SO FRUSTRATED

kendalldavis

Ok. I started my "diet" (eating healthy and exercising- so basically a lifestyle change!) the day after christmas. I was doing great and had lost 5 lbs! I only weigh in on Fridays because if not I would weigh every day. So I weighed this morning and it says I have gained 3 lbs! I have not changed a thing since I weighed last week! I have been consistently under my calorie intake each day for MFP. I am suppose to have about 1600 calories and I average about 1450. Has this happened to anyone else?? What I am doing wrong!!! I wanted to lose 20 lbs by our engagment pictures (march) (I had already lost 5- so really I only need 15 more) and 40 by the wedding (september) I just am really discouraged right now.....

lls31

Have you taken your measurements at all?  I usually tend to maintain weight (or even gain weight) but lose inches.  I would suggest measuring yourself as well whenever you weigh yourself.  

lbarr088

I agree with measuring yourself.  Also, I fluctuate around 5lbs, and always have.  Are you doing any weight training?  This could also cause a slight increase.

ETA:  Also, if you aren't getting the appropriate caloric intake you can gain weight.  It's the whole starvation mode thing (especially if you are exercising and not making up for the deficit).

meg65

I'm glad you posted this, I was coming here to post the exact same thread- after eating crap for a few weeks over the holidays, last week I lost a pound and this week I was really on it with diet and exercise, got up to weigh myself this morning and NOTHING. I went right back to bed and now I have a dark cloud over my head. I'm also trying to lose for e-pics, but mine are in like 5 weeks.

So, while I talk you off the ledge I will talk myself off as well!

It could just be a plateau (likely the case with me). It could be that you're gaining muscle, so like PP said, so you should measure. Did you eat a big meal last night, so eat late? You could be full of "undigested food." Maybe you aren't eating enough, since you're supposed to eat all of your calories everyday and you aren't. It could be a hundred things. Don't get discouraged! Stay the course, and it'll come off. Five pounds is awesome, but don't expect to lose the same amount every week that you lost initially. 

krizzo17

Where are you in your monthly cycle? I gain about 2 pounds right before my period, which literally disappears overnight as soon as I get it. Over a longer period of time, you'll be able to notice variations like this, and realize what is actually weight gain, vs what is water retention, etc.

J&K10910

Alright, a few things are happening here.  You started right after the holidays.  Since you lost 5 pounds right away, I'm going to go ahead and assume you spent a decent amount of time overindulging for the holidays?  That 5 pounds is going to be almost completely bloat/water weight.

Now, MFP gives you a number like 1600 for a reason.  If you're excercising, there's a very good chance 1450 isn't ENOUGH calories for you.  It sounds counterintuitive, I know, but eating too FEW calories can stall weight loss too.  Try to hit your 1600 calorie goal most days for a few weeks and see what happens.  Don't freak out if you don't lose or the number goes up a bit at first, give it at least 3-4 weeks and see what happens.

chikychik13

I am definently feeling the same!  About 1 year ago I lost 15lbs however I gained 8lbs in the past 4 months.  I began my diet and exercise which consists of Zumba classes and Slim in 6 January 2nd and havent lost any weight.  I am hoping this is because I am building muscle BUT my clothes are not feeling loose. I want to lose 10lbs by May 2012 for my friends wedding that I am in and another 10lbs for my wedding in August 2012.  I am normally under my calories according to MFP but there are some days that I go over...Its not an easy task....According to MFP it says I should lose my 10lbs in 5 weeks...so I am gonna give it 5 weeks to see if I have lost any weight and determine what my next step will be from there.  Goodluck and we all can do it we just gotta stay motivated and strong

sarahlm619

Did you weight yourself at a different time of day?  That can be the issue too.  I also only weight myself 1 time a week -- first thing sunday morning...before I do ANYTHING (except maybe brush my teeth! )

calliopeia2013

Completely agree with PPs- you may be building muscle, you may be eating too few calories.  Personally, I can also fluctuate about 3 pounds just from water retention.  The hard part about weight loss is that it's really more about big picture gains and losses- losing 20 pounds in however many months covers a lot of fluctuation within those months. 

J&K10910

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_frustrated-11?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:eb96e5ee-440e-44dd-85e4-266efa75f56cPost:35ba8a77-3519-4fbd-97e3-9889b5a14e54">Re: SO FRUSTRATED</a>:
[QUOTE]I am definently feeling the same!  About 1 year ago I lost 15lbs however I gained 8lbs in the past 4 months.  I began my diet and exercise which consists of Zumba classes and Slim in 6 <strong>January 2nd </strong>and havent lost any weight.  I am hoping this is because I am building muscle BUT my clothes are not feeling loose. I want to lose 10lbs by May 2012 for my friends wedding that I am in and another 10lbs for my wedding in August 2012.  I am normally under my calories according to MFP but there are some days that I go over...Its not an easy task....According to MFP it says I should lose my 10lbs in 5 weeks...so I am gonna give it 5 weeks to see if I have lost any weight and determine what my next step will be from there.  Goodluck and we all can do it we just gotta stay motivated and strong :)
Posted by chikychik13[/QUOTE]

Dude, that was 10 days ago.  Youd didn't put the weight on in 10 days, it's not coming off in 10 days.  Relax and stick with it.

jennipea382

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_frustrated-11?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:eb96e5ee-440e-44dd-85e4-266efa75f56cPost:2fe73d36-f4e5-4cc6-abfd-20c7a7991c30">Re: SO FRUSTRATED</a>:
[QUOTE]Where are you in your monthly cycle? I gain about 2 pounds right before my period, which literally disappears overnight as soon as I get it. Over a longer period of time, you'll be able to notice variations like this, and realize what is actually weight gain, vs what is water retention, etc.
Posted by krizzo17[/QUOTE]

Lucky.. I gain like 5-10 pounds and it lasts for a few days, then my weight goes back down just as it's ending. It sucks but at least I usually know around that time of the month I most likely didn't really gain weight, it's just the "water weight" or whatever.

blgrout

Your weight can fluctuate by as much as 5 pounds in a day (depending if you ate, went to bathroom, if it's your TOM, etc).  Measure yourself and keep at it.  Slow is a good way to lose and keep the weight off.  How are your clothes fitting?  If your clothes are fitting better, that's a good sign. 

FWIW, I weigh in weekly, and take measurements weekly to see how I"m doing.  I lose inches way faster than actual poundage on the scale, partly because my weight flucuates with my cycle, and partly because I'm looking to get stronger, not just leaner, and muscle weighs more than fat.

Don't be a slave to the scale, and don't give up!

kendalldavis

Thanks everyone! I knew it was just water weight or something. It was just frustrating. I weigh at the same time every Friday morning. And its not close to TOM. however when i got home today i went and weighed and I was back down and had actually lost 2 more lbs on top of the 5. So here is my question now. On the days that i am under my calorie intake am not starving myself. Just i have been choosing things that are low in calories and then i am not hungry. And I do not want to eat 4 hrs before bed. Do I eat when i am not hungry to get enough calories?????????

bandjwedding2012

 You may not realize it but you are starving your body. Everything we do burns calories. Typing this response is burning a calorie. If your not hungry I would add the calories to like lunch and breakfast. Then by dinner your closer to your intake. Also your weight will go up and down. Heck I panicked when I thought I gain twenty pounds in two weeks. I have no idea FH was screwing around with the scale, he felt like crap after seeing how panicked I got. Once I reset it, it was exactly where I thought I would be. Give yourself a break it's going to happen.