. :laugh:

    You'll get there - just experiment and don't give up. Good Luck. :happy:
  • H_Factor
    H_Factor Posts: 1,722 Member
    if you're eating only 1000-1200...even on exercise days...you're not eating enough. Adjust your MFP goals to "lose 1 pound per week" and eat all of those calories PLUS at least 50% of the calories you burn while exercising. I know it sounds counter intuitive, but sometimes eating more is what your body needs to dump weight.

    Another thing...although you aren't eating a ton, for me, I have found that I do better when I limit/avoid bread and starches. It seems like you're eating a bread product with every meal. Try replacing those bread products with carbs that have a low glycemic index value (i.e., berries, apples, pears, veggies)....these also make great snack options. Nothing like an apple or pear for a solid 80-100 calorie boost. I love blackberries and raspberries in the morning...so much fiber in both. consider some protein powder just as a means of adding 100-150 quality calories to your daily intake. I strongly recommend Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein and I love the Extreme Milk Chocolate Flavor (130 calories with 24 grams of protein and not much other stuff). If you like nuts, they are a great snack for healthy fat and protein. I'm allergic to nuts, but have recently found a crunchy, healthy snack called Somersaults. They add a solid 150 calories per healthy serving. Nut butters are also very healthy (I love Smucker's crunchy natural peanut butter)...

    it also wouldn't hurt to either: (a) switch up your exercise routine some...perhaps try some more intense, shorter workouts; (b) workout 3 times a week for a few weeks under my philosophy that sometimes "less is more" or "less stress, more rest"; or (c) combination of both.
  • ObviousIndigo
    ObviousIndigo Posts: 382 Member
    3 keys to weight loss.
    1) Moderation - eat everything in moderation. Don't cut fulll food groups from your diet but eat them in moderation
    2) Balance - Balancing your Macros can be hard but once you find what works for you weight will start to come off.
    3) Variety - Change things up so your body gets different nutrients from different foods. If you are feeding it different things it tends to hold on to fat less as it is getting all the nutrition it needs.


    Good luck!!
  • myak623
    myak623 Posts: 615 Member
    Maybe this should go on the support board, but I just need help. I am so frustrated I don't know what to do.


    I have been stuck at 165 pounds for MONTHS!!!!!! I would love just once to see 164 on my scale to feel like I am not working my butt off for nothing. I just don't get what I am doing wrong. I work out 5 days a week for 40-50 minutes its a mix of strength training and cardio. I eat 1000-1200 calories a day I drink 72 ounces of water and I take a multivitamin. So what else can I do? My goal is to be back at my pre-pregnancy weight (145) by my birthday April 14th.

    My eating looks like this
    Breakfast
    Oat meal, or toast w/pb, and usually a cup of coffee a glass of water and a fruit ( apples, blue berries, strawberries)

    Lunch,
    Ham and cheese, chicken salad, or tuna salad on whole grain bread, glass of water and a salad

    Dinner
    Protein ( chicken, pork, beef)
    Veggie
    carb ( bread or roll)

    for snacks I eat
    Sting cheese, lunch meat, salad or fruit


    So what am I doing wrong?! please some one any advice is welcome!!

    You can easily add a few hundred more calories by adding a slice of avocado to you sandwiches and adding almonds or other nuts to your snacks. You can also try protein shakes as one of your snacks. Upping your calories a little is the key.
  • pinkita
    pinkita Posts: 779 Member
    As most others have said, it appears you're not eating enough. I always eat my exercise calories and it hasn't stopped me from losing.

    Jillian Michaels recommends increasing calorie intake by 10% if you're on a plateau, but I'm thinking you might need even more than that.

    Good luck!
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