Not losing and getting frustrated!

OK - what gives?  Three weeks and I am not making much (if any) progress. I am actually down only 2 lbs - and I am NOT cheating. I am drinking oodles of water, I am exercising, and I am getting my recommended calories every day.

I have NEVER had this problem before and I am getting SO  DISCOURAGED!

I wish I knew what the ^%$# was going on!!

Oh my God....that is exactly like me. I've been eating healthy (1300-1500 cal.), drinking a lot of water and working out 4-5 times a week and I am only down 2 lbs. I'm getting really frusterated too, and I would also like to know what is going on!!!

the recommended weight loss is 1lb a week. You are doing fine. 
Can you answer some of these questions?  It will help others help you figure things out.

What are you eating?  How many cals?  How old are you?  Height? weight?

Trish,

Are you eating enough?  I suggest taking measurements.  The scale doesnt tell the whole story.

How about your sodium levels?

Here's what I eat typically...

breakfast: Reduced fat peanut butter (1tbs), 1 tbs grape jam, 2 slices of five grain lite bread (totals 70 cals for two slices).

Lunch : same bread, healthy choice lunch meat (60 cals) 1 tsp honey mustard, 1 can healthy choice lower sodium soup

dinner: boneless/skinless chicken breast pan fried in 1 tsp olive oil - 1 cup frozen broccolli or 10 asparagus spears

snacks - oreo thin crisps or kudos bar

nite time snake - low fat ice cream sandwich (140 cals).

Sodim could be better, but its not bad. I drink about 10-12 8 oz glasses of water daily.

I am 35, 5'6", 184 lbs.

I have polycystic ovaries and high cholesterol, but other than that, healthy.

I work out 5 days for 40-50 minues each day doing the Firm tapes, varying between weights and cardio/aerobics.

My cloths feel a LITTLE better, but come on - I want to be 135 - 140 and buff, not 185  and built!


Thanks all for your input.

So how many calories is that? What is your maintenance level (how many calories do you need to eat to maintain your current weight?)? And how many calories are you burning in your workouts?

If your deficit is too BIG, you're not going to lose as effectively as with a smaller deficit.

But really, what Slappy said -- a pound a week is just fine.

I agree that a lb. a week is a good rate.

Also, since you are working out, it could be that you are losing fat but gaining muscle... that happened to me when I started this last spring and my clothes started fitting a lot better even though I didn't lose very many lbs... I would stick with it and try not to get frustrated!!

Another thing that helped me was to eat a varied amount of calories... I would eat my recommended amount (usually 1300 or so if I didn't exercise and 1550 if I did) for about a week or so, then go up a couple hundred cals. for about 2-3 days. Not sure if this works for everyone but it seemed to for me...

Good luck!

Usually, I get about 1600 with exercise - 1300 w/out.

C-C recommended 1600.

I'll stick with it - It just amazes me How EASY it is to put on, and how HARD it is to take off.
Thanks everyone for your input - I feel a tad bit better.

Hey Trish.
I've got a possibility for you to try.

Check this site out about zig-zagging :) I don't remember who posted it, but there's some science that suggests zig-zagging can work to bust through a plateau :)

Hey, I'm in the same boat.  Started Jan 1, and I did manage to gradually lose 4 pounds in the first 2 weeks.  Then I stopped losing any for the 3rd week.  I figured my body was just adjusting, so I ate a little more over this last weekend (but still no more calories than I was burning), and in 3 days went up by 3 pounds.  I know it's not fat, but it's so frustrating.  Almost a month in, and the scale says I have a net loss of only 1 pound.  I keep trying to remind myself that my muscles have been sore, and probably building themselves up a little, but it's very discouraging.

Hey there-

I was feeling like you as well.  Started on Jan 2nd with eating right (1400 calories) and exercising 4-5 times per week.  First week:  Lost 2 pounds, second week, 1 pound, and just weighed in this week and am down 3.6!  So many things factor into weight loss.  CONSISTENCY is the key.  Who really cares what the scale says if your clothes are fitting better.  Keep up the good work!

You are not alone!  I lost 1.5 pounds last week and only .5 the week before that.  I am being sooooooo good too!  I might have a piece of chocolate here and there, but I always stay under 1600.  I lost weight back in 2004.  I went back through my weight log from back then, and I had a month where I only lost four pounds, BUT I had two months where I lost 9.  Just stick to the program.  It is the healthiest way to lose weight.  Don't deprive yourself too much or it will turn miserable.  Good luck.

Colleen

First of all throw the frickin' scale out the window for the next few months!  1lb a week is normal like everyone said... but also remember too that everyone has different types of metabolism... especially depending on your age.  Women especially!  I know it sucks!

Secondly, try mixing up your diet.  Throw in some things you wouldn't normally eat.  Also emphasize your green veggies.