Frustrated

Follow the MFP ranges for carbs, fats, and proteins. I usually stay a little under the carbs, and sometiimes higher on fats, almost always a little over on proteins. Following the ranges usually results in good nutritional balance.

Might I suggest that you consider adding a great deal more fresh produce to your daily intake. They are filled with lots of fiber and water that your body craves. My body loves me the best when at least 50% of my foods are veggies/fruits. I tend to more easily drop weight when I fill my days with "Rainbow Eats"--- the colorful eating of very fresh produce of every color of the rainbow. I love to shop the farmer's market all summer long.

Also, after reading many of your food diary entries, (thanks for opening them to us) you might consider eliminating the very calorie dense foods that are heavy in fats/sodium/preservatives. Dunkin' Donuts, Panera's, Etc. are roadblocks to your success. Because I have little will power around the influences of such eateries, I simply do NOT go to them. Might you consider banning them for a period of time, using them only as a reward for a small treat after dropping every 10 lbs?

Another thought to ponder is drastically reducing the "white" foods you eat.....potatoes, bread, chips, donuts, dairy, etc. And, consider switching to reduced/low/no-fat dairy products. I have gone to eating Greek yogurt, making it into veggie dips, spreads for sandwiches on whole grain breads.

One of the MOST helpful things I've done for myself is to commit to ONLY eating when I feel absolute true physical hunger and I must have tried to quench that hunger with lots of water for 30 minutes before I allow myself to eat anything. This gives me 30 minutes to consider what I might eat, how healthy my food choice will be for me, and how much I might serve myself. I can't begin to tell you what impact this has had on my eating habits.

I wish you the best as we share this journey together. I think it is fabulous that you can see that you look better and that you are sticking to you goal, in spite of not seeing the pounds disappear on the scale. Hang in there!!! :-)

keep it up, you can do it, you may not have lost ounces but you have lost inches. so stay with it. I too have not lost but 2 pounds and I have been on this for almost one month. We can do it. dont give up .

I took a look at your food diary and there are some things that I noticed.

*Not nearly enough NON-starchy vegetables (the GREEN stuff ). Most days there are zero. You should be eating at least 5+ combined servings of fruits and veggies a day
*Not enough lean protein (lunchmeat doesn't count. Eat 2-3 servings of lean meats such as fish, chicken, turkey, lean pork, occasionally lean beef)
*Far too much processed food (processed foods does not just mean stuff like mac & cheese with powder mix or potato chips. Processed foods means anything that is prepared and ready to eat when you buy it from the store.)
*Too many starchy foods like bread and potatoes

I know someone else mentioned a food scale and I agree. Measuring spoons too. If you don't weigh and measure everything, how do you know how much you are eating?

One other thing that I think could effect your lack of weight loss; as I mentioned above, you are not eating a balanced diet with the foods to fuel your body (fresh fruits and veggies, lean meat, healthy fats, some low fat dairy, whole grains). You are also not eating a balanced diet in the amount of calories through your day. Most of the things you eat are very high calorie (the prepared foods) and then you usually skip a meal to "make up" for the high calorie meal.

The best way to keep your metabolism moving is to eat small, balanced meals throughout the day. Think of your body like a car. You need to have fuel/gas in your car for it to run properly, right? You also need to have fuel/food in your body for it to run properly too. If you don't keep gas in your car it doesn't work. Same with your body.

You are asking your body to do it's basic functions, to workout AND you are asking your body to shed weight/burn fat. Unfortunately, you aren't giving your body the fuel for it to do all of those things.

When your body doesn't get food, it starts going into starvation mode and it holds onto the fat that you want it to shed. Getting rid of fat is actually work for your body. If you're not fueling your body with healthy foods then it doesn't have the ability to do that.

I hope you don't take this wrong. I really only mean to offer advice that might help you. This weight loss thing is hard. It's hard for me too! These things I listed are just some things that you might want to take a closer look at it. Maybe if you tighten up your diet, start really focusing on eating healthy and balanced amounts of food through the day, it could really make a difference. If you do that for a couple weeks and I mean really, really doing that (not eating donuts, fried potatoes or strombolis (LOL) and if you don't see a difference then I would certainly talk to your doctor. Maybe there is something else going on. But looking at your food/exercise diary, I think you may just need to fine tune some things to get things going.

Good luck to you.

I agree with Irish cream. In looking over your diary, you only eat about one fruit or vegetable per day. More of your carbs should be coming from fruits (about two a day) than from grains. You should eat at least two vegetables a day, and a big salad. Without eating these foods you are not protecting yourself against cancer and not getting enough fiber. Your diet is not nutritious, and although your fat and protein are about right, your carbs from white flours and potatoes should not be as high as they are.

The problem could also be weighing. That means 1/2 cup and not a cup of rice, pasta, potatoes (cooked). Your portions may be too large because without fruits and vegetables, your plate will look empty. For example, spaghetti sauce and pasta should not fill an entire plate. There should also be two vegetables on there filling half the plate. A serving of a half cup if about the size of a baseball (not a softball) cut in half. Using a measuring cup can help too.


Ruth

I'm just gonna be blunt here, please don't take offense. I was in the same boat.

I see n your diary, marshmallows, icecream, cookies, a lot of bread. I don't see too much veggies or fruit. No salad. No nuts, no vitamins, omega 3 s etc. no oat meal. No egg whites.

I'm not sure what mfp told of to set your calories at, but I was 220 and I had mine at 1600. Drop 100 calories a day out. Add a lot more proteins, veggies, complexl carbs. Reduce your bread and cheese and sugar. Drink lots of water. Add some multi vitamins, fish oils and calcium supplements.

Cut out the cookies and ice cream ( at least for awhile). Get 20 to 30 min of intense cardio in 3 to 5 days a week!

Keep it up, it will happen. Something in your routine or diet is slowing this down. Crazy for 30 days you'll see results and feel better too

Might I recommend not closing your diary?

It's a really great motivator to stay on track because it will make you feel accountable.

One more thing A good way to get ideas on what things you could eat is to look at the diary of other people who have been successful. I have several friends and I enjoy the support/ camaraderie but I have my diary open to friends only. If you are interested in adding friends or would like to see my diary, just friend request me.

Wishing you the best!

Great suggestion. I think tomorrow I will open my diary. I am new, so my first diary entrance will be tomorrow.