Getting really upset

I commend you for your weight loss journey. And it is just that...a journey. We learn about ourselves and try new things along the way...taking it all in as we work toward our goal. But, you really should keep an open mind when it comes to suggestions, new foods to try, new exercises, etc. If what you are doing isnt working, then try something new. Try eating clean for a few weeks, try a DVD instead of walking. Changing things up is a necessity as you go through this process.

As the saying goes,"if you bite it, you write it".....even a little bite of cheese can be 100+ calories. For MFP or another plan to work for you, you have to commit to logging everything you put in your mouth, no matter how much time it takes. Weight loss is a matter of calories in versus calories out. If you are not entering hundreds of calories, no wonder you are frustrated about minimal weight loss! MFP is just a tool to help you on your journey....YOU have to commit to doing all of the hard work that goes with it but the reward IS worth it!

Keep going and try some new ways of eating and excerising!

I am not an expert, but I have some food for thought… :flowerforyou:

I am guessing you have your activity level set to sedentary, and that you have selected “lose 2lbs per week”?

Based on your earlier comment that you spend the day chasing around your little one I wouldn’t consider you sedentary (I am sedentary – I sit ALL day at a computer) – anyways, if you were to change your settings to “lightly active”, which may be more accurate (obviously I can’t say for sure) you will find you need to eat more, probably closer to a NET of 1,400 calories per day. We need to fuel our bodies properly to get results! Walking (which it sounds like you do) is also exercise; you should log it, and eat back at least some of what you have earned! – My first thought is that you probably need to eat more…

In terms of food… a calorie is a calorie, while you have been eating a lot of processed foods that (other than water retention) it shouldn’t affect your actual weight loss - (notice I didn’t say health, I wouldn’t suggest it is the best way to go about it – I find when eating a “cleaner” diet I feel more energized, my skin is better… etc). Anyways, despite your food choices…. A calorie deficit should produce a loss… so something else is going on.... (1) eating too much, (2) eating too little, (3) medical condition?

Is it possible that you have really underestimated your intake? (bits of food off of hubby’s plate, a little snack here or there) – these things can add up and put you over… based on how low your daily totals are you would have to be WAYYYY underestimating – BUT try to log every little thing and see how it goes.

Another thing (sorry this is a bit of a ramble) – have you talked to your doctor? – medical issues, such as an underactive thyroid can inhibit weight loss…. I would suggest talking to an expert.

Finally, good luck to you! Don’t get discouraged – if you keep striving to make positive changes to your lifestyle you WILL see results.
Also… MEASURE… I tend to lose inches before the scale registers a change!

I hope that has something helpful in it, and hopefully I didn't say anything that is way off base... those are just soem things I have picked up along my journey

I think breakfast is very important. Try not to ever skip it! I do not care if others think that advice is bad!!!!! I believe it truly helps!

It's not bad advice, but it won't make you lose or not lose. The fact is, it doesn't matter when you eat as your body will metabolize the calories the same, even right before breakfast. What it does with many people, is prevent them from making poor diet decisions where they would go to work and have a donut.

If you research interim fasting, it has actually shown that extended periods of time without food can lead to quicker fat reductions.

I think breakfast is very important. Try not to ever skip it! I do not care if others think that advice is bad!!!!! I believe it truly helps!

It's not bad advice, but it won't make you lose or not lose. The fact is, it doesn't matter when you eat as your body will metabolize the calories the same, even right before breakfast. What it does with many people, is prevent them from making poor diet decisions where they would go to work and have a donut.

If you research interim fasting, it has actually shown that extended periods of time without food can lead to quicker fat reductions.

It is my opinion. I am going with what worked for me. I lost 60 lbs from eating every 2- 4 hours and exercising. I have always had my biggest meal at breakfast. If it does not work for others than something else will. Thank you for not tearing me apart like others have ":)

I guess I gave that advice because I was trying to explain not to skip meals. To each their own!

I think breakfast is very important. Try not to ever skip it! I do not care if others think that advice is bad!!!!! I believe it truly helps!

It's not bad advice, but it won't make you lose or not lose. The fact is, it doesn't matter when you eat as your body will metabolize the calories the same, even right before breakfast. What it does with many people, is prevent them from making poor diet decisions where they would go to work and have a donut.

If you research interim fasting, it has actually shown that extended periods of time without food can lead to quicker fat reductions.

It is my opinion. I am going with what worked for me. I lost 60 lbs from eating every 2- 4 hours and exercising. I have always had my biggest meal at breakfast. If it does not work for others than something else will. Thank you for not tearing me apart like others have ":)

Oh trust me, until I started doing IF, i was eating breakfast every morning and I lost some weight and cut from 18% body fat to 12% body fat. Now, I have stagnated, I am trying something new.

I am kind of in the same boat!

It took me 3 months for the weight to start coming off for me and I started at 215 too. I mean I lost zero pounds in 3 months. I was working out vigorously 6 days a week and keeping my calories in check. I wanted to quit so bad but kept with it. Eventually your body will start to drop the pounds. I've lost 36 pounds so far. You can do it. Don't lose faith.

.even a little bite of cheese can be 100+ calories.

Exactly what variety of cheese packs 100+ calories in a "little bite"?

Hey there. Just wanted to tell you to stay strong and keep up the good work. I went from a size 14/16 to a size 6 about 12 years ago and have kept it off all these years. If I can do it, so can you.

I checked out your diary and noticed the same things that many people were saying about the high sodium processed foods in your diet. I can't imagine what its like to be a young busy Mom so frozen foods are probably easier. Here is a list of some of my favorite go to foods for maintaining a healthy weight:

apples
steamed broccoli
steamed sweet peppers
carrots & cauliflower roasted with olive oil
Amy's organic frozen vegan pizza
hummus
chick peas (you can throw these in soups & salads, even wraps)
GNC go lean 25 protein shake powder
Berries
natural PB or almond butter

I buy my groceries and try to clean and chop or cut up all the fruit and veggies at once, that way I can throw them into meal quickly. I think you're doing a good job tracking and staying within your caloric range. I personally eat more calories than 1200 (approx 1500 or 1600 sometimes) and I try to fit in more "whole foods".

Like others have said, try upping your calories. I hit a plateau and was stuck at the same weight for an entire month - was eating 1390/day and exercising (and eating exercise calories back). I finally upped mine to 1600/day and began losing steadily week after week.

(Don't pay attention to my ticker because I got sick last month and unfortunately had a set back where I gained everything back, but I've re-started this week and have been doing great so far!)

Oh, and make sure you are eating something every 2-4 hours (not sure how often you eat).

Good luck to you!

Meal frequency has no impact on weight loss. It's a myth that has been disproved. You can eat 1 meal or 10 meals and your body will metabolize food the same.


Lets put things in perspective.

Based on your age and weight with an estimated 5'5 for height, your BMR is around 1700 calories. This means, this is the amount of calories for basic bodily functions or aka your metabolism; i.e - organ function, breathing. Essentially, this is how many calories you would burn if you slept for 24 hours. Now lets say, you have a desk job (or a student) and you work out 3 days a week where you burn 300 calories a day. With this information we can figure out your TDEE (or the amount of calories you burn off every day including all activities).

TDEE = BMR * lifestyle factor + exercise

TDEE = 1700 * 1.2 + 300 = 2340 <-- based on exercise this could go up or down.

For your situation, i would recommend at most 1.5 lbs per week. Which means...


caloric needs = 2340 - 750 = 1590.

This really means, you should be eating 1600 calories a day.



Also, keep in mind your body has stress mechanism (which a calorie deficit is stress on your body) that will prevent your body from losing fat if it's malnourished. Under eating to your bodies caloric needs, is malnourishment. Also, lets say you are working out more and burning more calories, than your deficit is growing even more which means your body is fighting weight loss. And when you do lose weight, it's going to be from muscle and not fat. And as you lose more muscle, the slower your metabolism will be and the harder it will be to lose weight.

Also, with exercise, if you haven't started lifting weights, then you should. Weight lifting provides a lot more benefits for people compared to cardio. Cardio burns more during exercise, but ST burns more overall. After doing ST, your body will work to repair muscle which means, you still burn calories after you are doing working out.

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/why-big-caloric-deficits-and-lots-of-activity-can-hurt-fat-loss.html

Thanks for the very informative and detailed post. It was very helpful