Hello everyone!


I've been counting calories for....forever but most notibly for the past year. One year ago I was at 1800 then I started gaining and gained about 15 lbs. I slowly have been dropping my calories. I've now been eating 1400 a day, sometimes 1500 for about four months. No budge on the scale. I'm currently 5'6 and although starting weight says 135 I'm 140lbs now. This is the heaviest I've been, I've always had a small to medium frame...

Anyway I do workout a lot. An hour of elliptical most days, strength training 20 minutes 3 to 4 days a week..


Health Status . com states that I burn 671 calories using the Elliptical trainer for 1 hour. I'm sure that's way higher than reality.


My question is.... i really want to see the scale move. Should I drop my calories to 1200 or maybe i am eating too little? (I do sit on my butt 90% of the day). When i come home from the gym I always try to stick with a 300 calorie protein shake but i am ravenous and usually end up eating 200 more calories at least.

I dont know if my body is telling me its ok to eat more or if i really just need the willpower to eat less. I wish i had one of those BodyBuggs but i cant afford it.


Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Sarah,
I use nutridiary.com and I plugged in your height and weight with a sedentary lifestyle and it said 747 calories a day in order to lose 2lbs a week. Which is not near enough. They say atleast 1200 a day so maybe start there and see how that works for you. Also, if you exercise you can add those calories to your total. I hope this was atleast a little helpful. I have been using this site since April and have lost 42lbs so far.

Thanks JustJill I think i may try that site instead. CONGRATS by the way! Thats a great success!!

I have been using Fitday but it doesnt have a calorie count for ellipticals. It says I should be eating 1500 calories a day and im not trying to be too impatient but I'm thinking, i've been eating 1400-1500 for 4 months ish, i probably should have lost 1 lb if that was the case.

I will look at that site today

That loosing weight can be very important, your body image and how you feel about yourself is also very important.

But I am worried about you!!! :

You may be trying to be TOO thin. I know that may sound harsh, but for your height and a medium frame you at 135-140 would be ok, if not a little underweight.


I am 5'2, and should be about 120-130 - that's 4 inches different. I always complain about being undertall - not overweight

The reason you may not be able to get the scale to budge is because your body doesn't want to, or CAN'T loose anymore weight because it would be unhealthy.

I am not trying to be mean, I really do want to help, if you need to talk to someone I am here, but at Dr. may be a better choice

I know you're not trying to be mean. I don't think what you've said is mean at all.

I understand that I'm not currently overweight. But I'd really like to get back to the weight that I've been most of my adult life. If i added muscle to my frame and stayed around the same weight I would be equally happy. It's not SO much about a number for me as it is looking fit. Even at 140 lbs, people mistakingly call me pregnant at least once a month - no joking. "When are you due?" "Are you excited for your little one to come?"... far too often. Never happened when i was 120, 125 lbs. I feel like that 15lbs i gained all gravitated to my stomach.

Anyway thanks for your concern. I will mention it to my doctor as well. I'm being tested for celiacs and some stuff so i see him often now.