Why are the scales not moving?

[RedCandyApple]

I’m very overweight don’t want to say how much but I am obese, I have been on a diet since the 10th of jan, I was expecting quite big losses due to my size but this week despite sticking to my diet I have not lost a single pound? Why would I not lose weight despite sticking to my diet? I haven’t secretly over eaten I log everything. I was expecting the weight to fall of initially (as that’s what everyone says happens when obese people diet) so why would I lose nothing this week? I’ve also been making an effort to walk as much as I can rather than getting the bus.

Have you measured yourself? Are you drinking more water?

I am trying to lose weight at the moment too OP, I have never stepped on the scales, as I find it too demotivating. I just go by my clothes. I can see I have lost weight, I am down a size. You are doing the right things, eating less and moving more, you will lose weight.

I think if I just went on clothes it would take ages to notice any difference? I need to lose at least 7 stone or more. I don’t measure myself as I prefer to use that scales find it easier. And yes been drinking much more water.

Has your calorie counting involved what you drink as well?

Also, even things like extra butter and using extra oil, all add to calories

I was thinking the exact same thing. I lost a lot initially but plateaued after about 2 weeks. The scales didn't move for a week but I've just hopped on this morning and lost 4lb. I just have to keep thinking that it will come off eventually. A calorie deficit will always result in a loss.

I’ve significantly cut down my calories, I only drink water and cook with fry light. I don’t understand everyone says the weight drops off quickly to begin with 😕

Measure as well as weighing yourself.

Make sure you record all food and drink.

Are you giving yourself a sensible amount of calories to have daily. Don't cut them too low and when you have weeks like this it's much easier to give up and binge for a few days then you won't lose the week after too.

Make sure you are eating plenty of protein and fibre and drink plenty of water too.

What is a typical day in terms of food and drink OP?

Breakfast is usually porridge and fruit

Lunch slim fast shake

Dinner usually chicken and veg

Snacks either a breakfast bar (low cal) /yoghurt or fruit

Drink water or occasionally Diet Coke Im not a tea or coffee drinker

When I lost a significant amount of weight, I did not lose anything at all for SIX WEEKS. It was very disheartening and I did seriously think about giving up. But at the 6 week point it starting falling off rapidly.

There could be so many variables. Your best bet is actually to measure your weight daily and take a weekly average. You could have had a salty tea last night, be about to start your period etc etc

Personally I think you should be eating a bit more (especially if you are already quite overweight) I would have a proper lunch and get rid of the shake.

Porridge, are you weighing out your oats? 40g is a standard portion. Are you having milk? Full fat?

How are you cooking your chicken and veg? In oil etc?

How much water are you drinking?

Are you managing any exercise? Even if it’s just daily steps etc.

Sorry for all the questions just trying to get a better idea!

I must admit my calories are low and are around 1200 but I really really want to lose a significant amount by summer, I really don’t want to just lose 1lb a week as that’s just to slow to keep my motivated 😔

The porridge is the Quaker oak packets so I just add semi skimmed milk to them so they are already measured out.
The chicken I use fry light and I don’t exercise I’m too big at the moment for proper exercise so I try to walk more to places where I would usually get the bus.

I think what you’re eating there is a great choice for weight loss. Just keep going- it takes a while to make a difference on the scales sometimes but you will be losing.

Don’t get discouraged!! Keep going!

Stuck with what you are doing and the weight will drop off. Sometimes the weight just plateaus at points. You’ll do a weigh in next week and find you’ve lost loads.

so it's just this week you haven't experienced any weight loss? i think that's quite common on diets, for there to be a bit of a plateau three or four weeks in.

I take ages to get going on a diet. I'm always really disheartened by those that lose 5lb in a week. I've never done that and I've got 3 stone to lose (I have lost 2 stone already so 5 in total).

I find it does catch up so stick with it!!! All the 1lb losses do add up and it will be worth it

Annoyingly I didn’t check the scales in the first couple of weeks so I have no idea if I even lost anything before this week. I only checked them a week ago and then again today and it’s stayed the same. Going to try to forget about the scales for a while.

I would read the diet myth by Tim Spector and include more fat, and less Diet Coke and cereal bars.

Do it as 5:2 is what he suggests.

I will check that out thank you, the Diet Coke isn’t good but I was pretty much addicted to it so I’m trying to wean myself off but I hardly touch it now and it’s been easier cutting it down than I thought! Breakfast bars are usually when I don’t have time to cook something as I have 4 children so can be quite busy so sometimes it’s just something quick to grab on the go. Hopefully this week will be a better week!