I have not lost a single pound!!!!

Hi everybody, I’m new here.  I started dieting about 2 years ago.  My friend went to Lindora, and I copied everything that she did.  I’m 31 years old and it was the first time I had ever dieted. (for more than 2 or 3 days)  I was able to stick this time, because I lost my cravings and lost weight fairly quickly, so I had instant results to motivate me.  I went from 260 to 205 in about 6 months (woo hoo!!!) 

Unfortunately, some ugly life things happened, and I slowly started to regain. (gotta work on that emotional eating, I know) I tried to stick to the plan, but I fell into old habits.  I had lost so much weight, and was so shocked by my success, that I thought I was “cured” and that I could keep it off forever.   WRONG!!!  I’m now up to 225. 

The lindora plan is a very healthy low carb plan.  I really liked it, but I have had some physical repurcussions from the lack of carbs/fiber.  I decided that I didn't want to "diet" I want to just eat “healthy.” I came here to track my calories to make sure I don’t eat TOO much.  I borrowed a book from a college kid on health and nutrition, to make sure i was on the right track.  I learned a lot!!!  (I recommend it!! Too many fads have gotten us really confused about food)  I’ve started lifting weights!!  I NEVER thought I would ever enjoy weight training.  Just thinking about it would make me cringe.  I really am actually starting to love it!!

So here’s the problem.   I’ve been tracking my calories religiously for 3-4 weeks, averaging 1620 a day, aiming for 1500-1700 sometimes eating 1400, sometimes 2300.  I’ve been working out 3-4x a week.  No cardio really, (foot injury) just weights.  

I am not losing weight!!!!!   What’s the deal!?!  Am I eating wrong?  Not working hard enough?  Just impatient?  Is it because of the low carbs for so long? 

I’ve really never done this, so I don’t know how to do it right.  I’ve always been overweight, I don’t know how to be anything else!  I guess I have this fear deep down that there’s something wrong with me, that no matter how hard I work, I will be doomed to stay fat forever.  ( I always have so far)   Am I doing something wrong now?  Should I eat more?  Less?  I’m not hungry.  I actually feel pretty damn good!  Fruits, veggies, & whole grains.

But my pants are still tight!!  Maybe even more tight!!! Argh!! Help!!!

Any advice? 

If you're only lifting weights and not doing cardio, there's always that old saying, "Muscle weighs more than fat".

In terms of calorie counting, are you sure that you are counting EVERY little thing? Are you measuring portions out, and verifying their caloric content on Calorie Count? I had a similar problem. I joined Weight Watchers and GAINED 10 pounds! I found out that some of the nutritional information I had was wrong, and I had also been neglecting to add in the little things like mints, or an individual hershey's kiss, or even ketchup! I thought that I was eating 1500, when in actuality it was 2200. I have been counting calories for YEARS, and even I was off! If you've just started recently, it is very possible that a similar thing may be happening to you.

Tracking your calories and actualy following your calorie limits are 2 different things. You've already admitted you have up to 2200 calories on some days.

Try some consistency for a few week and then measure your progress. I don't know anything about Lindor's diet but you what ever diet you prefer you should still take note of your ratios, how much fat/protein/carbs you are consuming, as well as your sodium intake and water.

Bummer about the foot injury because the biggest muscles are in the legs.  Have you thought about swimming a few times a week?

At 1620 calories/day average and 225 lbs weight, you should be losing a pound or two a week even with only sedentary activity.  If you're into this for a month and haven't seen results, check your counting methods.  You might want to get a food scale.  And as my doctor told me as I started out on calorie counting, stay away from restaurants!

Have you explored the CC Advice section?  Mary Hartley's expert articles are very helpful with problems like this, and so is the Ask Mary section.  Browse through the past Q&A and you might find something useful to solve your problem.  CC really does have everything you need.

I read an article recently that says most people (myself included) often record their calories inaccruately, meaning they're typically under recording 20-40% of their total intake.

The same article also said people typically overestimate how many calories are burned while working out.

I wish I had that article, but it's good food for thought. Hope it helps!

Original Post by tealpenguin326:

If you're only lifting weights and not doing cardio, there's always that old saying, "Muscle weighs more than fat".

Sort of true in this case.  You need a consistant calorie surplus to gain muscle mass.  HOWEVER, You will gain some muscle because you are a strength training newbie, but not more than 5lbs and it won't continue for long.  You've only been at this 3-4 weeks...give it some more time and stick with it.  It takes time to make healthy changes to your body, but as long as you're being honest with yourself about your diet and giving it 100% with your workouts, you WILL see results. 

Joy, You have received some insightful comments here, and I'm with Clairelaine: everything you need is on CC. I have spent a lot of time researching eating, low carb diets, and exercise on CC and about.com links, and I'm very pleased with what I've learned.

I gotta tell you, I've been doing this since last May, and except for the first 16 lbs or so, I haven't had much success. I attribute my long-standing plateau to two simple things: I eat too much, and I don't exercise enough.

However, using the BMR calculator, following "how many calories?" links, and logging my food in advance, I think I'm beginning to do this right. Also trying to get at least a little exercise every day. My journal has details on my exercise "blocks," which wouldn't interest you, since you are young and healthy!

Maybe you are not eating enough! As Clairelaine says, go to the Advice links, and check out those articles and tools. It's amazing how much good information and analysis you can find right here.

All the best! by the way...don't give up, keep coming back, this is the right place to be!

Thanks to all of you who have replied and offered suggestions!  I have still not lost any pounds, but i can definitely feel some muscles growing in there! : )

Honestly, I think that I have been tracking my calories pretty well.  If anything, I may overestimate a bit if I'm not sure.  I'm afraid to go below 1500.  I really want to just eat "normally"  (whatever that is) I don't want to mess up my metabolism or "diet".  I want to be strong and healthy!  I'm just going to stick with what I'm doing and see what happens.  At least I'm not gaining any more!!!!  I'm going to start tracking my measurements too. 

Again, thanks.  It's great to find such a supportive community!!

I lost 40 pounds on Lindora and then regained most of it after I returned to work...but now I am using those same principles on my own.  Eat your protein breakfast by 7:30am, then a protein snack mid morning, salad with veggies and protein for lunch and a mid afternoon snack.

I use Calorie-count.com to track everything (weight, what I eat) and the summary gives you the cumulative carb total.  If I want to lose, I have to stay around 60-70 carbs.  Water and walking 10,000 steps a day.  It works.

I just cannot each breads, bagels, potatoes and definitely not rice if I want to lose weight.  I stick to apples and oranges (and berries) so I get my good carbs that way!