Another "why aren't I losing weight?!" one, sorry...

[ThousandCows]

I'll try and keep it brief! Have used MFP successfully in the past to lost a bit of weight, but then let things slip due to lockdown. A few weeks ago I thought I'd better try and shift the extra half-stone, so have been diligently sticking to 1600 cals per day. Admittedly no exercise, but that hasn't stopped me losing weight before (previously used calorie goal of 1650).

This time around, however, IT WILL NOT BUDGE! I wouldn't mind if I had an explanation, but just can't work it out Had anyone got any insight/ideas?!

Have you got your food measurements right? Realistically, if you're not losing weight it means you're not in a deficit. I would suggest exercise to build the deficit or reviewing your intake. What's your TDEE? Saying 1650 worked last time may be irrelevant if your TDEE has changed.

If you're not losing then you're not in a calorie deficit.

Are you very overweight? If not and you're not very active 1600 calories is a lot. Most diet plans will be 1200-1500. It definitely gets harder as you get older.

But, as we all know, it's a but small but sustainable changes creating a healthier lifestyle if you want to lose weight and keep it off.

No snacking is the thing that makes/made the biggest difference for me. If you eat "healthy" meals and don't snack you'll eat a sensible amount of calories and once you break the habit, it's not as bad as it sounds.

Thanks all. I haven't calculated my TDEE - I was just working off the basis that I lost steadily before (without really exercising) when my intake was 1650. Nothing has changed since then other than being a couple of months older, but maybe my metabolism has just dropped...? So that might remain a mystery, and I'll just have to reduce calories further. I just want to set it at a level that's sustainable, and I was able to make 1600/1650 a 'lifestyle change', rather than a diet, IYSWIM.

I'm not particularly overweight, I'm about 5'7" and hover either side of 70kg - but I'd like to shift another half a stone or so.

I'll drop to 1500 and see how it goes!

Yeah, try a lower calory diet for a week which is mostly vegetables (so lots and lots of food, but healthy) and see how it goes.

If you can bear it, some weights exercise is good, though I'm barely getting started. The more muscle you build, the more calories you burn.

Have a look at Delay Dont Deny by Gin Stephen's.
It talks about different methods of intermittent fasting. I've been losing weight steadily with not much effort. Honestly!
The crux of it is that we need to have low insulin in our blood in order for our body to access and burn stored fat (insulin's job is to store fat, and when it is being stored it isn't being burned). Everytime we eat (even if it is just a few calories) we get an insulin spike so small frequent eating means the body is never getting a chance to access stored fat.
It's really interesting, makes sense and works!

Are you hungry in the morning? I find the easiest time for me to fast is in the morning. That’s not to say if presented with a buffet breakfast I’d pass, just that I don’t feel the same urge to eat as I do later in the day.

Try fasting until midday.

And, as the previous poster said, it keeps your insulin low for a longer period.

How long have you been trying? Earlier this year I started MFP and have lost just over a stone.

But for the first 7 weeks, NOTHING. It was v hard to stay motivated, but then suddenly a few lbs at once. I can plateau for a couple of months easily then lose 2lbs in a week.

peonypower on and off for about three years! Off being during another pregnancy, so I'm excusing myself So I know it works, I just don't know why a previous 'losing' calorie goal doesnt work anymore!

TheNewLook I find I'm starving in the mornings! Might have to pick another period in the day for peak discipline.

Oxyiz I know, I used to do free weights about 2-3 times/week. The problem I've had since lockdown is WFH at all hours with looking after 3 & 1 year old during the day... It's a cliché but I really don't have enough hours in the day at the moment. Hoping to get back into good (or at least, better!) exercise habits from September

Dieting doesn't have to be sustainable. Maintenance does. 😀

Picking up babies all the time is probably good weightlifting!

Another vote for the Gin Stevens book on intermittent fasting, but she has a more recent book called Feast Fast Repeat which is more comprehensive and contains updated scientific studies.
I wish I had known years ago about the connection between insulin and fat loss. It's a game-changer.

I’m the same ! Lost 10lbs in June on 1600 calories but have maintained the past 5 days on 1600 😕 I’m trying to shock my metabolism, so today I only ate 800 and tomorrow I’m eating 1800 and then hopefully the scale will move a bit in any direction and then I can get back to losing at 1600

Check out team RH on Facebook! Highly recommend as they don’t promote shakes, pills, really low cal diets and explain everything clearly. You can eat normally!

Are you maybe less active now, so burning fewer cals? Were you working outside the home before, on your feet in an office, left the building to get lunch... and now just walking across the living room? Might be why the same cal intake isn't losing you weight.

@Floella4

I’m the same ! Lost 10lbs in June on 1600 calories but have maintained the past 5 days on 1600 😕 I’m trying to shock my metabolism, so today I only ate 800 and tomorrow I’m eating 1800 and then hopefully the scale will move a bit in any direction and then I can get back to losing at 1600

As you lose weight you need to adjust your calories down, as your TDEE decreases when you get smaller

It is indeed all about insulin

Only an hour ago i saw the old wisdom of it's as simplevas calories in calories out offered up.

@DonaldJTrumpet

Dieting doesn't have to be sustainable. Maintenance does. 😀

True

Well, the number on the scales seems to be going in the right direction having dropped to 1500 calories (although I don't quite trust my scales since they are now telling me I've lost 2kg in 2 days - and yes, always on a hard floor, in the same place, same time of days etc.)

Sounds like I need to read up on this insulin stuff though, so thanks for flagging! I'm definitely more of a snacker/little-and-often person though, so may not be good news for me!!