{"id":802199,"date":"2024-05-17T15:46:07","date_gmt":"2024-05-17T15:46:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-fat-vs-muscle-copy\/"},"modified":"2025-01-14T12:38:15","modified_gmt":"2025-01-14T12:38:15","slug":"blog-reasons-your-calorie-deficit-isnt-working","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-reasons-your-calorie-deficit-isnt-working\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 8 Reasons Your Calorie Deficit Isn&#8217;t Working"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div><p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; collapsed=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;Row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=&#8221;50px&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;Open Sans||||||||&#8221; link_font=&#8221;|600|||||||&#8221; ul_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">So, your calorie deficit isn\u2019t working.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Before you switch gears to a new diet or workout plan, it\u2019s important to figure out <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">why <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">your current plan isn\u2019t working. There are a few reasons why your weight loss efforts might not be leading to your desired results. Understanding what\u2019s underlying your stalled weight loss can help you get back on track, shake the plateau, and hit your weight loss goal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">In this article, we\u2019ll cover 8 reasons your calorie deficit isn\u2019t working \u2013 and what you can do instead.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_calorie_deficit\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">What is a calorie deficit?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-reasons-your-calorie-deficit-isnt-working\/#What_is_a_calorie_deficit\" >What is a calorie deficit?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-reasons-your-calorie-deficit-isnt-working\/#How_do_I_calculate_a_calorie_deficit\" >How do I calculate a calorie deficit?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-reasons-your-calorie-deficit-isnt-working\/#How_much_of_a_calorie_deficit_do_I_need_to_lose_weight\" >How much of a calorie deficit do I need to lose weight?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-reasons-your-calorie-deficit-isnt-working\/#Whats_the_best_calorie_deficit_for_weight_loss\" >What\u2019s the best calorie deficit for weight loss?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-reasons-your-calorie-deficit-isnt-working\/#How_much_of_a_deficit_do_I_need_to_lose_1lb_per_week\" >How much of a deficit do I need to lose 1lb per week?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-reasons-your-calorie-deficit-isnt-working\/#Why_isnt_my_calorie_deficit_working\" >Why isn\u2019t my calorie deficit working?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-reasons-your-calorie-deficit-isnt-working\/#Reason_1_Youre_not_in_a_true_calorie_deficit\" >Reason 1: You\u2019re not in a true calorie deficit\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-reasons-your-calorie-deficit-isnt-working\/#Reason_2_You_arent_tracking_your_intake_accurately\" >Reason 2: You aren\u2019t tracking your intake (accurately)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-reasons-your-calorie-deficit-isnt-working\/#Reason_3_You_dont_have_an_accurate_BMR_or_TDEE_calculation\" >Reason 3: You don\u2019t have an accurate BMR or TDEE calculation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-reasons-your-calorie-deficit-isnt-working\/#Reason_4_Youre_retaining_water_or_on_your_menstrual_cycle\" >Reason 4: You\u2019re retaining water or on your menstrual cycle<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-reasons-your-calorie-deficit-isnt-working\/#Reason_5_Youre_experiencing_body_recomposition\" >Reason 5: You\u2019re experiencing body recomposition<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-reasons-your-calorie-deficit-isnt-working\/#Reason_6_Its_too_soon_to_see_weight_loss_results\" >Reason 6: It\u2019s too soon to see weight loss results\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-reasons-your-calorie-deficit-isnt-working\/#Reason_7_Youre_over-exercising_losing_muscle_or_stressed\" >Reason 7: You\u2019re over-exercising, losing muscle, or stressed<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-reasons-your-calorie-deficit-isnt-working\/#Reason_8_Medication_or_an_underlying_health_condition_is_affecting_your_metabolic_rate\" >Reason 8: Medication or an underlying health condition is affecting your metabolic rate\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-reasons-your-calorie-deficit-isnt-working\/#Ready_to_create_a_sustainable_calorie_deficit\" >Ready to create a sustainable calorie deficit?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_2284226315.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;A phone screen displaying a calorie tracker app is held over a kitchen counter on which fresh fruit and vegetables are visible.&#8221; title_text=&#8221;shutterstock_2284226315&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/nutrition\/calorie-deficit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">calorie deficit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> means you\u2019re consuming fewer calories than you\u2019re expending.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">While this might sound simple, there are plenty of ways to get tripped up when calculating a calorie deficit. It\u2019s common for calorie-related misunderstandings to forestall weight loss progress. If you\u2019re confused about how to calculate calories in vs. calories out accurately, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/calculators-tdee\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">MVM BMR &amp; TDEE calculator<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> is a great place to start.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_calculate_a_calorie_deficit\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">How do I calculate a calorie deficit?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Calculating a calorie deficit starts by understanding how many calories you need to maintain your current weight. This is known as your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">Total Daily Energy Expenditure<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> (or TDEE for short).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Your TDEE is made up of:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">: The calories you burn at rest.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">TEF (thermic effect of food)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">: The calories you burn from processing food.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 600;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">TEA (thermic effect of activity)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">: The calories you burn from activity.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">If you consume the same number of calories each day as your TDEE, you will maintain your current weight. If you eat fewer calories than your TDEE, you\u2019ve created a calorie deficit and will lose weight. Similarly, if you eat <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">more<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> calories than your TDEE, you\u2019ve created a calorie surplus and will gain weight.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">For example, if you have a TDEE of 2000 kcal, then:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Consuming 2000 kcal daily would lead to weight maintenance<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Consuming &gt;2000 kcal daily would lead to weight gain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Consuming &lt;2000 kcal daily would lead to weight loss\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">You can calculate your BMR and TDEE by using an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/calculators-tdee\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">accurate TDEE calculator<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">If you\u2019ve created a caloric deficit and aren\u2019t seeing the results you\u2019re looking for, then make sure to check out the 8 reasons your calorie deficit isn\u2019t working later in this blog.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_much_of_a_calorie_deficit_do_I_need_to_lose_weight\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">How much of a calorie deficit do I need to lose weight?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Any consistent calorie deficit will lead to weight loss. However, the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">size<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> of your deficit will dictate how quickly (or slowly) you lose weight. A larger deficit will lead to quicker weight loss \u2013 up to a point. Contrary to popular opinion, creating a larger calorie deficit doesn\u2019t always lead to faster weight loss. Our bodies are efficient at conserving energy, and too great of a deficit can lead to \u201ccompromises\u201d in other areas, leading to fatigue, lowered immunity, muscle loss, or brain fog. You can read more about this and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-fat-vs-muscle\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">other fat loss FAQs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> here.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_the_best_calorie_deficit_for_weight_loss\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">What\u2019s the best calorie deficit for weight loss?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The best calorie deficit for weight loss is one you can consistently maintain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">A daily calorie deficit of approximately 400-500 kcal is considered a good starting place for a weight loss plan. With any deficit, check in after sticking to it consistently for 4 weeks. If you\u2019re not happy with your results, are experiencing excessive hunger, or are losing weight very quickly or slowly, it may be time to adjust your caloric intake.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_much_of_a_deficit_do_I_need_to_lose_1lb_per_week\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">How much of a deficit do I need to lose 1lb per week?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Losing 1lb per week requires a weekly calorie deficit of 3,500 kcal. This is the equivalent of a daily caloric deficit of 500 kcal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Let\u2019s take a couple of examples:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">Person A<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> has a BMR of 1700 and a TDEE of 2400. A caloric deficit of 500 kcal would leave Person A with a calorie goal of 1900 kcal per day. This amount is over their BMR and should lead to an approximate weight loss of 1lb per week.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Person B<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> has a BMR of 1250 and a TDEE of 1600. If Person B were to maintain a caloric deficit of 500 kcal, this would give them a daily calorie goal of 1100 kcal. This would put them below their BMR, which would likely be unsafe. Person B could either: 1) add exercise to their routine to increase their TDEE or 2) maintain a smaller caloric deficit. Both options would keep Person B above their BMR, but Option 1 would come with all the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/benefits-of-exercise\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">added benefits that exercise provides<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_isnt_my_calorie_deficit_working\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\"><br \/>Why isn\u2019t my calorie deficit working?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1459781726.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;A dark-skinned, curly-haired woman looks at her phone while blending fruits and vegetables to create a healthy smoothie. &#8221; title_text=&#8221;shutterstock_1459781726&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Now that we\u2019ve covered the basics of how to create a calorie deficit, it\u2019s time to consider why you might experience your calorie deficit not working.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reason_1_Youre_not_in_a_true_calorie_deficit\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Reason 1: You\u2019re not in a true calorie deficit\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The most likely reason your calorie deficit isn\u2019t working is that\u2026 you\u2019re not in a calorie deficit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Reducing the amount you eat, cutting out certain foods or food groups, or making healthier food choices are all common strategies for losing weight \u2013 but they don\u2019t necessarily create a calorie deficit and therefore weight loss.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Without tracking your food intake, it\u2019s very difficult to determine whether or not you\u2019re maintaining a calorie deficit, and impossible to accurately calculate the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">extent<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> of that deficit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Similarly, it can be difficult to accurately track calories burned through exercise, especially since many fitness watches or calculators <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-wales-47013454\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">tend to overestimate energy expenditure<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">. A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2075-4426\/7\/2\/3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Stanford study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> that investigated the accuracy of 5 different fitness trackers for heart rate and energy expenditure found that while trackers tend to accurately track heart rate (with a median error of less than 5%), not a single device accurately estimated energy expenditure. The median error of the trackers ranged from 27.4% (for the Fitbit Surge) to 92.6% (for PulseOn) \u2013 massively outside of the acceptable error range.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Without an accurate idea of how many calories you\u2019re taking in (through food and beverages) and burning off (through exercise and daily activity), it\u2019s understandably very difficult to maintain a calorie deficit!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">If this is you, then there are steps you can take to accurately assess your caloric needs and calculate a suitable caloric deficit to achieve your weight loss goals:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Measure your BMR with a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/services\/dexa\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">body composition DEXA scan<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/calculators-tdee\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Calculate your TDEE<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> to figure out your daily calorie burn<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Calculate a calorie deficit\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Track your food intake and consistently stick to your deficit<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Need more detail? Read our guide on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-lose-fat-with-a-dexa-scan-for-body-fat\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">how to lose fat with a DEXA scan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reason_2_You_arent_tracking_your_intake_accurately\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Reason 2: You aren\u2019t tracking your intake (accurately)<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1168594204.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;A bowl of oats sits on top of a digital kitchen scale which reads 313g.&#8221; title_text=&#8221;shutterstock_1168594204&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Research consistently shows that we\u2019re <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/nutrition\/does-calorie-counting-work#difficulty-losing-weight-when-counting-calories\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">not accurate reporters of our food intake<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">. Self-reported food intake is often very inaccurate, and many of us tend to (sometimes drastically) underestimate the number of calories we consume.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">With this in mind, if you want to lose weight then it\u2019s important to accurately track what you\u2019re eating to ensure you\u2019re maintaining a calorie deficit. There are plenty of methods for doing so, such as popular calorie-tracking apps like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.myfitnesspal.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">MyFitnessPal<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cronometer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Cronometer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">If you\u2019re tracking your food and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">still <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">not losing weight, make sure to:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Use a digital food scale to measure food quantities<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Record all snacks, drinks, and alcoholic beverages<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Track in the moment \u2013 don\u2019t rely on your memory!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Get to grips with portion size<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Track the exact food \u2013 not a generic brand or quantity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Use the barcode feature of the tracking app, if it has one<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Prioritise whole foods and those that create greater satiety<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reason_3_You_dont_have_an_accurate_BMR_or_TDEE_calculation\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Reason 3: You don\u2019t have an accurate BMR or TDEE calculation<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MVM-BMR-calculator-screenshot.png&#8221; alt=&#8221;A screenshot of the MVM BMR calculator reads %22Your Basal Metabolic Rate is: 1662%22. Further text described the accuracy of the figure and how to get a more accurate BMR figure. &#8221; title_text=&#8221;MVM BMR calculator screenshot&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">One of the most common reasons you might not be losing weight is that you\u2019re working with the wrong starting number. Most online BMR and TDEE calculators are notoriously vague, meaning you might not have the information you need to create a calorie deficit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Here at My Vital Metrics, we\u2019ve custom-built a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/calculators-tdee\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">BMR and TDEE calculator<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> to provide you with the most accurate figures possible. Unlike most online TDEE calculators, ours takes into account the types and quantities of exercise you do, the type of job you work, the amount of sleep you get, and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">If you\u2019re looking for an even more accurate analysis of your caloric needs, a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/services\/dexa\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">DEXA scan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/services\/resting-metabolic-rate\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) test<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> is a great way to take the guesswork out of your weight loss journey.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reason_4_Youre_retaining_water_or_on_your_menstrual_cycle\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Reason 4: You\u2019re retaining water or on your menstrual cycle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">If the scale isn\u2019t budging \u2013 or is even going up \u2013 while you\u2019re maintaining a calorie deficit, this doesn\u2019t necessarily mean you\u2019re gaining weight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">There are a range of factors that influence the number we see on the scale, including weight from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-what-does-a-body-composition-scan-show\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">fat, muscle, other body tissues<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">, water, and food travelling through the digestive system.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Hydration, in particular, can influence our weight \u2013 this is why it\u2019s recommended to weigh yourself first thing in the morning, before food or drink. While water is a big part of our total weight, when we talk about \u201cwater weight\u201d in the context of weight loss we\u2019re usually talking about something a little more specific.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">After consuming carbohydrates, the body stores carbohydrates as glycogen \u2013 a type of glucose used as energy in the body. Each gram of glycogen binds to 3-4g of water. So, when glycogen stores are high, water retention is higher to support this. On the flip side, when glycogen stores are depleted (after exercise, first thing in the morning, or on a lower-carb diet), water weight can drop. If you\u2019re seeing big fluctuations in your weight, water retention could be the cause. Rather than focusing too much on daily fluctuations, prioritise a weekly weigh-in to get the bigger picture on any changes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Similarly, it\u2019s normal to see a change of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/womens-health\/weight-gain-during-period#causes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">+3-5 lbs during a menstrual cycle<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">. This can be linked to hormonal shifts, water retention, gastrointestinal issues, a decrease in magnesium, or food cravings. Usually, this weight gain will correct itself shortly after.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reason_5_Youre_experiencing_body_recomposition\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Reason 5: You\u2019re experiencing body recomposition<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Not all weight loss is fat loss, and not all fat loss is going to show up as a shift on the scale.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">If you\u2019re maintaining a calorie deficit while working out, especially if you\u2019re new to strength training, you may be <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-fat-vs-muscle\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">gaining muscle and losing fat<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> simultaneously. This can look like you\u2019re not making progress \u2013 if you focus on the scale. Body recomposition has a host of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-the-importance-of-body-composition-testing\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">health-related benefits<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">, and can positively impact your metabolism, aiding future weight loss.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">However, outside of this scenario, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/build-muscle-lose-fat-same-time\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">gaining muscle and losing fat at the same time<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> isn\u2019t common or can be hard to achieve. If you\u2019re not seeing the scale shift and want to assess your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-what-is-a-healthy-body-fat-percentage\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">body fat percentage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> or overall body composition, a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/services\/dexa\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">DEXA scan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> is the best way to accurately do so.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reason_6_Its_too_soon_to_see_weight_loss_results\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Reason 6: It\u2019s too soon to see weight loss results\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Another reason you might not be seeing weight loss from your calorie deficit is that it\u2019s simply too soon to see results.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">At a rate of 0.5-1lb of weight loss per week, weighing in daily \u2013 or even weekly \u2013 isn\u2019t likely to show a significant shift on the scale. Once you add in some of the other factors we outlined above (water retention, hormonal fluctuations, any inaccuracies in your tracking), it\u2019s easy to see why someone might be discouraged at the start of a weight loss plan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">We have to remember also that the body likes \u2018homeostasis\u2019 meaning that it tries to keep everything the same. This might mean that you don\u2019t see any movement on the scales for the first few weeks while the body adjusts to the new deficit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">When it comes to weight loss, consistency is key. The changes will come! As you track your weight loss, remember that the scale is just one way of many to assess your progress. Measurements, the way your clothes fit, and the way you feel in your body can all be useful indicators along the way. For the most accuracy, a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/services\/dexa\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">DEXA scan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> can offer accurate insights into any changes in your body composition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reason_7_Youre_over-exercising_losing_muscle_or_stressed\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Reason 7: You\u2019re over-exercising, losing muscle, or stressed<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">If you\u2019re frequently stressed, not getting enough quality sleep, or over-exercising, this could be the cause of your weight loss plateau.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Excess cortisol from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.livi.co.uk\/your-health\/physical-signs-of-stress-on-the-body\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">high stress can hinder weight loss<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> by inhibiting the breakdown of fat, as well as impacting dopamine levels that can lead us to seek out foods higher in sugar, salt, or fat. Keeping stress levels in check through regular social interaction, engaging in meaningful activities, or practising yoga or meditation can have a positive impact on your weight loss journey.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Similarly, sleep plays a key role in the regulation of leptin and ghrelin \u2013 the two \u201chunger hormones\u201d. Getting less than 6 hours of sleep a night tends to increase appetite, as well as lead to poorer food choices. Prioritise getting enough sleep to help keep your weight loss on track.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Finally, while exercise can and does benefit weight loss, overdoing it can have the opposite effect. Overtraining can spike cortisol levels and lead to higher stress, contribute to fatigue and moving less in the days to follow and lead to over-compensating for the training by eating more. Incorporating regular strength and cardio exercise into your routine will be more beneficial to your weight loss than following a cycle of over- and then under-exercising.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reason_8_Medication_or_an_underlying_health_condition_is_affecting_your_metabolic_rate\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Reason 8: Medication or an underlying health condition is affecting your metabolic rate\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Finally, if none of the reasons above apply to you, you have an underlying health condition, or you\u2019ve been experiencing a significant plateau in your weight loss, it might be worth consulting a medical professional.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">A doctor can help rule out any underlying causes for your difficulty losing weight, including thyroid conditions, PCOS, hormonal imbalances, or prescription medications. However, make sure not to adjust your existing treatment plan or medication regime without first consulting a medical professional.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ready_to_create_a_sustainable_calorie_deficit\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Ready to create a sustainable calorie deficit?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1277154823.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;A group of four young women stand posed in gym clothing with their arms around each other, smiling and laughing. &#8221; title_text=&#8221;shutterstock_1277154823&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The best way to set yourself up for a successful calorie deficit is by having accurate BMR and TDEE calculations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Check out the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/calculators-tdee\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">free My Vital Metrics BMR &amp; TDEE calculato<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">r to estimate your caloric needs. Looking for an even more personalised calorie plan? A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/services\/dexa\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">DEXA scan for body composition<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> can give you an accurate BMR calculation based on an assessment of your lean mass. You\u2019ll also receive an in-depth report of your body composition, including body fat percentage, body fat distribution, lean mass, and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">To find out more about how My Vital Metrics can help you reach your weight loss and body recomposition goals, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">reach out to the team<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> today. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>So, your calorie deficit isn\u2019t working.\u00a0 Before you switch gears to a new diet or workout plan, it\u2019s important to figure out why your current plan isn\u2019t working. There are a few reasons why your weight loss efforts might not be leading to your desired results. Understanding what\u2019s underlying your stalled weight loss can help [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":802202,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[38,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-802199","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-body-comp","category-dexa"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/802199","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=802199"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/802199\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":802919,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/802199\/revisions\/802919"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/802202"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=802199"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=802199"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=802199"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}