Another Diet Forum > Individuals > Please Help Me, I'm Stuck! > stuck...can some tell me if I'm on the right track?
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sammy
New Member


Joined: 21 Nov 2006
Location: New Jersey USA
Posts: 2
 Hi,

I'm new here and have been reading the other threads in this forum.  I have a similar problem cuz I seem to be stuck at 190 lbs.

I eat about 1400 - 1600 calories a day.  I excersice about 1.5 hours a day on my elliptical trainer, it says that I burn about 900 calories.  I do this in (2) 45 minute sessions, one in the morning and one in the evening.

I don't work so, I don't do too much during the daytime.  Just the basic cleaning/cooking during the day. 

I started a diet 2 weeks ago.  The 1st week, I lost 5lbs...the 2nd week, I haven't lost anything.

This is my second attempt at losing weight this year.  In May, I was 215 lbs. and I went to the gym and worked out.  I wasn't on a diet or anything, I just worked out.  I lost 20 lbs over 3 months.  I stopped around august.  I just started again at the beginning of the month.  I am now watching my diet as well as excersicing.

I eat a balanced diet ( I hope)...
  • 2 servings of fruit
  • cereal in the morning - 1 cup
  • A salad for lunch with either tuna or chicken..mostly lettuce
  • A cup of coffee with sugar, no milk
  • Dinner is usually fish, chiken, or steak.  2 cups of salad, 1/2 cup of white rice or baked potatoe, and sometimes 1/2 avacado
  • 1 cup of Iced tea.
  • Sometimes(!) an fruit ice cream bar (~150 calories)
  • 4 cups of water per day
  • 2 cups of hot tea per day
I don't know if I'm eating enough or not...different sites have different answers.  I also haven't gone to the bathroom for like 3 days now.  So, I don't know if that's normal or not.  I use to go regularly every day.

Can someone plz help me?  Thanks.

I am 28 year old female, 5'3" tall, and currently 190lbs. :pig:

Thanks to all in advance.
Nir
Senior Administrator


Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
Posts: 11761
 sammy wrote: I excersice about 1.5 hours a day on my elliptical trainer, it says that I burn about 900 calories.


Your unadjusted RMR is 1561. As you exercise every day, let's use "moderate exerciser 3-5 days" to estimate your maintenance calories at 2420. You should therfore be eating around 2057.

So yes, it sounds like you're under-eating. 1600 would still be on the low side even if you did no exercise at all.
girl008
New Member


Joined: 21 Nov 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 3
 Hi Sammy,

I'm new here too.  It's a fine line isn't it?  Good for you for being so aware of what your eating and calories burned.  I'm just now trying to get back on track after a few months of stress and neglecting my body.  My issue is follow through.  I can get off to a geat start but get dicouraged quickly.  Don't let a bad week throw you off!  Sounds like your very organized and diligent.  Stay healthy and motivated.  ~I need the inspiration.  :wink:
NevD
New Member


Joined: 26 Oct 2005
Location:  
Posts: 1536
 Fat loss isn't a linear process.

Work out your average weekly loss after one month.   If you're losing 1.5 to 2 pounds per week, that's absolutely bang-on.

Good luck,

:cool:
Elle07
New Member


Joined: 15 Nov 2006
Location:  
Posts: 3
 First, let me say, that I am noooo expert :) My original goal was to lose 80 lbs, and I have lost 40 so far.  These would eb a few of my suggestions though...

1) switch from a cold cereal to a hot cereal in the morning and add some flax seed to it, you will hardly taste it and the health benefits are fantastic, it will also help with the bathroom issues :wink:

2) amp up on your water.  With as much exercise as you are doing (which is AMAZING) you have to hydrate yourself more.  Water is also essential to your digestive system, and again, will help the bathroom issue.  My doctor said to aim for 1/2 my body weight in water a day.  Your coffee and tea helps toward that too.

3) try making your biggest meal of the day lunch ~ maybe eat your avacado at lunch time instead of dinner.  Calories eaten earlier have more time to burn off.

4) this is the one I myself have the hardest time with (like I said, not claiming to be an expert).  Try eatin more vegetables.  People can argue all day about how many veggies we "need" ~ but active people (which you most certainly are!) should probably be eating more like 4 or 5 a day.  Try some that are rich in nutrients like broccoli or carrots.  Maybe add some Kale to your salads.  Even fruit like pomegranate and blueberries that are full of antioxidants would benefit you a ton.

Not trying to be a know-it-all or anything, just throwing out some things that have worked for me!  Good luck with everything, I truely admire the time you have been dedicating to fitness!

 
sammy
New Member


Joined: 21 Nov 2006
Location: New Jersey USA
Posts: 2
 Hi all,

Thanks for all the advice!  I upped my calories to 2000 and reduced my excersice schedule by 10 minutes each session.  I am happy to report back that I lost 3 pounds this week! :grin:  I guess I was really under eating.

I actually do eat some hot cereal (oatmeal) every other day.  I think it helped with my bathroom issues.  I try to vary my diet so I don't get bored.

I hope that I can be proof that you have to eat enough to lose weight.  My boyfriend kept on telling me that I wasn't eating enough but, I didn't listen.  After my post here on the board and the advice from you guys, I decided to listen.  It actually works and I lost $50 to my boyfriend who bet me that eating more will help!  :shock: LOL!

Thanks again to everyone.  I will keep everyone updated and good luck to other that are also trying to lose weight.  I know it's hard but, I know with a little determination that it can be done!

My goal is to be 140 by June!:tongue: