I’m 5’6” and about 200 lbs. Back in my first year of college, I realized I was 220 and decided I needed to change. I lost the first 10 pounds quickly, but since then, I’ve been stuck. My lowest weight in the last 5 years was 189.5, and I was thrilled, but it feels like one bad weekend puts me back to 196. That lowest weight came after months of eating just ~800 calories a day and walking a lot. I count calories now and stay active, but I’m still stuck. If you’ve been in this situation and figured it out, please share your advice. I need to know it’s possible to move forward.
Eating ~800 calories a day for months and still being at 190 lbs seems odd. Are you sure about those numbers?
Vere said:
Eating ~800 calories a day for months and still being at 190 lbs seems odd. Are you sure about those numbers?
It might have been closer to 4 months now that I think about it. It was during a specific time when I lived in a certain house, so I remember it clearly. I rarely ate out, maybe once a week, and it was just one meal like a burger and fries. Most days, I ate the same thing: a turkey sandwich, a bit of cottage cheese, and some snap pea crisps. That’s it. I’m not sure what I could have been doing wrong.
@Skyler
If that was years ago, it might not matter as much now. Maybe try eating around 1,400 calories every day consistently and see how that goes?
Eating only 800 calories a day should result in significant weight loss, but it’s almost impossible to stay at the same weight on that little food unless something is off. Are you sure about your calorie tracking? Or have you ever had your thyroid checked?
@Brooke
I have hypothyroidism, and even with that, eating that little would still lead to weight loss. I think the issue might be inaccurate tracking. Have you seen the show Secret Eaters? It shows how easy it is to underestimate what we eat.
@Toni
I get your point, but thyroid issues can vary from person to person. OP might still benefit from getting checked, just to be sure.
Jai said:
@Toni
I get your point, but thyroid issues can vary from person to person. OP might still benefit from getting checked, just to be sure.
True, regular check-ups are always a good idea. But many times, people assume thyroid problems are the main issue when it’s more about tracking calories accurately. Even with hypothyroidism, weight loss happens with proper calorie control.
@Toni
That’s fair, but underdosed thyroid meds can make it tougher to lose weight. I track everything carefully and still struggle sometimes. Adjusting my medication in the winter helps a lot though.
That sounds rough. What did you eat and drink yesterday? Maybe breaking it down could help us figure it out.
It’s unlikely that one weekend causes a 6-pound gain in fat; it’s more likely water weight. If that weight doesn’t drop back after a week, it might mean you’re eating more calories over time than you realize. Eating 800 calories for 6 months should result in much more weight loss than 20 lbs, so something’s not adding up. Try meticulously tracking everything you eat and drink for a while, even small bites and sips, to see if you’re underestimating your intake.
If you’re overweight, insulin resistance might be part of the problem. Low-carb eating, intermittent fasting, and staying hydrated helped me lose 34 kg. Focus on hitting your protein and healthy fat goals, and try to manage your insulin levels. It makes fat loss more manageable.
If you’re really eating what you say and still at this weight, there could be something medically wrong. Have you seen a doctor about this? At 5’6”, even with muscle, 200 lbs would be quite high for your frame. It might be worth checking everything out.
@Kim
I haven’t seen a doctor specifically for this, but maybe I should. I do my best to eat healthily and track things. It’s just really frustrating not seeing results.