I need help!!

If your TDEE shows 2203, it's my understanding that its recommended you reduce by 15% which would be 1873 for weight loss. Were you losing before you upped to 2000? Also, be sure to refigure TDEE to calulate in the weight training. I don't know what calculator you are using but here is a good one.

http://www.health-calc.com/diet/energy-expenditure-advanced

I'm no expert but it sounds as though you might be gaining muscle mass the same time you're losing fat. And as we all know, muscle weighs more than fat. It might help to lower your calories per day since currently your'e only losing the calories you work off during your work out. (2000 is the norm you burn without working out.) Hopefully others will have some better advise!

You've started weight training, SEEING a definite difference and you're worried about what the scale says? When you begin a new exercise routine your body retains more water to help heal muscles that are being worked out in new ways. I think you're eating a perfect amount of calories because when you create a calorie deficit, you lose muscle mass as well as fat. Make sure you're getting an adequate amount of protein to keep as much muscle mass as possible while you still lose fat with your calorie deficit.

Seriously. Forget about the scale, it seems like you're on the right track and with so little to lose, you're probably not going to be dropping the 1-2 pounds a week anymore.

This advice would make sense if you had been losing weight, then started weight training, and the weight loss slowed or stalled. You have been on a 2000 calorie diet with for quite some time with slow results - and then started weight training. It makes more sense to make a calorie adjustment.

You've started weight training, SEEING a definite difference and you're worried about what the scale says? When you begin a new exercise routine your body retains more water to help heal muscles that are being worked out in new ways. I think you're eating a perfect amount of calories because when you create a calorie deficit, you lose muscle mass as well as fat. Make sure you're getting an adequate amount of protein to keep as much muscle mass as possible while you still lose fat with your calorie deficit.

Seriously. Forget about the scale, it seems like you're on the right track and with so little to lose, you're probably not going to be dropping the 1-2 pounds a week anymore.

This advice would make sense if you had been losing weight, then started weight training, and the weight loss slowed or stalled. You have been on a 2000 calorie diet with for quite some time with slow results - and then started weight training. It makes more sense to make a calorie adjustment.

It's not so much about the weight on a scale so much any more. She said she upped her calories on April 24th. THEN started an strength training routine so it's been probably less then a month that she's been doing this routine. Also, she said she SEES definition in her arms, legs and abs. This is not stalled results, obviously if she is seeing more muscle in less than a month then she is losing the fat that has been around the muscle.

Since she is SEEING results, why change the program because the scale hasn't changed?

You've started weight training, SEEING a definite difference and you're worried about what the scale says? When you begin a new exercise routine your body retains more water to help heal muscles that are being worked out in new ways. I think you're eating a perfect amount of calories because when you create a calorie deficit, you lose muscle mass as well as fat. Make sure you're getting an adequate amount of protein to keep as much muscle mass as possible while you still lose fat with your calorie deficit.

Seriously. Forget about the scale, it seems like you're on the right track and with so little to lose, you're probably not going to be dropping the 1-2 pounds a week anymore.

This advice would make sense if you had been losing weight, then started weight training, and the weight loss slowed or stalled. You have been on a 2000 calorie diet with for quite some time with slow results - and then started weight training. It makes more sense to make a calorie adjustment.

It's not so much about the weight on a scale so much any more. She said she upped her calories on April 24th. THEN started an strength training routine so it's been probably less then a month that she's been doing this routine. Also, she said she SEES definition in her arms, legs and abs. This is not stalled results, obviously if she is seeing more muscle in less than a month then she is losing the fat that has been around the muscle.

Since she is SEEING results, why change the program because the scale hasn't changed?

We are reading the same information, but SEEING it differently.

She says she has 15-20 lbs to lose. I am in the last 7-15 lbs (will see as I get closer) but would not be happy with 1/2 lb in 1 month. She sounds like she is eating closer to maintenance. I'm weight training, and I don't weigh in after a lifting day because of my muscles retaining water, but I am steadily losing 1 lb (sometimes a bit less, sometimes a bit more) each week. I would get discouraged with .5 lbs a month when I have 20 to lose--that's what, another 3.5 years?

I know a lot of people don't love the scale, but I do think it has some overall value for the average person. I can see my muscles more when I am strength training and losing fat than when I was just losing fat and not strength training. I don't think being able to see more muscle for the average person is necessarily an indicator that they are losing all the fat they need to lose.

Connie, I have learned it's not JUST counting calories. We also need to eat for the nutritional value of the food to benefit our body greatly. We need to learn how to properly fuel our body. I'm sure you realize and know that all calories are not created equal.

I have tried two awesome ways of eating one I like more than the otheecausse I can eat bread. And I have had great success w/both. But let life get in my way and gained back. So now I'm back to it!! And it doesn't feel like a "diet."

Even though I'm watching my caloric intake, I still follow the guidelines of the Food Lovers. It teaches about eating balalnced meals so that our blood sugar doesn't spike. When blood sugar spikes it releases insulin, causing fat storage. We wan't to avoid that so that our body stays in fat burning mode.

It teaches to eat:
1) 3 balanced meals/ day (Protein/ Fast Carb/ Slow Carb/ Fat) and 3 snacks of 100-200 calories/day
2) Eat every 3hrs to keep the metabolism stoked
3) Read nutritional labels and pay attention to the first four ingredients to not eat:
a. eat sugar (or hidden sugars)
b. fats (or trans fats)
c. enriched flours
4) When hit a plateau, eat a "boost" meal every 4th day. A "boost" meal is increasing one nutrient of meal (1 protein, 1 fast, 1 slow or 1 fat)

Primarily eat good whole grain breads OR fruits, veggies, protein, and 1T of fat at each meal, balanced portioned control sizes.

Finding the right balalnce for your body, especially since it's used to working out now, might take a couple of weeks. But you definitely need to adjust something as it's gotten used to what you are eating and the exercise.

Keep up posted on your journey.
HUGS Jo