I want to cry!!!

[Cel-sky]

Im so fruatrated Ive tried to get answers ive emailed fitbit ive instant messaged fitbit ive read all the explanations but I still dont get it!!! Ive been trying to lose tge same 10 pounds for 3 months!! And i think its cause of intake/output and calorirs left confusion..
Yesterday I burned 3537 my plan is for me to eat 2500 calories to lose weight I only ate 1913 in
But it says my calories left is over by 1267??
Im no where near 2500 Calories???? Can anyone help

[wmchapman]

I hear you @Cel-sky, it took me 18 months to lose 20 lbs, that first year was the stubborn first 10lbs.  Walking is the best exercise for sure; but it isn't all about calories in and out once you are past 40.

This is what workd for me in order of effectiveness, you are already doing your "eat less and eat healthier part" so won't mention that except remember just like starting a campfire, make the calories you do eat work for you, think of sugars and carbs as tinder (flash, they are gone) and protiens as logs (building a better body):

1) Get sleep, I thought the more I was awake, the more I burned, true but your body is less hungry when you are rested - yep, I was shocked too. You will find after a week or two your BMI will change dramatically proving the fat is melting away.

2) Stay away from diet colas, the 0 calorie sweetners trick your belly into "storing" real fat since it thinks you are deficient. I occasionally have lemonade diet soda with a real pulped lemon addded to it when the craving hits me for soda fizz - then I refill the bottle with regular water the rest of the day to remember the taste.

3) If you snack, snack with unsalted nuts, a banana or a half glass of buttermilk.  I've learned to love buttermilk with a little cinnimon  or tumeric powder sprinkled on top.

4) Walk, walk, walk. Set an acive minutes goal each week and hit it everyday.  The more fit you are, the longer it takes to hit the goal so keep at it. The active minutes shrink you, the steps get you there.

Hope this helps Cel, keep moving, you are on the right track...

[Bobbinyc]

I can only tell you what happened with me.  I'm a lot older than you and had been sedentary with some medical issues.  The first 4 months, as I gradually moved more and more, I was eating better and better and lost nothing.  Not an ounce.  So, yeah, I feel your frustration.  What helped me was to think of this as building better health habits for life.  I don't want more medical problems sidelining me as I age.

I went on a careful "diet" - more eating healthier.  I eat a large salad with protein - beans or chicken - each day.  Loads of veggies daily.  No processed food and I gave up my comfort foods.  Foods that aren't healthy are not a comfort.  No convenience foods although I make it very easy.  I mostly eat veggies, fish, and whole grains, though not too much.  I read a few books by docs about being healthy and I followed those ideas.  If I ate 2500 calories, I'd be gaining.  I'm just not active enough yet.

I would love to know how you burn so many calories.  I walk a lot,(for me) at a good pace daily.  I also go  to a gym, do pilates, yoga, at least one other activity besides walking every day.  I don't burn nearly that much.

I have finally lost 5 pounds in the past month and it beginning to come off a bit faster now.  I still try not to focus on the scale - that is just a number and not a great one for measuring health.

I found fitbit's use of the calories you burn just by living - your resting basal metabolism, to be confusing.  I like to track my food and know what is coming in, and see what my activity burns and know the difference clearly.

You don't say what you eat, what your activity level is, or if you are on meds or have health issues, which make a difference.

I hope this helps.

[Intrceptor350]

Hi Cel-sky,

Just out of curiosity, what's your diet like? 

[Tave · Accepted solution]

Hi @Cel-sky sorry to see you are having troubles making progress.  I will try to give some general advice.  Without knowing your height and weight, it's tough to say what your averages should look like.  First, think of the Fitbit as a tool and guide only, and not as an authoritative source of how many calories you are burning.  While I find my device to be accurate, you may want to get a sense of what your BMR is by doing research on other sites.  

Second, take a look at your diet.  Are you measuring your food?  Are your calorie counts accurate?  Diet will make or break your fitness goals if you are not careful.

Also, have you noticed any changes in your body composition?  Often although people get stuck at a certain a number on the scale, their bodies are changing and adapting to their new lifestyle.  For instance, I have been roughly the same weight since the end of July, but have lost 2 to 3 inches off my waist.  Check your measurements.

If you find that what you are doing is not working, change it up until you see results.  Again, the Fitbit is just one tool.

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@Cel-sky wrote:
Im so fruatrated Ive tried to get answers ive emailed fitbit ive instant messaged fitbit ive read all the explanations but I still dont get it!!! Ive been trying to lose tge same 10 pounds for 3 months!! And i think its cause of intake/output and calorirs left confusion..
Yesterday I burned 3537 my plan is for me to eat 2500 calories to lose weight I only ate 1913 in
But it says my calories left is over by 1267??
Im no where near 2500 Calories???? Can anyone help

---

[Cel-sky]

I work out run ,ride bike ,walk and lift weights for 4-5hours a day
Im 45 years old no health issues
I have read another article that was very helpful and I think im on the
right track
I even bought a measurement tape and will use that instead of scale!!
Plus im using a calories calculator with the cal in/out to determine my
intake
Im not going to worry about my. Workout cal burn as that is just an extra +
metobolic boast
Thank you for your help

[sherylmiller]

Try using another tracker like SparkPeople while using the FitBit one. See what differences if any they produce...

[jvreedy]

Hey I understand. I would join and drop out of weight loss challenges because everyone else was losing weight and I was stuck at the same weight. So instead of making changes I gave up. Ten years ago my highest weight was 275. Since then I've lost roughly 83 or so pounds. But it stopped. And I yelled and cussed and made an appointment with my doctor. My doctor told me my body was adjusting to the loss. Then I finally made changes. She said eat healthy and exercise. Well this is not easy. I still cry. I'm with you. We can do this.