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Getting very frustrated. I lost 10 lbs initially. I’m eating very low carb and maybe 1200 calories a day. I’m not building muscle. I do the same exercise I always have. Walking, riding bike, elliptical. I have hypothyroidism but just had it checked and the numbers are in range. TSH was 3.74. Not sure what else to do. After losing 10 lbs I went up 2 lbs then down 2 lbs and stayed at that weight for about 2 weeks. I want to lose 40 to 50 lbs.
2 weeks isn't a very long time. If you truly are burning more calories than you consume (and you are not lying to yourself about how much you are actually eating), you'll lose weight. Some fluctuation is just water weight. There's often a more significant loss at the beginning of a diet, then a plateau.
Getting very frustrated. I lost 10 lbs initially. I’m eating very low carb and maybe 1200 calories a day. I’m not building muscle. I do the same exercise I always have. Walking, riding bike, elliptical. I have hypothyroidism but just had it checked and the numbers are in range. TSH was 3.74. Not sure what else to do. After losing 10 lbs I went up 2 lbs then down 2 lbs and stayed at that weight for about 2 weeks. I want to lose 40 to 50 lbs.
If you want to lose 40-50 pounds, you might not be eating enough. It also depends on what those 1200 calories you're eating consists of. What does your doctor say? Has he referred you yet to a nutritionist? If not, have you asked for a referral? If not, why not?
You are not giving yourself enough time.
A quick way to find out if its your diet, write down everything you eat and the portion size. That will let you know if its your diet. Lots of people misjudge calorie consumption. Writing down what you eat keeps you accountable. 1200 calories does not sound like enough calories, if that is the case your weight loss may stall for a week or two until it adjusts.
You will not get any muscular definition by doing only aerobic exercise. You need to do weight resistance training to build muscle. And if you are a woman don't plan on seeing definition for 6 months to a year.
The first week of dieting results in a large weight drop which is primarily water. You should strive for 1 to 2 pound loss weekly.
Getting very frustrated. I lost 10 lbs initially. I’m eating very low carb and maybe 1200 calories a day. I’m not building muscle. I do the same exercise I always have. Walking, riding bike, elliptical. I have hypothyroidism but just had it checked and the numbers are in range. TSH was 3.74. Not sure what else to do. After losing 10 lbs I went up 2 lbs then down 2 lbs and stayed at that weight for about 2 weeks. I want to lose 40 to 50 lbs.
How long did the 10 lb loss take? 2 days, 2 months, a week?
OP, this has been my experience too. I lost about 18 pounds over a two-month period, then nothing for over three weeks. Very discouraging! Now the scale is moving again, though very slowly (about a pound a week).
The tips above are right on target. I increased my calorie intake from 1250 to 1600 for about a week and this may have contributed to losing again (I'm now around 1300-1350). I also started watching portion size more carefully, including weighing cuts of meat. While I hadn't been far off before, I did find that I was overestimating portion sizes.
Keep at it! If you have an over-eating day, just readjust the next day. Have go to snacks for when you're hungry that are low-cal but will fill you up. Consider experimenting with changing your exercise routine - maybe take a class or swim.
2 weeks isn't a very long time. If you truly are burning more calories than you consume (and you are not lying to yourself about how much you are actually eating), you'll lose weight. Some fluctuation is just water weight. There's often a more significant loss at the beginning of a diet, then a plateau.
And also the scale isn't the be-all-end-all measurement. Do you notice your muscles are toning up? Your clothes fit better? You can work out longer?
I’m eating very low carb and maybe 1200 calories a day.
That's about ~8,500 calories per week, which is about the same that I do. I'm 6'3" with a wide build. What's your height ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Layden85
I want to lose 40 to 50 lbs.
I just lost over 50 pounds in slightly less than 6 months. I have experienced 5 plateaus. Each lasting between 10-20 days. Basically, each and every month (though without any regular pattern). I only weigh myself about once a week.
I have, literally, 2 days ago, climbed out of a ~3 week plateau. Fun
Quote:
Originally Posted by Layden85
and stayed at that weight for about 2 weeks
2 weeks is absolutely normal. See above.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Layden85
Getting very frustrated.
Of course. If there were no plateaus, majority of population would be fit, because it's very easy to stay motivated when scale is moving.
But, as you are noticing, it's really hard when it doesn't move for two weeks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Layden85
Not sure what else to do.
2 Things:
1. Adjust your expectations. Plateaus are a part of the game. Embrace it.
2. Do not, I repeat, do not weigh yourself more than once a week. If you only weigh yourself 3 times during a plateau, it's way less discouraging than 20 times.
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