Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Why am I not losing weight

40 replies

Fluffygreenslippers · 18/02/2023 16:52

I was obese as a teen and in my early twenties then lost several stone. Am now 35. I maintained my weight for years. Sometimes I gained a few pounds and I would track my calories for a while, usually a small deficit of 1800 & would lose weight. Then lockdown happened. I started drinking heavily and gained about two stone. Then, as restrictions eased, I got pregnant. I tried to diet during pregnancy but found it impossible. I gained another two stone. I’m only a stone off my heaviest ever weight. I’m back to the size I was as a fat teen, I feel my old depression coming back. My shape has changed too, I was pear shaped and now I have a big belly. My hips have got even wider. My arse is huge. I thought the weight would come off naturally when I was no longer pregnant but I’ve actually gained! I said enough was enough on Jan first. I completely cut out alcohol, and for good measure chocolate too. I stuck to 1500 calories or less rigidly, I tracked every single calorie down to the splash of milk in my coffee. After seven weeks, I have lost nothing. No weight, no inches, nothing. My meals are mostly protein and veg. I use an air fryer so no more than half a teaspoon of oil is used in cooking. My shape hasn’t changed. Belly still huge. I thought just by cutting out booze I would lose something??? I was previously drinking heavily. At my weight (16+ stone) and height 5.9’’ I should be losing weight????

sorry its so long I tried to be as succinct as possible but clearly failed.

OP posts:
Springintoabetterlife · 18/02/2023 16:54

If you have followed 1500 kcal a day for 7 weeks and not lost weight you should speak to your GP.

hiyaKen · 18/02/2023 17:04

I think it's pretty much agreed by scientists and nutritionists that calorie counting is not going to help

Do some research and find another way

Fluffygreenslippers · 18/02/2023 17:07

hiyaKen · 18/02/2023 17:04

I think it's pretty much agreed by scientists and nutritionists that calorie counting is not going to help

Do some research and find another way

Really? I lost weight in my twenties calorie counting. What is the other way? I don’t eat a lot of junk food as I have ibs. It’s mainly chicken/ fish with salad or veg. Eggs for breakfast.

OP posts:
Fluffygreenslippers · 18/02/2023 17:09

I wanted to add some days I don’t eat anything at all. I had this problem as a teen, I would only eat one meal a day but wouldn’t lose weight. I eventually lost weight taking diet pills & sticking to 500 calories a day.
could pregnancy have messed up my hormones somehow?

OP posts:
fellrunner85 · 18/02/2023 17:10

How much exercise are you doing? How much do you move around during the day generally? And you mention eggs, salad and veg, but what would a typical day's eating be like for you?

Springintoabetterlife · 18/02/2023 17:11

It may have messed up your thyroid.

If previously you’ve only list weight when going down to 500kcal then this is a long term problem. I still think you need to speak to your GP.

Beautifulsunflowers · 18/02/2023 17:12

It does get harder to loose weight as you get older. What worked in your 20’s is unlikely to work in your 30’s.
As a pp has suggested I’d get a gp appointment - if you can!!- they should be able to advise you further or offer you some help.

WeAreTheHeroes · 18/02/2023 17:13

hiyaKen · 18/02/2023 17:04

I think it's pretty much agreed by scientists and nutritionists that calorie counting is not going to help

Do some research and find another way

This is nonsense. You need a calorie deficit to lose weight however you choose to achieve a calorie deficit.

OP, please go and see your GP. If you have been measuring and weighing everything you eat and drink and counting the calories accurately, but haven't lost weight this needs looking into.

VenusStarr · 18/02/2023 17:14

Fluffygreenslippers · 18/02/2023 17:09

I wanted to add some days I don’t eat anything at all. I had this problem as a teen, I would only eat one meal a day but wouldn’t lose weight. I eventually lost weight taking diet pills & sticking to 500 calories a day.
could pregnancy have messed up my hormones somehow?

It sounds like your metabolism is out of whack, not eating some days isn't great. You don't eat anything at all from the time you wake up and then go to bed? Or do you mean proper meals? Either way, this isn't healthy or a good, sustainable way to lose any weight and keep it off.

I suspect your body is sluggish and unsure when you're going to fuel it, so slowed everything down.
Try to get into a regular rating pattern of breakfast lunch and dinner and increase your activity levels.

FuchsAndMöhr · 18/02/2023 17:14

hiyaKen · 18/02/2023 17:04

I think it's pretty much agreed by scientists and nutritionists that calorie counting is not going to help

Do some research and find another way

😂😂😂

The ridiculous post of the day award goes to…..

bellac11 · 18/02/2023 17:15

The GP will see an overweight person in front of them saying 'I dont eat over my allowance' and be completely dismissive.

I hope Im wrong OP

I have this from time to time, huge periods of time when Im tracking religiously, every single thing that goes into my mouth and yet nothing budges on the scales.

Hugely disappointing

ItsLoudInMyMind · 18/02/2023 17:16

hiyaKen · 18/02/2023 17:04

I think it's pretty much agreed by scientists and nutritionists that calorie counting is not going to help

Do some research and find another way

Of course it helps. The problem is, as with any ‘diet’, as soon as you return to eating as you normally would, you regain the weight.

Fluffygreenslippers · 18/02/2023 17:16

fellrunner85 · 18/02/2023 17:10

How much exercise are you doing? How much do you move around during the day generally? And you mention eggs, salad and veg, but what would a typical day's eating be like for you?

I have only recently been able to exercise as I was pretty much housebound with SPD during pregnancy and for six months after. I couldn’t even walk without being in severe pain. I’m still not 100%. I have lost all my fitness and most of my muscle tone, I used to be a gym bunny. I don’t do nearly enough exercise, I’m always tired and never have energy once the baby is down for the day. He goes to bed between 7-8pm and I go to sleep at 9 as i’m so tired (baby is 8 months). Now I can walk I walk 3-4 miles 4 or 5 days a week which isn’t much I know but my hip is still bad. Some days i’m in pain so I don’t go out.

OP posts:
Flockameanie · 18/02/2023 17:19

Are you being absolutely honest about tracking? As in, weighing the 'teaspoon' of oil and tracking that?
It's tedious, but necessary. I also find that it takes my body about 2 months to recognise that I'm in a consistent deficit before the weight starts shifting.

Are you eating enough protein?

Are you eating good quality food (i.e. whole, unprocessed, etc, rather than 'diet' or ultra processed stuff)?

fellrunner85 · 18/02/2023 17:24

To be brutally honest, I think you've got your answer. You don't do any exercise other than a few short walks; you've been eating 1500 cals a day (which may or may not be accurately measured) and you've only been doing this since last month anyway.

What you're doing so far sounds great in terms of lifestyle change, so don't be disheartened and give up - instead take an honest look at where you can add in more movement (hip pain allowing) and cut out any remaining snacks etc.

It's fast more likely that you're just not in a calorie deficit yet, rather than an issue with your thyroid/metabolism/etc. While these obviously do exist, the obvious answer is usually the right one..

Fluffygreenslippers · 18/02/2023 17:24

Sorry some people asked what i eat, it’s very similar most days as I have ibs and gerd. Some days when I have a lot of gastric distress I’d rather not eat.
breakfast- scrambled eggs, spinach and sourdough toast.
lunch-chicken breast and salad. No dressing.
dinner-chicken again, or fish. Another vegetable that I can tolerate. Rice or potatoes. Used to have sweet potato but that seems to be irritating me now.

I don’t have big portions. I bet your thinking ‘bullshit!’ but i don’t. I use small plates. I do need to eat potatoes or rice with dinner or I would be in severe pain with my stomach. I weigh and measure everything. I don’t have huge heaping tablespoons. I don’t snack, I’ve never been much of a snacker. I eat pizza once a week. My diet is incredibly boring. I can’t eat curry anymore, too painful.

In pregnancy I could hardly eat from the acid reflux and constantly throwing up but I still gained 2 stone. No one believed me. Dr no help. Midwives no help. They kept checking my blood sugars and blood pressure because I was obese & were constantly shocked they were perfect. 🤷🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
greenspaces4peace · 18/02/2023 17:27

Calorie counting works but long term it’s challenging to stay motivated.
MFP is full of inaccuracy Nutricheck and Cronometer are better.
packaging can legally be off by 10%, which adds up by the end of the day.

gettingalifttothestation · 18/02/2023 17:27

Eat only things that grow. You will loose weight

Fluffygreenslippers · 18/02/2023 17:28

fellrunner85 · 18/02/2023 17:24

To be brutally honest, I think you've got your answer. You don't do any exercise other than a few short walks; you've been eating 1500 cals a day (which may or may not be accurately measured) and you've only been doing this since last month anyway.

What you're doing so far sounds great in terms of lifestyle change, so don't be disheartened and give up - instead take an honest look at where you can add in more movement (hip pain allowing) and cut out any remaining snacks etc.

It's fast more likely that you're just not in a calorie deficit yet, rather than an issue with your thyroid/metabolism/etc. While these obviously do exist, the obvious answer is usually the right one..

You’re likely right @fellrunner85 and that’s depressing. I’ve done the very low calorie diets, and I really don’t want to drop lower. I need to start weight lifting again but I’m just so tired and its so hard to find the time.

OP posts:
Fluffygreenslippers · 18/02/2023 17:30

gettingalifttothestation · 18/02/2023 17:27

Eat only things that grow. You will loose weight

Do you mean a vegan diet @gettingalifttothestation ? I can’t, I have ibs. I wouldn’t get enough nutrition. I can’t tolerate things like beans, pulses, most vegetables etc.

OP posts:
bellac11 · 18/02/2023 17:31

greenspaces4peace · 18/02/2023 17:27

Calorie counting works but long term it’s challenging to stay motivated.
MFP is full of inaccuracy Nutricheck and Cronometer are better.
packaging can legally be off by 10%, which adds up by the end of the day.

Ive never heard of cronometer but found nutricheck dreadful to use. Full of 'cups' or 'serviings'

MFP is really accurate for me, obviously you have the make sure you pick the right product per 100g and make sure you're aware of what its meant to be and that you've measured your amounts.

Bababear987 · 18/02/2023 17:37

bellac11 · 18/02/2023 17:15

The GP will see an overweight person in front of them saying 'I dont eat over my allowance' and be completely dismissive.

I hope Im wrong OP

I have this from time to time, huge periods of time when Im tracking religiously, every single thing that goes into my mouth and yet nothing budges on the scales.

Hugely disappointing

Totally agree with this. The gp will likely just think you arent calorie counting correctly. They might run bloods and test thyroid for example which might show something.

But the older you get, metabolism slows and you will need to calorie restrict further. Knowing your BMR (see an online calculator) may help. Because it showed my rate as only around 1650 calories and anything more than that would be me putting on weight. So therefore in order to actually lose I had to be eating around 1400max

I had really good success with the keto diet however it's very strict.

Dontsayyouloveme · 18/02/2023 17:41

Calorie counting DOES work, if you are taking in less calories than you are using!

FusionChefGeoff · 18/02/2023 18:53

If you've dropped muscle mass that will slow your metabolic rate down too.

Your baby is still so young and that exhaustion is hard to get beyond.

Can you just try to focus on the positive lifestyle changes for now rather than the scales??

Your food sounds really healthy - if a little boring - so I'd focus on eating well but making changes to make it more sustainable / enjoyable for the long term.

Promise yourself that in 6 months / a year you will really up the ante with the exercise??

MarieRoseMarie · 18/02/2023 19:39

You can have your RMR tested apparently.Might be worth it to see what your metabolism is.

my other suggestion is to get your thyroid checked.