Any weightloss experts out there? Where am I going wrong?

[SummerRoberts]

I'm totally confused. I wanted this to be the year I turn my weight around. I have a good few stone to use and was feeling so motivated and enjoying g being healthier. I started on 2nd Jan.
I've been using my fitness pal to track my calories in and out and have been under or bang on 1200 every day.
I've been eating very healthily- things like fish, lots of veggies, jacket potatoes for dinner, porridge and fruit, my fitness pal is looking good and nothing bad has passed my lips.
I also started the Couch to 5k plan this Monday and I've done more exercise this week than I did in the whole of 2017! I'm aware I only started that very recently so that can't be making any difference yet.
My problem is that I've been at this now for 9 days and nothing has happened. I weighed myself on 2nd Jan and then again this morning and there's simply no change. Not even half a pound! I'm obviously glad I've put nothing on, but I thought o might have at least lost a pound in over a week.
What am I doing wrong? Is it my scales? Am I missing some vital part of the plan to lose weight?! Am I too impatient?

[Lebranic]

Exercise makes you retain water I think. You've probably toned up a bit?

[Sparklefloof]

Did you weigh yourself at your 'dry weight' in the morning? Also weight naturally fluctuates anyway (due to menstrual cycle etc.) so maybe try on a different day? If you have gained muscle (not sure how quickly that would happen) your weight may not change that much!

[Sparklefloof]

My first sentence should have also included both times! If you are going to weigh yourself, it should be at the same time each time.

[SummerRoberts]

I possibly could have toned up a bit but I don't know if that would happen this quickly. I certainly feel better for it and ache in lots of places!
I always weigh myself as soon as I've got up and been to the loo, so it's always the same time and I do try to keep the weigh-ins to once a week.

[Theresnonamesleft]

It’s not just about eating healthily but also portion sizes.

[Whatsinanameanyway201]

Have you measured yourself? I tend to lose inches rather than lbs at times! Muscle weighs more than fat don't forget. You could be toning up, lucky you! 😊 keep it up, don't lose heart x

[SummerRoberts]

I've been weighing everything I've been eating to make sure it's not too much and so that I can put the exact amount into my fitness pal. I was so bad with portion control before this- I'd just give myself the same amount as DP and wonder why I was putting weight on when eating the same amount as a man!
Maybe I need to look at that a bit more then.

[Luckingfovely]

Nine days is nothing at all. You need to relax and trust the process. If you obsess over the scales now you will jeopardise your motivation. Focus on being healthy and active, and make a pact with yourself to get on the scales once a month instead of after nine days. Wishing you lots of luck - and try and keep your focus on how brilliant you will feel in June after six months of being healthy!

[SummerRoberts]

Thanks Whats, I haven't measured myself so I'll do that tonight and then again next week to see if there's any difference.
It's a bit disheartening when I was feeling so pleased with what I'd been doing. Fingers crossed you're right and I'm toning!

[SummerRoberts]

Thank you Lucking. I know I know. It's not long at all is it!
I have two friends who are doing slimming world and both had their weigh in yesterday and both had lost a good amount since last week so I was feeling slightly envious of them when I saw my scales this morning.
You're right, I need to give it longer don't I.

[thenewaveragebear1983]

When I first started a running programme (as a total non exerciser) I lost absolutely zero in the first month, despite calorie counting and doing everything else right. I got lots of good advice on here I ignored it all unfortunately - now restarting again and I’m trying not to step on the scales because I feel great and that’s what’s important.

Someone told me on here that if your muscles ache after exercise then that’s water retention- so I really make sure to warm up and cool down after my runs now with some stretches and walking for a bit on the treadmill after I’ve run.

Don’t get disheartened OP, I did last time and ended up gaining loads and quitting running which isn’t going to help me in the long run. Now I’m starting again, heavier, unfit and just wishing that I’d kept on going through it last time.

[WelshDutchLady]

This happened to me at exactly the same point in 2016! Was doing pre work workouts and tracking everything on MFP. Stick with it, your body retains a lot of water particularly if you had a lot of sugary/salty foods over Christmas. I started to see movement on the scales after about 3 weeks but even then it was the odd pound. Take measurements and photos too. I’m now 2.5 stone down and wearing a size 12, it can be done, good luck! X

[NameChangedAndForgotOldName]

Are you eating your exercise calories from mfp or just your weight calories?
If you want to log what you eat on here or share your mfp username I can have a look for you?
Are you drinking plenty?

[Royalcoronation]

Nine days is nothing at all.

This ^

Stay away from the scales. Eat well, exercise and give it some time

[FrostyThirties0]

This time around I’m weighing once a month. It’s much better and takes account for any up and downs with my cycle or going out for example.

[Arkangel]

Muscle, you've gained muscle. Running is a dick for muscle gain and yes, that puts your dress size down but the scales either stay the same or go up.

[Doctordonowt]

I don’t understand the ‘stay away from the scales’. I weigh myself every morning and it is a revelation and an education. For example, earring Roast Dinner and dessert at my DS, I thought I would gain. I actually lost that day.. On days when I think I have eaten very little I have stayed the same or even gained. My weight loss has been slow and steady. I think mainly because on the day that I gain, I know to eat differently to balance it out.

Some things I have changed ar to go,back to full fat milk on my cereal. It keeps me satisfied longer. That way I don’t get the munchies mid morning. Sandwiches are a big weight gainer for me, so I cut of a generous amount of crust.

9 days is early and you are still learning how your body reacts to food.
Also, dont underestimate the importance of not gaining. Under your previous eating habit you may well have put on a good few pounds. Think of that as a weight loss.

[ExConstance]

Not scientific but for me, and other people I know who have combined diet and exercise, there is a tendency not to have a weight loss in the week the exercise kicks in, no idea why.

[Royalcoronation]

don’t understand the ‘stay away from the scales’.

Because it can be disheartening to work hard and not see immediate results. People give up because they feel defeated, when all they really need is time.

[halfwitpicker]

Sure you're eating enough protein?

[BusySittingDown]

When DH started his health kick last year he lost bugger all for the first couple of months. He didn’t get disheartened - he stuck at it, ate clean and worked out like a mofo!

Then Bam! After a couple of months the weight fell off and he lost about 4 stone in 3 months. He’s now lower than his target weight. He’s fitter than he’s ever been, he’s keeping the weight off and he looks great!

If he can do it, you can! Don’t give up, you’ll start to see results soon enough!

[SocksRock]

It takes longer than 9 days to see results. You sound like you are doing it a healthy way rather than a fad diet so you just have to stick with it.

[lasttimeround]

It's only been 9 days. Keep going. If it's too hard increase your calories a little bit - to 1500 - but keep on with the exercise. By 'too hard' I mean you find yourself caving and eating triple portion of cake. But mainly you need to give your body timr

[Firefries]

How old are you? This can be a factor once you hit 40. Anyway keep going. Don't give up as you will eventually see a shift.

[delilahbucket]

What is your BMI?
Are you weighing what you are eating?