MFP doesn't seem to be working
Mawkish1983
Posts: 117 Member
Hello people,
MFP decided that I should have a goal calorie intake of just over 2000. I'm 282lbs right now and 6'7" tall (in the evening, closer to 6'8" in the morning). I'm a teacher, and I think I spend about half of my time sitting down. I decided to plump for the sedentary lifestyle setting on here and simply add all of my exercise by using a pedometer to calculate how many calories I burnt throughout the day.
I have a target weight loss of 2lbs per week. I weighed myself on Saturday morning and I was 282lbs. I weighed myself this morning and I am still 282lbs. Although slightly heartbroken by the scales revealing my efforts bearing no fruit, I have decided to stick to MFP for the time being.
I have been careful to record all of the food I eat and at a 2000 calorie target I can eat rather a lot. I'm concerned that perhaps the 2000 calorie target is too high though. I'm also concerned that many people I've spoken to told me how they lost a lot of weight initially, and the weight loss slowed down dramatically after the first couple of weeks to a steady 2lbs per week; my weight loss started at 2lbs per week and I'm concerned that it may slow down dramaticaly to a steady 0lbs per week from now.
Could any of you kind people please help me with my concerns? Based on what I've said, do you think I'm using MFP correctly/effectively?
Many thanks in advance.
MFP decided that I should have a goal calorie intake of just over 2000. I'm 282lbs right now and 6'7" tall (in the evening, closer to 6'8" in the morning). I'm a teacher, and I think I spend about half of my time sitting down. I decided to plump for the sedentary lifestyle setting on here and simply add all of my exercise by using a pedometer to calculate how many calories I burnt throughout the day.
I have a target weight loss of 2lbs per week. I weighed myself on Saturday morning and I was 282lbs. I weighed myself this morning and I am still 282lbs. Although slightly heartbroken by the scales revealing my efforts bearing no fruit, I have decided to stick to MFP for the time being.
I have been careful to record all of the food I eat and at a 2000 calorie target I can eat rather a lot. I'm concerned that perhaps the 2000 calorie target is too high though. I'm also concerned that many people I've spoken to told me how they lost a lot of weight initially, and the weight loss slowed down dramatically after the first couple of weeks to a steady 2lbs per week; my weight loss started at 2lbs per week and I'm concerned that it may slow down dramaticaly to a steady 0lbs per week from now.
Could any of you kind people please help me with my concerns? Based on what I've said, do you think I'm using MFP correctly/effectively?
Many thanks in advance.
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Replies
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Saturday to today isn't even a full week. Give it time... Don't worry about everyone else - some people lose big in the beginning and taper off, others lose steadily all along w/out the big numbers. I use the FitBit instead of a pedometer so it does the syncing and all the mathy stuff for me - because I can't figure out on my own what MFP already has calculated for calories I burn just by living and what extra I earned by walking during the day.0
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Hi. How long have you been using MFP? It sounds to me as though you are using it correctly. What you are doing is what I have done. I started trying to lose weight and get fitter at 229lbs last June and have lost around 50lbs this way. It sometimes takes your body a while to realise it can get rid of the extra weight so be patient. If you still think what you are doing is making no difference after a couple more weeks you might want to try mixing things up a bit. Do you eat back your exercise calories? If you don't , I would try eating back at least a proportion of them. The other thing you can do is look at your diet. There are different ways of taking in 200 calls. I have tried giving up sugar in my hot drinks, I try not to add sugar to food and try to eat less cakes, biscuits, bread , chocolate and more proteins like turkey/chicken/tuna and fruit and veg. The other thing you could try is upping your exercise a little. I am no expert, (so please don't shoot me down people) but have had real success with MFP. I hope some of this advice helps. Good luck!0
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I think that your total MFP has set is correct, seeing as you are so tall! I would be tempted to go to www.fittofatradio.com and see what your BMR is.
Are you weighing your food? I found that when I first started I was overestimating my portions.
Lets see what others say, hopefully you can find an answer.0 -
Thank you for replying.
Unfortunately that is a bit expensive for me on my salary, so I have to make do with a free pedometer app for my phone. It calculates the calories burnt from walking, which I simply add to the cardio exercise section of MFP. For the last few days it has given me a figure of about 350calories, which increases my calorie intake limit to about 2350; marginly less than the 2500 calorie RDA for males. This is why I'm concerned though. I know I am tall and so will require a bit more energy to function, but I'm concerned MFP has over-estimated my metabolism.I use the FitBit instead of a pedometer
Anyway, thank you for your advice about different people responding differently to diets. That does put my mind at rest.0 -
I have weeks where I lose nothing and other's I lose more than 2lbs. It's been less than a week since you last weighed yourself so I wouldn't worry too much about it just yet.
Stick with it, log like your life depends on it and factor in as much exercise as you are able to do and things should get moving. If, after a few more weeks nothing has changed, I would have another look at the numbers.
Good luck!0 -
Thank you for replying.
Unfortunately that is a bit expensive for me on my salary, so I have to make do with a free pedometer app for my phone. It calculates the calories burnt from walking, which I simply add to the cardio exercise section of MFP. For the last few days it has given me a figure of about 350calories, which increases my calorie intake limit to about 2350; marginly less than the 2500 calorie RDA for males.I use the FitBit instead of a pedometer
Do you eat your exercise calories back?0 -
When did you start using MFP? It seems like you're already comparing results after having joined only for a few days? Get rid of the scales, or at least only pull them out once per week (fortnightly is much better - and monthly is even better again) and MEASURE yourself - biceps, chest, waist, hips, thigh - and compare scales every week and measurements every 8 weeks.
I know you seem to be a big guy with some weight to lose, but it's not necessarily about losing it as quickly as possible, it's a "lifestyle change" and the healthy way is to lose 0.5 - 1 kg per week (as per my doctor's recommendations). MFP is only a recommendation, so change it around manually if you will and see if that changes anything. I started on 1200 calories in January but I am female, 5'5 - however I am a teacher as well.
I read a saying the other day that I think may change your view as it did mine:
"You won’t undo three decades of bad choices in three weeks. Be realistic." -- very true.
Do your best, make good choices, feed your body the fuel it requires, exercise where you can, even if you start at 30 mins 3 days per week. Choose interval training activities (high intensity for 1 minute & then walk for 1 minute - change it up daily or whenever you go, keep your body guessing) and do strength training. Don't give up!0 -
I'm concerned that perhaps the 2000 calorie target is too high though.
Quick, while you can remember what you used to eat on a daily basis, pick a day in the past and try to record all the normal stuff you would eat on several days.
Now - does 2000 sound like a lot of calories?0 -
Hello
For about a month now, more than four weeks at least.Hi. How long have you been using MFP?
Thank you for the advice, that is reassuring!It sounds to me as though you are using it correctly. What you are doing is what I have done. I started trying to lose weight and get fitter at 229lbs last June and have lost around 50lbs this way. It sometimes takes your body a while to realise it can get rid of the extra weight so be patient.
I tend to try to finish the day as close to zero excess calories as I can. I usually try to hold back a couple of hundred in the evening for a cheeky biscuit.If you still think what you are doing is making no difference after a couple more weeks you might want to try mixing things up a bit. Do you eat back your exercise calories?
Yes. My wife had a gastric bypass a couple of years ago so we tend to eat quite healthily anyway. I used to enjoy cakes, particularly cream cakes. I've cut them out of my diet completely. I don't drink alcohol nor sugary drinks, so I cannot cut them out.The other thing you can do is look at your diet. There are different ways of taking in 200 calls. I have tried giving up sugar in my hot drinks, I try not to add sugar to food and try to eat less cakes, biscuits, bread , chocolate and more proteins like turkey/chicken/tuna and fruit and veg.
That makes sense. I do have the capacity to exercise, but I am far too lazy.The other thing you could try is upping your exercise a little.
Yes, you have been very helpful. Thank you.I hope some of this advice helps. Good luck!0 -
Hello
Oooh, I may do just that, thank you.I would be tempted to go to www.fittofatradio.com and see what your BMR is.
I weight my breakfast cereal and measure my milk, but beyond that I don't really have time at lunch and tend to have to estimate. As a rule of thumb I usually overestimate my portion sizes when entering them into MFP to take into account my habitual over-eating.Are you weighing your food?
Well, so far so goodhopefully you can find an answer. Thank you for your help 0 -
Right, will do. Thank you.Stick with it, log like your life depends on it and factor in as much exercise as you are able to do and things should get moving. If, after a few more weeks nothing has changed, I would have another look at the numbers.0 -
I do. I try to get my remaining calories as close to zero as I can each day.Do you eat your exercise calories back?0 -
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I use the MapMyWalk app on my phone to work out how fast and far I have walked but the cals on there are always quite a bit off. It also tells me I'm walking 9mph sometimes :noway: So they are not perfect. I would under estimate your exercise cals if it's coming from an app or instead of a FitBit you could get yourself a heart rate monitor. I picked mine up in Lloyds Pharmacy for £12 and it works fine.0
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Yes, I started about a month ago, so perhaps that is quite early to be getting itchy feet.When did you start using MFP? It seems like you're already comparing results after having joined only for a few days?
I can try. I've never measured myself before so I'm not really sure what I'm doing but I am sure I'll be able to find instructions online.Get rid of the scales, or at least only pull them out once per week (fortnightly is much better - and monthly is even better again) and MEASURE yourself - biceps, chest, waist, hips, thigh - and compare scales every week and measurements every 8 weeks.
Hmmm, it is quite the lifestyle change indeed. I miss cream cakes.I know you seem to be a big guy with some weight to lose, but it's not necessarily about losing it as quickly as possible, it's a "lifestyle change" and the healthy way is to lose 0.5 - 1 kg per week (as per my doctor's recommendations).
I wonder, is it rude to ask which activity level you set yourself at? I set myself as sedentary.I am a teacher as well.
Makes sense."You won’t undo three decades of bad choices in three weeks. Be realistic."
I shall try not to. Thank you for your adviceDon't give up!0 -
No, I see what you mean. I used to eat a dozen doughnuts in an evening, at about 3500 calories.... on top of a day of eating junk.Quick, while you can remember what you used to eat on a daily basis, pick a day in the past and try to record all the normal stuff you would eat on several days. Now - does 2000 sound like a lot of calories?0 -
If things don't improve in a month, I will. Thank you for the adviceTry not tracking your exercise or not eating the calories back0 -
Well that is certainly worth investigating! Many thanks!instead of a FitBit you could get yourself a heart rate monitor. I picked mine up in Lloyds Pharmacy for £12 and it works fine.0 -
Personally I would only record exercise calories for exercise above and beyond what you normally have to do for work etc. Sedentary doesn't mean comatose so a certain amount of commuting and everyday life moving about has already been accounted for. Try just recording calories you've burnt through going for a walk instead otherwise you may be double counting the benefits?
It's hard when it comes off slowly but you'll get there!0 -
Firstly give it a bit longer.
Secondly, consider whether you are eating enough. I think you are eating under your BMR (about 2,300?), which I have read is not advisable. I now always make sure I eat my BMR everyday. And...
Thirdly, you are probably more active than you think - I thought I was lightly active - office job, walking to and from the car and meetings. When I got the fit bit I found out I was burning 3 to 400 more calories in a day than MFP worked out! When I started to eat those extra calories the weight started to come off more quickly!
Fourthly, invest in a fit bit. I know they are quite expensive, but it is the best investment I have made. Not only did it point out the error of my estimations (see above) but it then encouraged me to become even more active. For example I have always cruised around to get the parking space near the door. Now I deliberately park as far from the door as I can and then walk.
Fifthly, some weeks I lose nothing. Some weeks I lose 2kg (I am set to be in 750 calorie deficit). Which comes back to my first point - give it a bit longer and be patient.
Good luck on your journey.0 -
As always some good (and some bad) advice here.
I'd definitely say to find and or make the time to weigh food correctly and estimate correctly. As you say you may be over-estimating what you're eating (and the food nutrition database may be inaccurate due to being user generated) I'd advise you look closely at these areas. You may be eating under what you need.
In addition I can't recommend enough monitoring your sodium at this stage, and making sure you're hitting your full 8 cups of water (2 litres over here) at least every day.
Try to be more active - I know it's real hard at first and with the job you have, but you will feel better for it .This journey's for your health and well being, not the scales. So make time for yourself over your job and so on.
ETA: - And yes MFP may be overestimating your calorie burns. If you can't afford a HRM try comparing to other sites' estimates and manually adapt it - type cals burned into the box. -
And yes, do also take your measurements. There are online guides to help if you're still not sure what you're doing here.
Also be patient. Starting off your body's not sure what's happening, and it takes a long while to get it accustomed to the changes you've made. You've got this!0 -
That is certainly something I can try. I actually started to record absolutely all of my exercise because I wanted to 'cheat' a bit and eat some more, but given that the weight hasn't come off as I expected, I have learnt a lesson about the potential for cheaters to prosper.Personally I would only record exercise calories for exercise above and beyond what you normally have to do for work etc. Sedentary doesn't mean comatose so a certain amount of commuting and everyday life moving about has already been accounted for. Try just recording calories you've burnt through going for a walk instead otherwise you may be double counting the benefits?0 -
Will do.Firstly give it a bit longer.
MFP recommends I eat just over 2000 calories per day. My BMR is about 2300 calories. I am of the ilk that 'in for a penny, in for a pound'. I suspect if I was to eat more, I would lose weight more slowly. To be honest, I'd probably prefer not to have a discussion about the validity (or otherwise) of 'starvation mode' or the effect of diet and exercise on metabolism. My mind is a simple thing, and as I see it, if I consume more energy than I expend I will gain weight, if I consume less energy than I expend I will lose weight. The greater the difference, the greater the effect. For now, I'll stick with that philosophy.Secondly, consider whether you are eating enough. I think you are eating under your BMR (about 2,300?), which I have read is not advisable. I now always make sure I eat my BMR everyday
If I consume more energy than I expend I will gain weight, if I consume less energy than I expend I will lose weight. The greater the difference, the greater the effect.Thirdly, you are probably more active than you think ... I started to eat those extra calories the weight started to come off more quickly!
I cannot afford one.Fourthly, invest in a fit bit. I know they are quite expensive, but it is the best investment I have made.
Yep, I will do. Thank you for your advice.Fifthly, some weeks I lose nothing. Some weeks I lose 2kg (I am set to be in 750 calorie deficit). Which comes back to my first point - give it a bit longer and be patient.0 -
you haven't even given it a week. our body weight changes daily, so always try and weigh in on the same day. keep it going for a few weeks and you will see a difference!0
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I suspect this is the case, good call.you may be over-estimating what you're eating (and the food nutrition database may be inaccurate due to being user generated) I'd advise you look closely at these areas.
In which case, I would expect lose weight faster.You may be eating under what you need.
I'm not usually so bad with salt, but I'm curious about the link between salt and weight loss. I understand the health benefits of cutting out salt, but I cannot see how a reduction in salt will help me lose weight. I am not saying you are wrong, certainly not! I am just curious about what the link is (please don't think I am being dismissive).In addition I can't recommend enough monitoring your sodium at this stage
Yes, we use litres here too (we may even be in the same country). I have recently taken to drinking peppermint tisane (without sugar, obviously, just infusion and water). It's very tasty and helps me make sure I am drinking enough water. As a teacher, I tend to drink water a lot anyway because otherwise my throat would become unbearably painful.[make] sure you're hitting your full 8 cups of water (2 litres over here) at least every day.
Agreed, this is an area I simply must work on.Try to be more active - I know it's real hard at first and with the job you have, but you will feel better for it .
True. I'm just trying to postpone death by a few more years before the inevitable shadow hands of fate grasp me in the night and drag me to the abyss of oblivion, whereupon my very essence of being will cease to exist and all perception of the joys and pains of this world will hault forever.This journey's for your health and well being, not the scales. So make time for yourself over your job and so on.
I like this advice. If I find time, I will do so.MFP may be overestimating your calorie burns... try comparing to other sites' estimates and manually adapt it
I will see about doing so tonight, should I remember.take your measurements.
This is another area I must work on. Thank you for reminding me and thank you for all the good advice.be patient0 -
As body weight fluctuates so much, wouldn't making measurements more often increase the resolution of data and, hence, improve the reliability of any trends that are identified? I just have my physics hat onyou haven't even given it a week. our body weight changes daily, so always try and weigh in on the same day0 -
As body weight fluctuates so much, wouldn't making measurements more often increase the resolution of data and, hence, improve the reliability of any trends that are identified? I just have my physics hat onyou haven't even given it a week. our body weight changes daily, so always try and weigh in on the same day
No, body weight fluctuates due to water weight, and all other sorts of different things. for example- a few years ago i weighed in on a wednesday- and then weighed on the sunday, and was 5lb heavier on the sunday, but when it got back to the wednesday again, i had actually lost 3lb to the previous week. every day is different, which is why so many people say weigh the same day and same time. its more reliable to weigh the same day and time as its more reliable- like keeping a control in an experiment- if we have to go down the scientific route.0 -
Okay, I see what you are saying, but the week on week, day on day (and, if we take it to the extreme, maybe even hour on hour) fluctuations can be observed and taken into account if we record that data. Over a long period of time a more accurate regression can be calculated if we have more data: statistically that seems to make sense to me. I accept and conceed that day on day the weight may appear to fluctuate by many pounds, but the overall trend can be better identified with a higher temporaral resolution of data.if we have to go down the scientific route.
Just a thought. This might be the worst thing a dieter can do, and your advice might be spot-on 100% correct. I'm just struggling with understanding why choosing a set time every seven days (which seems fairly arbitrary to me) is better than measuring yourself daily.
Sorry
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I use a phone app called "Libra" that does a weighted moving average calculation to plot weight trends, so I weigh daily and plug the numbers into that.
I always wonder if these calorie estimates from gadgets, apps and gym machines are gross or net - do they take account of the fact that you would have been using 50 - 80 calories an hour lying down ? So is 240 calories burned in an hour 240 extra or (240 - RMR) ?0 -
Don't give up! I've started on here on March 5, 2012 and I've only lost 12 lbs so far. Not the 2 lbs a week I was wanting but 12 lbs is 12lbs. Slow and steady wins the race! I've found that each week my body is different in weight loss. The scale can go up a few pounds or go down a few. Don't just go by the scales alone, maybe weigh yourself every 2 weeks instead of every week. Also, DRINK WATER lots of it!!!:drinker: JUST DON'T GIVE UP!!0
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