LuC2's Journal, 18 June 2014

Hey LuC2, I'm in a similar stall pattern (not intended). Mine is due to lack of exercise, sleep and inconsistent consistency with eating well (so basically everything). Today I am reviewing my grams for carbs, protein and fat and will tweak those numbers for the remainder of the week. Even though you eat primarily healthy carbs, sugars and proteins the balance may need to be adjusted. Also, I agree that your calories could increase too, especially if you are really active. And yes to a new scale. I don’t know what kind but definitely something more accurate. Best wishes on mixing it up a bit. I think when we hit a standstill that we are not comfortable with it is time for a change. I’ll let you know how my tweaking goes. 

Thanks, same here (sleeping is deplorable lately). I'll readjust a knuckle down next week. I'm actually afraid to eat...I just feel (emotionally) awful when I creep over about 1650. I just can't see how I could ever lose eating 2000 calories...I'm at a loss. Time to readjust head and heart :D 

Have you plugged your numbers into the some of the recommended rdi calculators? I know FS tends to be a little generous by about 200 calories. Yes, readjust and get back onto your mission. You can do this.  

Yes, iifym AND another one (i've forgotten which) but I came in around 2350. Seems ridiculously high! The very idea of eating even 2000 cals is quite scary to me. Seeing my weight creep back up would be devastating. 

I was talking to someone at work today about my trouble going to sleep at a reasonable hour now that I have so much more energy as a result of exercising. She suggested something that I know but hadn't thought of, even though I have two children. Get into a routine at bedtime - maybe a cup of tea, and reading. And start the going to bed process at the same time every night. I also know from the NYT that it's important not to look at a computer screen or smart phone right before you go to sleep - that the light from those devices will cause problems. As for scales, i got rid of my health-o-meter. Just too inconsistent. The Tanita Iron Man scale (good price on Amazon) was recommend to me. I really like it a lot. It tells you body fat and water percentages, muscle mass, bone density - and weight too, of course. I try to weigh the same time every day. When I've successfully lost weight, I've done three things: drink lots of water; record all food eaten (shames me into not eating much junk); and weigh every day and keep track of it and other info from the scale.  

Too many carbs...try between 50 - 100g. 

I understand being scared to see the weight creep back up. I'm going to make some adjustments to my eating habits. But I will try it for two weeks to see how my body responds. Maybe try the 1800-2000 calorie range. Make certain the extra calories are not added to the sugar or carbs grams (which seem a little high to me as well). You don’t have to do a low carb diet but just see if your body responds better when you don’t have as much. After two weeks if you don’t see some changes keep tweaking. We have to experiment a little. But you will find what will get you through this moment. And yes water, water, and more water. 

Getting another scale might be a good idea, you don't trust this one and you probably never will again lol! Personally, I try to keep my carbs under 100, just works out for me. Everyone is different. It helps to try different percentages to see what works with your body and satisfies you. What works today might not work next week. 

I have a tanita hd-351 scale and I love it!!!!!!! Tanita scales are known for their consistency. I can get on and off 50x and it may change by .2 lb one time. I hate some scales you get on and off a few times in a row and the reading changes by a pound or more. Plus this scale has tenth of a lb so you can get a little bit of encouragement. :) 

I took a look at your diet calendar. You're not eating enough. You have, on average, a 2,000 calorie deficit (food calories minus exercise calories)! I would increase your calories to at least 2,000. It's best to reduce your calories slowly as you lose weight (no more than a 1,000 calorie deficit is best), and not go to really low calories in the beginning, because your metabolism is probably at a halt from the extreme calorie reduction (the body doesn't like extreme changes). If you gradually increase your calories, you will probably begin losing weight again. Good luck, and keep us posted! 

Sometimes a scale not moving is not a bad thing, allows me to reevaluate my food intake while in "hovering" mode. I'm at the outer banks for 2 weeks with my audit children and young granddaughters. Eating is a little challenging but at least I've been active running after them and playing in the water . Also doing a daily bike ride. I would suggest a new scale, maybe u wore yours out ;) also brought my scale to the beach! 

I have to agree, at least for me the FS calorie calculator for calories burned seems high. I'm not getting weight loss that matches what it says my calorie deficits are. 

That's true...FatSecret's BMR (calories burned just from sleeping and resting) is high. Mine is 300 calories more than IIFYM's, so I don't log sitting, desk work, or driving, which evens it out so that my burned calories are the same as my TDEE on IIFYM. We all have different metabolic rates, so even if you're doing everything you're supposed to, you won't lose at the same rate as someone else, even if all conditions are the same. However, you do have some control over your metabolism: your muscle mass. The more muscle you have, the faster your metabolism, so workout regularly, especially strength training and weightlifting. But I do think you've reduced your calories too drastically in the beginning. As painful as this seems, you should increase your calories and reduce them gradually as you lose weight. 

I don't know what's going on with me ~ but I'm not going to complain! I haven't been exercising per se, although I have been working in my yard a little, and racing around after a 3 month old Golden Retriever puppy, so that's all I can think of that's causing me to lose some weight. I haven't been pigging out, either, although I can't exactly say I've been watching my calories, either. I've lost four pounds since last Friday without really trying. It would b so nice if that happened every week! 

The FS BMR is a little high in my estimation as well. I just finished reading a scientific journal research study about weight loss and they found that (for example) a person who is naturally slim at 150 lbs can eat about 30% more calories than someone who has recently dieted to reach 150 lbs. A dieter's body will naturally burn less calories than someone who has always been slim. Isn't that a kick in the pants, right? Also, FS doesn't take into account body fat percentages, and muscle is a metabolically active body part that utilizes calories by just existing. There is so much more to the "calories in vs. calories out" theory of weight loss. I just try to keep as active as possible and track my food intake as closely as I can so I can at least have a ballpark estimation of my progress.  

Thanks for all the feedback,y'all. We had a death in extended family after a brief illness last week and so I've been sporadic with exercise, food intake, etc...basically, EVERYTHING is off kilter. Super busy with a work issue today but hope to get back to a more normal day on tomorrow...finally. I sincerely appreciate the support (and a couple of you will get notes from me offline -- probably tomorrow -- with a few questions). :D 

I, too, am sorry for you loss. We here for you! 

Sorry for your loss. As Draglist & Kattay said "we're here for you". 

Awwe so sorry LuC2!!! I'm in the same boat with weight loss right now. I keep loosing some only to gain it right back, so on and so fourth... get's frustrating! Hope things get back on track for you soon!!! 

LuC2, i am very sorry for your loss.