hartmamp Member

I admit that I don't log probably as carefully as I should... but the scale has continued to drop slowly so no complaints YET. But if I log 100g of carrots but it was really 110, I don't change it because I'm lazy.

I'm very boring and plan 2 meals for the week - 1 for lunch and 1 for dinner. Works out well because most recipes make 4-6 servings. I've always eaten this way, even when not calorie counting - I hate grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning up, so I get all of it out of the way on the weekends and then I'm set for the work…

This is super specific, but I recently have been eating a wrap called the Tumaro's Skip the Sandwich, and they're 60 cals and 7g fiber. Just an alternative to the well-known sources of fiber.

Patience. Easier said than done of course.

I just keep reminding myself that establishing a stronger base now - logging habits and muscles - will only mean I'll be better off when it comes to pregnancy and post-pregnancy.

I really appreciate all the responses. Sometimes it's just nice to hear you aren't alone. And I will definitely take some of the advice and put it to the test.

The BEST workouts come after those heavier days.

If it's calories you're looking for, why don't you switch from egg whites to whole eggs?

I personally view those folks as they have a problem with obese people who make excuses. There are always going to be medical cases, etc. but the majority of people are overweight by poor choices. How many of us are here because we have realized and accepted that??! Almost all of us?!

The MFP forums, in my experience, are full of what I consider "tough love". When someone makes a post "I'm not losing, CICO doesn't work, etc etc", they are often served a harsh dose of reality that they simply aren't doing it right. Often times, excuses are just that - excuses. And I've also seen plenty of posts where…

I always wonder why I can't ever have this problem!

I'm jealous you don't start work until 9. I'd love to get my workouts done in the morning but I am not getting up before 6 am to do it.

It's obvious that people look for different things in their trainers/coaches/etc... Whether you would relate to someone who is overweight, or whether someone more fit is what you need for motivation... It doesn't make anyone wrong that they have a preference. I have a friend whose trainer tells her "no carbs, no alcohol,…

I think this is a great way to put it. I'm sure this happens in a lot of professions - I know it happens in mine - that we are judged on appearance. I remember an old boss a few years ago telling me to "cut my hair and wear my glasses" so I'd look older for clients. But there's just something about the "practice what you…

I don't do it on purpose, but it tends to work out that way. As someone else mentioned, with the structure of a weekday schedule with work, etc., I'm eating pre-packed meals and snacks most of the time, and I usually end up 100-200 calories below my goal of 1600. 1600 is also a more aggressive deficit to begin with (1700…

I struggled with this for a long time and ended up usually making separate meals. It's just easier that way - he also eats large portions, so it actually saved us from the arguments where I'd go to eat something and he'd already eaten it.

Personally, I had to change my breakfast. I used to eat carb heavy breakfasts daily. I'm still not on an eggs and bacon person that early in the day, so I have started eating greek yogurt and half a serving of granola almost every single day. It fits nicely into my macros and packs more protein than my previous choice of…

I was willing from the very beginning to weigh things that seemed "obvious" - dressings, sauces, fruits, nuts etc. But when I finally caved to the "weigh EVERYTHING" advice, I realized that bagels, wraps, all that packaged stuff is almost never the weight the package says it is.

Can you let me know when I "poo pooed" that idea? I only said from what I had read before that a recomp was difficult, especially to not be done on purpose, and I needed to learn more about it. And obviously I have a deficit if I've lost inches so... That's never what I asked for help with. And to many others who have left…

And to clarify - I think I look like I've lost MORE than lb but... How would I know!

I think what I'm gathering is that there isn't really an answer. Perhaps we got some newbie gain magic but more than likely it's just the deficit we are working with reflecting on the scale (for me, that would be a super small one). A 5lb loss over 3 months for me translates to what I see in the mirror.

Agreed on that damn tape measure. So on summary from our discussion, you'd recommend that if the scale doesn't drop, it's likely I won't continue with loss of inches because over time, the deficit simply must not be large enough? That's what I am afraid of because obviously, who wants to eat less? The scale isn't always…

Wanted to add -- I wouldn't give a damn about my deficit if I could continue to lose inches the way I have so I'm not sure why you're dwelling on that so much. IF (big if) the answer is that by continuing this way I will lose more inches, then I'd choose that and throw out the scale. I never said I cared about what the…

I totally missed your inches question, wasn't reading close enough. I've lost 2.5 inches off hips, 1.5 off one thigh and 1.25 off the other, and .75 off waist. Nothing off biceps to this point. Those are the only 4 places I measured to start off.

Actually the only scientific answers I've gotten are good ones -- that I'm losing fat and building muscle is the best thing one could hope for. I am so used to reading this just isn't going to happen that I am still skeptical but I will continue to read more. Also I read a lot on bodybuilding.com and over there, the recomp…

My question back to you though is - if I'm not losing weight, why am I getting smaller? That's the root of this thread -- I wasn't looking for help on calories or TDEE considering I'm getting smaller and isn't that what I want?

I just went to scooby myself and did it agin and got 1980 as my TDEE with 1-3 days so.... Yeah. You did it wrong. Also I do more than just Stronglifts. I'm in the gym at least 4 days a week, up to 6. But I'm willing to err on the side of caution and use 1-3 days in the Scooby site.

You and I are definitely on the same page!!

1. Yes, actual measurements (although I struggle with the accuracy of this because how can I be sure I'm doing it the exact same way each time?) I also compared photos and there is a noticeable difference, as well as clothes fitting that did not fit before. 2. I average 1650 calories a day - I say average because some days…

But I thought that was impossible on a deficit? I am 5'2" and started at 149lb. The lowest my scale has shown has been 144lb, but I only saw that number once. I tend to see 145-145.5lb more frequently.