Haven't Lost Weight in A Week!

I think I'm stuck at a plateau. I've been trying the 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600 to see if it works, I don't think it is. I'm 5 foot 6, 220 lbs. I walk every day. What am I doing wrong?

Oh no!  There must be something really wrong with me!  I haven't lost weight since October 4th.  You are not in a plateau after only one week.  I am in a plateau.  However, I know it's gotta give sometime soon.  I feel it in my clothes.  Give it some time!

Hey it's only a week. Relax. Has your sodium intake been high these pst few days? Whether it has a cause or not, I wouldn't stress out too much. If it continues for a few months, then be concerned.

I quit smoking 4 month ago.  Gained 14 pound.  Since my quit date, I have been exercising a ton.  5 weeks ago I started going to the gym for 2 hours a day, monday through fri.  Im still gaining weight even though i am doing cardiio and strength training, also a healthy diet.  HELP!!!! it is so frustrating. 

Every week i seem to gain

I didn't lose more then 2 lbs thru the entire month of February... "Frustrated" doesn't begin to describe it.

BUT last night my size 26 jeans just felt ridiculously huge... So I went ahead and tried on my "skinny" 24's... And they fit. Yay! Just hang in there and do what you know to be right and pounds and/or inches will fall off, eventually!!

Sounds like you are gaining muscle, which weighs more than fat. Are you clothes fitting better because that could be a better sign that you are losing the bad fat and gaining the good muscle.

It's okay, just keep doing what you're doing. When I was most motivated a year ago, counting 1200 every day I was losing pretty regularly and got stuck at 178 (from 195) for about 2 and half weeks.

I know how you feel, I felt like such a failure, it was very frustrating. I just kept telling myself that calories are science and I kept with it. And sure enough... after 2 weeks of waking up to 178 I woke up to 175 and some change.

It's my understanding if you've been steadily in a deficit your body will take it's own initiative and stall weight loss in case something is wrong with the rest of you (a disease, famine, etc). Just keep doing what you're doing, it'll drop sooner or later. I been there.

If it gives you any encouragement at all I started at 195 and I'm at 146 now... so close to 50! Don't let that little plateau get you down, just keep on keepin on!!

Not to be gross here but many people who limit their calories while exerciseing still do not "go" enough.  Despite your cutback in calories, a good 30-35 grams of fiber might be necessary in order to do so.  I am only speaking of experience here.   Usually it doesn't matter how many calories you cut, if you ain't regular, you ain't losin'

Original Post by brocksbaybums:

I think I'm stuck at a plateau. I've been trying the 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600 to see if it works, I don't think it is. I'm 5 foot 6, 220 lbs. I walk every day. What am I doing wrong?

 Sounds like you are probably undereating! Make sure your deficit isn't topping 1000. Also, give your body time to adapt. The adjustment of water, fat loss, muscle increase, can take time to even out and to see the scale go down. As your fat metabolizes, it produces water, so you have to flush it to see the change, but if you are building a bit of lean muscle from exercise, you won't see the scale change at first. Be patient, and eat more!

FYI, you burn about 2100 cals as a 'sedentary' person, and being truly sedentary is rare. And no woman (adult) should ever eat less than 1200, and that's not enough for you with any activity in your day, so stop the low eating days and aim for about 1500 and you should do better.

Good luck.

Hey,

Thanks for the encouragement.  Much needed!!!!

Congrats to your "Skinny 24s"!!!!