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Calorie-counting

Discuss calorie counting, including tips, challenges and real-life experiences. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

Consistently in calorie deficit but still not losing

59 replies

ButtOutBobsMum · 03/03/2023 17:01

Yes, yes I know! I'll hold my hand up and admit that until a couple of weeks ago I wasn't religiously tracking everything on Nutracheck and I was losing the odd pound or half a pound but mostly STS. But for the last two weeks I have logged everything. Right down to every mug of tea and coffee. I even poured a glass of wine on the scales last weekend but I've still gained 0.5lb 😤

My Apple Watch says I burn between 2300 cals (on a sedentary day) and 2900 cals (on a workout day). I have a calorie target of 1500 but I've been doing 16:8 so my daily calorie intake tends to sit at around 1300 during the week and on a weekend might creep up to 1800.

I honestly don't understand where I'm going wrong? The obvious answer is to cut my calories even further but it's pretty miserable living on 1000 to 1200 cals per day, particularly when you've got a fair bit to lose so are in it for the long haul.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm 51 years old and 14st 10lbs, 5' 3" so in the 30+ BMI category and desperate to get back down to healthy weight.

OP posts:
Shesinthegym · 04/03/2023 22:34

It really is calories in v calories out. I have struggled to lose a few pounds of baby weight for too long. I cut down on all sorts mentioned here. Are well, upped protein etc still I pretty much maintained it went up and down a few pounds.

I recently started with a medical condition which has totally reduced my appetite and makes the thought of eating certain foods repulsive. I just have to grab something when I get a small window of not feeling sick. I have basically lived off chocolate, toast, crisps, pasta and cheese. I have lost over a stone in 2.5 weeks. I’m not saying this is healthy but it has made me realise that it is as simple as ci v co does not matter what those calories are.

daysleepers · 04/03/2023 22:43

Shesinthegym · 04/03/2023 22:34

It really is calories in v calories out. I have struggled to lose a few pounds of baby weight for too long. I cut down on all sorts mentioned here. Are well, upped protein etc still I pretty much maintained it went up and down a few pounds.

I recently started with a medical condition which has totally reduced my appetite and makes the thought of eating certain foods repulsive. I just have to grab something when I get a small window of not feeling sick. I have basically lived off chocolate, toast, crisps, pasta and cheese. I have lost over a stone in 2.5 weeks. I’m not saying this is healthy but it has made me realise that it is as simple as ci v co does not matter what those calories are.

The protien is to help with retaining and building muscle and also importantly keep you full, as protein generally keeps us fuller for longer which in your case isn't an issue 🙂

Tiddler39 · 04/03/2023 22:45

But why would you starve yourself when you know it doesn’t work over the long term?

I give up.

Shesinthegym · 04/03/2023 22:48

@daysleepers i know. I normally lift weights a few times a week as you can probably guess by my username. I actually used to compete but that was before dc2. So I’m well aware of protein and healthy eating.
It still is calories in v calories out it’s just better if those calories are healthier and less processed. People on here dispute that. If the op is not losing she is eating too many cals simple. (Not a dig op as I’ve been there)

namechanged221 · 04/03/2023 22:54

''My Apple Watch says I burn between 2300 cals (on a sedentary day) and 2900 cals (on a workout day). I have a calorie target of 1500''

Not sure where your Apple Watch is getting that from?

PortiaWithNoBreaks · 04/03/2023 23:45

Tiddler39 · 04/03/2023 22:07

Have you read the whole article? Including this bit:

*Part 2: Why calorie counting doesn't work

So, we've established that counting calories can never be accurate. Now, we'll explain why calorie counting — even if it was possible — wouldn't help you manage your weight.*

Or the bit that says:

But it’s not the number of calories that matters. Instead, the quality of the food is most important.

Or -

The most important thing you can do to help reach your long-term health goals is to focus on food quality and ignore calories.

If what you’re trying to say is that CICO will help you lose weight in the short term then yes, but ALL the research shows that it doesn’t work in the long term — and not just because people go back to their old habits.

If you eat fewer calories your body will adjust itself to burn fewer, slowing your metabolism to conserve energy. So after a while, the few calories you are eating is still too many (this explains the plateau in weight loss calorie counters experience). So then you have to reduce them still further.

I’d suggest you read it again and also do a bit more research.

Show quote history

I don’t need to read it again and I don’t need to do any research as I’m quite well versed in this area. I wonder if we’re talking at cross purposes.

I’m not advocating wildly slashing calories either in the short term or forever more. In my case my deficit (1600) is really small and it’s enough to elicit fat loss. And I’m not overweight and I have quite a lot of muscle (61 kg) Quality of food is obviously important. I eat very little processed food. It’s really hard to overeat broccoli as it’s not a highly palatable food. But the OP is specifically trying to lose weight.

Metabolic adaptation is a thing but it just means a smaller body needs fewer calories to maintain it. Zoe’s way of eating is just another way of creating a calorie deficit

PortiaWithNoBreaks · 04/03/2023 23:57

Shesinthegym · 04/03/2023 22:48

@daysleepers i know. I normally lift weights a few times a week as you can probably guess by my username. I actually used to compete but that was before dc2. So I’m well aware of protein and healthy eating.
It still is calories in v calories out it’s just better if those calories are healthier and less processed. People on here dispute that. If the op is not losing she is eating too many cals simple. (Not a dig op as I’ve been there)

Fellow weight lifter here. Agree totally that it’s simple but the behaviour change is the difficult bit. You must be missing lifting?

whosaidtha · 05/03/2023 00:08

@Tiddler39 what you're saying just isn't true. Your body only adjusts to the point that a smaller body needs less calories so as you lose weight you need less to maintain your weight. You may also lose some energy so move slightly less but not to a point that would affect weight loss because most of your calories are burnt just keeping you alive.
You can clearly see this from people who have anorexia or have been starved through lack of food - at what point did eating less make it impossible for them to lose weight? Or take examples on shows like super size vs super skinny. Many of the super skinny people have diets comprised entirely of chocolate biscuits and coke but are still tiny.

Shesinthegym · 05/03/2023 10:59

@PortiaWithNoBreaks yes I am. I’m telling myself it’s temporary. The doctors say it is. I still feel quite strong but I’m lacking energy.

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