HELP!!!I ADVISE Needed! Am I being unrealistic
3ofmine
Posts: 136 Member
Ok..I have been at this exercise and MFP thing hardcore for almost a month. I have lost 13lbs. I am happy about that but I can't help but wonder why I am not losing anymore. I have completely given up soda. In the beginning I couldn't walk or excerise 5mins I literally started doing 5mins of walking several times a day and then when 5mins got easy upped my time by 5mins and now I do 30mins on the gazelle every morning at 530am and I also do a Walk Away The Pounds video 2 x's a week also. I need to find some toning video to do. I am drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day and even though MFP gives me around 2500 calories I never eat that many. I always have about 1000 calories leftover maybe a little more at the end of the day. I am walking 3 miles a day around 4.5 mph. Meals are eggs, toast, coffee, salad, sandwich, baked chicken, fish, brown rice, green beans, carrots. Snacks are like yogurt, pretzels, apple w/peanut butter, strawberries, string cheese...Am I being unrealistic? I just can't help but think I should have lost more...Any suggestions or advice???
Angel
Angel
0
Replies
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I jsut vented about the same problem..!! IDK what to say other than it sucks..!!!..Ugh...Im at that point of okay screw it Im gonna eat a cheesecake to feel better..lol0
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13 lbs in a month is a LOT! I've never lost that much in a month.
For most people, 2lbs a week is about the most you should be able to lose healthily... so you've surpassed that!
If you are bigger, then usually you can end up losing quicker than that at the the beginning, but still 13lbs is great for a month!0 -
13 pounds in a month? Yeah, youre not losing enough. Come back when you lose 60 in a month.0
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13 lbs?! That's ALOT!!
You are doing great! Start taking pictures, you will be suprised at the progress.
Cheers!!0 -
MFP's maximum deficit is 2 pounds a week. You've lost 3 pounds a week. That would equate to you eating 500 calories under what the least MFP will recommend. If you consider the inaccuracies of both intake and burn recording it sounds like you are right on track.
Edit: For comparison I've lost 12.67 pounds per month for the last three months. I started on February 1 and have lost 38 so far. I also leave about 500 calories "on the table" each day as 2 pounds per week was too slow for me. I'm also very strict about logging and don't cheat because it requires precision to dial in the precise deficit.0 -
13 lbs in a month is A LOT. Congratulations!
You are being a bit unrealistic to expect it to be more. Honestly, after the first month it will probably be less. 5-8 lbs a month is more realistic on an on-going basis.0 -
13 pounds in a month is awesome. you need to set your expectation for 1.5 to 2 pounds a week and know there will be some weeks when you don't lose any. it's not a sprint, it's a journey for the rest of your life.0
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I'm going to say definitely "unrealistic". 13 pounds is phenomenal in less than a month - and more than what is recommended. Just keep doing what you are doing and another month will be gone (and more pounds with it!) before you know it.0
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Wow! Good job 13lbs. is great!! Have you taken your measurements?0
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13lbs in a month is pretty good...When I did this two years ago inches came off before any pounds did. This time pounds are coming off first. We all lose differently. My goal is 2lbs a week...don't get discouraged, keep going you are doing a great job. I have a Wii and use Ea sports active workouts...they change it up so I am not working out the same part of the body everyday. You might want to look into something like that. The body gets used to the same things. Again I think your weight loss is fine0
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13 lbs is a lot of weight loss for just one month. That's excellent, but don't get dicouraged when you see the scale slow down. It sounds like you're doing the right things. Just keep at it. I'm sorry it won't always happen fast. But do the right things and it will happen.0
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I know we see people lose a ton of weight on shows like "The Biggest Loser," but honestly, 13 pounds is a LOT to lose in one month and rather than bemoaning the fact that you didn't lose more, you should be proud of your progress.
Try to get the full 8 glasses of water in as often as you possibly can. You definitely need that much, especially considering the amount of exercise you're getting. And try to get as close as possible to the calories assigned--if the deficit is too large your body will go into starvation mode and you won't lose the weight. I know there's a lot of debate on the site about whether or not to eat back your exercise calories, but again, the calorie deficit is important to control.
I hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck!0 -
13 pounds in a month? Yeah, youre not losing enough. Come back when you lose 60 in a month.
Now now....0 -
I dont think you are eating enough. Maybe you can open your diary so i can take a peek ?
Your rapid weight loss in the first month could be excess water?0 -
As you have noticed for yourself, your body has adapted to exercise and now it requires less energy to do the same routine. You're on the right track, change up your routine, add weights, adjust your calorie intake and don't give up.
It's a long journey, you won't shed all your weight instantly. Give yourself time and take care of your body.0 -
13 pounds in a month is really good plus you're getting stronger. Don't get so focused on the scale and numbers. Focus on how you feel. Also be sure to take your measurements. I had a period where the scale wasn't moving but I was losing 1-3 inches each week which will happen as you get stronger and are able to build up some muscle.
Be careful not to undereat too much or too often. I was consistently below my calories and it put me on a plateau after the first 20 pounds went. Also, watch your nutrients to make sure you're getting enough protein and fiber and try to keep the sodium levels lower than recommended by MFP.
Slow and steady will get you there.... and make it easier for you to stay there. Stay motivated... You're doing great!!0 -
13!!! That's great! Losing weight takes longer than we want it to but your doing a great job at it.0
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That's the fastest weight loss you'll see... now that the initial water weight is gone and you're on a roll, you should see losses of 1-2 lbs/week. Whey you say you're not losing any more do you mean you've stopped losing? Or you feel you should be losing more than that in that time frame?
You're not on a plateau unless you go at least 3 consecutive weeks with no losses, but I'd wait even longer than that to make changes.
When I lost weight the first time around I lost 52 lbs in 52 weeks. I lost the first 12 in the first 4 weeks though. After that it slowed... and slowed... until my weeks looked like -.2, -.4, 0, -.4, -.6, +.2, 0, ... you get the picture.
Just keep going. You may have increased your activity to where you must eat more to see your body give up fat efficiently. If you eat too little, you'll just metabolize your lean mass and slow your metabolism. You should, actually, eat what MFP says to eat. Eating 1000 calories/day less than that is just silly, really.0 -
This is mfp, not "The Biggest Loser." It's suggested that you not aim to lose more than 2 pounds a week, and you've definitely exceeded this. I understand that different results people will see different results and those that have more to lose can lose more safely, but it's important to remember that slow and steady wins this race. This is a lifestyle change, not an upfront intense diet and exercise regime. Whatever you do now, you have to be prepared to maintain. Be happy and excited about your 13 pounds, keep going on this road, and know that your 13 pounds is the exception and not the rule. If you don't remember this you run the risk of setting up unrealistic and unachievable goals for yourself, setting yourself up for possible disappointment (which could lead to unfortunate failure). Congrats on your 13 pounds, and good luck with your determination to change!0
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Yes you are being unrealistic (a little!!!) Think of it this way: the faster it somes off, the faster it will go right back on. All of the changes that you made are AMAZING......BUUUUTTTT........ unless they are all things that you plan on sticking to forever, any one of your previous vices that you attempt to re-enter into your life are seemingly going to immediately take you back to your starting weight. All the silly irritating stuff about 'lifestyle change' and 'living like the slimmer you' are sooo true. You are doing great! From the sound of it you KNOW what is healthy, and are willing to put in the leg work, so stick with it!. If every month were like last month, then by Christmas you would be down ANOTHER 104 lbs. Keep going no matter what!0
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I completely agree with what (most) of the others posted. Losing 2 pounds a week is what is considered the safest, and what is the most reliable way to make sure you KEEP it off. Which is what I think we all want!
Keep it up, you're doing a great job. Unfortunately we all want it off now
- but if it was that easy we'd all be super skinny and this website wouldn't exist!
You're doing the right thing by putting all the things in place you need to keep the weight loss going - eating better, adding and increasing your exercise as you need to... it doesn't sound like you are doing a fad diet or exercise, but making the healthy choices that will help you to do the right thing and KEEP doing the right thing 0 -
I'm kind of in the same boat as you. I have a lot of weight to lose and when I first started to exercise, I could barely get things done. Now I'm working out hard practically everyday (my day off is Saturday). I've been hitting plateus here and there for the last 15 lbs. I would suggest, first thing, is keep track of your sodium. What I did was I reflected on my diary and noticed that with the times when I've had 2-4 lbs drops in one week, it was when my sodium was way down. You'd be surprised how something that is low in calories and fat, has a HUGE amount of sodium. It's an option under your food diary settings to track the sodium. Also I would make sure to eat 1500 calories a day. If you want to experiment a little, try to eat back your exercise calories. For me, eating back the calories doesn't work as of now. I tried that for 2 weeks, and gained 4 lbs. I was probably over estimating the calories that I burned, but 1500-1600 is working for me and I'll stick with that until it doesn't.
I know people have said that 13lbs is alot, which OMG IT IS, but when you have a lot of weight to lose, you do tend to lose a little more than just the 2 lbs that most other people lose. I understand your fustration with not losing even though you feel like you are doing everything right. Just stick with it, as long as you are feeling healthier and your endurance is increasing, you're doing great!! The weight will come off and don't get fustrated with the stalling of the scale here and there. Also, make sure to take your measurements to see the difference as well.
Good luck, you can friend me if you'd like. I log in everyday and I log everything...the good, the bad, and the just plain ugly days!0 -
Steady on people. 13lbs in the first month, especially if the individual was significantly overweight in the first place, is not uncommon at all. Most of it is fluid, not fat. When I first started I lost 10lbs in the first week.
OP - you've probably stopped losing because you're going at it too hard and too fast. You may not be eating enough for the calories you are burning with your new activities - and when you don't eat enough your body pumps out stress hormones such as cortisol which signal it to hold onto energy reserves (fat) as tight as possible. It does this because it thinks you are in trouble.
Ease up a little, eat a bit more, and I bet you'll start seeing results again.
Note: unless you're significantly overweight, 1-2 lbs a week is a reasonable and safe amount to lose. Any more than that and you need to consider adjusting your intake and exercise levels accordingly.0 -
13 pounds in a month? Yeah, youre not losing enough. Come back when you lose 60 in a month.
Whoa, we are here to support each other and not being sarcastic. Thank you very much0 -
Steady on people. 13lbs in the first month, especially if the individual was significantly overweight in the first place, is not uncommon at all. Most of it is fluid, not fat. When I first started I lost 10lbs in the first week.
OP - you've probably stopped losing because you're going at it too hard and too fast. You may not be eating enough for the calories you are burning with your new activities - and when you don't eat enough your body pumps out stress hormones such as cortisol which signal it to hold onto energy reserves (fat) as tight as possible. It does this because it thinks you are in trouble.
Ease up a little, eat a bit more, and I bet you'll start seeing results again.
Note: unless you're significantly overweight, 1-2 lbs a week is a reasonable and safe amount to lose. Any more than that and you need to consider adjusting your intake and exercise levels accordingly.
Agree completely0 -
HELP!!!I ADVISE Needed! Am I being unrealistic
Yes, you are.
13 is AMAZING>> and way more than most people lose in 3 months and you did it in one.0 -
everyone one of these "help me threads is the same".
EAT... IF MFP SAYS EAT 2500 CALORIES THEN DO IT.
This is becoming a pet peeve as every OP has the same underlying issue, a clorie intake which is well below healthy. Has anyone heard of law of diminishing returns (it's a economics theory but applies). Look it up, that's eactly what you are doing by eating so few calories.0 -
13 pounds in a month? Yeah, youre not losing enough. Come back when you lose 60 in a month.
Whoa, we are here to support each other and not being sarcastic. Thank you very much
Ditto!0 -
Yes, u r being unrealistic. Keep doing what u r doing, it seems like it's working well. Don't be so hard on ur self---I wish I could lose 13 in a month!0
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13 pounds in a month is awesome. you need to set your expectation for 1.5 to 2 pounds a week and know there will be some weeks when you don't lose any. it's not a sprint, it's a journey for the rest of your life.
Exactly right. Eat the calories MFP recommends. You will lose around 8 pounds a month, which is plenty fast. Also, you need to "eat back" your exercise calories so the net calories are at the goal number.0
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