[mpaynter]

this is week 3 for me. I weigh 234 poundws. when i started three weeks ago i weighed 237.8. I have been eating 1200 calories and exercising 45 to an hour at least 5 days a week of the tread mill with incline. i am burning like 500 calories every time i exercise. sooo i get on the scale today and it says 234. no weight loss in two weeks. i am drinking like a fish. i am staying within the 1200 calories! help! I do like 3.7 in the tread and inclinne why am i not losing?? im getting soo frustrated but not gonna give up!

[indiblue]

Hey way to stick with it and be on plan! That's awesome.

A few things that are the usual suspects:
1. Underestimating your portion size. How do you know you are eating 1200? If you are eating what you think is 1200 and not losing, the most likely scenario (it's happened to all of us!) is we are measuring or eyeballing our food incorrectly. Weighing is much, much more accurate.

2. Your body loses in whooshes, not in increments. That's how I, and many, lose. I'll see the same number on the scale for 2 weeks, then drop 1.5 lbs overnight. It's quite common. You just have to stick with it.

3. This isn't really a "suspect" but a caveat- I would NOT try to assume how many calories you are burning on the treadmill. If you are walking (even on an incline) for 45-60 minutes, that's awesome, but you are likely burning less than 500 calories. Runners generally burn 600 calories an hour; walking is much less.

This is not a reason that you shouldn't be losing- any exercise contributes to your deficit, so I'm not suggesting you up the exercise or lower your food intake. Your exercise is AWESOME- it's more than the vast majority of folks get in each week. It's just a caveat when you are doing mental calculations, developing expectations on your rate of weight loss, etc. Read more here on the sticky thread in the Exercise forum: http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/exer...g-methods.html

So when you think of how much exercise you are doing and how you aren't losing, I am prompted to remind you what many have reminded me- weight loss really is 80% diet and 20% exercise! Much more dependent on the former and not the latter.

**

It looks like you are at the beginning of your journey, so it's unlikely you are stalling just yet. I would give it another week or so and really make sure you are getting your portion sizes correct. Measuring cups get you close, but only a food scale is really accurate

good luck!

[lin43]

I agree completely with indiblue's comments. Follow her advice and see how it goes. Whatever you do, though, don't give up!

[124chicksinger]

Actually, at your starting weight, I would eat a little more calories. Find a calorie counting site and key in your information for your current weight, and to stay at your current weight--see how many calories that takes--then subtract 500 daily. You'll readjust this as you lose. Your body may be in shock.

[mpaynter]

I did my fitness pal and it said 1200. I will recheck my portions.I weighed 305 about 2 years ago and lossed with weight watchers. thank you for all your help. i need some buddies to encourage me.I have stayed the same weight for about two years and am ready to move forward to my new goal of 175.

[LisaLou]

I agree that you may not be eating enough. MFP has my calories at 1370 a day and I'm 214 pounds. Granted, I'm two inches taller than you are, so I don't know if maybe that factors into it? But with your exercise and your low calories, I wouldn't be surprised if your body is storing some fat.

Great job on your weight loss! Keep it up, you'll get there.

[jenjulia]

First of all, congrats on the weight loss!!! That's awesome!

I can relate to what you are struggling with. I can walk at a pretty good incline and speed for an hour, two hours, lol. I used to watch tv and walk on the treadmill while watching Biggest Loser. I started working with a trainer once a week and he told me that my body was too used to what I was doing...I wasn't working hard enough. He told me not to go so fast that I was having to hold on (because I needed to pump my arms to get the best out of my walking) but fast enough that I couldn't have a conversation/sing. He also has me start on the elliptical (which is a killer for me) and has me lift weights, do modified pushups, squats and walking lunges (those three can be done at home with or without weights). I can definately see a difference in my body and on the scale after only 5-6 weeks!

I agree with indiblue though...double check how much you are eating a day. I know that for me it is a huge struggle...eating healthy and eating the correct amount of calories. I have tried to lose weight for years (8). I always spend tons of time exercising and I have great cardio fitness but I couldn't lose weight. When I decided to start working with the trainer I slowly started focusing on my diet. The first three weeks I probably lost the same amount as you or less. The last couple weeks I focused on eating and my scale has wooshed...I guess the most important thing is for us to stick with it! It's hard though, I'm right there with ya!!

[mpaynter]

Thank you so very much for the advise. i did double check and the number is still 1200. I am going to do the elliptical this week for 30 and tread for 30 and see how it goes. I am really good at tracking my calories and to be honest i fo lean cuisine meals for now for mybig meals to make sure i amportioning right. i also eat eggs, vita top muffins and 100 cal pre packaged. i weigh my chicken that i put on a salad every day and dont use dressing. This week though instead of croutons i am seitching to almonds. The hardest thing is befire signing up to 3fc on friday i had no one. i am kinda against all odds. everyone at work eats out every day.i am a single mom of 5 and go from 530 am until i drop at night in my bed.I have made it so every am i get up at 5:30 and get to the gym so i am dedicated and there are no excuses.. i am trying my hardest>

[jayohwhy]

on my fitness pal, are you setting it to a 2lb a week loss? it has worked better for me if it's set to a 1 lb per week loss. it doesnt make sense that if it is not set to a 1lb per week loss that it would be 1200 for you.

i am 166 and i am at 1450 for a 1 lb per week loss.

[ERHR]

I think you should eat more as well. And I agree with shaking up your exercise routine (weight lifting!).

[mpaynter]

should i not set it at 2lb a week. yes thats what i did. should i set at 1.5 a week? 1 lb a week?

[mpaynter]

ok i set it at 1.5 a week and now itas at 1360.Sound good?

[jayohwhy]

Originally Posted by mpaynter

should i not set it at 2lb a week. yes thats what i did. should i set at 1.5 a week? 1 lb a week?

its really up to you, but for me, i found that if you're giving your body a little more fuel then you will have more energy to do exercise which will build muscle. if you build muscle, you will look leaner than if that weight is taken up primarily by fat.

[Munchy]

I notice that you're eating pre-packaged meals. I tend to have difficulty with sodium and weight retention, so maybe you'd want to keep an eye on that too.

[jayohwhy]

Originally Posted by mpaynter

ok i set it at 1.5 a week and now itas at 1360.Sound good?

that sounds good. now if you pair it with some extra exercise, it might help you get the ball rolling-- however, remember that at the beginning of extra exercise you will retain water.