Hey there, I'v been trying to follow a calorie based diet for a few weeks now. I went from sitting down almost all day with very little activity and eating tons of junk food to having healthy snacks, watching my calorie intake, and walking 15-30 min a day. Last week I lost about 5 pounds, but this week I have not lost any weight. Im 237.8 lbs and getting around 1500 - 1800 calories a day, and feel Im eating plenty of food. Am I doing something wrong? or Is it possible Im gaining muscle mass and loosing weight? All the times Iv dieted in the past I have never really plateu'd like this on a few weeks in, so Im kind of confused as to whats going wrong.

Make sure your calories are spot on. Measure and weigh everything. Write down everything. Even though you are eating healthily, it is still possible to eat too many good things. You could also step up your exercise as you are able. If you are just walking 15-30 minutes I don't think you would be putting on enough muscle mass to show up on a scale. Make sure your water intake is up as well as fiber. Stay away from processed things that can retain water because of the sodium content.

Just keep going. It may take some tweaking, but you WILL get it right if you stay with it. Congrats on the 5 pounds loss last week. If it was the initial weight it was probably most of your water weight. Yes, the next bit is a bit more difficult. Yes, you can do this!

Its ok you havent lost any this week....it takes time sometimes to show up on the scales. Keep up what you're doing and you will see results....it just takes time....

One week doesn't make a plateau. You have madea great start. Weight loss is not predictable. Even tho we are positive we are doing everything right sometimes it just doesn't come off as we think it should. In my own case sometimes I lost when I was sure I wouldn' and other times I disn't lose when I was sure I would , the net result is what is important, It sounds like you have a good plan , keep on what your doing and you will see results.

Yeah I don't think it's muscle- even hard core weight training doesn't build 5 lbs of muscle.

I'd say your body is probably in shock- like OMG what's happening here? We lost 5 lbs last week we are not doing that this week!

Give it another week, keep up what you are doing, I'm sure next week you'll see the scale go down again

Keep going, one week isn't enough to try and change things up, next week will be better.

Stick with it and stay consistent. If you'd like to try and speed things up a bit in the beginning (when it seems to come off faster) you could up your walking to longer/faster or some other kind of physical activity to burn some more calories.

Oh... it took me forever until I really started to see a change. Your body is starting to change direction... give it time hon.

If everything is spot on, I would choose to assume that I'd lost 2 lb, and something is masking it. I gain 1kg leading up to my period, I can gain three kg overnight by eating salt, and not drinking enough water can do something similar. Don't let it throw you. A 2.5lb a week average is excellent.

I've found for me that I can lose weight if I stick to around 1600 or 1700 calories a day, but at 1800, I don't. At 2000, I start to actually gain weight! But one week isn't really something to freak out about, just don't give up because of it!!

Thanks for all the positive feedback! I just also realized Im only a few days away from my period so that could be one of the problems. I'll stick to everything Im doing and check back in with you guys to post an update on my situation =)

Period is the big one for me.. I can put on 3-4 lbs easily with just that and nothing else!