So depressed about weight.

susantlawrence

Hello,

I have been using MFP off and on since April, I have been working out since last year and have lost 0 that's ZERO lbs..so I started tracking my weight and taking a supplement...so guess what I have gained 5lbs. I am now 5'8" and weigh 180. I am sitting crying because I can't figure out what to do. I am just so depressed about it all I don't know what to do. I have 3 kids under 10 and a husband who loves me but I hate the way I look. I was always the skinny girl, I weight 145 when I got pregnant with my first and it has just never gone away. I now weigh the same amount i did the DAY I GAVE BIRTH to my daughter 3 yrs ago.


ughhh

susan

wilsoje74

Try tracking here consistently not on and off. Weight loss will happen if you track religiously and not on and off. Exercise does not equal weight loss. It is mainly diet.

GiveMeCoffee

Hey there Susan,

You have to be ON to work. Log everything that goes in your mouth. Be brutally honest about it, good bad and the ugly. You can do this but you have to truly want to do it.

Here to help

Jen

bug1106

I hear ya. I have no kids but its so depressing to not feel beautiful. Some tips a few people tell me is to track. Ever single thing that you put in your mouth. muscle weighs more than fat so maybe your weight is from muscle. Have you taken measurements? that helps me out a lot when i am feeling down, like this week in have been in a depression hole.

paigemulroe

Try tracking here consistently not on and off. Weight loss will happen if you track religiously and not on and off. Exercise does not equal weight loss. It is mainly diet.

I agree, I have only been on here for six days now, but consistency does seem like that is what is needed to succeed. I still do understand how frustrating it is to not lose weight.

bcattoes

How many calories do you eat daily (on average if it varies)? What type of exercise do you do and for how long and how often?

Michellekutz1

Totaly understand, I was have been tracking for a week now exercising every day, but didn't weight when I started because my scale was broken (figured I was starting at 180 which is not good at 5'1"). Bought a scale yesterday and was so excited to weigh this morning and almost cried when it said I now weight 183.8! Spoke to my friend and she reminded me it's not just about the scale take time to meassure your self inches are more important thand weight! So when I go home tonight I will meassure, and try again next week! Hang in there stay consistent, I always hated it when people would tell me only you can fix it...but honestly it is in our hands, so stay accountable and lean on us for support! Best wishes!

sphenisciforme

It is possible - I started at 188 and am way below that now - my best buy was a food scale - I have it under my plate when I dish up my food, zeroing it before adding each item, and log everything. You soon become used to doing it, but as others have said, doing it consistently is the key. Add me if you wish.

nyqueensguy

I have a somewhat similar story. This time I'm counting everything that goes in my mouth!! its only been ten days and Im still only down 3lbs. I know its from overeating. ive been working out every week and actually gained weight!

susantlawrence

I average around 1200 or 1300 a day and I work out by running 30 minutes then cycling 45 and then I lift free weights doing legs one day and arms/back the next 5 days a week

Calliope610

Just my guess, you are not eating enough given your height and activity level.

Figure your TDEE based on current exercise/activity level and eat at a 15-20% deficit. That should result in a loss of about 1 to 1.5/lb per week.

That's what is working for me.

bearcrusher

So sorry you are having a tough time with your weight loss. I have heard the horror stories of trying to lose weight when you aren't that large (180 isn't some giant number like 400 lbs)

The only advice I'd have for you is get good at logging everything you eat. I know it's a pain at first but if you do gain weight at the end of a week you can at least look back and see what you think might have caused the problem.

Anyways I'd love to add you as a friend and maybe we can motivate and work together to lose those extra lbs.
-Mark

lal2600

Something what I do that has helped in not only do I log everything I put in my mouth but I think about what I'm going to eat and sometimes look it up first and see how many carbs, protein, fat & sugar it has and revamp how I cook or decide not to eat it at all. So before has helped me not just after the fact. It has changed how I look at things.

SkinnyMsFitness

Hi! I'm not trying to make wrong conclusions here, but are you being consistent with your eating/exercising routines? That was just my thoughts when I read that you've been using MFP 'off and on' for a cpl months now. If so, there's no shame...you just have to work on being more dedicated. I think many people are on that boat here and there. I've just recently gotten back into a better routine after falling off track for...months!!

I don't know what you're doing, but I've found that I've been pretty successful (lost 33 lbs over 3 months) by making a few simple changes: breakfast every day, at least 10 glasses water every day, no snacking between meals, listening to my stomach and STOPPING eating when I'm full and by walking a few miles a week or cutting grass.

However, when I'm feeling more vulnerable, and I mindlessly eat junk food (once or twice a week), it does damper my progress. I started my journey June 2012 and have been weighing and documenting my weight faithfully every week. Although I quit losing weight for about 10 months, at least I stayed at where I was.

I know some people may think weekly weigh-ins might be too often, but it helps keep me going.

Good luck! Feel free to add me...I can try to offer support & can use some too! :-)

jzammetti

Just my guess, you are not eating enough given your height and activity level.

Figure your TDEE based on current exercise/activity level and eat at a 15-20% deficit. That should result in a loss of about 1 to 1.5/lb per week.

That's what is working for me.

Yup. me too

elainecroft

I've done MFP for about 3 years. During the "off and on" times, I've lost about 0 pounds (lost some and gained some). During the "On" times is where I lost weight. So my advice is to push yourself to stick to a program and log your food every week. It's surprising how much you forget or badly estimate when you are just doing it in your head - write it down. Good luck!

dangerousdumpling

I average around 1200 or 1300 a day and I work out by running 30 minutes then cycling 45 and then I lift free weights doing legs one day and arms/back the next 5 days a week

I'm sorry you're feeling so down. So many of us have been there. I know I have. The 1200 calorie + working out thing didn't work for me, either. You're probably more active than you think and your body needs more fuel. I'd suggest you change your goals here to lose 1 pound per week and eat at least half of your exercise calories, if not all. Log your calories consistently everyday. You must be consistent. Pretty soon you'll be so hopeful and positive about your weight loss and fitness that days like this will be a thing of the past. Give it a try. :flowerforyou:

WFBspantran

They (wilsoje74 and jwhited71) are right on... As they say, Abs are made in the kitchen, not in the gym. Log log log, make sure you workout, and workout hard! Don't just go through the motions. Change things up, rely on MFP and other friends for support and then you should start seeing changes. Feel free to add me, I am on MFP almost every day...

marie_2454

Try tracking here consistently not on and off. Weight loss will happen if you track religiously and not on and off. Exercise does not equal weight loss. It is mainly diet.

THIS! You have to be consistent with logging (exercise helps, but weight loss (number wise) is mainly your diet/ what and how much you eat). When I'm not tracking on here, my weight will stay pretty much the same, give or take a few pounds. It stays the same whether I exercise or not. However, when I log regularly I don't have any problem losing weight. I'm not dropping pounds super quick, but the scale does go down. Give it time. Try logging consistently for at least a month before weighing yourself again. Good luck!

kraft_kris

I read somewhere "Your body keeps meticulous track of what you consume whether you do or not"

As others have said...consistency is king. Easier said that done sometimes though.

JanaCanada

I average around 1200 or 1300 a day and I work out by running 30 minutes then cycling 45 and then I lift free weights doing legs one day and arms/back the next 5 days a week

EAT MORE!! You are burning up lean body mass by not feeding your exercise. Be honest with your calculations, and use TDEE-20% as your daily goal.

CorvusCorax77

"I average around 1200 or 1300 a day and I work out by running 30 minutes then cycling 45 and then I lift free weights doing legs one day and arms/back the next 5 days a week "

You eat 1200 calories a day.

Then you burn about 300 running, appros 450 cycling, and then you lift weights (I burn 330 cals an hour lifting weights so I'm gonna go easy and guess you burn 150)....

Meaning you eat 1200, you burn 900... you are netting 300 calories a day?

No wonder your body wants to hold onto what fat it has.

KlaJWolf

Don't let a scale determine your fitness level. I remember weighing 148 pounds when I shipped off to boot camp. For 2 months, I was worked and worked and worked. The last day our drill sergeants had us do a weigh-in. I thought "I'm so excited, I look great, feel great, I bet I've lost a ton of weight!". I stepped on that scale and when it said 150! I about died. I had a whole new body, but I learned a valuable lesson that muscle weighs more than fat that day. I'lll never judge my body based on a scale again!

CorvusCorax77

also, my advice is cheer up. Making positive changes in your life begins with a positive attitude!

Healthy food is yummy- enjoy it!

Life is meant to be lived! Living life involves using your body- bike rides and running with your dog and surfing and rock climbing are all fun AND exercise!

I was thinking the other day that most people get off work, go home, and sit in front of a tv while eating crappy food to relax. I relax by working out. I actually enjoy it.

And I lost 50 lbs on MFP (gained back 15, 8 of which is muscle mass! FTW!) and I ENJOYED the experience of losing that weight.

da_bears10089

"I average around 1200 or 1300 a day and I work out by running 30 minutes then cycling 45 and then I lift free weights doing legs one day and arms/back the next 5 days a week "

You eat 1200 calories a day.

Then you burn about 300 running, appros 450 cycling, and then you lift weights (I burn 330 cals an hour lifting weights so I'm gonna go easy and guess you burn 150)....

Meaning you eat 1200, you burn 900... you are netting 300 calories a day?

No wonder your body wants to hold onto what fat it has.

You, sir, are far too logical.

cookieluvsya

I average around 1200 or 1300 a day and I work out by running 30 minutes then cycling 45 and then I lift free weights doing legs one day and arms/back the next 5 days a week

Crying isn't going to help you, there is no room for negative emotoins in weight loss. Whatever happens that's bad, brush the dirt off your shoulders and keep moving forward. Many times i have failed in the passed because of "negative emotions." so keep them out of this..


You're more than likely not eating enough.
Go here: http://physiquelore.com/harris-benedict/

enter your stats, and it will tell you "to maintain your weight you must eat x amount of calories." multiple that number by 0.80. That's how many calories you should be eating to lose weight.

^^ I start this method a couple weeks ago and started seeing the pounds go down, also the scale can be a major *kitten*! Try not to get so worked up by the numbers.. Also take your measurements and measure yourself about once a month.. it is sooo hard I know but I do think you are not eating enough, and you have to be consistent 100% of the time.. hope this helps! feel free to add me if you would like a motivating friend

LeilaFace

I'm also 5'8", 180 and am frustrated. I'm with you sister. I've been on here for a year and have lost 10 pounds total over a year+ If you want to team up let me know because I too am at my wits end.

murdledoe

I think it is important to be on MFP every single day....more then once a day if at all possible. Log it all, even the oils or butter or condiments you use It all adds up quickly and the calories appear in places that would shock you. On my diary at times I will put a foot note to help me in the future. Usually what works for me or not.

It's easy to get discouraged, but lean on this group. Be here every day and you will make it!

pinkly14fun2

I did MFP about a year ago. Lost 30 lbs. Then life happened and my mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I gave up, gained back 20 lbs. Logging what passes your gums is the key. I started back and find that I love the control of logging my food. You will have good days and bad days. Just remember, someone thinks that you are beautiful and try to see yourself from their eyes. You got this!

tmuster

here for support.. req sent