I am pretty sure that I eat relatively healthy..and I workout 5 days a week, but I only lost 3 lbs this past month. What am I doing wrong!? 

Pump up the workout. Make sure you aren't eating more calories than you think. 

what are you doing for a workout? 3 lbs is better than nothing. 

www.thedailyplate.com I doubt you're eating as healthy as you think you are.  I use this. It says that I should eat 1700 calories a day to lose 2 lbs a week. I eat pretty darn healty. I very very seldomly eat fried foods. I do not eat white bread, I only use salt to boil water. I never add sugar to anything. I drink carbonation maybe 2 times a month. I'm not sure what other choices I can make. I am burning 500+ calories doing cardio, and do the machines at least twice a week. 

what are you doing for a workout? Treadmill, elliptical, bike, and weight machines. 

I only use salt to boil water. WTF? I am burning 500+ calories doing cardio And where did this calculation come from? That's an awfully big number. I never add sugar to anything But do you look at the sugar content of what you eat? For example-flavored yogurt. LOTS of sugar there. What about other simple carbs-breakfast cereal for example? 

I only use salt to boil water. WTF? Lol..it makes it boil faster. I am burning 500+ calories doing cardio And where did this calculation come from? That's an awfully big number. From the machines at the gym. 

I never add sugar to anything But do you look at the sugar content of what you eat? For example-flavored yogurt. LOTS of sugar there. That what confuses me. "Studies" say that low fat yogurt is good for weight loss. What about other simple carbs-breakfast cereal for example?  Special K? 

And where did this calculation come from? That's an awfully big number. From the machines at the gym. Don't trust those. They can be off by a lot. Also, I looked at that daily plate thingie-it's calorie calculator doesn't take your sex into account, so I would not trust that either. A man of the same height/weight would be able to eat more calories and lose weight than a woman. And I think they are talking about plain yogurt. I would at least search out which one has the least sugar. Overall though, it's calories that count, not how much fat/sugar/etc. That counts of course, but overall, it's calories in vs. calories out. 

I don't know much about the nutrition of Special K, but I would guess it's not a lot of fiber and protein. I'd go for whole wheat toast, fruit and an egg (or egg product) for breakfast instead. I hate eating cereal-I'm starving again shortly after. 

So, this is hypothetical.. But, if I eat 1500 calories a day, and then burn 500. Would I be eating 1000 calories a day? Does that make sense? 

From the machines at the gym. Don't trust those. They can be off by a lot. So, how am I suppose to know how many calories I burn? 

I am burning 500+ calories doing cardio And where did this calculation come from? That's an awfully big number. I don't think it's that big of a number. I go to the gym and do the elipitcal for an hour and burn around 750 calories....It all depends on the resistance that you are doing on the machines on the amount of calories you are burning. My friend has one of those fancy smancy watches that calculated calories and according to her watch I actually burn more than the machines say I do...So I wouldn't necessarily say they are off. Maybe by a little but not a whole lot. If anything she is probably burning more calories than she thinks on those machines. Also ash-uh-ley you have to burn more calories than you take in if you want to see results. 1700 calories is a lot. Good luck on your weightloss journey though :-) 

750? Really? That's really surprising. I would not think they would burn nearly that much. I think it must really depend on how much effort you put into it. If you go at top speed for an hour solid, I could see that. But if you do it like most people do...lol. 

I'm not sure where you can find really accurate measures of calories burned honestly. It depends so much on your age, weight, sex, intensity, muscle to fat ratio, etc. 

ash-uh-ley you have to burn more calories than you take in if you want to see results So, wouldn't I die!? It says not to go under 1300 calories a day. 

I think it must really depend on how much effort you put into it. If you go at top speed for an hour solid, I could see that. But if you do it like most people do...lol. LOL. Yes it does depend upon the effort you put forth. I change resistance and speed constantly. I will start out slow and then go really fast for awhile and then cool back down again. I do a pretty intense workout on the eliptical. But if you are just walking at putt putt speed you are definately not gonna burn a whole lot of calories. 

1700 calories is a lot Not when 2500 is the average. 

So, wouldn't I die!? It says not to go under 1300 calories a day. No. And what is it? The best thing you can do is go talk to either your doctor or get an apt with a nutritionist on base and see what they say. I don't think any of us have the degree to be telling you what is right and wrong. Just remember that What works for one person may not work for another. 

Not when 2500 is the average. I want to know where you are getting your info? What website? If you were to take in 2500 calories a day unless you are a body builder or someone who is a workout finatic to burn off all those calories you would gain weight. 1500 is the average for a person that is what i have always heard anyways. 

2500 is the average caloric intake set for nutrition labels. For the average person, especially female, it's too much. For a body builder though, it's far too little. lol 

For a body builder though, it's far too little. lol LOL. I was just using it as an example.... 

Don't forget that breathing, digestion, and all of those normal bodily functions also burn calories. You don't need to run off all of the calories you eat. 

double :) 

2500 is the average caloric intake set for nutrition labels. I thought it was 2000. And you shouldn't go below 1200. I don't think any of us have the degree to be telling you what is right and wrong. Just remember that What works for one person may not work for another. I am working on it..lol..but even then, I don't know your specifics to assess what is right for you. I agree with Nicole that you should see a nutritionist to determine this. If you aren't losing at 1700 though, drop it down gradually and see what works for you. I would keep mine between 1300 and 1500 depending on my activity level. 

2500 is the average caloric intake set for nutrition labels. I thought it was 2000. I think you are right Holly. I don't know...I'm not looking at a label right now. lol 

This is your basic nutrition label. Most are based on a 2000 calorie diet. 

Thanks Holly! I don't know why I was thinking it was 2500. Maybe it used to be? Or maybe I'm just crazy. lol 

You do realize that you burn calories all day long right? You don't just burn calories when you work out. Your body needs about 1,000 calories a day just to function properly. Yea, I said that... :)