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AIBU?

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Original poster

Why am I not losing weight?

92 replies

BurningWeight · 12/01/2026 14:29

I’ve been dieting since January 1st and haven’t lost any weight. I am 5ft 6, 163lbs and have a sedentary lifestyle. According to online calculators, my maintenance calories is 1,700, so I’ve been having at a maximum of 1,300 a day.

An average day is:

Breakfast; 3 chicken sausages, 2 turkey bacon and an egg.

Lunch; fat free Greek yoghurt, 1tsp honey, berries.

Dinner; pasta with homemade sauce and lettuce / tomatoes / cucumber.

I am weighing oil etc so it isn’t that. I’m not having any additional calories such as teas or coffees. Can anyone identify where I am going wrong?

Before going on a diet, I was maintaining my weight and just eating pure shite to be honest. Chocolate, sweets, sugary yogurts, biscuits, crisps, take aways… so it has been a significant lifestyle change and shift, I can’t understand why nothing is being reflected on the scales.

OP posts:
Bjorkdidit · 12/01/2026 14:48

UniquePinkSwan · 12/01/2026 14:45

Too many carbs

Eh?

SilenceInside · 12/01/2026 14:47

You do need to give it several weeks before deciding that it isn’t working. Also, what does not continuing mean? Eating better quality food is better for you in general rather than returning to eating crap.

I appreciate it can be hard to build walking into your day. Any chance of getting a folding walking pad and doing some walking on that during your working day?

Bjorkdidit · 12/01/2026 14:47

Make sure you also measure yourself and go by the fit of your clothes in case your better diet and general activity levels have led to increased muscle mass alongside fat loss.

Can you do bodyweight exercises during work breaks? A few minutes of squats, press ups, planks, lunges etc each day can make a huge difference.

UniquePinkSwan · 12/01/2026 14:45

Too many carbs

Andthatrightsoon · 12/01/2026 14:45

You're only 9lbs above a healthy BMI. I think top end is 154lbs for 5'6". Your body is probably quite comfortable where it is (studies show for older people being slightly overweight has a greater life expectancy than a healthy or underweight BMI)

Get your body moving to shock it out of complacency.

Original poster
BurningWeight · 12/01/2026 14:44

ACynicalDad · 12/01/2026 14:37

Wholewheat pasta? I'd add in some walking too, and check what's in the sausages.

Thanks, not wholewheat. I will try to walk more. The chicken sausages are the heck ones, 74 calories for 2 sausages.

OP posts:
ItsOnlyHobnobs · 12/01/2026 14:41

Do you drink 2 litres of water a day?

How often are you weighing yourself?

BuffaloCauliflower · 12/01/2026 14:40

1300 is very low. I’m the same weight as you, pretty sedentary at the moment and only 5”2 and losing weight on 1700-1800 calories a day. You want to find your TDEE calories and reduce 500 from that. You don’t need to struggle on calories too low to even run your body lying in bed.

Where are you in your cycle? That can also affect how your body is hanging on to weight or not. Are you drinking plenty of water?

Original poster
BurningWeight · 12/01/2026 14:37

SmittenApple · 12/01/2026 14:36

So if you have more energy and feel better, then you don’t need to stick with the sedentary lifestyle. Start walking.

Show quote history

I work 9am - 9pm most days (I run my own business) and I have 4 children so finding time to regularly exercise is very difficult.

OP posts:
ACynicalDad · 12/01/2026 14:37

Wholewheat pasta? I'd add in some walking too, and check what's in the sausages.

ronswansonstache · 12/01/2026 14:37

assuming you mean Jan 1st 2026, that is very early to see a difference in the scales. Remember a woman’s weight can fluctuate due to where she is on her cycle. It might make more sense to give it a month and weigh yourself again when you are at the same point in your cycle as your starting weight. Give it some time!

Andthatrightsoon · 12/01/2026 14:37

You've had a total deficit of around 4000kcals. One lb is 3500kcals, plus ongoing weight fluctuations (fluid, hormones, BMs etc.) Concentrate on feeling better - I bet your skin is soother? Make sure youre drinking plenty - your body needs fluid to metabolize fat. The weight loss will come.

Original poster
BurningWeight · 12/01/2026 14:37

SilenceInside · 12/01/2026 14:33

Give it time. And possibly try to increase your activity as well. It may be that a deficit of 400 cals a day isn’t sufficient for significant weight loss - the online calculators offer an estimate and may not be wholly accurate to your exact circumstances.

I am thinking of cutting the calories further, 1,300 is already a struggle however…

I do not understand how I haven’t gained a significant amount of weight, given how bad I was eating previously which was way over 1,700 by my estimations.

OP posts:
SmittenApple · 12/01/2026 14:36

BurningWeight · 12/01/2026 14:34

Yes, that’s true, but my main motivation is weight loss as I’m overweight, I’m struggling to see the point in continuing as my main motivation is my appearance.

Show quote history

So if you have more energy and feel better, then you don’t need to stick with the sedentary lifestyle. Start walking.

Original poster
BurningWeight · 12/01/2026 14:34

SmittenApple · 12/01/2026 14:33

Surely you feel better?! Surely your energy levels are better? Your bowel movements are better??

Yes, that’s true, but my main motivation is weight loss as I’m overweight, I’m struggling to see the point in continuing as my main motivation is my appearance.

OP posts:
SilenceInside · 12/01/2026 14:33

Give it time. And possibly try to increase your activity as well. It may be that a deficit of 400 cals a day isn’t sufficient for significant weight loss - the online calculators offer an estimate and may not be wholly accurate to your exact circumstances.

SmittenApple · 12/01/2026 14:33

Surely you feel better?! Surely your energy levels are better? Your bowel movements are better??

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