This is the end of my second week. I lost 3 pounds within the first two DAYS, and now it's been 11 days without dropping an ounce more! I have not had one day where my calorie content went over 1,200, or my fat content went above 20%. I had been power walking on the treadmill for 45-50 minutes/day, 6 days/ week, but for the last three days I've boosted it up to 60 minutes/day. Plus, I'm doing three days/week of strength training. So what am I doing WRONG? Yes, my jeans are not so tight...I get that, BUT the numbers still have to go down, right? Two pounds per week I can deal with, but 11 days without any change is very frustrating. Two things keep running through my head:
1. "Well, screw it. All this hard work and you're still as fat as you were 11 days ago...why bother with all this work and depravation".
2."Well, since my body is being stubborn and not responding to 1,200 calories a day, maybe it will come around on UNDER 1,000!"
To be honest, I am leaning towards the second one. Right now it's my treadmill time, and I can't wait to get on there, but only because I want to work myself until I feel like dropping as 'punishment' and it is going to be very hard to eat 1,200 calories today because now I feel like that is 'too many'.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! THANKS.
I know it sounds crazy, but you might need to up your calories some. I'm sure some of the other fantastic members here will have a lot of ideas for you.
My advice would be to stay away from the scale, keep walking, keep up the strenght training, EAT RIGHT... don't cut calories drastically.. that is so counter productive.
Why be a slave to the scale.. it is just a number..
You weight the same as me and I also was eating 1200 calories per day and was barely seeing any movement...I uped my calories to 1400 and uped my protein to 30% and now I'm losing between 1 1/2 to 2 lbs per week....your body needs the protein to feed your muscles and you need the carbs(good ) for energy...If you are eating to little of calories then your body is storing it instead of burning it thinking that it is starving...Just give it a try...
Yes, I agree. Eating more may be the key. 1200 calories may not be enough for you and so your body is holding on to the weight because it's not getting enough. Try upping them by 200 calories or so and see what happens.
THANK YOU GUYS! I really appreciate the suggestions and the support.
I'm going to give 1,400 calories/30% protein a shot. And, I'm going to TRY to get over this 'all or nothing' ...'feast or famine'....'perfect' or 'not even going to try'
way of thinking. I think mastering moderation and balance is going to be the key to winning this battle and making peace with my body.
I know putting your arms around eating more is difficult, but I would say to eat at least 1400 calories (1200 at the very minimum) and try zigzagging your calories. Are you drinking enough water? Watch your sodium too, that make you hang on to the weight.
I definitely agree that you need ot eat more - I'm about where you are and I eat between 1400 and 1600 calories a day. Eating more means your body will have enough fuel to make the most of your workouts, too - otherwise you'll just exhaust yourself. And I definitely noticed a difference when I focused on increasing my protein intake and got rid of almost all processed carbs (especially sugar). The important part is you're aware of what's going on and you want to make healthy changes. Good luck!
NJ-
There is SO much conflicting info out there and it can be SO frustrating trying ti figure it out. I agree with the other ladies that you need to eat more. But that raises the question of how much does YOUR individual body need? The best thing to figure that out is to use the BMR calculation. (Basal Metabolic Rate) Ever hear of if? I know I had never and when a friend showed me it, it was like a light bulb went on over my head! Here is a copy & pasted overview from the info I found-
By using a simple formula called the Harris-Benedict principle, you can assess your basal metabolic rate -- also known as your BMR. Your BMR is the amount of energy your body needs to function. We use about 60 percent of the calories we consume each day for basic bodily functions such as breathing. Other factors that influence your BMR are height, weight, age and sex.
Step one is to calculate your BMR with the following formula:
Women: BMR = 655 + (4.35 x weight in pounds) + (4.7 x height in inches) - (4.7 x age in years)
Step two: In order to incorporate activity into your daily caloric needs, do the following calculation:
If you are sedentary : BMR x 1.2
If you are lightly active: BMR x 1.375
If you are moderately active (You exercise most days a week.): BMR x 1.55
If you are very active (You exercise daily.): BMR x 1.725
If you are extra active (You do hard labor or are in athletic training.): BMR x 1.9
In order to lose weight, you must create a calorie deficit. Every 3,500 calories is equivalent to 1 pound.
If you cut back 500 calories a day, you will lose 1 pound per week. If you exercise to burn off 500 calories a day you will also lose 1 pound per week.
Ideally, you should do a combination of both, (e.g. cut back 250 calories; burn an extra 250 calories).
A healthy weight loss goal is to lose .5 to 2 pounds per week. Losing more than 2 pounds per week will mean the weight is less likely to stay off permanently. Never cut back to fewer than 1,200 daily calories without medical supervision.
Hope this makes sence you? If you need any help please let me know! Good luck!
Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. I started about a month and a half ago and the scale didn't move an ounce until last week. Just stick in there. I lost 5 pounds last week and then 1.8 this week. It does happen - but I know for myself, I stand on the scale every morning and I shouldn't - I KNOW I shouldn't! Don't give up!!!
Frustrated!
