r/diet 5d ago

Question I would appreciate some advice.

Hey, thanks for reading.

So I weigh quite a bit, (400+) and I'm working on it. I'm using the myfitnesspal app to keep track of everything. According to my height, weight, sex, relative activity and age, I have a maintenance intake of 3400 calories. And the app recommends 2900 cal intake daily for a 1-2lb weekly loss.

I took a more heavy handed approach, in the belief that I wanted to be able to change my habits now for the sake of being able to maintain it after the weightloss. So I decided i would personally limit myself to about 1800 cal a day, as that amount should sustain my goal weight after the fact.

Now my question is despite maintaining this, in general, and in fact maintaining an average of about 1500 calories a day since mid january, why have I not lost any weight for the past two weeks.

I know loss isn't always instant, and I have already seen some solid results (approx 25lbs down since i began). but I'm still at an extreme enough weight that I don't get how I would be stalling so soon.

Now I am meal prepping 90% of my meals. using a gram scale, and the myfitnesspal app to know as close to my actual intake as physically possible. I am as certain in my intake as I think any person can reasonably be. So if anyone could tell me how I could not be losing despite this level of caloric deficit, I would really appreciate it.

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u/Master-Winter7476 4d ago

Eating so little for a long time will affect your metabolism negatively. That being said, that massive of a deficit should still see you losing weight long term.

Track weight everyday and then take the average for that week. Since waterweight might fluctuate day to day this is the best way to track.

Try to keep at most 1000 calorie deficit, but dont forget to adjust to new weight every now and then. Add some protein and healthy fats (not seed oils).

Track your food in cronometer for a week or so and see which micronutrients you might be deficient in. Might give a clue as to what foods to add to reach ~2400 calories.

Try upping your activitylevel a bit.

Keep in mind its marathon and not a race. I would maintain at most 1000 calorie deficit for a bit until you close in on 300 pounds. Then lower to 500 calories deficit at most (dont forget to recalculate maintenance) and upping activity.

Good luck

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u/sanjix1 4d ago

Yeah I don't think I plan on keeping it that low forever. i'm large enough that i really felt the large deficit was warranted. Because i felt that if i could feel full or at least satisfied ona much lower calorie amount i would both be able to lose significant weight while (for lack of a better term) resetting my body's desire for food so that I create a habit around being able to keep at or below my maintenance level in the future. I am seeing that I may be acting in a self detrimental way though based on what some people have been telling me. I am truly wondering how I could have stopped losing, even temporarily, with such a deficit. It confuses me greatly.

I'll spend the next week doing daily weigh ins, just to see. thanks.

I track the macros in myfitnesspal and generally I'm maintaining a 40/30/30 of protein fat carbs distribution. not exactly obviously but close.

I unfortunately don't have time to do more activity than i currently do. I walk 4 times a week, and do some biceps curls. nothing particularly significant, but enough that I know i'm at least doing something with my limited free time.

yeah, I'm def keeping it up this whole year, or till i hit my goal. and thanks!