| Author | Post |
|---|
jessalynne
New Member
| Joined: | 13 April 2008 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 22 |
|
Posted: 13 April 2008 02:07 pm |
|
Hi all, wondering if you can point out what I'm doing wrong! I've been trying to lose or at least stop the "upward spiral" but I just seem to keep gaining a couple pounds a week.
Eating between 1500 and 1800 calories per day. I try to eat healthy and avoid saturated fat and too much sugar. Walk 30 minutes per day, bike for an hour twice a week, and try to add a little activity at school by climbing the stairs a few extra times, taking the long way to class, etc.
I weigh 163, am 5'4" (female) and I'm 22.
Am I simply eating too much? I thought that staying below 1800 would be just a bit below my RMR - and would at least stop my weight gain, even if it isn't enough to make me lose. I have tried resticting calories to 1000 or 1200, but my willpower can't handle that big of a change all at once. Should I cut calories more? Should I focus on a certain food group? What forms of more intense exercise would be good (I'm usually in a time crunch, but I can probably fit some quick exercise in).
Any tips or hints would be much appreciated! Thanks!
--Jessica
Last edited on 13 April 2008 02:08 pm by jessalynne
|
Tratra
Distinguished Member
|
Posted: 13 April 2008 04:26 pm |
|
| Your calories seem right on target....definitely don't go below 1400. Are you eating three large meals, or breaking it up into 5-6 mini meals? Are you eating lots of fruits and veggies?
|
EJ33
New Member
|
Posted: 13 April 2008 09:31 pm |
|
A lightly active person of your age and height should be able to consume about 1800 calories a day and be eating like a person that weighs 125 pounds.
You say you are averaging about 1650 calories a day so the math says you should be able to continue losing weight until you get somewhere in the ballpark of 125.
When I do the math for 163 pounds you should lose about 4 pounds every 5 weeks if you continue to eat about 1650 calories a day.
The question is how many weeks have been eating 1650 calories a day? You say you are gaining 2 pounds a week - so mathematically it makes no sense that you would have gained like 8 pounds in the last 4 weeks.
Do you weigh yourself at the same time and same day of each week to get a more accurate measurement of how your weight has changed?
This may be a dumb question but are you sure you are only eating about 1650 calories a day?
If you have only been on this diet for a week then temporary water variations might be playing games with the scale weight and the reality could be you have actually lost weight. If it were me I would continue doing just what you are doing and wait 3-4 weeks before deciding to eat fewer calories.
Good Luck,
EJ33
|
jessalynne
New Member
| Joined: | 13 April 2008 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 22 |
|
Posted: 14 April 2008 12:20 am |
|
I have been following this for two or three months with just a few detours along the way :) My exercise is variable, but never lower than what I described.
I guess I exaggerated on the gain - I have gone from 150 to 163 in about three months - so I guess about a pound a week. :P Sorry - it just feels like about a hundred pounds. 
I weigh every day at the same time straight out of the shower to minimize differences.
I too was concerned that I was underestimating my intake, so I have started recording and measuring everything to make sure.
My nutritionist said that it could be hypothyroid - I had bloodwork taken last week and don't have the results yet.
I need to work on fruits and veggies - I get about 1-2 fruits and 2-3 veggies per day. That's an improvement over none, but still needs work.
|
EJ33
New Member
|
Posted: 14 April 2008 09:31 am |
|
jessalynne wrote:
I guess I exaggerated on the gain - I have gone from 150 to 163 in about three months - so I guess about a pound a week. :P Sorry - it just feels like about a hundred pounds.
If you are gaining a pound a week mathematically that says you are eating 500 more calories every day more than you burn. Given that you are eating about 1650 calories a day the numbers just don't compute.
I weigh every day at the same time straight out of the shower to minimize differences. To me, that's a great way to accurately determine what you weigh from week to week.
I too was concerned that I was underestimating my intake, so I have started recording and measuring everything to make sure. It seems like after a week of paying close attention to calorie counting you'll have a very good idea of how many calories a day you are eating on average.
My nutritionist said that it could be hypothyroid - I had bloodwork taken last week and don't have the results yet. To me, your nutritionist is the best person to be giving you advice. Your nutritionist is a medical professional who can review the foods you are eating for calories, nutritional content, and to better recommend how many calories a day you should be eating. Keep in mind, people like me, know all about calorie counting and losing weight but we are not professionals in the medical field. It is certainly possible you have a medical condition (Hypothyroid) and that is the reason you are not losing weight but the bloodwork will determine that. Good Luck, EJ33
|
jessalynne
New Member
| Joined: | 13 April 2008 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 22 |
|
Posted: 14 April 2008 12:51 pm |
|
Um...thanks? I feel like you rehashed what I said. I know it doesn't make sense - that's why I'm asking for outside input! I really am baffled - I am counting every calorie I am taking in, and have been doing so for two weeks. I have been following this plan for two to three months.
I know the math, according to my supposed BMR/RMR doesn't work out. I've done it myself, over and over. I don't know if my metabolism is ultra slow, or what. Sigh. If anyone else has any ideas, I would be glad to hear them
|
Tratra
Distinguished Member
|
Posted: 14 April 2008 05:11 pm |
|
| We could guess at so many things (new medication, stress) and all be wrong, because everyone is different. That's why you need to get blood work done and rule out any medical condition first.
|
Sueann
New Member
| Joined: | 24 April 2008 |
| Location: | Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 14 |
|
Posted: 25 April 2008 12:58 pm |
|
Hi, jessalynne. I am am new member on here with a similar situation to yours. I posted my story yesterday. I have been at it for 4 months and I have not lost a single pound yet! and I have been good too! Its really frustrating.
I just keep telling myself thats its about fitness and the way I feel rather than pounds and societys image. ( but the 14 pair of jeans in my closet that I can't zip anymore say otherwise!!)
Keep going girl! Be proud of your self that you are taking steps to change your life. The weight WILL come off some how, some way. You just keep trying until you find a way thats right for you.
I am using a virtual personal trainer computer program called Yourself Fitness. It gives you a really great work out and tests and charts your progress every 10 days. That helps me so much because 20 days ago I could do 15 push ups and today I can do 21 ( the girly ones, as many as you can without breaking form.) It has setting for 15 min workouts as well that are for the time pressed. And yoga, which I really like if I just don't feel like sweating.
But I understand your frustration. Its not FAIR!! Its like you are sore and hungry living off of mangos and oatmeal, and still can't zip your jeans and it just goes on and on for weeks.
Hang in there and good luck. Just keep with it and keep trying!!
|
jessalynne
New Member
| Joined: | 13 April 2008 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 22 |
|
Posted: 25 April 2008 01:40 pm |
|
Thanks so much for the encouraging words Sueann! I really appreciate it. I'm sorry you're going through the same thing  It's so frustrating. I had kind of been feeling like everyone thought I was crazy! It really is strange when you work hard and nothing helps. But it sounds like you are making positive changes, and seeing them through your program. Good for you for sticking with it so long. Good luck!
|
cportwine
Member
|
Posted: 30 April 2008 03:18 pm |
|
I would look at what types of foods you are eating. Because I have high cholesterol I try to stay away from high fat foods. Such as chips, red meats, dairy products.
Try to eat more veggies, fruits, whole grains, nuts. Drink lots of water. I use to take a water bottle with me everywhere.
Other things or tricks I have done are:
Never eat after 6pm
Never eat anything that I don't think taste good
Never eat the last piece of pizza just cause I don't want to throw it away
Never eat when bored or for emotional reasons
have healthy snacks instead of quick foods.
make my own meals, never eat out- if I do its salad and soup
cut back on the carbs- This was hard for me, cause I love potatoes and pasta
That's all I can think of right now. Hope some of that will help! If you stick with it, you will find a way to make it work. And you'll love when the weight comes off.
You just got to mix it up. I think sometimes our bodies get use to how we do things and adjusts its self. It almost like tricking your body. Change your exercise routine, eat diffrent foods then what you have been. Any little thing can cause a change and hopefully start to see some results.
|
cportwine
Member
|
Posted: 30 April 2008 03:42 pm |
|
jessalynne wrote: Um...thanks? I feel like you rehashed what I said. I know it doesn't make sense - that's why I'm asking for outside input! I really am baffled - I am counting every calorie I am taking in, and have been doing so for two weeks. I have been following this plan for two to three months.
I know the math, according to my supposed BMR/RMR doesn't work out. I've done it myself, over and over. I don't know if my metabolism is ultra slow, or what. Sigh. If anyone else has any ideas, I would be glad to hear them
I hate to sound like a broken record, but if your plan is not working, then get a new plan. Maybe you could try one of the diets on here that someone else is doing.
|
jessalynne
New Member
| Joined: | 13 April 2008 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 22 |
|
Posted: 30 April 2008 04:08 pm |
|
I think I eat extremely healthy. I eat vegetables and fruit, I eat complex carbs, and no white bread, I eat extra lean turkey and chicken, and fish. I avoid processed foods. I won't eat anything with high fructose corn syrup, or high levels of any sugar. I never drink soda, I have sworn off chips, crackers, and ice cream. I do not eat out unless I know exactly what calories, fat and etc. are in the dish I am having. I have tried cutting carbs, but it makes me feel ill and unhappy - not something I can stick with. I have cut calories, I have increased calories, I have exercised and counted calories, I have drunk 64 ounces of water per day, I have drunk half my weight in ounces of water per day, I have tried protein shakes (yuck), I have tried cutting out dairy, I have tried eating almost entirely fruits and vegetables. About the only thing I haven't tried is simply not eating anything at all. Please, nobody suggest that foolish idea. I have been trying to lose weight for over a year. This is not the only plan I have tried, and I can promise you I have read every book my library has on the subject. I think so far Sueann is the only one on this post who has had anything positive and encouraging to say!
I know I am not underestimating my calories. In fact, I am rather paranoid about underestimating, so I'm sure I probably overestimate some things.
I am sorry that I am acting so stressed about this, but honestly! If someone failed to conceive a baby would you tell her that she was "just doing it wrong" or ask "are you sure you're being honest about your efforts?" I don't think so...you'd probably be supportive and helpful, instead of picking on her plan.
 Please, I'm finding this very discouraging. I'd prefer it if I could hear from people who are having or have had in the past a struggle with losing weight while exercising and dieting, not people who believe they know it all.
|
cportwine
Member
|
Posted: 30 April 2008 04:25 pm |
|
I don't think I know it all, and I have struggled with losing weight my whole life, and there were times when I stayed the same weight even when doing all I could.
I am also not trying to sound discouraging.
Alls I am saying that if what your are doing is not working then you have to try something else. Otherwise there is no point in it.
Sorry if I sound harsh, not trying to.
Like I said to jessalynne- sometimes our bodies get use to what we do and adjust itself. You need to throw it off somehow buy doing something different. Unless of course it is your thyroid (then nothing will work).
I am just trying to help. So either you use my advise or not. Your the only one that can decide what is right for you.
|
Sueann
New Member
| Joined: | 24 April 2008 |
| Location: | Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 14 |
|
Posted: 30 April 2008 05:19 pm |
|
To every one...I am right there with Jessalynne. I have been talking to her these few days as a diet buddy. Really, she is doing it all right. Its uncanny how much her and I have in common and our situations and lifestyle. She is undoubtedly the healthiest person i have ever talked to.
I am sure you all know the frustration of plateaus during weight loss. Just imagine months and months of plateaus without ANY loss to begin with. Both Jessalynn and i have done the "math" over and over.. Read every book in the library and been on countless web sites. She is very educucated in nutrition and has professional help. And.. still the scale stays the same.
However, we refuse to do diet pills and "fads" but have done every thing so healthy. But, we have tried every healthy thing and still no results.
It is unbelievably discouraging, upsetting and depressing to her, no doubt. I wish i had an answer for us both.
|
jessalynne
New Member
| Joined: | 13 April 2008 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 22 |
|
Posted: 30 April 2008 05:28 pm |
|
Thanks for the support Sueann, and to you and everyone else...sorry for venting. I need to learn to keep my head, even though I am very frustrated with my weight. I need a little icon with steam coming out the ears...
None of you would be here on this forum if you hadn't struggled with your weight too. I really don't have the right to feel 'alone and picked on'! Sorry guys  Peace.
|
Current time is 08:08 am | |
|
