MFP to lose weight - Part 4

[Emz449]

Part 4 Already! Thought I'd get things started before the old thread got full! Will be posting in a sec to see what my weight was at the beginning and end of the old thread

Hi all! I've been on MFP since January (well longer but started actually using it!) and have lost just over 3stone (15st 11 to 12st 10). I'm 5ft5 so I still have a very long way to go but my first target is to get to a bmi of less than 30 (was almost 38 starting off). I'm only a lb away from that goal now. Finding it harder now than in beginning to stick to calorie limits- anyone else found the same?

I think I need some help with this.
I have been using mfp for a while now. I log everything single thing I eat and I link my daily steps to my fitbit. I am under my calories every day but I am just not losing weight. I don't understand what I am doing wrong.
Any ideas?

Very simple answer to that: "under my calories". You're not eating enough

When you say you are under your calories - are you including your exercise calories? The recommendation is that you only eat back half. I try not to eat them back at all.

I agree with MsColouring about the exercise calories, I sometimes eat half of them but in general aim not to.

I don't eat all my exercise calories either, I keep them as a bank to dip into if I have wine or go over but other than that I don't touch them.
I didn't lose for a while - and it's still very slow. But I think for me it was water retention especially as I started lifting weights so your body holds on to water for the muscles.
I don't agree with BOP re eating more calories as such (I say as such because if you set your calories too low then that's a mistake as it's not sustainable), just stay consistent, keep doing what you're doing. Try not to be a slave to your scales. Take pics for progress.

Of course it depends on what the calorie target is. If it's already low and she's eating under that, then weight loss will slow

Sugar - are you only measuring weight? Wondering if the fat is turning to muscle hence no difference on the scales. Have you tried measuring inches instead? Do you feel any different?

Colouring I think you meant aleC4. I've lost a little over 3stone. You are right on measuring inches though- I do it once a month and find it quite motivating- especially as I find it hard to see a difference.

Yep. Sorry - meant aleC4.

Thanks for the advice everyone.
I have not been eating any of my exercise calories most days. MFP says I should have 1550 calories a day to lose weight and I normally have about 200 or so under that.
I started going to the gym 2 weeks ago and do about 30-40 mins of cardio about 3 times a week. I feel no different and just feel really bloated all the time. I have lost no inches either.
My friend is a Forever living rep. She knows how fed up I have been with it and she has bought me a pack of vanilla shake. I am going to try that for breakfast and lunch every day for the next 7 days with only the free fruit for snacks. Then I will have my evening meal which needs to be around 500-600 calories. She noticed a real difference in terms of bloating so i hope it might give me a bit of a kick start.

I have noticed a difference with the bloating since cutting down on baked goods.

Alec -

Are you overweight, ie already a 'normal' weight? I think it's harder to lose the less you have to lose IYSWIM.

I'd try going lowish carb - only have bread/pasta/rice for one meal a day. I do find it helps me.

Instead of just doing cardio, add some strength training to your workouts, I have seen so many people reporting much better results from strength training than cardio, particularly if you are already within a normal weight range.

Checking in myself - weight has disappointingly shot back up by a whole kg , though admittedly after a Friday which featured pizza and Ben and Jerry's, and a Saturday which was spent at an all day BBQ.

However, body fat is still on a downwards trajectory, which is positive I think. When I think 'but I'm back to the weight I was at a month ago' I can at least console myself with the fact that my body fat is lower. I've been exercising 5 times a week, a mix of yoga, running and HIIT circuits, so I think this is paying off in terms of fat burn and muscle gain.

I am about 3.5 stone overweight and my BMI is in the obese category so certainly not got the excuse of not having much to lose!
Onwards and upwards. I have been to the gym this after and done about 40 mins of cardio. Dinner will be healthy, just chicken, new pots and veg so as long as I avoid pudding it will be a positive day food-wise.
Tomorrow I start the shakes so we will see what happens.

Just a quick check in not had time to read posts, I will be back home Thursday afternoon. I am pretty nervous about getting on the scales Friday morning, I have only been eating two cooked meals a day late breakfast/early lunch and then my tea. I've had 3 puddings over the week and 3 chocolate bars but nothing else in between, I haven't logged anything but I didn't plan to, I can do that again when I'm back home. I feel bloated a lot! I'm not used to eating much before my tea. Usually have a slice of toast for breakfast and soup or something for lunch but because I'm eating a big meal for lunch I feel bloated and then I'm eating my tea at night.

I've been having bacon, sausage, egg, beans and toast.

And all sorts for tea, I've had chilli, roast dinner, Sea Bass and potatoes, steak and chips.

I know I haven't been drinking nearly enough and I've had to take my pill straight through so I didn't have TOTM. On the plus side my new size 12 jeans don't feel any tighter but I'm still hoping I'm at 2stone loss when I get home.

How's everyone doing?

I've just put the Hairy Dieters Lamb, spinach and potato curry in the oven God it smells LOVELY!

Managed to only eat Greek salad and potato wedges at my course today - resisted bread and chocolate cheesecake - was kept motivated by everyone commenting on how much weight I'd lost.. Bit hard to log my calories when I haven't weighed everything but made a guess. Did a 7k run this eve also so hopefully offset any excess calories I haven't accounted for.

Haven't popped in for a while! I keep going up and down but I'm 9st 8 now. Wedding dress still fits at least. It would be nice if I didn't have a second incident of my skin being zipped into it on the day (thanks DP) so hoping I lose a little more between now and then. Three weeks to go!

Oh and as an update (just checked back for my last posts), I'm now dosed up on antihistamines plus steroid nasal spray and steroid inhaler! It's crazy how much better I feel with the inhaler. As I predicted, my allergies picked up nicely in time with hay fever season(s). Now I can breathe. Don't even care if the steroids mean a more difficult weight loss, my life was becoming a nightmare!

Smillas that's brIlliant (the weight loss not the zip and skin ;))! I'm sure you'll lose a bit more before the big day, very exciting times.

I'm doing ok, really do feel as though we've made changes for life through the past few months. I've completely changed what we eat/ drink and both DH and I have lost. However, I get on the scales tomorrow and will be happy with a stay the same as had a bit of a crazy weekend with my eldest's 7th birthday then a tiring day on Sunday when I did reach for the sugar (DDs birthday sweets!).

I've finally joined the gym at work, so the next step is to actually go!

We had the Hairy Dieters chicken and mushroom risotto tonight it was delicious. Bit that curry sounds good! Must try their curries soon.

The curry was really good and so filling. Highly recommend it.

We've had their sweet and sour chicken tonight though dd2 didn't like it. It tasted like real Chinese takeaway S&S sauce though.

List 1.8lbs this week. Pleased with that as period is due. That's 10lbs in 4 weeks

Well done you two!

Might have to check these recipes out...

They're really good Smillas. I've only got the first book, it was just over 3 pounds from Amazon, everything in it looks tasty and is food I want to eat. The risotto did take some time to make but others look quicker.

Hello! Can I join please? Picked up MFP again today properly. Have lost 3lbs over the last few weeks thanks to 5:2 and increased exercise. Do use MFP on fast days as it makes tracking cals much easier when you're so limited. About me:

5'10", currently 12st10lbs (I weigh and measure myself on Friday mornings), waist 83.5cm and hips 107cm. Excess fat tends to sit around my tummy (childless but never had a flat tummy). According to the scales my body fat % is 29.3. My goals:

11st3lbs, roughly 69cm waist and 96cm hips.

I am a snacker, which is my downfall weight wise. Going on holiday in 5 weeks so the plan is to get as close to the 12st mark by then.

Today has been a very good day, and it includes a glass of wine . Low on the carbs today and a little high on the fat, but all in all a very satisfactory day and not at all hungry (consumed about 1500 cals today, had a 45 min workout).