Diet & exercise and no weight loss at all

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It really sucks, but you basically have to go hungry. Stop eating breakfast and lunch, and then do your normal eating for dinner. After a week, you will see the scale move a bit. Once you reach your desired weight, you basically have to keep this up, except maybe you can eat lunch and/or desserts on weekends.

I also had an ED as a teen, and my height/weight/age are similar. I recently loss weight through this method and currently maintaining, but it’s not easy. I feel like my behavior is disordered, but it’s what’s necessary to maintain a normal weight. OTOH, if I just somehow naturally ate less, or didn’t feel hungry or deprived, it wouldn’t feel disordered. But I was raised/conditioned to be scared of hunger. So I’m trying to reframe that now.

I’m already eating less. And not eating except one meal a day is disordered eating no matter how you frame it. How is that the only option?

It’s not your only option. You need to make better choices.

Breakfast - egg white omelette with veggies. Season with salt/pepper/salsa

Snack - apple and 2 teaspoons of almond butter

Lunch large salad measure dressing, nuts or boiled egg whites. Or roll that up into a wrap.

Snack - fruit, nuts (weighed/counted), raw veggies

Dinner - large veggie stir fry with 4 oz lean meat.

Night snack (if you’re even hungry)- Same as above.

The above will land you at about 1,300 - 1,500 calories eating all day long. I’ve lost 12 pounds since July by simply eating better and limiting alcohol to ~2-3 glasses a week.

Nobody needs all of these snacks.

I wasn’t suggesting they do. I was explaining how you COULD eat all day and still land at the calories op was targeting. The pp indicated ‘one meal a day’.

Perhaps I’m not normal, but I do have three snacks a day. It’s how I get all my servings of vegetables and fruit and not starving myself. I lost 1-1.5 pounds a week. 8 more pounds to go.

[Anonymous]

I'm in my early 40's and your exact same height and weight. I've stopped looking at weight and focus on body composition. Over the summer, I tracked calories on the "Lose It" app (started day with 1215 and gained more calories when I exercised so probably ate around 1550), walked 10000 steps a day, did two 60 minute endurance rides per week on peloton (stay in zones 2-3 for fat burning) and lifted weights 4-5 days per week using Rebecca Kennedy's 5 day split and then her 4 day split. Consistency with endurance cardio and hypertrophy with lifting are the keys for me. I saw results within a couple of weeks which was super encouraging for staying in track. I got in the best shape of my adult life--strong and toned. My weight never got below the 150's but I felt awesome and looked so much better in my clothes. First summer in a long time that I felt great.

I found it pretty manageable to sustain for a few months but definitely fell off the wagon a bit with back-to-school in Sept. I'm back at it now! Set yourself incremental goals and be disciplined. Even if you don't lose weight, you will see those muscles start showing up and suddenly the grocery bags won't feel heavy anymore!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm in my early 40's and your exact same height and weight. I've stopped looking at weight and focus on body composition. Over the summer, I tracked calories on the "Lose It" app (started day with 1215 and gained more calories when I exercised so probably ate around 1550), walked 10000 steps a day, did two 60 minute endurance rides per week on peloton (stay in zones 2-3 for fat burning) and lifted weights 4-5 days per week using Rebecca Kennedy's 5 day split and then her 4 day split. Consistency with endurance cardio and hypertrophy with lifting are the keys for me. I saw results within a couple of weeks which was super encouraging for staying in track. I got in the best shape of my adult life--strong and toned. My weight never got below the 150's but I felt awesome and looked so much better in my clothes. First summer in a long time that I felt great.

I found it pretty manageable to sustain for a few months but definitely fell off the wagon a bit with back-to-school in Sept. I'm back at it now! Set yourself incremental goals and be disciplined. Even if you don't lose weight, you will see those muscles start showing up and suddenly the grocery bags won't feel heavy anymore!

Helpful, thanks! I have definitely seen some changes in my body composition and I’ve gotten stronger for sure, so maybe there has been some changing fat for muscle happening but it’s been really frustrating not seeing the scale move (except up!)… and I don’t weigh myself often!

[Anonymous]

You are not in a calorie deficit. That's the answer, pure and simple. Cut back your calories or burn more calories. It's the answer everyone hates but that is correct every single time. The way I personally do it is by having a Fairlife Core Power protein shake for breakfast, a salad with chicken and half an avocado for lunch, and some sort of protein, salad, roasted veggies (light on the oil) for dinner. If I'm hungry in the afternoon I have egg whites, which I keep in the fridge hardboiled at all times. I walk 15k steps/day minimum. And I drink water and green tea all day long (and 2 cups of coffee with skim milk in the morning). Once a week I eat out and have whatever I want. For other special occasions, I have treats (like for birthdays I'll have a piece of cake), but I portion control it. Occasionally I'll have some berries or an apple but I don't crave those so it isn't often.

It isn't fun or entertaining, but it works without my having to count calories or restrict any particular food groups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It really sucks, but you basically have to go hungry. Stop eating breakfast and lunch, and then do your normal eating for dinner. After a week, you will see the scale move a bit. Once you reach your desired weight, you basically have to keep this up, except maybe you can eat lunch and/or desserts on weekends.

I also had an ED as a teen, and my height/weight/age are similar. I recently loss weight through this method and currently maintaining, but it’s not easy. I feel like my behavior is disordered, but it’s what’s necessary to maintain a normal weight. OTOH, if I just somehow naturally ate less, or didn’t feel hungry or deprived, it wouldn’t feel disordered. But I was raised/conditioned to be scared of hunger. So I’m trying to reframe that now.

I’m already eating less. And not eating except one meal a day is disordered eating no matter how you frame it. How is that the only option?

Dp. It's not the only option. I'm 53, 5'7, 149lbs trying to get to 138. I haven't had a period in 4 months and praying I'm done. I am walking and exercising most days and doing WW online. I have lost 4 pounds since starting 3 weeks ago. I am never hungry on the plan. I am giving myself 9 months to lose the 11 pounds. This takes stress and pressure/obsessing off the menu, so to speak. I do not drink any alcohol and haven't for years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I followed this path almost exactly (height, weight, kids) but I’m 53 now. The weight is not budging. My (female) doctor says it’s not a health concern because it’s not around my midsection and my husband is *really* enjoying me finally having an ass and says I’ve never looked sexier. I still eat as healthy as I can and exercise, but I’ve stopped trying to lose it.

Thanks… I guess it’s good to know I’m not alone. My stomach is toned and I have a defined waist, my weight seems to be more in my legs/hips/butt too. My husband also says I look great, but he’s biased 😉

I love your husband!! I’m gonna remind my husband that I would like to hear more of that.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'll tell you what worked for me, and I know at least a few posters crap all over it, but I don't care because I went from a size 8 to a size 2, and my percent body fat is now athletic instead of 40%. I was already eating healthy and exercising 5 days a week when I got to a size 8. I saw a doctor specializing in HRT and got on T3 and T4. The normal range of thyroid in the US is low relative to the rest of the developed world, and I was on the low end of "normal" in the US. Getting on thyroid medication gave me energy and got my metabolism back. I also got on HRT and supplements based on blood work, plus a low dose of semaglutide (not covered by insurance) based on my insulin level and DEXA scan results. I don't care if I have to stay on this stuff forever, or at least the next twenty years, because I'm now sleeping 8 hours, able to run my 10k time from my twenties, and I got my confidence back.

[Anonymous]

When I was 29 my weight loss goal intake was 1200-1400/day, 1800 is healthy and all that but it’s not a weight loss calorie budget.
You need to cut back on intensive cardio’s and food intake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m 41, still having regular periods and have no symptoms of perimenopause although I suspect it’s beginning (though my mom went through menopause @55 so maybe not?).

I’ve put on about 15lbs in the last 5 years and have been trying to lose some of them. I have been tracking my food on My Fitness Pal and really curbing my eating for months but especially since Sept 1. I’m eating around 1500-1800 cal/day, lots of protein, almost no sugar or processed carbs, almost no processed foods, mostly I eat “whole foods” I cook for myself… and I haven’t lost an ounce. I only drink water or unsweetened tea and drink alcohol maybe 1/week.

I am very active - walk at least 10,000 but usually 15k+ steps every day, I run, cycle, play tennis, do yoga, weight training etc. - I walk daily and do at least one other activity almost every day.

My gynecologist (last doctor I saw) said that “your metabolism is probably just very slow” but that doesn’t seem like it’s all of it. I’ve had my thyroid checked and it was normal.

The food tracking (which I’ve only been doing a few weeks) is hard for me as I struggled with anorexia as a teen and being so “on top of” what I eat is difficult for me. I’ve pretty much been able to eat whatever I want and maintain about the same weight for years. Now it seems like I can’t eat anything and I still weigh more than I’d like.

Anyone btdt and have advice? I’m 5’7” and currently weight 160 (actually 161 this morning). I’d really like to get back to 145 (I weighted about 130/135 pre-kids and 140ish post, my youngest is now 10). This doesn’t seem like an unrealistic goal but despite months of watching my food and exercising and over a month of really restricting the scale isn’t budging.

1500-1800 calories is a really wide range. Your 1800 calorie days may be keeping you from losing any weight. If you want to lose you have to consistently stay under a certain number for a very long period. You are trying to convince your body to use its own stores for energy and it’s not going to do that if you periodically eat more. I find that “cheat” days essentially keep me from losing weight. If I want to maintain I can “cheat” but I’m not going to lose.

+1. I’m 5’7 and my target is 135. My target is 1500.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m 41, still having regular periods and have no symptoms of perimenopause although I suspect it’s beginning (though my mom went through menopause @55 so maybe not?).

I’ve put on about 15lbs in the last 5 years and have been trying to lose some of them. I have been tracking my food on My Fitness Pal and really curbing my eating for months but especially since Sept 1. I’m eating around 1500-1800 cal/day, lots of protein, almost no sugar or processed carbs, almost no processed foods, mostly I eat “whole foods” I cook for myself… and I haven’t lost an ounce. I only drink water or unsweetened tea and drink alcohol maybe 1/week.

I am very active - walk at least 10,000 but usually 15k+ steps every day, I run, cycle, play tennis, do yoga, weight training etc. - I walk daily and do at least one other activity almost every day.

My gynecologist (last doctor I saw) said that “your metabolism is probably just very slow” but that doesn’t seem like it’s all of it. I’ve had my thyroid checked and it was normal.

The food tracking (which I’ve only been doing a few weeks) is hard for me as I struggled with anorexia as a teen and being so “on top of” what I eat is difficult for me. I’ve pretty much been able to eat whatever I want and maintain about the same weight for years. Now it seems like I can’t eat anything and I still weigh more than I’d like.

Anyone btdt and have advice? I’m 5’7” and currently weight 160 (actually 161 this morning). I’d really like to get back to 145 (I weighted about 130/135 pre-kids and 140ish post, my youngest is now 10). This doesn’t seem like an unrealistic goal but despite months of watching my food and exercising and over a month of really restricting the scale isn’t budging.

1500-1800 calories is a really wide range. Your 1800 calorie days may be keeping you from losing any weight. If you want to lose you have to consistently stay under a certain number for a very long period. You are trying to convince your body to use its own stores for energy and it’s not going to do that if you periodically eat more. I find that “cheat” days essentially keep me from losing weight. If I want to maintain I can “cheat” but I’m not going to lose.

+1. I’m 5’7 and my target is 135. My target is 1500.

Is that net of exercise or entirely? And what do you weigh now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m 41, still having regular periods and have no symptoms of perimenopause although I suspect it’s beginning (though my mom went through menopause @55 so maybe not?).

I’ve put on about 15lbs in the last 5 years and have been trying to lose some of them. I have been tracking my food on My Fitness Pal and really curbing my eating for months but especially since Sept 1. I’m eating around 1500-1800 cal/day, lots of protein, almost no sugar or processed carbs, almost no processed foods, mostly I eat “whole foods” I cook for myself… and I haven’t lost an ounce. I only drink water or unsweetened tea and drink alcohol maybe 1/week.

I am very active - walk at least 10,000 but usually 15k+ steps every day, I run, cycle, play tennis, do yoga, weight training etc. - I walk daily and do at least one other activity almost every day.

My gynecologist (last doctor I saw) said that “your metabolism is probably just very slow” but that doesn’t seem like it’s all of it. I’ve had my thyroid checked and it was normal.

The food tracking (which I’ve only been doing a few weeks) is hard for me as I struggled with anorexia as a teen and being so “on top of” what I eat is difficult for me. I’ve pretty much been able to eat whatever I want and maintain about the same weight for years. Now it seems like I can’t eat anything and I still weigh more than I’d like.

Anyone btdt and have advice? I’m 5’7” and currently weight 160 (actually 161 this morning). I’d really like to get back to 145 (I weighted about 130/135 pre-kids and 140ish post, my youngest is now 10). This doesn’t seem like an unrealistic goal but despite months of watching my food and exercising and over a month of really restricting the scale isn’t budging.

1500-1800 calories is a really wide range. Your 1800 calorie days may be keeping you from losing any weight. If you want to lose you have to consistently stay under a certain number for a very long period. You are trying to convince your body to use its own stores for energy and it’s not going to do that if you periodically eat more. I find that “cheat” days essentially keep me from losing weight. If I want to maintain I can “cheat” but I’m not going to lose.

+1. I’m 5’7 and my target is 135. My target is 1500.

Is that net of exercise or entirely? And what do you weigh now?

1550 calories of food. (Sorry typo above). I do not add calories back due to exercise.

[Anonymous]

I gain weight when I eat over 1300-1400 calories per day. I'm 42. I aim for 1000-1200 if I'm trying to lose weight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I gain weight when I eat over 1300-1400 calories per day. I'm 42. I aim for 1000-1200 if I'm trying to lose weight.

How big are you? That’s a very small amount of calories especially if you’re active.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What worked for me was 3 solid meals a day with 30+ G protein at each one. I like Glucose Goddess and follow her hacks. I don’t have blood sugar issues but her hacks have turned around how I eat and have kept my blood sugar and cravings in check and helped with weight loss. I am 45 and have been able to lose 10lbs. I’ve mostly been maintaining it.

This and increase your weight training. Don’t cut more calories and you probably don’t need as much cardio as you’re already doing. Make sure you are weight training 3-4 days a week with progressive overload.

[Anonymous]

OP, you need to cut out alcohol completely. And you didn’t say how many drinks you have, you said one night a week. Is that a glass of wine or a bottle? Alcohol stops your body from burning fat.

https://www.alcoholprofessor.com/blog-posts/how-long-does-alcohol-stop-fat-burning