Clearly I am doing something wrong...

[jreeds]

But I don't know what. I'm guessing it's my diet. I've been busting my ass trying to lose my last 7 lbs. I keep losing and gaining the same 2 or 3 lbs. don't say I'm probably gaining muscle. I'm not noticing much of a difference that way either. I run 4 days a week, do insanity 4-5 days a week. And I walk 5 days a week on my lunch break.
Typical day of eating looks like this:

Breakfast- apple, 1 oz raisins, 1/4 cup peanuts, 23 almonds

Lunch- 5 oz of meat (usually ham, meatballs or chicken) and a cup of veggies (snap peas, carrots,green peppers)

Snack- orange, protein bar

Dinner-3 eggs ( or 5 oz of meat) steamed broccoli or green beans

When my calories allow for it I do stick in things like brown rice, special treats etc. measure everything though and never go over my calorie limit. I use MFP to track but I know it can be off so I just went back to sparkpeople.

I'm extremely frustrated. I feel like I work SO hard and am not seeing good results. In fact, if I slack off even just a little on any of this I immediately gain 5 lbs

[soleil]

Have you looked at the eating guide for insanity?

Google "insanity nutrition guide" and you can click on the first result which is from teamunify (its a pdf of the insanity nutrition guide).

I honestly think you aren't eating enough. You're working out really hard. Look at the insanity guide and compare it to how you're eating now.

[sockerheel]

There are some great articles on Jillfit.com and MollyGalbraith.com on plateaus and fat loss. It might give you some ideas.

[jreeds]

I've looked at it, and I know I don't follow it to a T but I'm pretty close. I'm missing an added snack in the day but calorie wise I eat what I'm supposed to. I cut back on dairy & gluten because, while I'm not celiac I am sensitive to it. I do slip though.
I FEEL like I'm eating too much. I feel gross

[bluelikejazz]

How many calories are you eating? It all looks like great food choices, but it also doesn't look like a lot of food. SP and MFP usually say you need much fewer calories than you really do.

[jreeds]

Jun 11, 2013 16:30:45 GMT -5 sockerheel said:

There are some great articles on Jillfit.com and MollyGalbraith.com on plateaus and fat loss. It might give you some ideas.

THanks! I'll check those out

[jreeds]

I usually aim to net about 1400-1500 calories. I was eating less and not seeing results so I tried adding more to see if that helped. No dice...

[SallyJ]

When you are on the last 10 lbs it takes a LONG time to lose them (think 6 months - 1 yr)...and if you are doing any strength training at all, you probably won't see them disappear at all. In fact you'll just see changes in BF% (and therefore clothing size). Be careful of setting a weight goal as your only goal - are you getting stronger, having more endurance, lower resting HR, sleeping better, clothes fitting better? All of those are indications you are making progress and having success.

I think you probably aren't eating enough for your activity level. As you get closer to goal, you need to increase your calories to have a smaller deficit from your total burned calories or your body may just try to hold onto every calorie it gets because you are stressing it from both exercise and calorie deficit.

Have you looked up your TDEE and BMR? MFP calculations are only good if you understand the basics of how it's calculated...then you can set up your profile correctly. This is a good calculator: scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

Also, the group Eat, Train, Progress on MFP is a fantastic resource for people who have hit a plateau. www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/10067-eat-train-progress-

[SallyJ]

Jun 11, 2013 16:41:40 GMT -5 jreeds said:

I usually aim to net about 1400-1500 calories. I was eating less and not seeing results so I tried adding more to see if that helped. No dice...

How long did you try this for?  You really need to give it at least a month if not 6-8 weeks.

[gt7301b]

Jun 11, 2013 16:41:40 GMT -5 jreeds said:

I usually aim to net about 1400-1500 calories. I was eating less and not seeing results so I tried adding more to see if that helped. No dice...

Good Lord, I'm hungry for you. If you are working out an hour plus a day that isn't a lot of food. If I workout an hour I need at least 1800 calories not to be a raging bitch.

[jreeds]

Jun 11, 2013 16:49:10 GMT -5 SallyJ said:

Jun 11, 2013 16:41:40 GMT -5 jreeds said:

I usually aim to net about 1400-1500 calories. I was eating less and not seeing results so I tried adding more to see if that helped. No dice...

How long did you try this for?  You really need to give it at least a month if not 6-8 weeks.

It's been about a month. I'm wondering if my period coming up is affecting how I feel too. I'm not giving up though.

[SallyJ]

Jun 11, 2013 16:41:40 GMT -5 jreeds said:

I usually aim to net about 1400-1500 calories. I was eating less and not seeing results so I tried adding more to see if that helped. No dice...

So by net, you mean you are eating your exercise calories?  If you eat 1400 calories in food and burn 600 in exercise, then you are eating 2000 calories a day, right?  Your menu above doesn't look close to 2000 calories is why I ask.  Also if you are eating your exercise calories, how are you estimating your calorie burn?

[jreeds]

Jun 11, 2013 16:48:37 GMT -5 SallyJ said:

When you are on the last 10 lbs it takes a LONG time to lose them (think 6 months - 1 yr)...and if you are doing any strength training at all, you probably won't see them disappear at all. In fact you'll just see changes in BF% (and therefore clothing size). Be careful of setting a weight goal as your only goal - are you getting stronger, having more endurance, lower resting HR, sleeping better, clothes fitting better? All of those are indications you are making progress and having success.

I think you probably aren't eating enough for your activity level. As you get closer to goal, you need to increase your calories to have a smaller deficit from your total burned calories or your body may just try to hold onto every calorie it gets because you are stressing it from both exercise and calorie deficit.

Have you looked up your TDEE and BMR? MFP calculations are only good if you understand the basics of how it's calculated...then you can set up your profile correctly. This is a good calculator: scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

Also, the group Eat, Train, Progress on MFP is a fantastic resource for people who have hit a plateau. www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/10067-eat-train-progress-

I'm definitely a faster runner, I'll attribute that to insanity. Arms and legs are more toned too. No matter what I do though I have a pooch. And some days it feels like I'm pregnant or something. That is why I was guessing it is diet related. I guess I should up my calories a little more and leave a smaller deficit. Everything I've checked my BMR on says in the 1450 range.

[jreeds]

Jun 11, 2013 17:13:40 GMT -5 SallyJ said:

Jun 11, 2013 16:41:40 GMT -5 jreeds said:

I usually aim to net about 1400-1500 calories. I was eating less and not seeing results so I tried adding more to see if that helped. No dice...

So by net, you mean you are eating your exercise calories?  If you eat 1400 calories in food and burn 600 in exercise, then you are eating 2000 calories a day, right?  Your menu above doesn't look close to 2000 calories is why I ask.  Also if you are eating your exercise calories, how are you estimating your calorie burn?

I don't eat all of them back. Some days I eat none back and some days I eat half back. I don't think I've EVER eaten them all back. And honestly my calorie burn could be off because I go off of what MFP calculates for the most part. I have a Garmin, so I know what I burn for runs/ walks.

[jreeds]

This calorie calculator says my BMR is 1409

[pixy0stix]

You need to eat so much more than that. You *have* to eat all your calories back. Basically the reason you're not gaining muscle is because your body is eating it all before it forms. You're starving yourself.

[mcc]

Eat more food.

[joenali]

Wait. You count out your almonds??

[jreeds]

So I just went and I put everything from today into my plate and it is telling me I still have 575 calories left to eat. My God!

[jreeds]

Jun 11, 2013 17:32:05 GMT -5 joenali said:

Wait. You count out your almonds??

I count EVERYTHING.

[jreeds]

Jun 11, 2013 16:45:35 GMT -5 @bluesky said:

Hate to say it, but it might just be your set point weight. You are so close to your goal...is it possible to consider changing your goal?

I've been aiming for my weight from before I had my kids. It might be too low now. I definitely have more muscle now. It's just my midsection I get upset about.

[taratru]

Omg. You HAVE TO EAT MORE.

also, you might never fix that midsection after kids. Even at 127 pounds (I'm 5' 10) in super awesome shape, I have loose skin and a pooch.

[IrishBelle]

I agree that you need to eat more. I would add more protein in at breakfast. Nuts do have some but aren't a great source. Greek yogurt or eggs would be a better option. I'd also did a morning snack.

[sadlebred]

1. What everyone else said. EAT MORE.
2. Do you ever take a day off a week from exercising? Completely off? Practice your couch surfing and remote control button pushing? If not, do it. Your body needs rest.
3. Pooch=tummy tuck.

[jene]

I could have written this, thanks for posting! I am going to up my caloric intake and see if that helps.

[Deleted]

Yep eat more and include more healthy fats in your diet.

[breezy8407]

I know everyone says you should eat more, but what about trying some cycling? Have your days where you are achieving your deficit, but then do 2 or so days or eating a surplus of calories. I did this for a while and it worked for me. Basically, I would eat about 1600 cals 4-5 days a week, then do 2 days of 2000+.

Same principle as what sockerheel suggested...you might need to reboot - eat in a surplus for a while, then get back to the deficit.

[kellina]

Jun 11, 2013 17:31:54 GMT -5 mcc said:

Eat more food.

I agree! 3 eggs and veggies for dinner? Omg I'd eat my face off.

You REALLY need to eat back your calories. I'm about 124lb and aim for 1540-1600 NET calories a day. Meaning if I burn 300 calories running, I eat 300 extra calories that day.

If you have a day with running AND insanity, that's a shit-ton of calories burned. Your meal plan looks like you're starving to me!!

[kellina]

Jun 11, 2013 19:42:06 GMT -5 taratru said:

Omg. You HAVE TO EAT MORE.

also, you might never fix that midsection after kids. Even at 127 pounds (I'm 5' 10) in super awesome shape, I have loose skin and a pooch.

And yeah, I'd consider myself "skinny", but my stomach still looks a few months pg if I don't suck it in. 2 kids weighing 9 & 9.11 lb plus 2 c-sect will do that... oh well!

[jreeds]

Ok, I will work on eating more. Trouble is, most of the time I don't FEEL hungry. But it sounds like it's time for a reboot.