Struggling big time

[Dawn1962]

I am really confused over calories and what I should be eating to lose. Mfp says I should have 1250 but the nhs site says 1700???? I go to a pt twice a week but so far have only lost 1lb..I dont understanf what I am doing wrong. I am 16st 7lbs and am 53 help!!!!

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi and welcome Dawn

First of all, don't stress! We're here to help now

1250 cals is way too low and 1700 sounds far more like it given your current weight

I'm going to give you the link to our newbie thread, it's full of useful tips. My advice is to follow the link to the NHS 12 week plan and start from there

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

This is the link to the current Around the World challenge thread

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

If you need any more help, just shout and someone will come to your aid

Wishing you all the best

[LessToLose 4lbs Restart April 2024]

Maybe try upping your calories to 1600 and see how that goes? That is what I have and I manage to average 2lbs a week or so.

My thinking is that if you have a lot of weight to lose, you (a) might as well enjoy the journey and (b) have some leeway when you are nearer goal.

[Dawn1962 in reply to LessToLose]

Thanks so disheartening when you dont lose and you know you have eaten less tha 1500c. Will give it a go.

[LessToLose 4lbs Restart April 2024 in reply to Dawn1962]

If you go too low at the beginning, your body might go into starvation mode. I had a bit of a crisis at the beginning when I tried to stick to 1400 a day and I felt awful, really tired and hungry all the time. I posted about it here and got fabulous advice to increase my cals and when I did, I felt so much better and the weight has come off consistently since then.

Fingers crossed it works for you - keep us posted!

[bakersdozen in reply to LessToLose]

LOT that is exactly what happened to me. Wasn't loosing started to eat my full quota of points and lost 2 lbs a week plus I did exercise and than I was shifting

[LessToLose 4lbs Restart April 2024 in reply to bakersdozen]

Yes, I needed the fuel to be able to exercise effectively. It seemed strange at the time, but I am glad I listened to the good advice I got on here.

I am glad it worked for you too!

[kantara71]

Dawn, I hope all of the good advice will help clarify what your calorie intake should be. i sometimes do not feel hungry and know i am way below the recommended calories for the day so I have a snack, I make sure I still weigh and record the calories for the snack and resist having a few biscuits! As for being 53 then there is not much I can help you with there apart from suggesting that you do what I did when I was 53, just tell everyone you are 49 Good luck - John

[Dawn1962]

Thanks John the clear message I am getting from everyone is eat more!

[ceejayblue]

Check your Fitbit settings, you may not have put in the information quite correctly (I know that sometimes people don't check that they've got the setting for Male/Female right - it makes a big difference!). My cals on my Garmin (for my weight, height, age and being female) is 1800, however I don't count calories, I am watching my carbs and count those instead (around 150g a day for me as a diabetic). I also eat only when I'm hungry following freedom eating principles (see the book Till the Fat Lady Slims by Debbie Flint - on Amazon). Its part auto-biographical but is full of good information and advice.