First week- no weight loss - what am i doing wrong?

[Feelix]

Good Morning. Today makes a week (with one day of course) where I followed plan. I did not lose any weight. I weighed exactly the same and my measurements are all the same. Any hints on what I'm doing wrong? I have been meeting my protein and carb requirements. I have been more tired then usual but have had the time to sleep- so I have.

I guess I'm looking for a little hand holding.

[WakefieldWendy]

Feelix,

Normally folks lose water weight their first week, but not always. What is typical is not a guarantee. Sometimes people take a while for their bodies to adjust.

I would suggest - give it a few more weeks. If you don't see positive changes then (in size, weight, mood, lipids, blood sugar, or blood pressure etc.) you can begin to post menus and other things so you can get some more specific feedback.

It's good you are getting lots of rest. Make sure you drink enough as well.

All the best, Wendy

[Ammy]

Hmm...
You probably have answered these questions elsewhere, but I'm recently "back on board" and have probably missed them...

1. Do you have a lot of weight to lose?
2. Have you previously been "dieting"?
3. Did you eat a lot of carbs before starting the PP?
4. What are the carb/protein requirements you're following?

[Feelix]

1. I have about 40lbs to lose.
2. I followed weight watchers program from January to May. I lost 25lbs however I was consistently hungry and started looking for other plans and was introduced to Slow Burn which brought me to Protein Power.
3. I averaged 150 Carbs to 300 Carbs a day from what i can gather.
4. I am following the numbers based on Protein Power. 35 carbs a day, 80-100 protein

Maybe I need to rework the equation for carbs and protein?

[Ammy]

Hmmm, Interesting...

No, I think your carb/protein requirements sound good, unless you're a big exerciser, then you DEFINITELy need more protein (remember your protein number is a MINIMUM).

I would think that it's possible that the WWer's helped you lose water weight.
Did you lose weight following WW? If so, how much, how fast?
Do you include fats in your plan?
Do you exercise? If so, cardio or resistance?
Do you drink plenty of water (before you started PP and now while following it)?

[Feelix]

I lost 25lbs with Weight Watchers - I lost it in 13 weeks and i haven't moved since.

Do not exercise a lot, I am consistently adding more time. I do the Slow Burn routine twice a week and try and get out for a walk 3xs a week.

I do drink plenty of water 80-100oz a day. I can cut back, but I crave that much water. I've been drinking this much since January.

I appreciate your help. I'm just not sure what my next steps are. I would love to see the scale move and to feel better.

[Ammy]

No no...do NOT cut back on your water..that's a GREAT amount!

I'm glad to hear you exercise...and do both types!

Okay, one more question (for now anyway ;) ), is your goal weight a calculation from the PP books or is it a weight that was set by some other way?

[Feelix]

My goal weight was the range in the book. In fact, it's the higher number of the range. I have been there before and although not skinny skinny, felt physically good!

I appreciate your help! I am curius to why my experience is a little slow. I was wondering if I might be going through a detox process. The past year has been a tough one for my health wise and gained 40lbs. So although I am a little more than half way through losing that weight, I have hit a plateau. I've been sitting since May. I have seen the same 5 lbs lost and gained - very frustrating. :-( I do know that I can become healthy. And as a result lose fat, look good, feel good and most of all, live a long fulfilling life!

[Ammy]

Well, I gotta tell you Feelix...sounds like you're doing everything right.

My only suggestion is to keep going as you are. I realize you were probably looking for a bit more, but I got nothin fer ya!

Some people speak of a "whoosh" after being plateaued...it happens.
Don't give up...

I have lost 120 and have stabolized. As of December, I still had 37lbs before I officially would be at the top of my goal weight range, but I seemed to be stuck for quite some time. As of March I had now lost 10 and am stuck again...
It happens, especially when you're so close...

Be patient...don't give up....hang in there...I'm (as you asked for in your first message) holding your hand while we sit up here and enjoy the view from our plateau!!

[Mitra]

It's hard to say why one person finds it much easier to lose weight than another. If you didn't have lots of excess fluid, then you might not get the big initial drop in the number that some people see. After that - even if you have an underlying fat loss of a pound a week, most people have variations of at least a couple of pounds from day to day that can easily mask what's going on in the short term.

I'm not saying you shouldn't be asking the questions - it's always a good idea to check things out, but it's probably too soon to say that you need to make major changes.

Common pitfalls are over-eating the high fat foods like cheese, nuts, nut butter, cream, salami. It's not that you can't have them, but think in terms of an ounce of cheese or nuts as being a reasonable portion.

I hope you'll get some measurable progress soon.

[deirdra]

Did you just start exercising a bit more this past week? It can cause one to hold onto water temporarily, as can extra salt in foods. It sounds like you are on track, so just keep it up.

[wendyloohoo]

Hey Feelix,

I know that feeling of frustration. When I first went on PPLP I gained weight. Thankfully I've lost all the weight I gained (it was all water, I'm sure) and then some. One of the things that I've found really deters weightloss for me is the use of sweetners. I had to cut those out almost completely. Are you using a lot of Splenda? Just a thought.

Hang in there. You will start to lose. It may just take some time. :)

[Feelix]

I'm not using sweetners but in looking back I noticed I used a lot of salt. This week should be much better. I realize I have been unhealthy for so long that it may take my body a little bit to switch around and work properly. :-) I don't mind eating fish and red meat. :-)

[Omlette]

One thing I thought about, if you followed WW from Jan to May and were not excercising, then maybe you are still losing some fat, but gaining a muscle to go along with the fat loss now that you are following PP.

Are your clothes fitting you differently? Have you lost inches instead of pounds?

Give it some time.