What has gone wrong?!

[Mlpnko]

I’m so disheartened. I made a decision a week ago to drastically change my eating habits as the level of weight gain I have put on is embarrassing. I have about 6 stone to lose, so obviously in the severely obese category. I have tried so, so hard this last week and was incredibly disappointed to get on the scales this morning and find I’d lost nothing-not even half a pound!! I know I have areas I need to work on in terms of my diet and definitely my exercise (I did a fair amount of walking this week but that’s it) , but I have lost weight with this sort of diet before (used to belong to Rosemary Conley back in the day) so just don’t understand it.

Here is a sample diet I was eating up until this past week:
Breakfast-glass of orange juice, choc chip muffin (normal size, not mini) and cheese string
Lunch-2 wraps with breaded chicken inside or cold pizza, yoghurt and choc bar
Dinner-pizza or breaded fishcakesx2 or chicken nuggets and chips
Dessert-full bag of Cadbury choc like the twirl bites or choc cake or whole packet of biscuits (like choc fingers)
Snack-packet of crisps

Feel very, very embarrassed writing all that!

This past week:
Breakfast: small bowl of special k with semi skimmed milk (measured it out to be about 250 cal total), half a small glass of orange juice
Lunch: whole meal pitta bread, 2 small slices of low fat ham, lettuce, low fat yoghurt (works out to about 300 cal)
Dinner: salmon with a small portion of tomato pasta or 4 turkey rashers with a single portion of mashed potato (I buy the chilled stuff that’s less than 5% fat) and carrots or low fat breaded cod (be good to yourself) with some oven chips and peas
Dessert: mini milk ice lolly (less than 5% fat and about 30 cal) or 2 mini meringues (16 cal each)
Snack: small banana or small handful of strawberries

I know it’s not perfect, but I don’t understand how I can’t have lost ANY weight!!

Forgot to mention that my dinners have averaged out to be about 500 cal (some less, some a bit more).

Do you normally do a fair amount of walking? If not it will probably be fluid retention. Keep at it and you will see a change.

I would say you could add a lot more veg to your meals. As long as calories in are less than calories out you should see a change. Make sure you are drinking enough water too.

Some people don't lose first week. Some lose a lot. Different bodies.

I second adding the veg. How big is the mash potato portion for example? If you say it averages 500 cal then with the turkey it might be bog. Seap some for veg.
Also, try to do less processed stuff. Bodies like it. Some normal meat instead of turkey rashers, for example.

Processed stuff often has lots of salt and when I eat salty I swell if that makes sense.

Yes I usually do do a fair amount of walking-and drinking water. Those were the only 2 healthy things about my past lifestyle.

I struggle with veg. What I’ve been eating is a big push for me already but I take on board what you’re saying. The mash is 200 cal so not a huge portion (before, I would have eaten double!) I have also had normal meat/fish-skinless chicken breast twice a week, salmon twice, some tuna. The turkey rashers are just a quick, low cal option for once a week when I have less time.

Thank you both of you for responding and your advice.

Don't worry. Change of habits take time and sometimes the reaction even longer.
Just make sure you are eating well, within good calories and it will move. There is a thread by a poster working on eating more veg, if you fancy a look. She is nice

Cut your carbs and eat more fat. Carbs make you fat not fat. I lost 8 stone doing low carb, it works!!

Change the batteries in your scale!

Thank you for the tip about the veg thread-I’ll seek it out.

I know low carb works for some people but I think I would find that REALLY hard. I know I have lost weight in the past by eating low fat and controlled calories, so hoping I can get it going again this time.

Hmmm yes I guess changing the batteries is worth a try! Might have to buy a new one as I think it’s one of those flat ones.

It's all sugar, juice, milk, special k, mash, pasta, yoghurt, banana. Chips, breaded cod, peas, Meringues, etc. Swap the potato and pasta for veg and salad, you need eggs or overnight oats in the morning to keep you full - not a sugary breakfast. Bananas are one of the worst fruits s particularly if ripe

Don't give up. If you're cutting calories you will lose weight. It doesn't always happen instantly.

Well done on taking the first step.

I can't help but agree with other posters that some of your diet sounds a bit sugary and processed.

Natural foods like oats, berries, eggs, veg, salad , plain nuts, non processed meat and fish will be much more filling and better for you.

@Tempusfudgeit

Change the batteries in your scale!

😁

Can you change the special k to Greek yoghurt and fruit? Are you logging your food anywhere such as MFP?

Or egg and nice toast if you fancy a change. That comes under 200 usually and if you add herbs and spices it's awesome. And quick. No faff. Toast bread, crack egg on pan, spice, put bread on top, wait. That's my breakfasts. Filling.

@farmerpalmer

It's all sugar, juice, milk, special k, mash, pasta, yoghurt, banana. Chips, breaded cod, peas, Meringues, etc. Swap the potato and pasta for veg and salad, you need eggs or overnight oats in the morning to keep you full - not a sugary breakfast. Bananas are one of the worst fruits s particularly if ripe

This feels unnecessarily harsh. I have acknowledged I know it’s not perfect, but what on earth is wrong with dairy (yoghurt/milk) and peas for goodness sake?!

You actually may not be eating enough now. Google Tdee and work out how many calories a day you should be eating for your weight/age etc, you need to take 500 a day off to lose 1lb a week.
My maintenance calories are 2300 a day, I’m trying to stick to between 1500&1800 a day to lose 1-1.5lb a week. I’m tracking my calories on My Fitness Pal.
I’ve lost 16lb in 6 weeks so it’s working better than I expected! Stick with it, you can do this! X

Peas is dangerous on mumsnet I think😁

If I were you I change to full fat stuff. I never found low fat satisfying. Nice full fat yogurt can satosfy really well for a while. Sometimes the low fat version have more sugars as well.
If you like bit sour-ish taste, Kefir yogurt is just heavenly! I even make it now. I like sour