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Okay, so here are my stats and for some reason I cannot loose lately.  Please can someone tell me what's wrong with my stats:

I am 50 years old, 193 lbs. 5'3", sedentary lifestyle, 1450 calories intake and 1840 burn meter and usually arrive at a deficit everday about 500-800.

My average calories intake 1200, Fat 31.1%, Protein 21.8%, Carbs 47.1%, Sodium average is 2000 mg, sugar 24 grams, fibre 23 grams.

Now, I started October 14th and have lost 14.4 lbs. since then. I average about 2 lbs. every 3 weeks. I know I can do better than this, please tell me where I am making my mistakes and if I can get any of these stats better to help loose maybe 1 lbs. a week consistently. I want to change whatever it is that I need to change to help this process. I feel that I am getting very very discouraged. Is there vitamins or something i could be lacking in my diet. I am on meds for my thyroid, hypothyroidism, but have that taken care of for years. Please help!

P.S. As for exercise I walk almost every other day, as I work full time and gets very dark early, go work out at the gym, not as often as I should, but I do get there, do mild stretching exercises in front of tv daily for about 15 minutes, and am on the go all the time.

Sometimes we just have to be patient.  I lose about 2 pounds a month if that.  I've learned that it's going to be slow going for me and I'm more focused on making changes to become healthier, not just thinner. 

You could try reading the Expert articles in the Advice section to find out how to boost your metabolism.  I've found Mary Hartley's articles to be particularly helpful. 

i think you're not doing enough activity wise.  its not smart to drop below 1200  but i am 5'6 and if i was sedentary and eating 1450-1500 i would maintain my weight. so if you want to eat that amount try starting some exercise.

an hour of walking a day should set the ball rollin quick for you

Thanks, you know, I almost felt like doing that. I feel like I am eating to much for the amount of excercise I do. I am going to start walking. I am off work now till january 5, so that gives me alot of days I can go out walking before dark and I am going to drop my calories to about 1100 and see what that does.

Thanks fidget84.

The fiber is slightly low - I think 25 is the minimum RDA, but you're pretty close.

Maybe when you do your stretching exercises, you can try doing some weight lifting exercises?  I usually lift some light dumbbells in front of the tv every night and I find that helps.

Another thing is maybe try doing fitness videos.  If you have on-demand there are fitness movies you can try, or you can get a free trial to Netflix and rent a bunch of things to see if there are any you like.  I did that and found one called Bar Method that has worked pretty well for me.  Now that I'm used to it, can do the exercises on my own, while watching tv if I don't feel like playing the video.

i think it's a bad idea to drop your calories.

first of all, you said at one point your intake is 1450 calories, then you said it's 1200. so which is it?

second of all, you said 47%of your calories are carbs, which definately qualifies as "low-carb", but your fat intake is HIGH! low carb is alright to lose weight quickly and in a short time period, but it is, for most people, not a good way to live. your body will eventually burn out and weight loss WILL stall. so, how long has your carb intake been this low? it may sound strange, but you might want to consider upping your carb intake ever so slightly. although the high protein/high fat/low carb diet works for just about everyone short term, in the long run your body cannot live this way. i'd like to know exactly what kind of carbs you are eating, too. if you are eating only breads and starches (or mostly), this could be a part of it. try increasing your carb intake to about 50%, and aim for it to be ALL from vegetables, whole grains, and a little fruit. if you just love your breads and potatoes, thats ok, just try to minimize them for now. low fat has been proven to not only be unsuccessful, but unhealthy as well, but, your fat intake is rather high. are you eating alot of red meat and nuts? if so, you don't need to cut those out of your diet, just cut back! try to eat more low-fat protein, such as chicken, turkey, egg whites, cottage cheese, yogurt, and low fat or fat free milk.

you also said "sedentary lifestyle", but then you listed a variety of activities that you seem to do on a daily basis, and you also said you are "on the go all the time". unless "on the go" means sitting in your car, it seems that your lifestyle is actually "light activity". what do you do as your job?

i dont know your exact diet, or your exact daily activity level. but it sounds to me that if you are only taking in 1100-1200 calories daily, your weight loss is stalling because your body is not being properly fueled.

No, what I meant was my calories should be 1450, but they average about 1200 daily.

My carb intake has been that way since I started on this diet. As far as my carbs I am eating, I usually have oatmeal for breakfast with a tea, lunch is a wrap, or 2 pieces of whole wheat weight watchers bread and a slice of lean chicken and some lettuce, yogurt and blackberries for lunch, snacks are usually whole wheat melba toast with some cream cheese, or cheddar cheese and never any bread at supper or nighttime. Supper is usually meat, salmon, chicken, pork chops, steak, rice, salad, lots of veggies and then usually popcorn or an orange at night. I thought that my carbs are all pretty healthy carbs, don't you?

I work in an office, dictatyping, not much exercise, but then come home, laundry, a walk and then getting ready for the next day. I know I do not have enough execise in my daily routine, but I am doing what I can, I am not really an exercise/gym person, so I assumed I was sedentary.

Am I on the right path....?

Debra,

Do not drop your calorie intake to anything below 1200. Period. Even that number is low for a woman of your age and activity. An intake of 1400 - 1600 seems more reasonable to me.

About your activity, you first mention that you are sedentary but then go on to say that you are 'on the go all the time'.. that is not sedentary. 

According to CC you burn 1800 being sedentary - doing very little during the day - and 2100 if you are slightly active... If you have been limiting your intake to 1200, this may very well be the problem. Your deficits are too high.

You may also be underestimating/overestimating your calorie intake which is a common mistake. Do you weigh/measure your food or do you estimate? do you cook your own meals or eat out frequently?

Perhaps you need to take a look at your activity level again and adjust your intake accordingly. You may be eating too little.

As someone else mentioned, I think you would benefit from increasing the amount of lean proteins your consume as it seems a little low.

I hope this helps...  Good luck to you!

It appears that you had a slow down in November after 8.8# loss but was pleased, earlier this month, to have gone on down to 14.4# loss. What changes did you make for that success? Maybe review and repeat?

Congrats with whatever you did but it takes time and patience for continuance. I've been trying to lose 10# all year!

Edited to say that previously, it was advised to increase calories above 1200; did you do so? Try snacks of banana and teaspoon of peanut butter.

You continue to lose!  Not gain!  Be happy!  Keep up the good work.  Sounding good to me!  Might consider a stationary bike, less than $100 and they are great for night and bad weather.  Good luck!

Hi Debra,

I will keep it short since everyone else seems to be writing a book.  Something that has been proven by 3rd party researchers is that Low glycemic diets have an overall good effect on your health situation.  It regulates your sugar and keeps you from getting diabetes (metabolic syndrome).  One of the common byproducts of resetting your glycemic levels is weight loss.  I can get you more info at your request.  Hope this helps,

Bryan

Have you ever tried the zig zag method? Your body gets used to the same intake after awhile, but when you zig zag you keep it guessing. Try zig zagging each day from 1,200- your maintenance level and see if it does anything for you. I've heard a lot of good things with people who have done it.

Hm that is weird, you seem to be doing fine. The older you are the slower you lose weight because your metabolism slows, so it may just be your age. You may try getting more protein than fat, but i doubt that's holding you back much.

And kudos on the 2000mg sodium, that's great!