Eating right but staying the same! help!

have you thought about swimming as an exercise-good for back and won't hurt your feet! there's also back stregthening exercises such as pilates (i'm a big fan as i also suffer with the back)

anyway, you've done brilliantly so far with regards to losing weight -just remember it's a marathon not a sprint!

I have been using the iPad app everyday since January and have seen a positive change. But I agree with Anna, fruit increases my daily sugar allowance which I am very careful to watch. I find that it is unrealistic for me to cut out the one thing I love completely, chocolate. I therefore portion an amount which I have every night at 9 o clock, but I do not snack on it throughout the day like I used to.

Anna (my mum), and I both consume lots of veg, but we intergrate it into our recipes which means it does not show up individually on our diaries. however to eat more fruit would mean I would have to stop eating my nightly portion of chocolate, which I find motivates me throughout the day to eat well (it's sad I know, but it is working!)

I like the idea of reducing salt intake, although I am always under my limit everyday. Ill suggest that we both give it a try and see if a more positive change happens!

Just remember you're doing great!

If you're anything like me, telling yourself you can't have your bag of wotsits will make you want them more. For me it's my nightly hot chocolate, it's the only reason I stay on track all day! I'm hoping that when my sweet tooth eases off I'll be able to swap it for a low cal version though. Perhaps there is a 'better for you' option?

I hadn't realised that you were getting your veggies in your meals. That's good.

Like I said before 13lbs is still really good. You should be proud. Remember, small steps - you don't want to go crazy with the changes and give up in a couple of weeks.

Hi. I think you are doing well for being sedentary. However, I would suggest going to your doctor and getting an opinion on exercise. There are all sorts of exercises that can be done for people who have back/foot problems. I had terrible lower back pain due to a dislocated disc, but I didn't limit myself and really worked my lower back muscles at the gym. This seems to have taken away nearly all my pain. Exercise can cure a lot of pain.

As for your feet, there are a lot of exercises that you could do that don't affect your feet. If you join a gym, you can do a lot of the sit down machines that work your abs, waist, hips, arms, etc, without putting any pressure on your feet. If you can afford it, also try to get a personal trainer's opinion.

I don't mean to sound like a meanie, really, I don't, but it seems as if you are making excuses for not exercising. You can exercise. If I can do it, you can too!

Adding the fruits and veggies, and cutting down the sodium will help. Also increasing water. Have you ever tried any of the workouts that are done sitting down, might help with your back, without adding any pain to your back and feet, I dont know just a suggestion. Also dont be so hard on yourself, you have lost and are doing good, maybe just fine tune the foods a little. We cant compare ourselves to what a 20 yr old can do in the same amount of time, unfortunately some things do change as we get a little older-lol! Everything is so much easier when you are 20 something! Give yourself a break, your scale is moving and you should be proud of yourself. Its all abut the journey....

Hi Anna,
You are pretty much on target for your goal, well done!! it is hard to see the scale only going down slowly, but slow loss is healthier and you have more chance of keeping it off long term :-)

Ive had a look at your diary and wouldnt cut your calories any further, considering how much you have to lose you are right to sticking to the 2lbs level set by MFP. I noticed you are a good way under your calories most days - try to eat all of your alloted calories, eating too little can also affect your loss as you are creating too high a deficit so your body doesnt want to let go of any fat!! i eat 1650-1750 @ 214lbs and I've lost 31lbs in 4 months, i started on 1900 @ 244lbs. I have actually lost more in the last few weeks with reduced exercise, so it is possible to lose with limited exercise.

the goal set by MFP for sugar is really low, I upped mine to 60g as I was going over just from some milk and a piece of fruit which is ridiculous! I dont worry about sugar from fruit, just the processed stuff in chocs / cakes etc! I also adjusted my carbs / protein / fat to 40/30/30 as the MFP carb level is really high and protein is realy low.
I would suggest you track your sodium as this can cause water retention and affect the scale, get your portions of fruit & veg in, choose home cooked meals as much as possible rather than ready prepared, and drink more water.
Also take measurements, as your body shape will be changing even when there is not much progress on the scale

Im currently unable to exercise much due to a knee injury and with a bit of research have been able to find an alternative workout, its not quite what i was doing before but its better than nothing! its worth having a word with your dr to see what exercise you can do with your feet / back issues. the resistance bands / exercise balls are great and low impact. Are you able to swim?

my diary is open if it would help you with some ideas!

You have been doing this for 50 days...which is what...7 weeks? And you have lost 13lbs? That IS almost 2lbs per week....
You are right on track. Keep it up.

Hi Anna,
You are pretty much on target for your goal, well done!! it is hard to see the scale only going down slowly, but slow loss is healthier and you have more chance of keeping it off long term :-)

Ive had a look at your diary and wouldnt cut your calories any further, considering how much you have to lose you are right to sticking to the 2lbs level set by MFP. I noticed you are a good way under your calories most days - try to eat all of your alloted calories, eating too little can also affect your loss as you are creating too high a deficit so your body doesnt want to let go of any fat!! i eat 1650-1750 @ 214lbs and I've lost 31lbs in 4 months, i started on 1900 @ 244lbs. I have actually lost more in the last few weeks with reduced exercise, so it is possible to lose with limited exercise.

the goal set by MFP for sugar is really low, I upped mine to 60g as I was going over just from some milk and a piece of fruit which is ridiculous! I dont worry about sugar from fruit, just the processed stuff in chocs / cakes etc! I also adjusted my carbs / protein / fat to 40/30/30 as the MFP carb level is really high and protein is realy low.
I would suggest you track your sodium as this can cause water retention and affect the scale, get your portions of fruit & veg in, choose home cooked meals as much as possible rather than ready prepared, and drink more water.
Also take measurements, as your body shape will be changing even when there is not much progress on the scale

Im currently unable to exercise much due to a knee injury and with a bit of research have been able to find an alternative workout, its not quite what i was doing before but its better than nothing! its worth having a word with your dr to see what exercise you can do with your leg / back issues. the resistance bands / exercise balls are great and low impact. Are you able to swim?

my diary is open if it would help you with some ideas!

Thank you for such a great reply! It's lovely to have someone understand why my calories are set so high. I have taken measurements today for the first time in years! Think I have been a bit reluctant to see just how big I have gotten! I am going to see about joining a local health club where there is a nice pool (not nasty council pool full of judgemental teens and kids!) and also the option to have a personal trainer as part of the membership. What you and the other posts say is right, I need to be more willing to look at alternative exercise that suits my physical abilities and stop making excuses.

I am so glad I made the OP as I have been so encouraged by all the responses I have had. Thanks everyone x

I am thrilled that you are taking that step! When you exercise, it makes you feel sooo much better! And make sure to take your measurements on your waist (with the tape going over your belly button) and your hips and arms and thighs. And take photo's of you in shorts and a sports bra, or some other form fitting outfit. Then, in a month, do it again. Even though you may only lose another four or six pounds in a month, ( you may stall because muscle is heavier than fat, but don't be discouraged) you can then see with the measurements and photo's that you are making progress. I am happy for you, and you are doing a great job!

First of all, you are doing a GREAT job. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!!!

I understand the difficulty of learning to exercise with physical limitations. I had two vertebrae in my neck fused in October and the doctor just cleared me to start exercising again. I promptly joined the gym to take some yoga classes (which I LOVE) and decided to do some strength training since I had the membership. In a week, I managed to mess up my weak knees and upset the herniated discs in my lower back. At the goading of one of my friends, I decided to treat myself to a month of sessions with a personal trainer. She has dealt with lower back and knee issues herself and has worked with multiple "broken" clients! I am REALLY enjoying this. She works me HARD, but has selected and modified exercises to avoid stressing my neck, back, and knees while building the strength in all of the supporting structures so the issues become less bothersome. She also coaches me very closely on my form so that I learn how to carry my body as I move and exercise in a manner that prevents aggravation and injury.

You might be able to work with a physical therapist or a personal trainer to develop an exercise routing that will build your muscle mass (which is the basis for your metabolism - your body burns energy to maintain muscle fibers) and improve the current levels of pain in your feet and back. Our bodies were designed to move...sometimes, as in my case, we need help learning how to move correctly!

My only other advice, if you feel tired and sluggish a good deal of the time, would be to ask your physician to do a thyroid test. I have a hypothyroid. If not properly managed, hypothyroidism can result in weight gain, difficulty losing weight, excessive tiredness, rough & scaly skin, and hair loss. You might also discuss with your doctor a referral to a nutritionist. They often have more specialized knowledge than doctors concerning matters of diet and food intake.