900 calories a day

[BroadDaylight]

I run around 100 miles a month and do a 30-minute HIIT three times a week, and 15 minute dumbbell workout every morning.

I eat healthily, no junk food, nothing processed and cook from scratch. I log my food and my daily calories are between 1200-1500 a day but I'm just maintaining, even with exercise.

I am still a stone (maybe a little more) overweight and it's making me depressed. I can't shift it.

I've read that because of my height (5'1) I need to reduce my calories to 800-900 per day, has anyone had success this way?

The awful fat around my middle is exactly the same. Loose and jiggly. I can literally fold it. Wish I could cut it off.

Are you sure it's not just loose skin? I'm the same height as you, a few pounds heavier right now but recently much heavier, and my tummy is a right state (2 c-sections and one of my pregnancies was twins) - but at no point have I been able to fold my tummy fat.

Reduce carbs, increase protein. Probably increase fat as well. If you get hungry you need to eat more and tell your body that it isn't starving.

Muscle weighs more than fat as well.

I thought they weighed the same...but that 1lb of muscle takes up much less room than 1lb of fat?

Your BMR is just what you'd burn if you were in a coma though. You need to find out your TDEE. Do you have a Garmin or Fitbit that works out how many calories you actually burn in a day? It will be far more than your BMR with all the exercise you do.

How old are you?

Please tell us exactly what you are eating.

Are you sure it's not just loose skin?

That's amazing you've gotten through C-sections, and carried twins! How can I tell the difference between unhealthy fat that I need to lose, and loose skin? I would post a picture but it's likely to induce horror.

I agree with the suggestion of checking out the Fast800 diet. Also going low carb. Low carb is the only way that I lose weight. Some people can do it by calorie counting alone, but not me.

Your body has entered starvation mode. You're not eating enough to do that level of exercise. Your body has decided that you've lost enough and it is correct because, as you say, you're within a healthy range. The only way to lose the excess fat from your problem areas is to go back to a healthy diet that actually provides fuel for your body, continue to exercise and hope you haven't completely ruined your metabolism. Be aware, when I say a healthy diet I mean healthy fats, complex carbohydrates and high nutrient vegetables - calorie counting is at best pointless (now that you've lost the excess) and, at worst, very damaging to your body.

By the way, I've also had twins. I have a flatter stomach now than before I had them.

I went through something quite similar. I was eating similar to you and doing loads of cardio and was still chubby, and just kept gaining. I read somewhere (might be pseudoscience) that cardio is bad for you, it wastes away your muscles and makes you fatter as your body tries to hold on to your fat. I got told to do weights only - squats, bench press, pull-ups, deadlifts, that sort of thing. I ate more and lost a stone really fast, I quit after a year and have maintained/lost weight since.

TL;DR, don't eat less, drop the cardio, do weights only.

Weights build muscle which means your metabolism is higher all the time, to maintain that muscle.

I was the same (pre DC) - worked so hard for 1.5years to loose weight (7 stone) with loads of exercise, getting fit and healthy and then I just hit a wall and plateaued at no matter what I tried couldn't shift that stubborn last stone. I went to a nutritionist and personal trainer and between the 2 they came up with a custom plan and I lost the last stone - although it took just over 6 months which considering I'd lost 7 stone in 1.5 years was quite disheartening but it was worth it in the end. Maybe it's worth paying for some professional help? I also found that the nutritionist built up much healthier habits and greater understanding on when/what to it to get specific outcomes, and the personal trainer was able to give me much more efficient workouts that got greater results in shorter workouts

You're doing a lot of exercise and already eating quite a low amount of calories. What strikes me most from your post is how negative you're feeling about yourself when you're clearly brilliantly fit and have achieved a huge amount.

I reckon it's worth you trying eating more to power all the activity, but following an overnight fasting or intermittent fasting regime. Eating more may have the benefit of increasing the rate at which you build muscle, which will improve your metabolism.

Luckily my diet is healthy with good fats, complex carbs and lots of variety with my (plenty of) veg. I saw a great registered dietitian that helped inspire me and set my calories to what they are now.

I read that starvation mode is a myth?

That's amazing you have a flatter stomach now after your twins :)

Please don't cut out food groups or drastically reduce them unless it's medically required. By all means up your veg and protein to feel fuller for longer but if you need carbs (I more mean complex ones) to help you function you need them and you want this to be sustainable.

Honestly, you must be really fit with all that exercise and healthy eating. Why do you want to loose more weight? The best thing for a long and healthy life is a healthy diet, to exercise and a little bit of what you fancy. You must have a healthy heart - what’s your resting heart rate? I appreciate you might feel that you have not lost enough but what would it take to make you happy? How would you feel if you stopped calorie counting and just exercised and ate lots of fruit and veg? You must look amazing with BMI of 24. Do not reduce your intake any more,

From my observations the only way to actually lose weight is to go on a severe calorie restricted diet.

To be honest, I would drop the workouts, Lise the weight, then restart exercising.

What strikes me most from your post is how negative you're feeling about yourself when you're clearly brilliantly fit and have achieved a huge amount

I do dislike my body, the weight around my middle is a huge trigger of unhappiness. Thank you so much for your kind words, I think it doesn't feel like achievement when I'm still feeling so fat.

@Doublefunmum

If OP fell down a well and couldn't eat for a fortnight, do you think she would maintain her current weight?

How can I tell the difference between unhealthy fat that I need to lose, and loose skin?

Hopefully someone on this thread can answer this, but I imagine a doctor would be able to tell. I just mentioned the possibility because although I've (unfortunately) experienced rolls of fat, in my experience, it's not foldable!

@DoubleFunMum - That's encouraging! I'm only a few months post partum at the moment and still have at least half a stone to lose, so can't yet tell what the long term effect is going to be.

The best thing for a long and healthy life is a healthy diet, to exercise and a little bit of what you fancy. You must have a healthy heart - what’s your resting heart rate?

I totally hear the logic of what you say, and I am glad I'm fitter than I was. It's just so gutting to feel this awful about myself even after so much hard work dieting and learning to enjoy exercise, if that makes sense.

My resting heart rate is 48. But I have low blood pressure so I think it's not fitness necessarily, more genetics?

A few years ago I lost 4 stone, whenever I reached a plateau I increased my calories from 1400 to 1700-2000 for a week or two. It seemed to kickstart weight loss Once I reduced my calories again.

Also check your measurements. I used to lose inches but no weight.

To be honest, I would drop the workouts, Lise the weight, then restart exercising.

The exercise I do is vital for my mental health, I couldn't give it up, unfortunately, but I see your point totally.

Of course starvation mode is a myth, otherwise no one would die of starvation!