If I see that advice one more time, I'm going to scream!! Not because I think it's bad advice, but because I tried it myself. I have been following the BFFM model - I increased my calories as well as my protein. I did that for the past two weeks because my 1200-1300 calorie diet was giving me NO results (after about a month). And what happened when I increased my calories - just like Tom Venuto, and many people on this forum advise? I GAINED 3.2 pounds.
The kicker? I KNEW this would happen. The whole time I was eating at 1500-1600 calories a day, I felt overly STUFFED..and I mean STUFFED. There were days when I had stomach aches I was so stuffed. I was eating all the good stuff. I was getting in the right amount of carbs/proten/fats, drinking 6-8 cups of water/day, working out 4-5 days/week for about an hour at a time (Cathe videos, so they were intense), and I was getting at least 2 servings of fruits, and about 5-6 servings of veggies. SO WHY DID I GAIN WEIGHT??? AND WHY HAVE I NOT LOST ANY INCHES AT ALL???
I can understand the concept for some people to increase their calories. I know many people are eating way too few. But I'm only 5'2"...shouldn't I have lost weight on 1200-1300 a day????? And yes, I am recording EVERYTHING - every bite, every crumb, every sip. And still...NOTHING. I'm so scared I'm going to be stuck at 158 forever. I can NOT get below 155 for the life of me....and at 5'2", that is NOT a healthy weight for my body.
I'm so ready to give up. I'm sick of counting calories and getting absolutely nothing in return. I hate counting calories because I feel like I get so obsessive and CONSTANTLY think about food. But if I don't count calories I go crazy with the stuff that's bad for me and gain weight. Ugh.
It definitely works for some people. It definitely does NOT work for others (myself included!). That's why we're all experiments of one...unfortunately, we have to do a lot of trial and error to figure out what works best for our unique bodies.
Sorry that you're struggling...I hope you find the right combination to get things moving soon!
I'm stuck at 175 & have been stuck here for about 4 or 5 months now! I've also tried "increasing my calories" and it backfired on me just like it did with you. And like you said - I felt STUFFED.
I wish I knew what it was that makes people like you & me just get "stuck" on a particular scale number, but I don't. Heck if I did, I'd bottle it & sell it... for cheap!
I know you may not want to hear this, but your body might be done losing weight for right now. I'm struggling with this as well at the moment. I'm getting closer to my goal and it's just getting really hard to lose lbs. So I've been toying with my cals, increasing them, decreasing them, and nothing seems to be doing the trick. So what's left...just stay with what was working before and eventually your body will be ready to start losing again. I mean you really only have 4 options - increase, decrease, stay the course or maintain. Right now I'm planning on decreasing for 2-3 weeks if that yeilds no results I'm going to stay the course for 2-3 weeks and if that yields no results then I'm going to go to a very slow maintenance transition and eat the "maintenace" cals for under my "goal" weight and be done with it, if I lose more then great if I don't well then it wasn't meant to be.
I know you may not want to hear this, but your body might be done losing weight for right now. I'm struggling with this as well at the moment. I'm getting closer to my goal and it's just getting really hard to lose lbs.
I completely get what you're saying...but that's the thing. I HAVEN'T been losing. I've been at this weight, and a little below it, for the past year...maybe even more. Right now, I'm at the highest weight I've ever been. I completely just gave up until a few months ago, and my weight absolutely will not budge. I don't know what it is.
You have been on this eating plan for a couple months now with no weight loss?
I feel your pain, I lost during the first 2 weeks, then for the next 3 the weight on the scale went up 2 and I still haven't lost any more. Its so discouragingv because I know I am eating WAAAAYYYYYY less than before, and way healthier. I feel like what option do I have? If I give up I gain back those pounds plus probably a few buddies. If I drop my calories further I am setting myself up for a bin ge. I guess I could try increasing my exercise- Ugh!
How are your carbs? I mean I'm sure you're eating healthy ones etc but some people are sensitive to carbs. Some people cannot eat more then a few servings of grain and fruit combined or they will stall- despite caloric intake. It just seems to raise the insulin enough that no fat is able to be burned.
Worth a try perhaps if you do have more than a few servings of fruit and or grain a day.
I just want to say I fully understand your pain. I am "stuck" around the same weight as well and have been for years.
I honestly think for me, it's starting to become more and more mental then physical. I get so frustrated that the scale doesn't move that I eat a little more here and a little more there without fully realizing what I am doing.
I don't have specific advice to help break the plateau, but I can definitely sympathize with the frustration about all of the "eat more" advice. I'm another person who doesn't lose weight by eating more - I will plateau or even gain on the same number of calories many people can lose on.
I try to look at any time I stall as practicing maintenence. Sure, the "reward" of seeing the numbers go down on the scale is very motivating, but eventually, the losing part end and the rest of my life will be about continuing to eat the same way, in order to maintain my loss. I know in my case, it's a bit different because I have already had a decent loss, even though I have a long way to go. I don't know if I could be as happy maintaining (even if not on purpose) if I hadn't at least had a good start.
Have you seen a doctor? Possibly there is a medical issue going on to explain why you aren't losing?
I completely get what you're saying...but that's the thing. I HAVEN'T been losing. I've been at this weight, and a little below it, for the past year...maybe even more. Right now, I'm at the highest weight I've ever been. I completely just gave up until a few months ago, and my weight absolutely will not budge. I don't know what it is.
Sorry I didn't read your stats before commenting...so then, I'm kinda stumped. How long have you been following the 1200-1300 plan and how much are you exercising?
Well, I discovered years ago that increasing my calories increases my body size. Me, I eat more I gain, I eat less, I lose. I'm not one of the lucky ones who eats more and loses. I still don't get this. But, whatever.
You say you're recording every crumb, is there any way possible that you're miscalculating your portions? Is there any way possible that you're underestimating what your calories are? Are you certain that your calorie counts are spot on? I'm sure if the answers are that you're positive, that this must seem an *annoying* question and I apologize, but I just gotta put it out there, get it out of the way.
Hmmm, what about the KINDS of foods you are eating? Why don't you give us a typical day or two of what your food plan looks like, specifically, and perhaps we can throw some suggestions your way.
Also, what does your exercise/activity level look like? You mentioned it a bit, but you used the term *was*, as in past tense, so I'm a little confused (which happens to me fairly quickly ). Are you doing any strength training?
Can someone enlighten me? How do you GAIN weight at 1500-1600 calories? If you gained weight at 1500-1600, then your maintenance range would be what a lot of us lose at, and your lose weight range would be even lower. I don't doubt that someone could not lose weight/maintain at 1500-1600. But gain? Let's keep in mind that at 3.2 pound difference, it might not all, or any, be an actual gain.
Now that I've said that, it's almost irregardless, as something about this is not working for you. Have you spoken with a Doctor to make sure there's no health concerns? I won't patronize you by asking how well you've stuck to plan, or if you are counting accurately. I will assume you are, it just means that something, somewhere else is off from what we expect. All of the daily calories burned calculators, even at a sedentary life style, are going to show you burning more than 1600 just to break even. (I've come up with 1800 twice putting your numbers in.) Of course those calculators aren't perfect, but I severely doubt that below 1500 would a good maintain number.
So, I just don't know if anyone here can provide the answers. Truly, if you have been trying for a while now, and been true to plan, you probably need to speak to someone more of an expert in this area.
And for reference, I'm 5' 0" 184 lbs and I lose a pound a week at 1400.
All I can recommend is upping your protein and adding in a lot of strength training. Building muscle will increase your metabolism and increase your burn, whereas cardio can have very negative effectson your metabolic rate long term. You SHOULD be losing on that caloric amount, but what is the quality of those calories? It is whole foods and lots of healthy fats and protein? Or is it preserved diet food junk?
Could it also be related to your frame size? I say those because I am your height but I am THIN at 150 pounds. I have a very muscular, dense frame, and what looks overweight on one woman at 5'2" looks spectacular on me. Getting down into the normal BMI for my height literally starves me and makes me weak. So what is your frame size and fat distribution? Do you LOOK swollen and unhealthy, or are you just looking for a particular scale number? That range is not suitable for all bodies at all weights, and if your body is fighting you THIS hard at so few calories, it could honestly be that it is not meant to go any lower at this point in your life.
My only other thought is a metabolic issue, if you used to be lighter and now cannot get back down. Hormone shifts with pregnancy, menopause, thyroid issues, adrenal imbalances.. All these can affect your weight, as can food allergies and sensitivities. If you are being active, working on strength, and eating a balanced, nutritious diet and STILL no losses, the next step is a metabolic panel by a good endocrinologist, to rule out any chemical issues in your system.
Last edited by Arctic Mama; 06-15-2010 at 09:09 PM.
Reason: Typo
I third the suggestion of strength training, provided you are not already giving such a go. I know that is how I managed at my height and normal weight to lose weight without stalling.
And I also would like to hear more about what you eat and how much (and how you are certain of that last) and what you are doing for exercise. There is an explanation in there somewhere, I think.
Last edited by Petite Powerhouse; 06-15-2010 at 05:12 PM.
Howdy,
If I eat more, I gain more. A couple of things to think through to see if it works for you:
1. I did not want to have a self induced plateau. Towards that end, as I have neared goal, I have been more vigilant. I journal and weigh every day I am in town. I have data from which to measure my journey.
2. Exercise is wonderful for many reasons but burning off calories to lose weight is not one of them.
3. Consider the types of calories you are eating. I have been watching a couple of lectures one by Gary Taubes Good Calories Bad Calories (UC Berkley and Dartmouth) and the other by Robert Lustig Sugar The Bitter Truth (UCSF).
4. Let your body set the calorie limit. If you aren't losing, you are in caloric balance for whatever reason that might be.
"Increase" your calories...
Not because I think it's bad advice, but because I tried it myself. I have been following the BFFM model - I increased my calories as well as my protein. I did that for the past two weeks because my 1200-1300 calorie diet was giving me NO results (after about a month). And what happened when I increased my calories - just like Tom Venuto, and many people on this forum advise? I GAINED 3.2 pounds. 
). Are you doing any strength training?
