I'm failing: I am trying to lose weight... - Weight Loss Support

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I'm failing

Frazzles1 profile image
8 Replies

I am trying to lose weight. According to my scales I am now 15 stone. A month ago I was 14 stone. They are digital, and known to be unreliable, but I feel like the cycle is repeating anew and I can't seem to stop it regardless of how much I exercise, how regulated my diet is, what I actually eat... I'm starting to think of doing things I will regret or others will regret on my behalf.

Where am I going wrong? I'm 18 years old, 5"11, Male, eat between 1200 - 1500 calories a day, usually exercise for 1h 30mins to 2 hours, 4 - 5 days a week. Limit myself to little sugar intake, and miserable because I am sick of losing this fight I have been engaged in since I was six years old.

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Frazzles1 profile image
Frazzles1
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8 Replies
HubbysMissMouse profile image
HubbysMissMouse

How much does the NHS bmi calculator say you should eat to lose weight. Make sure you do eat somewhere between the amount the bmi calculator tells you to because when I first joined I wasn't losing weight and when I mentioned it on here I was told that if you don't eat the amount this states then your body thinks you are starving it and turns what you do eat into body fat instead and this weighs more than the extra calories would. This means you don't lose weight and sometimes putting weight on instead. Make sure you check this amount if you haven't already. Good luck with your journey.

IndigoBlue61 profile image
IndigoBlue61

Hello Frazzles1 and welcome to the Weight Loss Forum

First of all, you are not 'failing' simply because of a number on the scales. Life is tough enough when you're 18 without piling extra guilt upon yourself. Secondly, your BMI is 29, hardly overweight, let alone anything to give a medical professional any cause for concern. However, you clearly wish to weigh less, I'm presuming because you are unhappy with how you look. The good news is you are on the right path, you eat the right foods and exercise plenty. All you need to do is the Maths. You are not eating enough. Like a car our bodies need fuel to work. The NHS calculator suggests you eat between 2338 and 3006 calories per day. I know this may sound crazy but trust me, it's true 😊 My advice to you is to work our a proper eating regime (including a good mix of protein and fats). If you don't believe me speak to someone at the gym. I also highly recommend the blog and podcast foodforfitness.co.uk formfurther advice on fitness and nutrition.

Anyway, here are a few suggestions on how to get the most out of the forum. Please note if you are using the new HU App many of these features are not available so I suggest you use the full website version.

The first place to look is at the Pinned posts section to the right of your screen (bottom if you're using a mobile), read the Welcome Newbie thread first and move through to the challenges, where we hope you'll find at least one that will appeal to you

Move down to the Topics, to find a variety of threads, collated into specific topics for ease of access and we ask that you also 'file' your own threads, so that others won't miss your important news

Have a look at the NHS 12 week plan, as many people have had success with it. Also use the BMI checker to find your target calories, it's important to eat enough. This was a major turning point for me, realising I could eat anything I wanted as long as the calories are accounted for

Don't forget to take your starting measurements and a 'before' picture, as they can be very motivating on days that the scales refuse to co-operate

The forum also have group weigh-ins every day, as well as a new Daily Diary, if you wish to take part. The posts can always be found in the Events section on the 'home' page

You'll notice a grey box next to people's names, these are achievement badges, and as a new member you have a 'Newbie' badge. We've found that to get the best out of this community, we need to be active on the forum, as it's where we exchange information, get motivation and inspiration and make friends. We hope that you'll join us here, regularly, too. If you have any questions please just ask

Best wishes

Anna

Frazzles1 profile image
Frazzles1 in reply toIndigoBlue61

A BMI of 29 is borderline obese.

RG07 profile image
RG07Maintainer

Hi the NHS 12 week weight loss plan recommend 1900/day for men and 1400/day for women and you are not eating enough. If you don't eat enough calories your body thinks its being starved so it keeps all the calories and stores it as fat. I know it does not seem logical but if you eat more aiming for at least 1900calories/day you will loose weight, because your body won't think it is being starved and you are only eating slightly less than your maintenance dose. Try it for 4 weeks and see what happens- just make sure you have a good mix of protein, carbs and fats each day.

Good luck and welcome to the forum

Minniewinny profile image
Minniewinny5 stoneMaintainer

Your weight could be muscle tone as your not eating much but exercising so much. Eat better for your age, height and activity range and you will not just benefit in weight, but in mind and body.

Cheering you on 🎉🎉🎉

sazmy93 profile image
sazmy93

Hello and welcome :)

Really sorry to hear you're feeling miserable, it can feel embarrassing and shaming to tell people you're struggling with your weight, but it can really help take its power away. Do you have anyone you feel you could chat to about it?

Remember your weight doesn't define you, and if you feel like it does I'd really recommend that you talk to someone about it, you're so young and you deserve so much more in life than to feel this way because of a number on the scales.

Be strong and I hope you find a way through it soon x

Sally12345y profile image
Sally12345yMaintainer

Hi you dont say what kind of exercise you do if weight training you will put on weight as you bulk up additionally have a word with some of the personal trainers if you go to a gym check your bmi as mentioned because it could be your calories are too low also try keeping a food diary the guys i know who weight train are 15 st without an ounce of fat and eat 6 mini meals all with some kind of protein good luck

Frazzles1 profile image
Frazzles1

I should probably note that I have not been able to go to the gym for 2 weeks as a result of me revising for my exams.

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