Why can't I lose weight?

[Poppet626]

Hi,

So around six years ago, I lost about three stone just though eating healthy and bike doing a lot of outdoor cycling. It literally fell off me.

Over the last few years I lost a parent, the pandemic happened, I got into a new and happy relationship and I put 2 and a half stone back on.

For the past month I've really changed my eating habits and have attended regular sprint cycling classes (that's just the exercise I enjoy and the one I know I'll stay consistent with) and have wanted to lose some weight because I just do not feel confident anymore.

Anyway in the first week about three pounds seemed to come off but since then even though staying consistent, it's just either stayed the same or shown as higher. I know weight can fluctuate, but I am weighing myself butt naked first thing in the morning, after using the toilet, and before eating or drinking and no change.

I am eating a good amount of calories as in I'm not eating too little and I'm burning more than I'm consuming. I'm also eating mostly all whole foods.

I know it could be muscle gain which is what people have told me, but I took a picture compared with when I started this and I look absolutely no different. I know it's only been a month but surely I should notice some sort of change, but nothing. And it's very demotivating.

I get about 7 hours of sleep per night and drink loads of water during the day.

I know it could be 'getting older' but I'm only 27 and would just think by now I would notice some positive changes, but nope, absolutely nothing.

I am starting to worry I have something else wrong that's preventing me from losing weight.

Sorry about that scribbles on the pictures, wanted to block out tattoos or background photos that may allow someone to identify my nearly nudes, lol.

Forgot to add the left pic is before and the right is after.

You can and have now you just need to keep going,it's only been a month. Weight loss is mostly diet so you need to adjust what you're eating if you want a faster weight loss.

Hiya! Unless there is an underlying health condition impacting you, if you are in a calorie deficit you will lose weight. You need to be in deficit by 3500 calories to lose a pound of fat.

How many calories are you eating? Are you weighing everything, including calorie counting drinks and cooking oil?

often after a good exercise session the urge to eat more and claim "i deserve it" or "i worked much more off" sabotages the effort.
i would suggest calculating your daily caloric needs and count the calories your consuming to give you a rough idea of your deficit (if any).
are you drinking any alcohol?

I'd do myfitnesspal really really carefully for a few days so that you can get a good picture of what you are eating. Weigh everything . Don't alter what you are eating until after the few days it up. Also look at how much protein etc.

If you aren't loosing weight then you need to decrease your calories a little. It might not be a big change is needed. It's so easy to eat more than you think.

The only answer if you aren’t losing pounds or inches is that you are not in a calorie deficit.

it’s difficult to accurately measure, both consumption and what you burn.

my main success with weight loss is:

cook all my own meals
3 meals a day, no snacking
no food between 6:30pm & 9:30am

even then it comes off slowly because I don’t starve myself and eat plenty of food. For example a big breakfast of avocado and poached eggs on toast, tuna pasta with salad, lasagne. I never restrict real food, just eat until satiated. It’s junk food that causes you to overeat, so just cut it out.

The only answer if you aren’t losing pounds or inches is that you are not in a calorie deficit.

Not the only answer by any means, but it is the most likely one! It doesn't sound like you're having symptoms of low thyroid or any of the other health deficits that can stop people losing weight, OP. I agree that a month isn't long enough to decide it isn't working. Slimming does tend to take a bit longer as we age; keep going, and good luck.

27 was the age I had to start using a proper diet plan and logging all my food accurately to lose weight. When I was younger I could just cut down a bit and exercise more. Nutracheck is very good and costs <£30 a year.