Not losing - check out my diary - HELP!!! :(

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I had similar problems and here are couple things that worked for me. I try to keep my sugar down and increased my protein. Although sodium can cause you to retain water, I think your issues may have to do more with PCOS. I was diagnosed with it about 7 years ago, but have not have any symptoms in the last 4 years (been under 160 during that time). Sugar really affected my weight loss. I can stay within my calories everyday, but go over in my sugar and lose nothing. So, I have no problems going over in protein, or even fat (healthy fats), if my carbs are lower and my sugars are in check. Now, I do have bad days, but that has worked well for me.

Also, I recently went to the doctor to be checked again for PCOS and other metabolic issues. Everything came back perfect. So, I bought a body media arm band so that I can get a better idea of my actual calorie burn for the whole day and to track my sleep (sleep also makes an impact on weight loss). I found that I burn many more calories in a day than I thought. So, I have been able to increase my calories by about 300 a day and I lost 2.6 lbs the first week I wore it. After not loosing for 4 weeks. Prior to my no loss, I would lose very slowly. And I noticed that hunger cravings are really bad on days that I don't get enough sleep.

Anyway, I know this can all be frustrating, but don't give up! You can do this! Please add me as friend if you want. : )

Hi,

I've lost almost 70lbs since last year. I've introduced more protein into my diet. I have a greek yogurt with breakfast. Homemade protein shake right after my workout to include 1 pkt carnation instant breakfast, 1 yogurt, 1/2 cup of frozen berries and a banana. If you workout a lot but don't consume enough you will remain stagnant.

Hope this helps!

I am not a fitness expert but I do know that you should watch your sodium. You are probably retaining way more water than you think because you consistently eat more than 2500 mg of sodium a day. Personally, I think 2500 a day is too much. I would steer clear of the lunch meats and any frozen dinners. THey are loaded with sodium. See if that helps. Dont get discouraged! You can do this.

1. Its only been a week on here.
2. meals seem a bit sporadic (some days 3, some 4, some 700 cals, some 200 cals)
you need to eat more frequently...you body type may no be able to handle as much fat, carbs, cals in one sitting as other.
3. I didnt look at all of your carbohydrate sources, but the majority of your carbs should come from foods low in glycemic index rating (fruits, dairy, whole wheat, rye, whole grain, etc) I would suggest eating 4 to 6 meals a day, 200-300 cals each sitting, diving your daily required carbs proteins and fats up and try and take them in as evenly as you can over 4 or more meals.
4. i also cant see your saturated "bad fat" intake. The majority of your fats should come from monounsaturated sources (nuts, peanut butter, olive oil, flax seed oil, less canola, butter, red meat, cheese/dairy that arent low fat, etc)
5. youre daily caloric intake is also sporadic...some days 1800, some days 1200. again, its only been once week and you need to try and keep every thing as level as possible to determine if you need more or less calories in the day.
6. sodium intake looks good. but maybe you could stand to drink more water to help flush some of that sodium/water weight out.


those are some starting suggestions. keep at it, it will happen!

okay, obviously you know that your sodium intake is high since everyone commented on it. I noticed a few changes that you can make and not deprive yourself. Dieting is not about depriving yourself. It's just about making healthier choices. First off, I would actually start looking at carbs. I don't eat anywhere near what MFP allows me to eat because lowering your carbs will help alot. If you want to drink a meal replacement shake you go right ahead girl!! Most people think they are the devil but for someone like me who is not a breakfast eater, they are great. I drink the Atkins shakes or the Slim Fast low carb low sugar shakes though. 2g carbs and 2 or 3g of sugar. Much better than the regular ones that have like 24g of carbs.

I noticed you had eggs on your menu. Istead of eggs, try doing egg whites. Lots of grocers have their own generic version which are a lot cheaper. If you need a quick snack try an Atkins or a Luna bar. They are great little snacks and will take that sugar craving away because they are so good. Sometimes I will have one as a desert! I use fruit as a desert as well just to get rid of that sweets craving. I also use low carb bread and pasta. There are different brands of low carb bread but my husband is Italian so we eat A LOT of pasta in this house. I use the Dreamfield's low carb pasta. I started making it and it's so good my husband still hasn't noticed the difference. LOL!

Also, try and figure out the time of day when you are the most hungry. For example, I am the most hungry around lunchtime so that is when I have the most calories and sit down for an actual meal while the rest of the day I snack healthy and eat small meals. I realized I'm never really THAT hungry around dinnertime but I used to eat a whole dinner because it's dinnertime and that's what I've been used to doing all my life.

Basically, I try and eat less carbs than I need to, watch my sugar (I go over on sugar a lot as well so don't be bummed), and I don't go over on sodium and drink tons of water. You don't need to eat "CLEAN" to lose weight but that is what a lot of people will tell you. We are friends on here so you can always view my diary whenever you want to get any more tips or any more "eat this not that" LOL. Except for today....I did horrible and had a pasta lunch!

I would reduce the amount of artificial sugar you are using in your morning coffee. The sugar free Coffee Mate is a great option so you don't need to add to it.

As for the "spaghetti and meatballs" meals: did you create that meal and submit it? Otherwise, your recipe could be COMPLETELY different from another persons recipe and their serving sizes.

The shakes your drinking can be replaced with a great high protein shake! There are tons of options that aren't nasty. I use Primal Fuel Vanilla Cream and I swear by it. It's delicious.

I would also cut back on the nuts. Find a healthier option. Maybe a trail mix with dried fruits, fewer nuts and something like a tiny scoop of mini chocolate chips. If you keep the serving size decent, it will lower the calories and the sodium levels.

And lastly, make your 3 meals SMALLER and add in small snacks more often to keep your metabolism going.

Good luck!!! :flowerforyou:

I don't think her sodium was THAT high...she seems to fall close to 2500mg...and as long as your right around that...thats good for now...you need sodium to function. just keep the water intake up to help cycle it all through. but you can def. reduce that by making your own salad dressings (all recipes .com is a good place to look, just leave out salts or portions of salts in recipes...always use olive oil instead of canola or other oils). avoid canned stuff or pre made stuff. (eg highliner dill salmon, cottage cheese is also loaded with sodium....so consume in moderation....greek yogurt is a better sub)


Focus more on eating more meals,. smaller meal, getting in all your macro nutrients...keeping your saturated low, eating soon after waking up...all that good stuff and as long as your sodium is within range...that's something you can reduce later after you've brought your body fat down to help shed off those last few pounds, cause bottom line, water weight is lean body mass...you want to learn how to take care of your fat first...get to the details later...just keep it in check and know that it is important to do so.

and as a side not...sweetened yogurts are fine....artificially of otherwise...they are low on the Glycemic index...as is chocolate milk by the way...keep it all skimmed and don't go crazy on it and you're good, especially if your mxing those things into meals with berries and or oatmeal...it will lower their GI rating even more.

I've personally found that I won't lose an inch with moderate exercise. I need to do intervals or my body just kinda laughs and gets used to the exercise with no impact on my metabolism. (I actually gained 10 pounds after introducing 3 miles of daily walking, with only about a 1000 calorie/week difference in calories. It may have been caused by my thyroid issues, but I learned my lesson!) As I result I stick to intervals and strength training.

I'd echo the other comments on processed foods. Salad dressing is a great one to start to replace, it is easy to make tasty dressings at home. One note, you can ignore any dressing recipe that says 2 parts oil to one part vinegar. At most I do 50/50 oil and vinegar. I typically do 1 to 2 and my dressings are great.