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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder if I'm setting my sights too low with regards to fitbit?

91 replies

fitbituser · 09/02/2019 07:32

I have around 4 and a half stone to lose to get to a healthy BMI, and I am doing a VLCD.

Even though I'm taking in so few calories I don't seem to be losing that much weight, and I wondered if I wasn't moving enough. Since I started the diet I've ensured on my Fitbit that I'm doing 10000 steps a day but should I be doing some exercise as well? The steps are just ones I do anyway (I have young children) - I don't stop myself when I get to 10,000 but I have found during the week when I am at work I only just make the 10,000 if you see what I mean: weekends are sometimes more.

Also, I'm only currently using it to track my steps, what else should I use it for? It's a charge 2.

Thanks :)

OP posts:
PurpleFlower1983 · 09/02/2019 07:35

Definitely up your exercise to at least 3 or 4 times a week to see a difference quicker. You need to do something that raises your heart rate. Walking is fine but go for a longer, brisk walk rather than just your usual day to day.

Boysandbuses · 09/02/2019 07:35

Have you actually increased the activity you were doing before?

I have the gear s3 (I think that's what it's called) and I got it so I could see what I usually did, then increase it.

How much do you lose a week? Just trying to get a sense of what's not quick enough.

Also, while moving around and steps are good, are you doing anything that raises your heart rate for cardio health?

HoneysuckIejasmine · 09/02/2019 07:35

I am on a weight loss mission too. I recently increased my Fitbit target to 12,000. I was also doing about 8,000 anyway I'm the course of my day, so setting it higher meant I had to be purposeful and do some steps as part of exercise to meet my goal. I also focus on the "active minutes" goal and make sure I meet that every day too.

hidinginthenightgarden · 09/02/2019 07:36

Yes you need to do actual exercise - something that raises your heart rate for an extended period (20-30mins).
Also, it is possible to eat too little. If you really are taking in few calories then your boy is going to store them all out of fear it won't get enough.

hidinginthenightgarden · 09/02/2019 07:37

Also, if you intend for the change to be long-term then you should only be losing 1-2lbs a week. Losing it quickly tends to lead to quickly regaining it later on.

Original poster
fitbituser · 09/02/2019 07:38

Isn't that a bit of a dieter's myth hiding?

I think it's more likely to be my age Grin

I lost 4lbs this week. I know that's pretty good, but given I weighed nearly 15 stone, walked 10000 steps a day and less than 600 cals a day you'd think it would be more ... not sure though.

OP posts:
Bebe03 · 09/02/2019 07:41

Are you putting all of your food in? It’s incredible sometimes when you start tracking as you don’t realise how much you’ve eaten! You can see calorie allowance for the day & how much you should be consuming

You probably do need to do some exercise as well, just start off with something that gets your heart rate into the fat burning zone- you’ll see this on the app. I’d start with a realistic amount each week not to feel defeated.

Also may help to track your weight on there, if you’ve lost a few pounds it shows & feels very rewarding!

Good luck Smile

swingofthings · 09/02/2019 07:42

I much calories do you burn with your steps? Many little steps indoors won't burn the same than walking faster for one hour outside. I normally burn 300 calories for 50 minutes walk and that's about 8000 steps I think. I walk fast. I do count this as one of my exercises.

hidinginthenightgarden · 09/02/2019 07:43

Not a myth no. 600 calories is a crash diet and won't work long term. You will lose weight for a few weeks, get fed up when you aren't losing loads of weight and then as soon as you start eating again your body will store it all out of fear that you may starve it again!
Also, not sustainable mentally. If you are hungry and deprived, you are more likely to cave.

ilovetrees30 · 09/02/2019 07:44

I'm sorry @fitbituser 600 calories a day is not enough!! Every PT I have ever been associated with says 1200 is the minimum minimum amount of calories you should be aiming for. You would be better off upping your calories and adding in some strength/weight training. Big compound moves like squats and deadlifts will help protect your bones and muscles whilst helping to lose fat.

Bebe03 · 09/02/2019 07:44

Sorry- cross posted!

Are you only eating 600 calls a day? I find it easier to eat healthily- consume around 1200 & exercise, you’ll still loose weight & it’ll be a much more sustainable lifestyle to lead. You don’t want to feel so restricted that you cave.

4lbs is loads for a week! Smile

Original poster
fitbituser · 09/02/2019 07:44

Well, the fitbit reckons just over 2000 every day and I'm on about 600.

It's true that "ordinary" walking doesn't burn much but that's why I'm doing this diet as I honestly really barely have time to wee never mind anything structured!

OP posts:
Boysandbuses · 09/02/2019 07:44

Also, if you intend for the change to be long-term then you should only be losing 1-2lbs a week. Losing it quickly tends to lead to quickly regaining it later on

It is and isn't a myth if you see what I mean. Dropping weight quickly is usually a sign of a crash diet, which is unsustainable.

If you are just making healthy and better choices and it's sustainable, dropping more than 2lb a week. wouldn't be an issue. It's not what you lose it's how sustainable bug losses are.

4lb in one week is alot. Exercise unless you hammer it, isn't likey to make you lose loads more. 2lb per week would give you 4 stone in just over 6 months.

My concern is you saying you eat very little calorie wise. That's not sustainable and you should be eat fats, so calories should be a decent amount.

Boysandbuses · 09/02/2019 07:46

600 calories a day is just not enough. That's very unhealthy and very unsustainable

Horsemenoftheaclopalypse · 09/02/2019 07:47

If you are on a VLCD you should be loosing 7ls or so per month without exercising

I would suggest trying to go for a walk at lunch
If you are on 600cals a day you don’t want to do a HIIT class

Also (unpopular opinion) I would stop the vLCD immediately
I did one successfully aged 23 (3 stone) gained it back and more did it again aged 28 and by 31 was 6 stone overweight
It is the only thing in my life I truly regret
I ruined myself with it
I went to a fitness camp for a week (healthy food plus exercise)
It changed my life. I’m still a stone and a half overweight but I’m healthy and it’s stayed off for 3 years - my metabolism is wrecked though so I have to eat well 90/10 rather than 80/20

Original poster
fitbituser · 09/02/2019 07:47

Well, it would be if I was only eating enough but it is an actual meal replacement diet IYSWIM.

OP posts:
hidinginthenightgarden · 09/02/2019 07:51

Me and DH just lost a ton of weight by eating healthily but not depriving ourselves.
A typical day is like this:
B - overnight oats with some berries
Snack - carrots and houmous.
L - chicken and veg
snack- fruit/graze like crunchy things
D- veg curry/burrito/pasta

Boysandbuses · 09/02/2019 07:51

So you aren't even eating proper food, just meal replacement shakes/bars/soups type thing.

The stats show you won't stick to it long term. Very few people do.

You would be better using my fitness pal and just logging the food you eat.

hidinginthenightgarden · 09/02/2019 07:53

We also joined a gym with a kids club as we knew we wouldn't be able to find time or motivation if they couldn't come along.

Horsemenoftheaclopalypse · 09/02/2019 07:54

Also you have a cal deficit of about 1400-1600
In a week that’s 9800- 1120 cals
A lb of fat is 3500 calls
So 2.8 to 3.2 in theory of fat
The 4lbs will also contain muscle wastage (which will lower your metabolism)

GreenHatHacker · 09/02/2019 07:54

Stop damaging your body with this unsustainable low calorie crash diet - seriously. Find out about proper nutrition and exercise. I recommend looking at Team RH on Facebook - watch a couple of frank videos from the lovely Geordies who explain everything. Then you can build sustainable habits that will last your lifetime and keep you fit and healthy.

Original poster
fitbituser · 09/02/2019 07:54

I couldn't afford a gym and even if I could, I barely see my kids as it is to be honest.

Anyway - meant nicely - I'm not posting to be told my way of dieting is wrong, we all find a different way, this is what works for me at the moment :)

OP posts:
Horsemenoftheaclopalypse · 09/02/2019 07:58

Yes and you’ll find “it’s worked” brilliantly for you in two years I’m sure...Confused

Boysandbuses · 09/02/2019 07:59

Ok, so now we can only comment as you see fit.

If you exercise more you will lose muscle. You are already losing muscle. This slows your way metabolism down and you will find it harder to lose weight.

Your fitbit can't stop or monitor that. If you are determined to carry on as you are, that's fine. But why come asking advice?

AuntieStella · 09/02/2019 08:00

It's really difficult to outrun a good diet.

An exercise class once or twice a week wouid help you become more toned (esp if you choose Pilates or use weights).

But weight loss is (approx) 80%diet/20%exercise, so cntate on sorting out what you are eating (really measuring portion sizes every day is loful).

If you can't get to exercise classes, then try C25K - a beginners running programme with an NHS version. You can do it any time you can fit it in. All you need is to download an app, and have reasonable trainers. You might need a sports bra and a trainer upgrade by about the 5th or 6th week