Not lost anything in 2 weeks, 800 calories

[Nahna]

Hi everyone!
I've been doing 800 calories 5 days a week, with 2 rest days (1800 calories) for 1 month now. I'm exercising 40 mins a day 7 days a week. I'm very overweight, starting weight was 17 stone. In 2 weeks I lost 1 stone but in the last 2 weeks I've not lost even 1 pound! I religiously weigh and calorie count everything so I am absolutely certain I'm not exceeding 800 calories 5 days a week. Will I continue to lose weight? I just feel so despondent and shocked that in 2 weeks on so few calories, that I've not lost anything at all when I'm so fat. I eat at normal times, never later than 8pm. Only drink water. Help!

YABU - You should have lost weight
YANBU - Don't panic, this is normal, stick at it and you will lose weight

Thanks!

[Nahna]

Thank you, good suggestions and thanks for the encouragement.

[EveryDayIsADuvetDay]

I often loose weight really fast in the first couple of weeks, then plateau at the same weight for a bit - a stone is really good.

If you're eating so much less, you're probably excreting less too - but could you be constipated?
Senna tablets are quite gentle - I'm not suggesting that you take them on a regular basis, and some vegetables are good to move things on.

[Cherrysoup]

I did something similar and plateaued. You need to drastically change what you’re eating to kickstart the weight loss. Your body does get used to fewer calories, so I think you need to up your exercise.

By going up to 1800 calories at the weekend, you’re effectively adding 500 calories a day over the week, so your 800 a day isn’t at all a valid concept. You’re consuming more than you need at the weekend, even tho during the week you’re reducing calorific intake. What exercise do you do?

[UserX]

If you only eat 800 calories a day you'll reset your BMR and have to count calories for life.

This is absolute bullshit, we all have to watch our calories for life or we gain weight, even those of us who are “naturally thin.” How do you think anyone stays a healthy weight??

Please speak to your consultant or dietitian as you are only likely to get more ridiculous advice as above here. There is no such thing as starvation mode.

[TeacupDrama]

There is a diet supervised by doctors to reverse mild cases of type 2 diabetes it is800 calories but only for 10-12 weeks it should be supervised but if someone has been specifically advised to do this diet then it shouldn't be stopped without consulting the medics again, we don't know Op's medical history so it might be right for her and she just needs to persevere

[SpiderinaWingMirror]

I did the fast 800 diet
There are spots where weight loss is not linear.
Stick with it.

[Nahna]

Thanks!

In response to exercise its 40 minutes of fast walking on rough terrain, hilly. Sweating and very out of breath so not a stroll! I really push myself and am getting so much fitter.

[Secondsop]

Exactly as @MintMatchmaker says, this has been my experience too. After your period you’ll notice the pattern, I’m sure. It’s frustrating but it kind of shows how the body isn’t an energy-in/energy-out internal combustion engine and that hormones play a real part.

A lot of people are commenting on the diet itself. It sounds like it’s Fast 800, which many people have had great success with in (for example) putting diabetes into remission. I hope you’re managing ok mental health wise too - engaging with diet culture for health reasons can be a tricky thing to navigate - I hope you get the results you’re seeking.

[Nahna]

Thanks userx I didn't respond to that post as I've been told exactly what you put by qualified medical professionals so I knew it was wrong.

Thanks Spider, good to know!

[travailtotravel]

Stick with it. I did 800 -1000 cals for u days instead of 5x2. On 2 of the days I 16:8 which seems to make a massive difference. I did this for 3 months - 1 stone off in a flash. Then slow to 2.5 stone.
Stick with it. You're not alone. Oh, low carb is it ...

[Nahna]

Thanks secondsop, yes, doing OK MH wise as got good support at home and lovely Dr etc. I'm lucky in that respect.

[rainyskylight]

Could it be that you lost a lot of water weight at first which was artificial loss and then since then seem to have flatlined but actually water has rebalanced but real weight has dropped? I find this happens with me when I lose a bit of weight.

[Nahna]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I've got 6 stone to lose to be within healthy bmi range but I'm determined to do it.

[Nahna]

Rainy - could be, I don't know!

[PurpleDaisies]

There’s great encouragement on the weight loss boards here. You can most likely find other people doing the same sort of diet as you for moral support.

If you’re drinking 2 litres of water s day, there’s absolutely no reason to think that isn’t going to be enough. “At least 4 pints” is only very slightly above that.

I think posters telling you you should be changing your plan have missed this is medically prescribed and supervised.

Really good luck. You can do this.

[WumbenWimpundWoomud]

Hi OP, I am on a similar diet to you. 800 cals a day for 12 weeks. I lost quickly at the start then my weight plateaued then started to drop again but not as quickly. Just keep going and push through. As pp said, weight loss isn’t linear. I even put weight on leading to my period so try not to be put off. The biggest boost I have found is to eat all my calories in one meal a day so have a long fast between meals. Good luck

[Darkstar4855]

It’s quite common to have an initial drop and then see a plateau as your body adjusts to the lower calorie input. Stick with it!

[lap90]

Perhaps consult the medical professionals you are doing this under?

An 800 calorie diet is not sustainable long term.

Most people I know who do these ridiculous diets end up gaining back all the weight... and then some.

[take2bottlesintotheshower]

Wow- considering OP is doing this under medical advice and supervision, why are PPs telling her it is unsafe and to stop it?

Huge congratulations on getting this far OP.

I went on the delay don't deny fasting which ultimately had me eating a similar amount. I lost at a similar rate but then within my journey I had times when i seemingly plateaued and then -whoosh!- a whole load more weight would suddenly disappear. The 'whoosh' is how the author, Gin Stephens described it but it's so true.

You might find the book interesting, although there is a newer up to date one; Fast, Feast Repeat. Other books that are on the same concept are by Dr Fung; the Obesity Code and The Diabetes Code,

[L0bstersLass]

Keep at it, you're doing brilliantly.
Don't change a thing, it will start to come off again soon I promise.
Over the next few months there will be other periods of time where you lose nothing - don't be despondent. Weight never comes off in a smooth progression - you'll have a big loss, followed by a plateau, then another load will seemingly melt away, followed by another stall. Just keep at it and it will all go.

[Mellonsprite]

@MintMatchmaker

My menstrual cycle plays a part in my lack of weight loss when dieting. I lose weight between period and ovulation, but lose virtually nothing between ovulation and my period. I just stick with it and know I will see a loss eventually.

Yes to this ^^

[saltinesandcoffeecups]

Agree with the others who say to keep at it. And don’t change what you are doing.

Reframe this journey in your mind, you did not gain all of this weight in a matter of weeks, so it’s unrealistic to think you’ll lose in the course of weeks.

A lot things will contribute to the plateau or even slight gains, so weigh yourself but don’t stress about it. It’s all about the averages and overall trend. You will fluctuate from day to day and week to week , but overall the trend should be a loss.

[Lockheart]

@lostlife

So 5 X 800 plus 2x1800 = 7600?

Just do a sensible 1200 a day and you will loose weight

This. My baseline to lose 1 or 2lbs a week is about 1,300 calories per day.

You're averaging 1,200 calories a day on your current regime, which isn't vastly under. At that rate I wouldn't be expecting dramatic weightloss but it should be sustainable. I would say carry on and see how things go over the next month, but if you're worried then consult your doctor.

[Lockheart]

Argh sorry! My maths is so wrong. You're averaging just under 1,100 calories per day. My post still stands however!

[diamondpony80]

I'd try eating the calories burned during the 40 minutes exercise (on top of your 800). I've seen a lot of people lose more weight not exercising when on such a low calorie diet.