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?

This was me last year. I'm pre menopausal so this has affected weight gain. Nothing was helping lose weight until I started the 5:2 diet last month. There is a section on it, on here. It really works.

@maddening and OP I've posted this in various threads and I'll keep posting it, this video explains in the first few minutes what is happening to you!

For fat loss then you need to put your body into ketosis to burn fat and turn it into glycerine which your body can process out. With 10-14 lbs to lose you should introduce 2/3 pure protein fasting days (800 calls max) each week and cut out the exercise on those days.

You will lose muscle mass too to stay with but you will notice the fat difference within weeks.

Everything in your average food day contains clear carbs and hidden carbs so you could be consuming more than you think you are.

Do you eat meat?

Well I'm not expert, but based on what I do know I'd increase the protein content of what you're eating and look at building more lean muscle. You won't be bulky, but you'll be burning more calories even when you're not active.

Reading your typical day - that’s way more food than I would eat if I wanted to drop a few pounds. In fact it’s more than I eat normally.

I don’t agree at all.

@TatianaBis

Also I was trying to hint(politely) that if you go on treadmill / cross trainer and out no effort in on lowest level it's not really going to help

Not strictly true. An hour’s fast walk on a treadmill works for me.

Hence me saying no effort.... A fast walk to me suggests effort

@PurpleDaisies

Reading your typical day - that’s way more food than I would eat if I wanted to drop a few pounds. In fact it’s more than I eat normally.

I don’t agree at all.

Same...

Genuine question, OP: will you ever be happy with your weight? Do you think that you'll ever feel small enough? You run a marathon a week, you have a low resting heart rate, what you put into your body is nutritious (though I'd argue possibly not enough). Your body is fine, your health is good. Why not be happy with that? Do you actually want to tip into unhealthiness (assuming you haven't already) for the sake of vanity? You'll never weigh nothing.

@TatianaBis

Reading your typical day - that’s way more food than I would eat if I wanted to drop a few pounds. In fact it’s more than I eat normally.

I really don't think OP is eating too much with the level of exercise she is doing.

OP I really think you need to eat more - forget about the weight loss it just sounds bloody miserable trying to survive on that diet. I do about 30km p/w running over 3 days alternating with HIIT and kettlebells (heavy) 3 days per week. I eat far more than you and easily maintain my weight without gaining. Your poor body must feel so under-fuelled - how do you feel when you run?

Reading your typical day - that’s way more food than I would eat if I wanted to drop a few pounds. In fact it’s more than I eat normally.

I'm sure your half a lettuce leaf per day is plenty of food for you.

Do you think that you'll ever feel small enough?

Honestly it's just my stomach area, I'm okay with the rest of me - I don't mind what I weigh as long as the flab can be gone...

Your poor body must feel so under-fuelled - how do you feel when you run?

My longer runs can be a slog but I'm steadily improving PB times, some runs better than others!

I'd start with your GP to be honest. You sound so healthy on paper, but I get the frustration re the tummy area, as I also put on weight on my middle unless I'm in the gym minimum 5 days per week. I really find yoga and Pilates are brilliant, but obviously, you can't go to a physical class until Boris gets the finger out. But until then there are Pilates classes I could recommend being conducted via Zoom (I can recommend one instructor in particular for Pilates if you want - classes maybe £7 each). The instructor I'm thinking of is unbelievable and I could recommend a virtual PT too. Very reasonably priced.

I know you’ll disagree with me but you need to start weight training (heavy) and eating more then the weight will drop off. I promise.

@GimmeAy

You need to shift the weight on your middle - so you need to do 5 mins abs after your cardio every single day. You'll gradually build up to 10 mins abs on some days. I rotate the following - ABS: lower tummy, six pack, sides, all-round tummy. After my cardio, I do 5 mins shoulders, glutes, arms, thighs on alternate days. My entire workout is usually at the moment 25 to 30 mins per day. I then do some press-ups randomly. And I walk a lot. Pilates is great for core strength and losing belly fat - as is yoga.

You can't reduce belly fat through toning abs or anything actually. Fat loss cannot be targeted and strengthening muscles doesn't burn fat in that area

@TatianaBis

Reading your typical day - that’s way more food than I would eat if I wanted to drop a few pounds. In fact it’s more than I eat normally.

What a dangerous thing to say.

OP I really think you should try eating a little more for a couple of weeks. You won't gain more than a couple of lb IF you gain at all and it really might help.

I know you’ll disagree with me but you need to start weight training (heavy) and eating more then the weight will drop off. I promise

The fat will drop off. Weight isn't a good measure to go by when you're trying to gain muscle and lose fat. It can be quite misleading, and quite discouraging.

No way is that too much food for a day. How little do some people eat?! Crazy.
OP you've had lots of helpful suggestions on here. I get why you feel uncomfortable upping the calories. Maybe try the other suggestions first then see. Good luck and well done on progress so far. I still have half stone to ger to healthy bmi but 1.5 stone to pre child weight.

@PurpleDaisies

Reading your typical day - that’s way more food than I would eat if I wanted to drop a few pounds. In fact it’s more than I eat normally.

I don’t agree at all.

You don’t agree with what I eat normally? Ok.

The fat will drop off. Weight isn't a good measure to go by when you're trying to gain muscle and lose fat. It can be quite misleading, and quite discouraging.

Definitely this. When I had a PT and was working out a lot with weights I lost almost no weight at all (my bmi was already healthy) but I lost inches all over the place and looked the best I ever have. I miss her!

It’s pretty obvious what I mean @TatianaBis. Don’t be obtuse.

What a dangerous thing to say.

This is not an ED support group. I am not responsible for other adults’ relationships with food.

OP asked why she wasn’t losing weight, I gave my opinion.

It’s not obvious actually, it was rather inarticulate.

1960's diet advice, ignore the negatrons OP.

You need to work on your comprehension skills then @TatianaBis.

Maybe you’re so hungry you’re struggling to understand a comment that other posters clearly understood the sentiment of.