We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!
I feel like I'm not doing something right
courtneyallisonatx
Posts: 133 Member
I have lost 21lbs in 40 days, but to me i feel like i could be losing more. I could be doing more, pushing harder, eating better. I have beat myself up about it and feel so discouraged. Could really use any help or advice anyone would like to give on how to keep myself from being discouraged, even with the great job I've been doing.
1
Replies
-
I started in January and have only lost 24lbs. Don't beat yourself up. You're doing awesome!0
-
You've lost 21 pounds in almost 6 weeks. That's 3 and a half pounds per week. That's a fantastic rate of loss and if anything you actually want to lose weight a little slower!7
-
2 lbs/wk is the maximum recommended weight loss rate for most people. Even allowing for a big initial drop due to water weight, that is a lot.
What calorie level are you trying to eat at per day? 1200 is the lowest recommended for females, and if you are netting less than that and exercising you can be doing yourself a great deal of harm.
1 -
There is something that you're doing wrong: you're being completely unrealistic about what constitutes a healthy rate of loss.21
-
Seriously?3
-
That's a huge amount to have lost already! Well done!
But it's not a race, we didn't gain our weight over night. 0 -
Learning to accept yourself and the ups and downs of weight loss will do more for you than anything else right now. What's the point of all this work if you can't enjoy yourself or give yourself proper credit for what you've done?0
-
Ps it took me a year to lose 21lbs and get to goal.....3
-
booksandchocolate12 wrote: »There is something that you're doing wrong: you're being completely unrealistic about what constitutes a healthy rate of loss.
Perfectly said.2 -
booksandchocolate12 wrote: »There is something that you're doing wrong: you're being completely unrealistic about what constitutes a healthy rate of loss.
Nailed it!1 -
2 lbs/wk is the maximum recommended weight loss rate for most people. Even allowing for a big initial drop due to water weight, that is a lot.
What calorie level are you trying to eat at per day? 1200 is the lowest recommended for females, and if you are netting less than that and exercising you can be doing yourself a great deal of harm.
I'm at 1780 calories a day I believe, which is what MFP gave me.
My diary is open for viewing.booksandchocolate12 wrote: »There is something that you're doing wrong: you're being completely unrealistic about what constitutes a healthy rate of loss.
I know what a healthy weight loss is, I'm saying that, in my head, it feels like i should be doing more, working harder, I'm unhappy with my progress and I'm aware that it is ridiculous to be. It's just that mentally I can't help but feel discouraged, as ridiculous of a thing as it sounds.
1 -
Wow awesome job!! I think I'm needing advice from you lol. It looks like you log your food, that is important. Keep going, you are young and beautiful, enjoy it!!!!!!!!!!!!0
-
-
courtneyallisonatx wrote: »2 lbs/wk is the maximum recommended weight loss rate for most people. Even allowing for a big initial drop due to water weight, that is a lot.
What calorie level are you trying to eat at per day? 1200 is the lowest recommended for females, and if you are netting less than that and exercising you can be doing yourself a great deal of harm.
I'm at 1780 calories a day I believe, which is what MFP gave me.
My diary is open for viewing.booksandchocolate12 wrote: »There is something that you're doing wrong: you're being completely unrealistic about what constitutes a healthy rate of loss.
I know what a healthy weight loss is, I'm saying that, in my head, it feels like i should be doing more, working harder, I'm unhappy with my progress and I'm aware that it is ridiculous to be. It's just that mentally I can't help but feel discouraged, as ridiculous of a thing as it sounds.
You need to re-evaluate your thinking. I'm assuming you want this to be a life long change not just a quick fix for rapid weight loss. If you don't change your mental attitude you will back here repeatedly trying to lose the same pounds over and over. I know, because I've done that.2 -
courtneyallisonatx wrote: »2 lbs/wk is the maximum recommended weight loss rate for most people. Even allowing for a big initial drop due to water weight, that is a lot.
What calorie level are you trying to eat at per day? 1200 is the lowest recommended for females, and if you are netting less than that and exercising you can be doing yourself a great deal of harm.
I'm at 1780 calories a day I believe, which is what MFP gave me.
My diary is open for viewing.booksandchocolate12 wrote: »There is something that you're doing wrong: you're being completely unrealistic about what constitutes a healthy rate of loss.
I know what a healthy weight loss is, I'm saying that, in my head, it feels like i should be doing more, working harder, I'm unhappy with my progress and I'm aware that it is ridiculous to be. It's just that mentally I can't help but feel discouraged, as ridiculous of a thing as it sounds.
You need to re-evaluate your thinking. I'm assuming you want this to be a life long change not just a quick fix for rapid weight loss. If you don't change your mental attitude you will back here repeatedly trying to lose the same pounds over and over. I know, because I've done that.
I have no idea where to start with that. I think that's my problem, I've been fat my whole life, dieted on and off and obviously it never sticks. I don't know how to get my mind in the place I need it.0 -
courtneyallisonatx wrote: »courtneyallisonatx wrote: »2 lbs/wk is the maximum recommended weight loss rate for most people. Even allowing for a big initial drop due to water weight, that is a lot.
What calorie level are you trying to eat at per day? 1200 is the lowest recommended for females, and if you are netting less than that and exercising you can be doing yourself a great deal of harm.
I'm at 1780 calories a day I believe, which is what MFP gave me.
My diary is open for viewing.booksandchocolate12 wrote: »There is something that you're doing wrong: you're being completely unrealistic about what constitutes a healthy rate of loss.
I know what a healthy weight loss is, I'm saying that, in my head, it feels like i should be doing more, working harder, I'm unhappy with my progress and I'm aware that it is ridiculous to be. It's just that mentally I can't help but feel discouraged, as ridiculous of a thing as it sounds.
You need to re-evaluate your thinking. I'm assuming you want this to be a life long change not just a quick fix for rapid weight loss. If you don't change your mental attitude you will back here repeatedly trying to lose the same pounds over and over. I know, because I've done that.
I have no idea where to start with that. I think that's my problem, I've been fat my whole life, dieted on and off and obviously it never sticks. I don't know how to get my mind in the place I need it.
That's the hardest part. And really no one can help you with it because it has to come from you. I've been there. Up, down, up, down...for decades. This time around I got into it quite by accident. Joined a fitness challenge with no intentions of losing weight. Just wanted to be fitter. And the more I did and the more I lost, I thought "this isn't as hard as I always made it out to be" . I can actually really do this. So I am. But it was something I had to figure out myself.1 -
courtneyallisonatx wrote: »
You're right, I apologize. But I was so flabbergasted at someone unhappy with that rate of loss, I was sure you were a troll. As others have stated, you really need to reevaluate your expectations.6 -
One of my concerns would be at the rate you are losing is that your skin would be lose and not bounce back if you lose too fast.0
-
courtneyallisonatx wrote: »2 lbs/wk is the maximum recommended weight loss rate for most people. Even allowing for a big initial drop due to water weight, that is a lot.
What calorie level are you trying to eat at per day? 1200 is the lowest recommended for females, and if you are netting less than that and exercising you can be doing yourself a great deal of harm.
I'm at 1780 calories a day I believe, which is what MFP gave me.
My diary is open for viewing.booksandchocolate12 wrote: »There is something that you're doing wrong: you're being completely unrealistic about what constitutes a healthy rate of loss.
I know what a healthy weight loss is, I'm saying that, in my head, it feels like i should be doing more, working harder, I'm unhappy with my progress and I'm aware that it is ridiculous to be. It's just that mentally I can't help but feel discouraged, as ridiculous of a thing as it sounds.
It sounds like you're getting enough to eat and not risking your health. You've lost at an extraordinary rate so far. If you're not feeling hungry or like you're overrestricting, keep it up and if anything know that you have a little room to eat more and lose a little more slowly.
ETA: Don't compare your rate of loss to shows like "The Biggest Loser". Lose at a pace that keeps you healthy and gives you room to enjoy your day-to-day routine.
1 -
Awesome!! That is more than twice as fast as I am going!0
-
I did that to myself the first time I lost 100lbs. I was never happy because I had so far to go... ended up in a self hate spiral and gaining half back.
My advice to you is be grateful to yourself for making positive changes, love your body for following along in your efforts, and take a breath. Journal these feelings, let them wash over you, but don't go to extremes. You are doing so very well and you must remember the speed isn't indicative of success, any progress is progress.6 -
Seriously?booksandchocolate12 wrote: »There is something that you're doing wrong: you're being completely unrealistic about what constitutes a healthy rate of loss.
1 -
Try some positive self talk daily.
Also imagine a "stop" sign and when you find yourself falling in to negative self talk, literally put your hand up and say "stop". Then change the subject, LOL.2 -
I thought of something else. If someone notices the positive change, graciously accept the compliment. A simple "Thank you" is fine.0
-
courtneyallisonatx wrote: »courtneyallisonatx wrote: »2 lbs/wk is the maximum recommended weight loss rate for most people. Even allowing for a big initial drop due to water weight, that is a lot.
What calorie level are you trying to eat at per day? 1200 is the lowest recommended for females, and if you are netting less than that and exercising you can be doing yourself a great deal of harm.
I'm at 1780 calories a day I believe, which is what MFP gave me.
My diary is open for viewing.booksandchocolate12 wrote: »There is something that you're doing wrong: you're being completely unrealistic about what constitutes a healthy rate of loss.
I know what a healthy weight loss is, I'm saying that, in my head, it feels like i should be doing more, working harder, I'm unhappy with my progress and I'm aware that it is ridiculous to be. It's just that mentally I can't help but feel discouraged, as ridiculous of a thing as it sounds.
You need to re-evaluate your thinking. I'm assuming you want this to be a life long change not just a quick fix for rapid weight loss. If you don't change your mental attitude you will back here repeatedly trying to lose the same pounds over and over. I know, because I've done that.
I have no idea where to start with that. I think that's my problem, I've been fat my whole life, dieted on and off and obviously it never sticks. I don't know how to get my mind in the place I need it.
I hear what you are saying. You are making the right steps by using MFP as intended. People are very supportive on here and hopefully you have friends or family to encourage you. I'm not sure how to tell you to get your mind where it needs to be. I just woke up one day back in January and told myself that I have to do this. No more bs about it. Once I started losing, it was easier to keep thinking positive. This will all take time and there will ups and downs. Just stick with it, love yourself and pat yourself on the back with every single pound you lose.0 -
It will all come together in your head, in my opinion, when everything you do becomes about being healthier and being fitter, NOT just about being thinner.
A lot of us, myself included, have done unhealthy things to our body, like crash diets, taking pills, laxatives and more stupid things than I can name.
I'm not saying you are doing these things. But your mindset is not right.
When your thinking becomes about treating your body, no matter what its current size with respect, then you'll be in the right head space.
Make small changes that you can live with for the rest of your life. Like getting some form of daily exercise, drinking more water, eating more Veges. You've lost at a rate that is not recommended, so I hope you are respecting yourself and your body, and celebrate the small changes, and the weight loss will follow at a healthy rate.1 -
That averages out to like a 1/2 pound...a day0
-
It cut off the majority of my post0
-
I will clarify, I have not been under eating, I eat every day what calories MFP has given me to eat, i work out every other day normally. So i have not been purposefully under eating or overworking myself to lose more, for those of you saying i've lost too much to fast. i will say though, i am confused about exercise calories and if i should eat them back, what if my activity tracker overestimates and i overeat my calories? Or do i just not eat them back at all?
I am aware of how ridiculous i probably sound, being unhappy with the great loss i have had. I have just been overweight my whole life and I'm sure once I start to see the physical changes being made, i will lighten up on myself. I do appreciate all of the encouragement, I don't have anyone around for support through this journey, so Thank You.
1 -
You're struggling with the 'image' of weight loss and your perceptions. I get it. What we all see as an insanely high rate of loss, you're seeing as 'not enough'. It's discouraging when all you see is what's in the mirror. Please, be assured that you are losing too quickly, and need to slow it down- aim for 1.5-2 pounds of loss. Is there an Overeaters Anonymous or Breakthrough, or something similar near you? They can help you with some of these perceptions that you've built up in your mind and get you the in-person support from that can mean so much with this. 1
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 394.6K Introduce Yourself
- 44K Getting Started
- 260.5K Health and Weight Loss
- 176.1K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.7K Fitness and Exercise
- 444 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153.1K Motivation and Support
- 8.1K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 4.1K MyFitnessPal Information
- 16 News and Announcements
- 1.3K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.8K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions