Disappointed

fperez7542

FI and I have been going to the gym everyday during the week, we only take the weekends off.  I lost 7lbs the first 3 weeks.  Now its been about 2 weeks and I can't seem to lose any.  We are watching what we eat.  Eating better, definitely healthier and counting calories but I'm at a stand still :-( It is discouraging. 

I want to lose 17lbs.  I know I have time so I am not rushing, but I am the type if I don't see much difference my efforts get less and less until I give up. 

Have you ladies hit a stand still?  Any suggestions. 

fperez7542

I also apologize.  Just realized I didn't introduce myself on this board.  I'm 30, FI is 29 and we have a 4 year old daughter.  I've been lurking for a while but decided to post today :-)

Lobsters25

Welcome, and glad you're posting!

We've all hit a stand still at some point or another, so don't be too hard on yourself.

Are you tracking what you're eating?  Sometimes perception can be very different from real numbers.  Also, what types of workouts are you doing?

If you have less than 20 lbs or so, too, it takes more time to lose weight.  Initial weight and heavier weight always comes off quicker than the last few lbs.

unchatenfrance

Are your fat and calorie goals and targets realistic? What are you eating? What you eat is just as important as how much you eat. Are you gaining muscle and improving your bone density, which is why the scale is not showing a loss?

entropicbeauty

There are lots of reasons why this could be happening - are you eating at too great a deficit? If you put yourself into starvation mode your body will hold onto everything.

Also, if you continually eat the same food and do the same workouts your body adjust to it, you need to shock your body every now and then!

I've been on a plateau for over a month now - it's frustrating but you can't let it get you down, you just have to keep making the healthy choices!

cnf2013

I'd also suggest you take measurements. Like Unchaten said, you might be gaining muscle or bone density which may offput any weight loss but would show up in measurements. 

fperez7542

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_disappointed-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238Discussion:718235eb-e947-4302-9c79-26863e84cf19Post:83065a81-9828-4684-9415-dab96cdebc93">Re: Disappointed</a>:
[QUOTE]Welcome, and glad you're posting! We've all hit a stand still at some point or another, so don't be too hard on yourself. Are you tracking what you're eating?  Sometimes perception can be very different from real numbers.  Also, what types of workouts are you doing? If you have less than 20 lbs or so, too, it takes more time to lose weight.  Initial weight and heavier weight always comes off quicker than the last few lbs.
Posted by Lobsters25[/QUOTE]

I am using MyFitness Pal app.  Basically it says I should be eating about 1400 calories a day and to tell you the truth I find that hard.  I always come a bit under.  FI and I have a Sandyhook Family Race (5K) on Saturday so I have been running on the elliptical 3 miles, then I do abs, next day I do the running but I'd do arms, and then the run and legs.  I alternate. I just remembered someone did say the last 15lbs are the hardest :-(

fperez7542

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_disappointed-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238Discussion:718235eb-e947-4302-9c79-26863e84cf19Post:32b33056-518f-4132-80ea-fbae918ea448">Re: Disappointed</a>:
[QUOTE]Are your fat and calorie goals and targets realistic? What are you eating? What you eat is just as important as how much you eat. Are you gaining muscle and improving your bone density, which is why the scale is not showing a loss?
Posted by unchatenfrance[/QUOTE]

For breakfast its usually two eggs over easy, whole wheat toast and tea.  Lunch a salad or wrap.  Dinner is some type of vegetable and a protein.  I do have a snacks here and there, like fruit, vegis, a fiber bar or hummus. Maybe you are right.  Just like to know I'm doing something right.

cnf2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_disappointed-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:718235eb-e947-4302-9c79-26863e84cf19Post:f8a94a8a-b86f-4b94-b765-30bedd5066da">Re: Disappointed</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Disappointed : I am using MyFitness Pal app.  Basically it says I should be eating about 1400 calories a day and to tell you the truth I find that hard.  I always come a bit under.  FI and I have a Sandyhook Family Race (5K) on Saturday so I have been running on the elliptical 3 miles, then I do abs, next day I do the running but I'd do arms, and then the run and legs.  I alternate. I just remembered someone did say the last 15lbs are the hardest :-(
Posted by fperez7542[/QUOTE]

<div>I would suggest mixing this up Your body is probably used to this routine by now. I'd suggest you add some real running into the mix since you're seemingly capable as you plan to run a 5K. That might help as the elliptical tends to be less work for your body then real running. </div>

fperez7542

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_disappointed-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238Discussion:718235eb-e947-4302-9c79-26863e84cf19Post:5b539e48-4285-45fe-97c4-1bd054e0e596">Re: Disappointed</a>:
[QUOTE]There are lots of reasons why this could be happening - are you eating at too great a deficit? If you put yourself into starvation mode your body will hold onto everything. Also, if you continually eat the same food and do the same workouts your body adjust to it, you need to shock your body every now and then! I've been on a plateau for over a month now - it's frustrating but you can't let it get you down, you just have to keep making the healthy choices!
Posted by entropicbeauty[/QUOTE]

I think I'm going to research new workouts.  Maybe I do need to shock my body.  I'm not starving.  I'm eating a bit less than before but at the same time I added healthy snacks with low calories.  According to MyFitnessPal I'm usually under the calories I need but I can't eat so much.  I work out and then I have to add about 300 more calories to my intake.  Its a lot.

fperez7542

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_disappointed-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238Discussion:718235eb-e947-4302-9c79-26863e84cf19Post:51e675b7-456a-4971-bc3d-07a437b1c82d">Re: Disappointed</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Disappointed : I would suggest mixing this up Your body is probably used to this routine by now. I'd suggest you add some real running into the mix since you're seemingly capable as you plan to run a 5K. That might help as the elliptical tends to be less work for your body then real running. 
Posted by cnf2013[/QUOTE]

I will definitely try that tonight.  Thank you!  I'll let you know if I survive it tomorrow lol :-)

unchatenfrance

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_disappointed-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:718235eb-e947-4302-9c79-26863e84cf19Post:179a6a31-fce1-4488-8e6b-ea6d51105638">Re: Disappointed</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Disappointed : For breakfast its usually two eggs over easy, whole wheat toast and tea.  Lunch a salad or wrap.  Dinner is some type of vegetable and a protein.  I do have a snacks here and there, like fruit, vegis, a fiber bar or hummus. Maybe you are right.  Just like to know I'm doing something right.
Posted by fperez7542[/QUOTE]

<div>I would suggest you up your fat to hit your calorie target. I find MFP's calorie targets very severe and unrealistic, especially if you only have a bit of weight to lose. And if you're struggling to meet the MFP target (I don't know how the heck you do it!) you may well be undereating. Consider cycling your calories too - do a refeed day once a week where you eat healthy to maintenance. This will keep the system "on its toes." You may also find that eating gross, not net calories at 15-20% under your TDEE may work better for you.</div>

lovelyheather

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_disappointed-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:718235eb-e947-4302-9c79-26863e84cf19Post:57ac4f3a-c241-48ba-867c-162b471923c7">Re: Disappointed</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Disappointed : I would suggest you up your fat to hit your calorie target. I find MFP's calorie targets very severe and unrealistic, especially if you only have a bit of weight to lose. And if you're struggling to meet the MFP target (I don't know how the heck you do it!) you may well be undereating. Consider cycling your calories too - do a refeed day once a week where you eat healthy to maintenance. This will keep the system "on its toes." You may also find that eating gross, not net calories at 15-20% under your TDEE may work better for you.
Posted by unchatenfrance[/QUOTE]

If I want to be losing 1 lb per week and decide to try eating to maintenance one day a week, should I decrease my calories the other days of the week?  It wouldn't be a huge decrease on the other days.  500 calories over 6 days would only be 84 calories less each regular day. 

Would it matter which day I make my refeed day?  In terms of exercising?  I think it would be impossible to eat to maintenance on my long run days, 1900 calories + another 800 or more calories.  But on a rest day where I always seem to be hungry, yeah definitely doable.  So I could refeed on Friday (rest day) and then do my long run on Saturday.  Would that be a good plan or would something else be better? 

Sorry to threadjack!

fperez7542

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_disappointed-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238Discussion:718235eb-e947-4302-9c79-26863e84cf19Post:b2b47b36-00f6-4a37-b4e8-1fcd406090c0">Re: Disappointed</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Disappointed : If I want to be losing 1 lb per week and decide to try eating to maintenance one day a week, should I decrease my calories the other days of the week?  It wouldn't be a huge decrease on the other days.  500 calories over 6 days would only be 84 calories less each regular day.  Would it matter which day I make my refeed day?  In terms of exercising?  I think it would be impossible to eat to maintenance on my long run days, 1900 calories + another 800 or more calories.  But on a rest day where I always seem to be hungry, yeah definitely doable.  So I could refeed on Friday (rest day) and then do my long run on Saturday.  Would that be a good plan or would something else be better?  Sorry to threadjack!
Posted by lovelyheather[/QUOTE]

No worries! I'm curious too!

unchatenfrance

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_disappointed-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:718235eb-e947-4302-9c79-26863e84cf19Post:b2b47b36-00f6-4a37-b4e8-1fcd406090c0">Re: Disappointed</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Disappointed : If I want to be losing 1 lb per week and decide to try eating to maintenance one day a week, should I decrease my calories the other days of the week? 
Posted by lovelyheather[/QUOTE]

<div>No. Don't get hung up on numbers and averages because the body really doesn't care about them. Say MFP says that to lose 1 lb a week you need to be eating 1500 calories. Fine. You eat 1500 calories 6 days a week. On the 7th day, you eat at maintenance, say 2000. Sure, the average number for the other days will go up on paper, but that's about it. It will not undo the deficit of the previous 6 days. If you drive 100km, run out of gas and fuel up your tank to full, will it dial back the distance gauge? Of course not. It's the same principle here. The average weekly calorie count should be a rough guide, not a hard-and-fast rule. So don't get fixated on it.</div><div>
</div><div>It doesn't matter what day of the week you do your refeed on, but a lot of people like to do them on a weekend or an off-day for the sake of convenience. But strictly from the body's own perspective it really doesn't matter much. Whatever works best for you.</div><div>
</div><div>The important thing, though, is that this is not a cheat day. It's a refeed day. So eat healthy foods at maintenance,or even a slight surplus. A refeed day is not a licence to binge on junk (but a small treat won't kill you).</div>

jennylee813

It sounds to me like you are undereating - I did the same thing. MFP told me I should be eating 1350, and that was a struggle. Then, there were activity calories too - I couldn't keep up! But I made a conscious effort to eat more, and I did start to lose (slowly, I'm still struggling with a plateau)

I also switched to the TDEE system of tracking, which makes it much easier. I don't have to worry about eating back calories, I eat the same amount every day and it all balances out. Now that I've managed to increase my calories to the correct amount for me, I'm working on cleaning up my diet. One step at a time.

Sounds like you're on the right path. Stick with it, and hang around!

krose83013

Don't be discouraged. I'm one that if I don't see results after a while I slowly start to lose hope. But this time I'm sticking to it. I am done giving up. My total goal is to drop to 30 at the very least and so far over 3 weeks I'm down 5.5lbs. I'm over feeling sick and tired all the time. I'm hoping that getting back into my healthy routine and working out will help my overall fitness, weight, and stress. Do this for you! If you want add me on MFP krose21987 and we can support each other! Also good luck with Sandyhook 5k!