Hello all. I'm sure my question has already been posted somewhere on this forum, but since I'm not familiar with this forum I'm just going to ask...

I started counting my calories 3 weeks ago. I've been doing well tracking my calories. I aim for 1500 calories per day. Admittedly, some days I go a bit under-typically only by about 100-200 calories. On the weekends I go over- typically from 300-700 calories. I know some may suggest I'm not taking in enough calories. My eating habits are much healthier and portion control has been great. With that said I'm not restricting myself (yet) regarding sodium and sugars and all those evil things. Just doing straight calorie counting. But keep in mind this change in diet is inherently lower in sodium, sugars, and saturated fat.

I exercise vigorously for one hour 3x week. I walk my dog for about an hour a day. My job is mostly sedentary but once a week it's lightly active.

I am in good health. Just have a bum knee. 5'9 235 lbs. 34 years old.

I have not lost any weight. I know there are things like water weight and the building of muscle that are reflected on the scale, but cmon! Nothing in 3 weeks. Especially when I'm some one who has a lot to lose!? I've only looked at the scale twice since starting and there's nothing to show for my efforts. By my calculations (calories in v. Calories out) I should have lost at least 3.7 lbs, but not even one pound is reflected on the scale. It's a bit discouraging. I'll keep on keeping on... But suggestions?

Have you recently started exercising or being more active? Every time I start doing something new, I stall for 6-8 weeks (most people don't stall that long!) due to water retention.

How are you tracking your calories? Are you weighing each item on a food scale?

Oh, and WELCOME!!!

I have always been an active person, just not consistently... if that makes sense. So lately Ive been making sure I get it in, whereas before it just happened when it happened. For as overweight as I am, I'm in "good shape".

I don't use a scale. I measure out with cups and such.

Oh, and I track calories on my Fitbit app.

This may be a helpful video to show how much of a difference there can be when you use cups vs. a scale.

WHY YOU NEED A FOOD SCALE

Very interesting. I'll have to pick a scale up. Granted, I'll only be able to use it for about 50% of meals but that's a 50% increase in accuracy.

Very true! Why can you only use it for 50% of meals?

About half of the time I am eating where I can't bring prepared food with me. So I just eat some fruit or order Something simple that I can pick apart and set aside an appropriate portion. So say I get a grilled chicken salad I'll pick out a serving of chicken and add a serving of dressing so I know what's going in my
mush.

Thank you for the suggestion. I'll go get a scale this weekend !

Hi Lola! The scale is a good idea...but a few other comments. Do you weigh yourself the same time each time (preferably first thing in the morning)? I presume you're not dressed at the time -- either in the buff or with just your underwear on. Right? Finally, at your age, TOM is still an issue and it can cause weight swings of up to 10 lbs (although something around 3-5 lbs. would be the norm). For example, if TOM is getting close you might see a "gain" in weight as a result, and that will mask your real losses to date. Could TOM have anything to do with why you might not be seeing a loss so far?

I *intended* to not focus on the scale. Just do the right thing with my diet and activity. That failed Hahha. So the two times I weighed myself were random days but I know I weighed in nude in the morning on both occasions. I don't know how it coincided with my period because my birth control Causes me to have almost no period symptoms. So I wouldn't know to chalk it up the period....

If you've just begun increasing exercise, that may be it. I know whenever I start exercising, I GAIN weight. After a couple of weeks I experience a big WHOOSH of weight loss and then I start trending down. I think it has something to do with muscles retaining water - I'm not really sure what the reason is, but I know that if I'm going to start exercising, I allow myself a couple of weeks before I start worrying about not losing.

Weigh your food and don't go over on the weekends. Cheat meals can ruin an entire week.

I've been counting for 3 years and I was losing very slowly until I started weighing and not going over my calories.

Lost 90 lbs so far with 50 more to go.