Weight not shifting-help!!

[Scattybrain2022]

I have about a stone to lose to reach my ideal weight and BMI. I decided to finally go for it properly this summer. For the last 3 weeks , I have been religiously tracking everything on MFP and am eating close to 1200 calories a day. I’ve also joined the gym and I’m doing 4 classes a week- mainly spin and also some toning ones plus another couple of workouts and I’m also walking half an hour a day.
the scales haven’t shifted at all! I’ve noticed a slight difference in how clothes feel but it’s so slight that it’s probably just less bloating from fewer carbs. I’m feeling so demotivated by it. I would have expected results by now. Any ideas? Could it be my thyroid? I have borderline underactivity but it’s never got in the way before. Age? I’m 40. I’m despairing.

if your clothes feel better that’s a great start.

where you are in your cycle, water retention etc can all impact the scales. Measurements / photos and how your clothes fit are a better way to go.

Are you measuring out everything for my fitness pal? The other thing to that you aren’t really in a calorie deficit altho at 1200 you probably have a lot of wriggle room as it’s so low. Why did you pick 1200?

Hey OP!
As pp says, great the clothes fit better!

Agree with weight and measure together. I measured waist, arm, thigh. I had weeks when weight stagnated BUT my measurements went down. And vice versa.
What also can happen is I stagnated then dropped 2-3 weeka worth of weight in one week. Water I am logically assuming.

Don't despare! Your hape is obviously changing and you are getting fitter. I know people like to talk about massive loss in first week or so, but it's not a rule (it's also often water weight).

Hi @Scattybrain2022. I can see how that's really frustrating. I'm also trying to lose a stone, I've chosen to do it via Noom and am down 11lbs so far. The following bits might be helpful for you (a hefty part of Noom is psycho education around weight and weight loss). I think as others said I'd be considering hormones, water intake and salt. When my weight has got "stuck" I can usually see how I've had more salty food and not drunk enough water. 1200 calories is really low, Noom actually won't let females set a daily limit of any less than 1320. If you take in too few calories your body goes into starvation mode and actually hangs onto fat, making weight loss harder.

Something else I've learnt that's been really interesting is the role of exercise in weight loss. Have you always been a gym goer? Research indicates that people who exercise purely for weight loss don't actually lose any more weight than people who just alter their diet.

My final tuppence is are you weighing your food? I started doing this and was absolutely shocked at how far out I was compared to what my eyes were telling me a portion-size was 😅

Thanks so much @Summertime109 I picked 1200 as I’m quite small- only 5’2 and small framed. It’s the calorie allowance MFP recommended and I’ve stuck to it in the past and lost weight! Cycle might have something to do with it although I would have expected some movement over last few weeks. I am measuring everything. I cook a lot from scratch and am creating recipes on mfp with everything measured so don’t think I’m missing anything. Oh well! I’ll trust the process and carry on!

Thanks @Cakesandbabes ! I will take some measurements and fingers crossed for a sudden weight loss following weeks of effort!

Try this calculator instead of MFP, they don't give enough calories. I'm on 1700 per day using this and have lost 2 stone.

https://tdeecalculator.net/

Thank you @mummabubs ! I think I could definitely drink more water and I’m terrible for salt so that may be playing a part. I just can’t taste food the same since covid so seem to season everything more. I’ll try and cut down. I don’t think my body is in starvation mode as I am very small and I don’t eat huge amounts normally anyway.
thats interesting re the gym! I was a regular gym goer until 2 years ago since when my weight has crept up and fitness declined. I’m hoping that the gym will be a permanent lifestyle change and I’ll carry on with a few classes a week even when I’m at goal weight.

I am bit 😶 at "starvation modes" because, well, I've seen people who were starving.

What people mean is the body shuts down some functions like heating to try to preserve the stores. Which it does at any drop when it's a shock. However, that can only last so long and simply, if you burn more than you take in, it will burn the stores. Whole point of diet.

But yea 1200 can be too little especially since you are working out . It may make you feel faint and cold. But it will not hold fat forever

Thanks- this shows my tdee as 1700 calories so I think 1200 is probably right for me if I’m aiming for a 500 calorie deficit a day?

The calories at the top of the page are your maintenance. Scroll down and there's a tab for Cutting that tells you how much to eat to lose.

It says 1241. This is one the problems of being so short!

It is quite low. When I do 16/8 intermittent fasting I can easily stick to 1200 though. It doesn't feel as tight with no breakfast to consider.

thank you all for the supportive messages. Just an update- I have persevered. Diet and exercise. And the scales have finally moved slowly but surely. Since my post I’ve lost 2kg and also can see the difference!! Yay!!