Frustrated!

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melbatoastrox
melbatoastrox Posts: 25
in Introduce Yourself
I started MFP over a week ago when I got my elliptical machine. I've been doing an additional 30mins of cardio everyday in addition to the hour that I get regularly from commuting, but I haven't lost anything... My calories have been under 1700 a day and 2 of those days it was lower than my 1200 goal. Its the best I've been calorie-wise in months and with the additional exercise, I really expected to see some weight loss...but I've actually gained a pound since. I'm really frustrated and confused. Any insight?

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  • Southernb3lle
    Southernb3lle Posts: 862 Member
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    You are gaining muscle. Do you see a difference in the way your clothes are fitting? It will start to kick in..trust me. The muscle will start burning the fat away.
  • Southernb3lle
    Southernb3lle Posts: 862 Member
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    Oh..and also, how many calories are you suppose to be eating a day? If you are under your calories you may not be eating enough and be in starvation mode.
  • scarletphillips
    scarletphillips Posts: 8
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    There will be all sorts of explanations offered, but the best insight I can offer is make losing weight a by product of healthy lifestyle. In other words do not make the scales the measure of your success. If you are eating healthy and in moderate portions and exercising consistently that IS success - so many people know they should be doing it, but aren't. The weight will come off. Make sure you are logging everything - even veggies and especially fruit has calories - I was grabbing a handful of cherries everytime I passed the fruit bowl ALL day - those calories add up. Be sure you eat enough. AND be patient - slow and steady might not win a race, but you will finish the race for healthy living!
  • blackbsm
    blackbsm Posts: 32 Member
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    I am no expert, but are you drinking your water, and are those calories good calories? If your sodium intake is high, you really need to be drinking the water to flush out water retention. Just a thought, lol.
  • kristynkayte
    kristynkayte Posts: 69 Member
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    I agree...you are probably gaining muscle weight and losing fat. I just started the Herbalife plan 2 1/2 weeks ago and although I am down 9 lbs I have felt my cloths starting to be very lose. Especially my scrub pants, which is great because that's where I need the loss. I feel like I have lost more inches than weight...and that's ok with me. I have said from the beginning...it's about the size I fit into...and not what the scale says. But I do feel your frustrations. Have you taken your measurements? I remeasure every Thursday so I am excited to see my measurements Thursday morning.
  • kristynkayte
    kristynkayte Posts: 69 Member
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    And make sure you are eating back your exercise calories burned. I wasn't and saw big changes when I started eating those back...as well as drinking 1/2 your weight in water ounces. This helps tremendously.
  • kristen6022
    kristen6022 Posts: 1,926 Member
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    You've only been at this for a week, right? Keep going girl! You are doing everything right, your body will catch up with the changes you've made eventually. Patience in weight loss is a virtue. Drink tons of water, I mean TONS. Keep under your calorie goal and keep up the workouts. You'll see results soon. But it may not be within days, it may be within months...
  • cherrybomb_77
    cherrybomb_77 Posts: 411 Member
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    Sounds like you might be overexercising and under eating. Check out the Eat More to Lose Weight group, there's a lot of good info on this stuff.
  • Dtho5159
    Dtho5159 Posts: 1,054 Member
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    First: Don't pay attention to the scale.. I had lost 40lb and gained back a few and still lost another pants size in between. Go by how your clothes fit. Women can gain weight for tons of stupid reasons: water from too much sodium, pre menstrual etc.

    Second: Make sure you are eating enough.. You need to NET at least 1200, so if you eat 1700 but burn say 700, you only net 1000 so that can play a part.

    Third: Make sure you are eating clean.. If you eat a ton of processed foods, you won't lose as fast.
  • akaporn
    akaporn Posts: 231 Member
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    PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE watch this show. I know it's long (58 min)... But It will change the way you live your life... I tried it on myself. I would recommend that you watch it with your family so all of you can get on it together. It's simple and effective.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyQSzx0ofto

    Feel free to add me as a friend if you want. I just reached my goal weight. therefore, I'm more focus on strength, speed, agility, and stamina right now.
  • melbatoastrox
    melbatoastrox Posts: 25
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    Thanks everyone!

    I guess that it could be muscle gain - but its only 30mins more of cardio than I was already doing... I was paying more attention to food.

    My goal calories is 1200/day, but with the exercise it can add up to 750 additional calories. Most days I will try to eat those extra calories, there was 2 days this past week that I didn't. I ate 1663cals and had 296 left over and then I ate 1308 and had 642 left. So I guess that it could also be that I'm not eating enough...again, frustrating!

    I really just hoped to see something that might help keep me motivated, especially motivated to use MFP, I have tried just about every diet out there and have had success with some of them, but I've ALWAYS lost motivation. Regardless, I know that I've just started this one, so I will keep going. I guess it could also be pre menstrual...
  • PaulMohanan
    PaulMohanan Posts: 3
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    Frustrated Melba! Don't be. Rome was Not built in a day! Keep doing what you are doing. In few months, things will change. Weight is not the primary issue in life. Be healthy; exercise regular; eat good food. All else in time, will come. I say because you can see NO better proof! I am a diabetic for 26 years. But my medication was changed only once in 26 years. Low dozes. I run 4 days a week, 5 miles and strength exercise for 45 minutes. NEVER worry about weight; and so, I can always eat all I want and don't show it! Keep doing the right thing! Good Luck!
  • Jezebel9
    Jezebel9 Posts: 396 Member
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    You are gaining muscle. Do you see a difference in the way your clothes are fitting? It will start to kick in..trust me. The muscle will start burning the fat away.

    This
  • ColtyHan
    ColtyHan Posts: 59 Member
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    I always find myself losing motivation when I put to much emphasis on what the scale says. To keep myself motivated I also have to look at other things like measurements, fitness goals, energy levels, stress levels, ...etc. The scale doesn't tell the whole story, but if it isn't moving I feel like the changes I've made aren't working. When I look at other things, like being able to finish a whole cardio DVD, or run longer distances, I know that these changes are worth it and working. I have to remind myself that I'm not just doing this to lose weight. My main focus is getting healthier.
  • dani_1977
    dani_1977 Posts: 557 Member
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    First: Don't pay attention to the scale.. I had lost 40lb and gained back a few and still lost another pants size in between. Go by how your clothes fit. Women can gain weight for tons of stupid reasons: water from too much sodium, pre menstrual etc.

    Second: Make sure you are eating enough.. You need to NET at least 1200, so if you eat 1700 but burn say 700, you only net 1000 so that can play a part.

    Third: Make sure you are eating clean.. If you eat a ton of processed foods, you won't lose as fast.

    I agree...it's not all about the number and yes the human body "gains" weight for lots of reasons. Also it's only been a week. My first week I lost .2 , I went home a cried because I was expected a 3 or 4 lb loss. I've been on my healthy lifestyle journey since 2008 and I have NEVER lost more that 2lbs in a week. Unless I had an horrible extreme "gain" the week before.

    This is all in due time.. keep doing what you are doing!
  • godsoon
    godsoon Posts: 19
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    do not worry. Be perserverant. you will prevail and get where you want to go:smooched:
  • melbatoastrox
    melbatoastrox Posts: 25
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    Thanks everyone again! I really appreciate the insight and motivation!

    I know it seems like I'm being impatient, but I've only actually used MFP for a week, been working at losing weight seriously for a year. Been to see Nutritionist and am currently seeing a Food Therapist! I know not to focus on the scale but I guess I'm having a moment of weakness because it was so disappointing. Not only did the scale show I gained weight, but my clothes felt tighter too.

    Going to work on staying focused! Thank again for the encouragement!
  • PinkLinda
    PinkLinda Posts: 16 Member
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    drink plenty of water...eat lean proteins.

    not just cardio....add in some strength training...you will slowly notice difference
  • mcquilna
    mcquilna Posts: 8
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    After working out you're muscles take on water and "swell" while they repair themselves. Take a day off, eat healthy, rest, and the next day jump on the scale, see if there's any difference.
  • jennt_22
    jennt_22 Posts: 155 Member
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    Hey girl!

    First off DO NOT GIVE UP! It will happen in time if you are doing the right things. When I started last summer I worked out 5-6 times per week about 30-40 mins per day (before that did nothing) and ate a MUCH better diet then I was previously used to. A whole MONTH went by before I started to lose anything on the scale. I think sometimes your body just needs time to adjust to your new lifestyle... it doesn't mean your efforts are for nothing... you ARE making changes inside and the outside will follow eventually. Keep your head up and keep working hard! YOU CAN DO THIS :)

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