I cannot lose weight

[CBillie]

For almost a year now I have lost no weight. I normally eat around 1500 calories a day and burn 2300. I exercise for an hour at least 6 times a week, I drink water, I do everything everywhere tells you to do. My body isn't storing fat because it thinks its starving. And just to be clear I'm coming from a starting place where there is plenty of scope for losing weight. I just don't know what I'm doing wrong and I'm fed up of putting in so much efforr for no results. 

[BASILCHIVES]

You don't say how old you are or how much weight you need to lose.   Even if you have not lost weight has your body changed?   Exercising 6 hours a week can build muscle and burn fat.    If you say no, then I suggest you actually weigh, and measure every bite- and log into the dashboard.  Include dairy in coffee, chewing gum,  if it crosses your lips, log it.    I am burning on average around the same you are without 6 hours of exercise per week.  I am eating closer to 1000 calories per day with a low fat intent and I am losing about 2 lbs per week.  I am over 65 and female with severe arthritis in both knees making some exercises impossible.    Walking depends on pain level.

[Heybales]

If you have not lost weight in a year - fact is you are not eating less than you burn.

No matter what the numbers on paper say - the results show up the fact.

Inaccuracy somewhere - usually food logging.

Are you really logging everything you eat - no snacking, cheating, ect?

Do you have binges because of food restrictions and just overeat for a day or weekend, if so how often?

Do you log all your foods eaten by weight?

Calories is per gram, not cups, spoons, or "about 2 servings per package".

Do you confirm the food database entry matches what is in your hand?

How often do you eat out or have take out or eat food others make - which is very inaccurate?

As to the burning side - Fitbit has some good usage scenarios, and some bad.

What are your workouts for those 6 hrs weekly?

For daily activity, how many steps and distance outside of exercise do you get?

A body can indeed adapt if you undereat too much, and so your calories in can for sure change the calories out.

So did you originally lose some weight, besides the 1st week water weight?

Any other health issues or disease your body is stressed with?

There are reasons, you aren't a miracle of science defying known laws of physics. It's just a matter of where are the issues and how to fix.

Do you measure as well as weigh? Because scales don't tell the whole story.

Without knowing your workouts though, I'll hold on that comment.

[emili]

@CBillie I am going to join in with the others and say your food intake is probably at your burn rate if you show no loss. you are eating to maintenance. I applaud you saying your body isn't storing fat. That is usually one of the replies heard here and the debate rages about the accuracy of that statement. I am firmly on the side of that's not a thing. I lost weight in a short period of time 7 years ago and not once did my body think it was starving and still doesn't to this day. I would also maybe check your salt intake. It may be working against the water you are drinking and storing it. Although for an entire year seems unlikely. Do some intense weighing of food and logging every bite. You may surprise yourself with instant results. 

[CBillie]

Hi thanks for this. I really don't each much salt because I hate it. I think I will be going to the doctors because it is probably a deeper issue. 

Three of four times a week I do workout apps in my room (mostly cardio) then the rest of the days I go on walks although in normal time I go swimming and to the gym instead. I am a fast walker and walk for about an hour. I lost some weight in the first two months and since then it's stayed still. I do not log my food and drink too precisely but even if I am consuming a bit more than I think, I cannot see this being 750-1000 calories so I should still be in a decifit.

I don't think I look much better but I have difficulty judging. I can't really measure everything to a t because of a history of eating disorders so I think it'd get very unhealthy for me. However, I cannot be recording 750-1000 calories off so should still be in a deficit.

Moderator Edit: Merged posts

[Heybales]

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@CBillie wrote:

Three of four times a week I do workout apps in my room (mostly cardio) then the rest of the days I go on walks although in normal time I go swimming and to the gym instead. I am a fast walker and walk for about an hour. I lost some weight in the first two months and since then it's stayed still. I do not log my food and drink too precisely but even if I am consuming a bit more than I think, I cannot see this being 750-1000 calories so I should still be in a decifit. 

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You need to spend a week pouring or measuring or eyeballing your normal eating amounts as usual - and immediately weigh and log everything you actually eat.

You will likely be in for an eye opener.

And log everything, but try not to let the fact you are logging change what you would eat - you want honest starting ground.

Just a week though.

This will help you see where issue is.

You don't have to start weighing - just need to eat less. Find an actual 500 calories in your normal diet to cut out. Weigh that to find it perhaps.

Oh my yes people have easily overcome what should be upwards of a 1000 deficit. search youtube for it. search the British shows for it. Oh my yes.

Here's simple video, and not even the best I've seen, on the differences on a mere few items. And that's still measuring, which it sounds like you don't do. If you eat out, get take out, or eat other people's food - you really have no idea either.

https://youtu.be/p1pa9LcBCCY

Sounds like some good workouts, and I do miss the swimming. Well, not in winter, but did in summer.

[Coloryourainbow]

If you have a history of disordered eating, I think I read somewhere that your body will fight to over compensate for that with your metabolism. I would suggest going to a dietician. I have a disordered eating past so I have looked into a lot of view points over the years. 

[Glenda]

This was so amazing to me.  Interesting and eye opening.  I never have weighed and measured food but I think I will to see how much I actually do eat.  Another link I watched showed the smartest thing about peanut butter.  The guy put the whole jar on a scale and weighed it and then took OUT the gram amount he wanted to eat.  So much easier and more accurate than any other way with that sticky substance. !!!  Thanks for this Heybales.  Loved it