3 weeks and not a single lb lost

[MoirasWigStand]

Started on 1st Jan, mfp plus weight workout at least 3 times a week and building some cardio (I’m just starting running again after illness).

First week I lost 5lbs. But since then nothing. My scales even do parts of a lb and nothing. Every morning it’s 14st 6.4lbs.

Surely I should have lost something? I can feel myself failing if I don’t lose something. What’s the point if I’m not losing?

I gained weight last year because of illness that meant I had to suddenly stop exercise (even walking and distance) and steroids that piled on weight too.

Hiya, I wouldn't worry too much about what the scales say. You are probably losing fat and gaining muscle, which weighs more. You could continue to monitor your weight on the scales but also monitor the measurement of your bust, waist and hips (you could do other measurements too if you are inclined). You may find that some weeks you don't lose weight but you do lose centimetres and can take encouragement from that x

Well, although the exercise is very good for you, it's a really difficult way to lose weight.

What's your diet like?

When I did SW over 4 yrs to lose 8 stone, the weeks I cardio exercised, I didn’t lose anything scales wise.

I’m calories counting. I have done the same before. Started on 1500 calories, adjusted a bit as went wi to the team RH calculations. I don’t like him, but it’s worked for me before.

So porridge for breakfast, lunch is tuna and sweetcorn wrap or scrambled egg and smoked salmon on small toast/protein bagel. Dinner is lots of veg and some meat (chicken, steak) or tofu stir fry etc.

I know the principles, I cut way down on bread (just wraps), lots of vegetables, some fruit, protein like eggs and meat and tofu.

I know someone will suggest low carb but i just don’t think it’s sustainable and it looks miserable if I’m honest. Porridge or cereal is all I can stomach for breakfast. Yoghurt makes me gag in the morning, as do eggs.

I have two dc and want to eat the same as them where possible. I don’t want them to see me dieting.

Or maybe that has to be the answer? Be fat or accept never eating nice food?

But you've not lost nothing? You've lost 5lb so far! Would you have preferred 1lb a week for 5 weeks? Make sure you're taking measurements too as even though muscle weighs exactly the same as fat (1lb of feathers is still 1lb in weight...) Muscle is more compact/denser, so you'll probably be losing lots of inches.

You need measure yourself to. It’s not all about the scales. Keep on doing what you’re doing. 5lbs was a big loss for your first week. 5lbs over 3 weeks is great.

Chip… chip… chip away at it!

Measure yourself
Keep at it.
Well done. You’re doing great!

Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water too!

If I do any exercise other than cardio, I don't lose weight. Anything involving any form of weight training stops me from losing. People say its muscle etc but I honestly think it's just water retention and eating more.

I do think you need to accept if you want to lose weight you do need to change what you want to eat and can't eat what the kids do. I understand how you feel though. I always hated dieting because food was my comfort/crutch/coping mechanism and I didn't want to go without it. Then I got gall bladder problems and the food I loved so much just made me suffer and ill. I went completely back to basics, focused on fruit and veg and building meals around that. I hate people who say 'iTs NoT a DiEt iTs A lIFestYLe' but I understand what they mean now. My lifestyle was making me sick so I had to change it.

@MoirasWigStand

Or maybe that has to be the answer? Be fat or accept never eating nice food?

That's what I worry about ☹️

5lb is amazing, keep going this is what happens to me. I'm early 50's if that's of any significance 😆

In a week's time I'll bet you'll see a loss. Don't give up.
X

I’m experiencing the same, lost 8lb in the first three weeks then have been stuck on the same weight for the past two.

I’m looking at it as having lost 8 over 5 weeks which is good for me. As long as I don’t start ticking up again hopefully I can stick with it!

If you haven’t been checking your waist measurement I suggest trying on an item of clothing that is usually tight. You might well feel a difference.

When I was staying the same for ages once, despite walking a lot and counting calories, I was told that there are lots of things that make your body hang onto weight. One of them is salt - so if you’ve eaten higher salt foods, you might not lose weight as a result.

I know you don't want anyone to recommend low carbing but in essence, you're already cutting down your carbs if you're upping your protein and cutting back on bread!

And there's no rule that says you have to eat yoghurt or eggs for breakfast.

Have you considered TRE (time restricted eating) or IF (intermittent fasting)?

I realise I'm being a bit childish about it

I'm 40 if that helps, but a year ago I did so well before I got ill (and now I'm fatter than I've ever been.

I'll keep chipping away. Food is such a pleasurable part of life, and I don't just mean comfort eating. I mean sharing a meal etc.

I have done 5:2 before but had to stop as some medication I'm on means I need to eat at regular intervals and the same every day.

@BIWI

I know you don't want anyone to recommend low carbing but in essence, you're already cutting down your carbs if you're upping your protein and cutting back on bread!

And there's no rule that says you have to eat yoghurt or eggs for breakfast.

Have you considered TRE (time restricted eating) or IF (intermittent fasting)?

Bread is my downfall! I'm not there is anything better in life than good quality bread with thick salted butter on.

5lb in three weeks is good.
Can you post what you are eating on a typical day?

I'm in a similar position to you. Due to a long illness I haven't done any exercise for 2 years including walking and general activity like shopping etc. I think it has affected my metabolism, or maybe it's due to my losing all my muscle mass and replacing it with fat, even though I weigh the same.

I weigh similar and its really slow going. I'm on 1200 calories a day, but not very active. I initially lost 7lbs and then nothing for weeks. Today I finally lost another 2lbs. You just have to trust in the process. I'm not hungry, I'm filling my body with good, real food. I can see my face looks thinner. Just keep going being fit, strong and healthy.

I think you need to get it out of your head that to be healthier, you can “never eat nice food” and “low carb looks miserable”. Yes, sharing a meal is pleasurable, and you can still do that. Eat what you enjoy, but limit portions. If you’re making the kids spaghetti bolognese, for example, you can still eat it, enjoy it, and eat together. But just have a sensible portion size, and pad it out with vegetables like mushrooms, courgette, peppers. Switch to wholemeal pasta etc.
If you enjoy bread with salted butter, have it once a week, but then don’t follow up with a big portion of rice with dinner, say. If you enjoy chocolate, have it once a week, but then don’t have crisps or biscuits that day. Think of the unhealthy things as occasional treats.

You’ve lost 5lbs this month. If that was your thread title, people would be looking to find tips on how you’ve done it! Lots of people on here haven’t managed that. I also lost 5lbs very quickly, then stalled despite doing everything right, but this week another 2lbs have come off. Just don’t give up, it’s about your inside health as well as what you see on the scales.

5lbs is a brilliant start. In terms of losing weight 3 weeks is nothing. You need to find a balance of diet and exercise that you will enjoy doing in 6 months time, or a year. Weight loss isn’t always linear too, but if you do it consistently there will eventually be a downward curve.

I lost 2 stone last year but would regularly go 3/4 weeks without losing anything. Lots of things can affect what you see on the scales, a salty meal, water retention, your period etc.

Try taking measurements too, write them down weekly and after a few weeks/months it’s great to look back and compare.

But don’t punish yourself, celebrate every small accomplishment and use it to learn to enjoy process.