I can't go below 216 LB!!

[Steve]

-Remember: to burn a pound of fat, you must burn 3500 more calories than you take in. For example, if you eat 1700 calories a day, but can eat 2200 calories a day(including exercise) to maintain your weight, you will lose one pound a week. (2200cal-1700cal = net 500cal/day loss x 7days= 3500cal or 1lb.) Burn this formula into your mind!

I most definitely would NOT burn this formula into your mind. Sure, it's estimated that each pound of fat is worth 3500 calories. The real world weight loss, however, doesn't always work out to this. Actually, it often does not. Weight is dependent on much, much more than fat balance.

I've seen this formula cause more frustration than it's worth.

 

[newbldr]

thanks for all the great advice. i'll start tracking my calories religiously and see where things go...

but I still think it's weird that I've weighed exactly the same weight (within a range of 3 pounds) for the past 36 months... in as much as i can't seem to go below 214lb, i also can't get above 220 (granted, if i tried to i could - but i haven't).

 

[Steve]

I look forward to hearing what your tracking reveals. Be honest with it. Be precise (get a digital food scale). And track everything. Altering from these guidelines will do you no good. As I said before, either your intake is 'off' compared to what you think it is or something is going on metabolically.

And as I said above, it really isn't strange that your weight remained constant through volatile times of activity. I'd be willing to bet that as your activity went up, so did your energy intake. It's quite common. Without keeping strict tabs, it's pretty much bound to happen.