CALORIE WACHING AND PLATEU

yelena1223

I watched calories (using My Fitness Pal) for 3 weeks and lost weight (from 211 to 201) but then I feel like I hit a plateu. I am still eating about 1200+ calories a day but am not really losing anything and after a celebratory dinner at a fondue restaurant- I gained 3 lbs!

I have a pelvic injury so I am SLOOOOWLY going back to exercise (right now it's yoga and cycling a few times a week) but nothing too strenuous to avoid any more injuries.

Any ideas as to what is going on? Should I cut out sugar completely? Should I load up on protein?

Any tips would be appreciated!

(btw- my normal weight is usually around 190- so not looking to loose a whole ton, but the more the better!)

MrsKP11

The only thing I can really contribute is my own story- I started on MFP at 1200 calories and tried that for a month and didn't lose a thing. I did some research and discovered that I wasn't eating enough so I upped it to 1500 calories (1lb loss instead of 2lb a week) and started losing weight consistently. I lost 19lbs and am at goal now. I upped my calories even further to 1660 and am still losing a bit of weight because I'm at 1/2lb a week loss.

I don't know if that is why you are at a plateau, but eating more and making my weekly loss lower helped me reach my goal.

Good luck!

gt7301b

1) How long has it been since you lost weight? If this is the first week you haven't lost weight I wouldn't worry too much about it.  I wouldn't call a week without weight loss a plateau.

2) If you really are only eating 1200 calories that seems low to me given your current weight.

3) What do you eat on a typical day?  It is easier for folks to give feedback if they see what you are currently eating. 

4) Breathe and give yourself a pat on the back. 10 pounds in 3 weeks is awesome.  The weight loss, healthy eating, journey is a marathon not a 5k. 

Kellina

I agree with the PP... 1200 is way too low. I'm 124lb and eat 1350... MFP tells me 1200 for a one pound/week weight loss, but that is just SO LOW! I can't do it everyday. Cut yourself some slack- ten lb in three weeks is a lot! A 1-2 lb loss per week is normal!

daves_sweetpea

How long ago was this?  People usually drop weight quickly in the first few weeks, but that's mostly water weight.  Focus on loosing 1 pound or less per week and eating a healthy, well balanced, variety of foods.  Practice real life eating you can continue for life b/c that's the only real way any of us can keep weight off for good.  Some weeks you'll stay the same, and that's ok.  I agree that 1200 calories is probably too low-extra low if you're exercising.

As for the gain-that's typical after a splurge.  You're probably retaining water not going to the bathroom as much b/c your meal was most likely rich, salty, and low in fiber.  Drink more water, eat some fruits, veggies, and whole grains, and add in a little exercise and you'll feel better.

Remember-slow & steady wins the race.

yelena1223

Thanks for the encouragement girls! It has been about 2 weeks since any real loss and after the splurge dinner I am back to 204. 

I try to eat protein-rich foods (chiken, eggs, lean meat) as well as lots of veggies and drinking lots of water (granted- it's the seltzer water, but I figured something is better than nothing- I just can't seem to drink regular flat water as well as the bubbly one)

I am also going to go to the gym and see their nutritionist to see what's up. I am someone who carries the weight well- it's pretty evenly distributed and I have always been athletic, so diets never really seemed to work for me, but now that I have a 2 yr old- I need to start eating well to make it a habit for everyone in my family.

Again- thanks for the encouragement. I kind of figured that 1200 might have been too low but when it worked for a week or two- i stuck with it.