Lindalou: Im in your boat as well and it is frustrating me so bad I cry. Dont think you're alone....Im gonna keep an extra super de-dooper eye on my calories, counting every single crumb. I think maybe I eat too little. I posted today for help with eating more calories....The past two days have been so incredibly hard on me cause of not losing. But Im not giving up, you dont either! Please keep us posted............

I know it is hard to believe but if you eat too little you will sabatoge yourself. When I lost 100lbs the first time I too ate only about 1500-1800 cals a day....BUT I had one free day where I ate whatever I wanted all day. This works both physically and pyschologically. Your body tries to go into starvation mode...but the free day tricks it. When I say I ate whatever I truly did...McDonalds, Pizza, Chiese buffet...no guilt and no worries.
Also make sure your gym routine isn't getting stagnant. Change it up and make sure you adjust it as you improve.
Take your measurements too...You may be adding muscle and taking off fat at the same time.

It's taken me four years to lose 63 lbs. I lost 20 lbs without trying when I had to go onto disability (I guess not sitting near a vending machine all day, helped). It took me nearly three years to get any more weight off (about a year ago, a birth control change and finding that low carb eating was helpful, helped me get off another 43 lbs).

One year, to lose 43 lbs. Four years to lose 63, sounds pitiful, really. At least by the standards we usually use to measure such things. And yet, it's been revolutionary, really. I've never, since age 4, gone four years without a significant weight gain.

Losing weight isn't easy, but it doesn't have to be frustrating. It's hard to remember, but frustration is our choice. We can chose to not get anxious, upset, angry, or depressed. It doesn't always feel like a choice, but that's because learning to avoid those feelings takes practice and a lot of self talk. You've got to be your own best friend, and talk yourself out of the irrational beliefs that lead to the frustration, anger, depression.......

The first step is realizing that your progress isn't unusual. There are folks of all starting weights and diet history that just can't lose large or reliable numbers. It takes as long as it takes, and there are health, strength and stamina benefits to eating well and exercising independent of weight loss.

My doctor reminded me that even 1 lb a month, even for someone my size is more than most people of any weight accomplish (because most people give up after only a few weeks and regain their losses and sometimes more).

That really struck me, because it means that even 1 lb a month, puts me at the head of the race, not trailing behind in last place as I sometimes feel (not because it's fact, but because it's how we're taught to feel about slow loss, and if I allow myself to perceive what I know to be false as true - that's my mistake). I really don't get discouraged like I did in the past. Sure the random crappy thought enters my mind, but I recognize it and talk myself out of it quickly. I remember that I AM in the lead, here - I am making progress, and excellent progress not just "eh, you're not a total loser" progress.

Try to remember that you are doing well - really well - in comparison to all those that get started on this journey. You're not trailing in everyone else's dust, you're in the lead, just by hanging on.

If you don't give up, I won't either!!!!

Linda, first of SUPER HUGANTIC KUDOS for the amount of activity! Holy crappage girl! we are the same size and that workout routine would kill me off, in the first 13 minutes!

I would have to agree on that calories, I only lose when I am getting at least 1600 calories, and I am not working out like you....your body needs fuel! I would suggest upping to 2000-2200, and maybe stirring up the calories each day (calorie Cycling) I would also suggest tracking your calories in two different places, to make sure they are accurate.........the site you are using had a couple large discrepancies when I used it......Fit day and Sparkpeople are two free ones. It's always good to do a little quality check now and then on the things that matter! And one other thing, with your complex carbs..like the oatmeal in the morning, it should be paired with a protien/fat......like peanut butter. WOW that has been the fat burner for me (when I remember to do it) old fashioned oats, 1 tbl no sugar added PB, and a banana......sticks with you, gives you a balanced nutrition to start off the day...I call it "Hot Elvis" since we call PB and banana sammiches Elvis Sammich.....

I stayed the same weight for 3 weeks, and just finally started taking 2 pounds off last week. It is heart breaking when you start to get your groove going and then get derailed, but we can all do this.......you will hang in there if Mug does, and I will hang in there if you do...........sounds like we can beat this

im also frustrated when i dont see any weight change, but my body and my health has dramatically improved. I feel great and these positive benefits without the weght loss is awesome. Good luck to you and take in the positives!!!

Well, I guess I have a slightly different view point here. With a daily calorie intake of 1800 and exercising each day, I don't think it's unrealistic at all to have expected at least a pound or two of loss in over a month. I know how frustrating that can be as I've been in your shoes before. I hear it all of the time..."it's calories consumed vs calories expended." Well, I can say with 100% knowledge that it's not always that simple for many of us. It may very well be a case of too few calories for you. However, you just might have a metabolic problem. Have you had your hormone...female, thyroid, etc...checked? Metabolic issues such as pre-diabetes, estrogen dominance, etc, can make it extremely difficult to lose weight. Additionally, these metabolic issues can cause additional health issues above and beyond the problems of excess weight or the inability to lose weight.

In 2006, I was diagnosed with both insulin resistance and adrenal fatigue. I'm also in early menopause as I had a total hysterectomy. With dietary changes, I reversed my insulin resistance, I've recovered from my adrenal fatigue with vitamin and mineral supplements. Unfortunately, I'll always have to battle my menopause as that will never go away. The good news is that there is always hope. There are dietary changes, hormone supplements, vitamin/mineral supplements and exercise changes that can help anyone lose weight.

I hope you find your answers soon and the weight starts dropping off for you. In the meantime, I hope it is encouraging for you to know that you are creating a healthier body and lifestyle despite the slow movement on the scales.

Brilliant!!!

Aww thanks for the kudos! It's amazing what the body will do if the mind wills it too!!!

There are some mornings I do NOT want to go, but once I get to the gym, I always feel like I accomplished something for myself! It's a great ego boost!

As far as peanut butter, nuts etc, I don't like any of that! I know, I'm weird, but I never eat Peanut butter. BLECH!

Thanks to everyone for their encouragement!

Are you sleeping enough, both in terms of quantity and -quality- of hours of sleep per night? I find that when I do not sleep enough, my weight loss seriously stalls out. It happened to me in October and it's happening to me again right now. The body needs rest, for repair and recovery. You are stressing your body greatly with dietary changes and exercise, so you also need to be giving it rest.

I'm with GirlyGirlSebas. Something just doesn't seem quite right here. 1800 calories? Starvation mode? I would tend to think not. I think you may benefit a trip to the doctor to rule out any underlying medical issues. It certainly can't harm.

In the meantime, you keep on tweaking and discovering what works for you. You can and will figure this out.

hi i am new here and just read this post and u mention getting the excercise out of the way lol i know the feeing been there and i cant stick to the gym but recenty got a wii fit and really enjoying it. maybe if you try finding excercise you enjoy and relax a little i am sure the weight will come off

much love

shaz

Keep in mind it takes ALOT of calories just to hold a 300 pound body upright..seriously folks! That is a lesson that has been so very hard for me to learn, after MANY doctors over the course of 15 years I am finally starting to believe that, but when I go back to my old ways and let myself go down to 1500 cals or so the loss stops, and stalls until I get my calories up.

Now this is not the case for everyone, each person has a different body make up, different metabolism, and different damage they have done to their metabolism..........but it seriously takes SOME people over 1800 calories just to "BE" at 280-320 pounds, that is scientific fact.

Look up a BMR calculator, for a 300 pound, 42 yr old woman, at 5'4" it takes 2063 calories just to maintain your body as is, while you lie in bed all day...........really!

Then if you are working out 6-7 times a week, as Linda is, The Harris Benedict Equation says to multiply your BMR by 1.725....that is 3558 calories a day (to maintain...not to loses) SO to lose you need to knock of 3500 calories for a pound, right? Two pounds a week would be trimming off 1000 calories a day, or 2558 calories........

For me I am "lightly active", no where near Linda (But her comment about what you will your mind to do really hit home!) SO I multiply my 2063 by 1.375 according to Harris Benedict, that gives me 2836 to "BE", trim off 1000 calories a day to lose 2 pounds a week that puts me at 1800.......

It does sound crazy for many people, but it is VERY TRUE for many of us.