Howdy,

Below is my weekly calorie average and weight loss, except for the past 9 days which went up then has maintained.

10-6/12 1285 cal -2# started at 192 #
10-13/19 1118 cal -1.5#
10-20/26 1164 cal -0.5#
10-27/11-2 1130 cal -1 #
11-3/9 1137 cal -1 #
11-10/16 1188 cal -1#
11-17/23 1154 cal -1.5#
11-24/30 1152 cal -1 #
12-1/7 1266 cal -3 #
12-8/14 1245 cal +1.5# went up from 178.5
12-15/ I have been at 180 for the past 9 days

What do you think? I am 47 yrs, 7 children, and 20 pounds from goal. 1300 is my target goal for calories. I have been increasing my calorie count when I saw the lower calorie counts, yet when I the weight loss stalled (9 days doesn't constitute a plateau yet, I wondered about continuing to do increase them.

I have had and will continue to have a number of events focusing on food, some of which is unknown, so I have had a cushion factored into my calorie counts for these situations.

I am not sure where to post this question so I tried here first.

Thanks,
Karen

I havent hit a plateau since the last time I went on a diet. But since your consistently eating around the same amount of calories every week I would say that you should maybe shock your metabolism by giving it more fuel to burn. Maybe eat about 2000 calories a day for 2 days straight and then lower your calories back down to 1100-1300 which youve been doing. This is just what I have heard works for others when they hit a plateau. Good Luck and also if your not exercising then start

Howdy,
I do exercise, walking almost daily weather permitting and horseback riding once per week. I also do light weight training 5 days a week. I tried the gym years ago for several years, and really do not see myself doing that again as a long term strategy. I do park farther from the store, and add steps throughout my day.

Karen

When I hit a mini-plateau, I ate maintenance calories for about a week, then went back to my lower intake. It started dropping off again, like magic. Your body is trying to stay a a certain "set point" right now. You need to get it to relax by giving it ample calories, let your metabolism regulate.

I would keep your calories at 1200 as a minimum...once you do that it mite take a bit for your metabolism to settle down. I would also alter the exercise program a bit...maybe add some swimming or change your walks possibly including some hill work or doing some different routes or throw in a few sprints of jogging within your walks for 60-120 seconds at a time. If that doesnt work maybe get a personal trainer for one session to write you a new program to give you some variety?


kazz =]

Howdy,

1362 calories (raising calories to be closer to my stated goal of 1300)
182 up 2 # yikes (was at a low of 178.5# before increasing calorie levels)

These are the choices as I see them (please include others I have missed)
1. Is my data accurate, measurements, calorie values, nothing missing? I have to say most of it is. There have been times when I need to eyeball it, such as last night with the sliver of lemon meringue pie, but DH and myself guessed it to be 1 oz. He is usually accurate in his measurements and I am getting more so. With my iTouch, I record my meals ahead of time, and then adjust at the time of eating, if needed, so I don't forget anything. If values are unknown, I make a note of it for later.
2. The increased calories is too many calories for me to lose. 1300 is less than 1366 which some calculators suggested I start with (given my age and weight). The lower number gives me some wiggle room for error. It is also a round number which makes calculations easier to do. This is 500 cal less for a pound less each week. Not happening lately. I know I didn't eat 7,000 extra calories yesterday. So then I start thinking about maybe my calories are too low.
3. This could be water/waste/fiber swings. I had chile rellenos (1), charra beans (1/2 cp), and Mexican rice (1/2 cp), 10 chips for lunch and ham (1.5 oz) for supper. Salt could be an issue. But this weight gain isn't sporadic but an incline over several days. The reason I weigh every day, is to note trends and make corrections more quickly.
4. Maybe my body is adjusting to a new set point. This analysis I find a bit more vague than other considerations but I can't really say as I don't have enough knowledge about it. This might be part of the too low of calorie intake which some posit and is what started me to adjust upwards in the first place. I had read about starting too low and then not having much room to adjust down closer to goal weight. I certainly won't need to worry about goal weight if I continue to gain.
5. I can try to vary my exercise but I do not consider it a core piece of my weight loss plan. I do consider it vital for fitness. Same for whole foods. I do eat whole whenever possible but I do not consider it essential for weight loss. Quality foods are essential for good nutrition. Calories are king for losing weight. They are the fundamental unit of measure for energy lost or stored.
6. I know my body doesn't have a one to one correspondence to actions but seeing 182# this morning which is 3.5# up shocked me into rethinking my actions.
6. Today, I am going back to my low calorie count- and see what happens tomorrow. Weather will be warmer and not raining so around the block I will go. Heading to J Alexanders for dinner with DH and friends, checked the menu online, will call later to see how the Salmon and salad prepared. Calorie values for Salmon in restaurants swings quite wide. I remember getting inaccurate descriptions the last time I called a restaurant.

Thank you one and all.
Karen

Howdy,
I am down 3# back to 179 and ate 1044 calories yesterday. To early to draw many conclusions except, I think I need fewer calories than most. I didn't feel deprived yesterday, but I made healthy choices- tuna on lettuce, veggie quesidilla, no alcohol, no sweets, cappuccino with Splenda.
Karen

You aren't stalled until you have been the same weight for 6 Weeks. I think you need to quit weighing daily and obsessing with the scale. You are doing great. The body needs time to catch up, tighten up and become accustomed to the new weight. It is usually during these time that we lose inches. Have you meaured yourself recently?

I just started to do that. A weekly measurement to coincide with my calorie weekly averages and weight loss weekly average. I wish I would have started this when I started the CC but I didn't know how successful I would be with this.

Thank you for taking the time to respond

I am down to 178. I am more leery of increasing my calorie counts at this time as well. Might not have anything to do with this episode but I really didn't like the jump back into the 180's.

Karen