How come you're eating 1600 calories? That seems pretty high. My calorie consumption is 1300 or so.

Also, you don't need to be eating back your exercise calories. I actually recommend not to. Although, I know many people disagree with that. Yet many also agree with me. I personally don't lose weight when I eat back those burned calories. I believe eating back exercise calories is for those looking to maintain their weight. Not lose it.

I would seriously question why you are on 1600 calories or 2k and expecting to lose weight. Did I read that right?

I would seriously question why you are on 1600 calories or 2k and expecting to lose weight. Did I read that right?

Your diary doesn't look bad. Try to get more protein (2.5-3g/kg lean body mass, or 1g/lb. body weight, whichever is easier for you). It will make a huge difference. If you aren't losing with 1600, then that may be too much. The MFP calculations are not really that accurate (manually did one for a friend who was >40% body fat, MFP said to eat ~2k calories, BMR came out to around 1300, TDEE around 1800, so eating 200 calories over daily expenditures+eating back exercise = no kidding you aren't losing weight).

The idea that eating more = losing more is ludicrous, and completely unsupported scientifically. That just helps get rid of water retention, which obscures weight loss for people who are very impatient.

Here are the main things that prevent weight loss:
1) Miscalculated TDEE
2) Including exercise in TDEE _and_ eating back exercise calories (this results in you eating 2x exercise calories)
3) Underestimating calorie intake
4) Overestimating calorie burn

Things that are not quite as critical, but extremely important:
1) Inadequate protein intake
2) Eating low-quality food (thermic effect of food from whole food can account for an additional 10% caloric deficit on daily intake)
3) Excessive cardio for women who are sensitive to thyroid issues (basically, when in doubt, get your thyroid function checked if you are female)
4) Not weight training (seriously... 3 hours a week will give better results than 10 hours a week of cardio)

It is not as complicated as everyone makes it. Calories in - calories out = 90% of weight loss. Starvation mode is a myth with no scientific backing. When in doubt, consult with a nutritionist as to what your caloric and nutritional intake should look like.

That is not necessarily high at all. I am a lot older and I eat 1900 cals with no cardio, only strength training and am losing. It totally depends on activity, height, weight and age. Just because you are are eating 1300 (or I am eating 1900 for that matter) does niot mean she should. People that eat back their exercise calories are not necessarily looking to maintain (well they are looking to maintain muscle mass) but are doing it to fuel their exercise and not to end up with an unhealthy deficit.

Strength burns a LOT more than cardio. Most calculations only account for immediate energy expenditure. Recovery and muscle synthesis add several times that over the next several days.

Strength burns a LOT more than cardio. Most calculations only account for immediate energy expenditure. Recovery and muscle synthesis add several times that over the next several days.

Your diary doesn't look bad. Try to get more protein (2.5-3g/kg lean body mass, or 1g/lb. body weight, whichever is easier for you). It will make a huge difference. If you aren't losing with 1600, then that may be too much. The MFP calculations are not really that accurate (manually did one for a friend who was >40% body fat, MFP said to eat ~2k calories, BMR came out to around 1300, TDEE around 1800, so eating 200 calories over daily expenditures+eating back exercise = no kidding you aren't losing weight).

The idea that eating more = losing more is ludicrous, and completely unsupported scientifically. That just helps get rid of water retention, which obscures weight loss for people who are very impatient.

Here are the main things that prevent weight loss:
1) Miscalculated TDEE
2) Including exercise in TDEE _and_ eating back exercise calories (this results in you eating 2x exercise calories)
3) Underestimating calorie intake
4) Overestimating calorie burn

Things that are not quite as critical, but extremely important:
1) Inadequate protein intake
2) Eating low-quality food (thermic effect of food from whole food can account for an additional 10% caloric deficit on daily intake)
3) Excessive cardio for women who are sensitive to thyroid issues (basically, when in doubt, get your thyroid function checked if you are female)
4) Not weight training (seriously... 3 hours a week will give better results than 10 hours a week of cardio)

It is not as complicated as everyone makes it. Calories in - calories out = 90% of weight loss. Starvation mode is a myth with no scientific backing. When in doubt, consult with a nutritionist as to what your caloric and nutritional intake should look like.

I have no idea what to tell you here. I have been following the program here, eating the calories I am supposed to eat according to MFP, getting some exercise, and it has been working for me.

Under eating can prevent weight loss.

How about your measurements? It's possible you are replacing fat with muscle so you aren't seeing a change on the scale.

Everyone says that if you eat too little you won't lose any weight. Years ago I had a nervous breakdown and was not able to eat much for a whole week. I lost over 14lbs. Now, I'm NOT recommending it at all, but if you don't eat, your body uses the stored fat. Fact.

Everyone says that if you eat too little you won't lose any weight. Years ago I had a nervous breakdown and was not able to eat much for a whole week. I lost over 14lbs. Now, I'm NOT recommending it at all, but if you don't eat, your body uses the stored fat. Fact.

I can understand why you'd be frustrated. Think two things--Nutrition and Fitness. Not diet and exercise. I took a quick look at your diary and you're eating good foods but some days you're not eating enough. Some people don't eat after 7pm. I haven't tried that yet. Glad to hear your BP is good and no deficiencies. Did your Dr. check your thyroid levels? Also, maybe a nutritionist could help. Learn as much as you can about nutrition. Best wishes!! Add me if you'd like!! I've had some pretty frustration days, too!!

I'm gonna try the fat2fit method. Eat 1850 and not eat back exercise calories unless I have a huge workout. Concentrate on more protein, worry less about fat. Not be so frustrated if I don't make all my calories everyday, but also try to make it up the rest of the week--not freak out if I go over some days. I'll be back in another month complaining if I still can't figure it out.

now it's my turn to GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

"EAT 15% UNDER TDEE" AND PATIENCE. THAT'S YOUR MAGIC FORMULA.

It's just gonna take me some time to figure out how to eat that many calories.

It's just gonna take me some time to figure out how to eat that many calories.

I'm gonna try the fat2fit method. Eat 1850 and not eat back exercise calories unless I have a huge workout. Concentrate on more protein, worry less about fat. Not be so frustrated if I don't make all my calories everyday, but also try to make it up the rest of the week--not freak out if I go over some days. I'll be back in another month complaining if I still can't figure it out.