Disappointing Weigh In Today

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Longtobeslim
Longtobeslim Posts: 67 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Good Morning,

I am a bit discouraged today. I only lost .6 at my weigh in today. I do my "Official" WI on Wednesday mornings, although I weigh myself most mornings.

I do the elliptical 3 days a week and walk 3 times a week. Monday I did a Zumba class for the first time. But all week I just felt heavier. Do you know what I mean?

I rarely eat any of the exercise calories I burn. I am thinking maybe I am not eating enough. I get the whole "if you don't eat enough, you will go into starvation mode thing." But how quickly can a person put themselves in starvation mode? My husband doesn't believe in eating back our exercise calories so that is the main reason I haven't been doing it. He is of the mindset that if you eat less you will lose more and I know that isn't always the case.

I have my goals set to lose 2 pounds a week (I know that is a lot but I have about 110 pounds I want to lose. So MFP has me eating 1,200 calories a week.

Thoughts...

Thanks,

Erin
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Replies

  • kkleesmama
    kkleesmama Posts: 13
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    I'm in the same boat. After getting some advice from my friends, I think it's due to not eating enough. Also, I have been reading that after a vigorous work out (zumba) you may retain water in your muscles, adding to your weight. But I really don't know the answer, I've just decided to increase my calorie intake and get closer to my goal, drink even more than the recommended 8 cups, take my measurements and use those as an indicator of lost inches rather than just pounds. I felt very discouraged too, just yesterday, but don't worry about it, you are doing great with the exercise. Just try to tweak things here and there and see what works.
  • kitkatwag
    kitkatwag Posts: 84 Member
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    bump
  • shaydon80
    shaydon80 Posts: 138 Member
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    Have you charted your weight based on your menstrual cycle? This may be TMI but I know I weigh more during my period and during ovulation and weigh the least right after my period ends. That could have something to do with it.
  • kellaney
    kellaney Posts: 5
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    It is because you are definitely not eating enough. Your body is hanging on to everything it can because it doesn't feel like it's fuel is being replenished fast enough. You don't have to spend all of your bonus calories, but you should be spending at least 80% of them. If you still feel guilty about it, spend them on healthy foods...milk, fruits, veggies, etc. But honestly, I like spending my bonus calories on treats at the end of the day--I workout harder if I know there is some frozen chocolate yogurt in my future! Bottom line....EAT MORE!
  • BrendaPow
    BrendaPow Posts: 4 Member
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    I wouls suggest just weighing yourself once a week, like every Wednesday as you have been doing. I found that the more I weighed myself the more frustrated I got. Measure by how your clothes fit.
  • kayl3igh88
    kayl3igh88 Posts: 428 Member
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    What I go by is that you're supposed to consume a NET of your BMR after exercise, which means eating some exercise cals I'm afraid.
  • jenlarz
    jenlarz Posts: 813 Member
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    My weigh in is Wednesday also. Scale only moved a bit this wee, but I generally eat exercise cals back and I feel better and usually lose about a pound each week. Eating those extra calories just seems to help my body function better.
  • taxacctdfw
    taxacctdfw Posts: 67 Member
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    I am the same way today. My scale hasn't moved an ounce since April 18th. I eat 1440 calories a day and work out 5-6 days a week. 2 of those days is with a personal trainer. So I was stoked thinking that my scale would move today, because my clothes are a lot looser (I have lost 5 sizes since Jan 2012) but NOPE. So i have been really depressed all day. But I feel like if I go under 1440 calories, I will be starving myself. I am 5 feet 10 1/2 inches tall, so I am certain 1200 calories will be starvation mode for me. I try not to eat back my workout calories, if I do, it is only 1/2. II have decided to put the scale away for at least 3 weeks and just take my measurements and talk with my trainer about this. I watch and log everything I eat. I try not to have cheat days, and have only gone over 2 times in the past two weeks. Good luck, if you need encouragement, I love to support my friends, you can add me.
  • duhblond
    duhblond Posts: 138 Member
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    Good Morning!
    Have you taken your measurements?
    Sometimes you wont notice your body changing and yet there is a gradual firming and changing of the weight distribution.
    I would strongly recommend taking the inches of your neck, breasts, waist, hips, and butt. you can also do your biceps and thighs as well.
    Also, the dynamics of every relationship is different but I would eat (withing reason) what you feel your body needs, maybe try eating half of your exercise calories back to start with and go from there.
    Best of luck to you on your journey :)
  • Kat51313
    Kat51313 Posts: 18
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    I'm right there with you guys... I've dropped my daily caloric intake TWICE, usually (after exercise and whatnot) have 400-900 calories left at the end of the day and in the 40 days that I've been tracking through MFP I've actually GAINED two pounds. Maybe there's something to the not eating enough thing.

    It's pretty frustrating, but I have to believe that there's water weight there, amongst other things... I'm also nursing so I obviously have fluid retention, just didn't think that much.

    I think Shadydon80 is onto something, too - I know I weigh more when I get my period.
  • jbella99
    jbella99 Posts: 596 Member
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    I have been at the same weight for 2 weeks now
  • McDougal416
    McDougal416 Posts: 74 Member
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    You need to eat back most/all the exercise cal's. You will feel better, and won't be in starvation mode. You might gain weight at first when you change...but then you'll start losing again. .6 is still a loss!! :) The zumba coul've thrown your body for a loop since you did something new. Also, w/me..I have to watch my fat intake...I won't lose as much if I have more fat in my diet...Good luck and good job on your weight loss!! Just remember...the slower you lose weight..the harder it is to gain it back...I am also on a 1200 cal diet, anything less will throw ur body into starvation mode...
  • simplydelish2
    simplydelish2 Posts: 726 Member
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    It appears to me that you aren't eating enough. All my research lately points to - don't eat less than your BMR. I moved my calories UP from MFP recommended to my BMR and lost 4.8 lbs in one week... I have about 100 lbs more to lose (I've lost just over 100 to date) and am eating almost 2000 calories a day - and losing just fine.

    It really seems to be the case that you must eat more to weigh less.

    Good luck!
  • butterfliespink
    butterfliespink Posts: 121
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    If you did Zumba yesterday (I love Zumba!!) you may be retaining some fluids in your muscle. I feel the same way you do sometimes-but remember that it isn't always the # on the scale. How do you feel physically? Do you feel better? Stronger? How are your clothes fitting? Remember that it is possible to lose inches sometimes without losing weight. When you add muscle, sometimes the evil scale will not move. I know I do controversial things with my diet by incorporating a "cheat" day, but nothing else was working! This has a little bit for me. Also, you may have a medical condition that is preventing you from losing properly. Just keep exercising and eating healthy!
  • roddi7997
    roddi7997 Posts: 14 Member
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    I would eat back those exercise calories. If you don't want to eat all of them back you don't have to, but I'd at least eat most of them back. Not sure how much water you are drinking, but if you aren't drinking at least the 8 glasses I'd start with that as a minimum.
  • Lula16
    Lula16 Posts: 628 Member
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    Have you charted your weight based on your menstrual cycle? This may be TMI but I know I weigh more during my period and during ovulation and weigh the least right after my period ends. That could have something to do with it.

    ^^^^ this

    also stay consistant and you will lose. After 3 wks of consistency, eating clean, bodypump and cardio runs, my scale just started moving. By the way, I also do my "official" weigh in on the Wii :smile:
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
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    Weight loss isn't linear and stop weighing weekly if you mentally can't take it
  • vguynes
    vguynes Posts: 794 Member
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    First, I want to CONGRATULATE you on losing .6. A loss is a loss (at least you did not gain). I was on a 1200 calorie plan and not eating back my exercise calories until my weight loss stopped. After increasing my caloric intake to around 1400, I started back losing a pound a week. I still have my goal set at 1200, that just means I HAVE to do some type of exercise to burn at least 200 calories (that I have an option of eating back). I'm not saying that you should "eat back your burned calories", I'm just sharing what worked for me.

    Good luck on your weight loss journey!

    Edited to add: I'm 5'3" and I weigh 133 (My BMR is low.)
  • Diary_Queen
    Diary_Queen Posts: 1,314 Member
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    OMG .6 is better than going up 3 lbs. You should be grateful for what you have accomplished. There was a time, for about 4 months straight, that I didn't lose an ounce... a smidge... not even a feather's weight of anything. I would have felt successful losing .6. You can make a change today that will help.... go over your diary and check for high sodium or excess sugar that you might not need. Run around the block... eat some carbs and enjoy your life instead of stressing! It will all be ok :bigsmile:
  • TheFitHooker
    TheFitHooker Posts: 3,358 Member
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    Losting .6 is pretty good, it's not bad at all. Some people can eat their workout calories back and it works for them, some it doesn't work for. I suggest if you are not seeing what you want to see play with eating them back, you might be one of the people who it works for. Also, if you work out every day of the week, your muscles might need a break. If you workout 6 day's a week, you might not be giving it enough of a break. Just a suggestion. It's one of those things you just have to play with, find out what works for you.

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