Feeling like quitting this!

musicteacher40
musicteacher40 Posts: 91 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I am no longer drinking pop (haven't for 2 1/2 weeks), been drinking 6 - 9 bottles of water, and have been working out for 4 weeks.... and now I'm so frustrated from not losing any weight...I stepped on the scales at my normal time yesterday and according to it...I gained 4 pounds....how? And in a week.... I am watching closely what I eat, i fact I probably over estimate my foods on my counts... (trying to minimize sodium intake) and working out at least 5 days a week....what gives....


Is working out even worth it if I gain instead of lose....so depressing! I am at a point that it's just not worth it... Any suggestions?
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Replies

  • ladynocturne
    ladynocturne Posts: 865 Member
    I see a lot of stuff about water, soda and sodium, but not a lot about accurately logging your calories and exercise, which is what is important for fat loss.

    For more help please post your current height, weight, and age.

    Also tell us how many calories you're getting a day and how many calories you're burning from exercise. Thanks! =)
  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
    Yes it is worth it, but you're going to need to figure out what works for you.

    I am a boring, 54 year old person. I set myself to sedentary, asked MFP to figure out my calories, and add in my exercise. I lowered my carbs to under 40% (35% would have been better). I got visual aids to learn portion sizes and weighed/measured everything I could.

    I lost initial and then got tired of the slow pace. I WISHED I could just snap my fingers and make the damn flab go away.

    It didn't.

    Anyway, eventually it did. It wasn't hard. It just took stubborn persistence. You're a music teacher. It's like practicing. It feels like it never helps, then that you're going backwards, then suddenly you can play. You've got to stick to it.

    And really . . . measure and watch your carbs.
  • 2aycocks
    2aycocks Posts: 415 Member
    Also do you have a digital scale or the old fashioned kind? My digital scale isn't worth a hoot!
  • quirkytizzy
    quirkytizzy Posts: 4,052 Member
    Is it worth it? Only you can answer that.

    For me, having (at this point) 20 pounds to lose NOW is a lot better than having 50 pounds to lose LATER because I decided "it wasn't worth it."
  • beachgod
    beachgod Posts: 567 Member
    Do you consistantly use food scales, measuring cups and so on? Getting accurate measurements gives more accurate calorie counts.
  • 2aycocks
    2aycocks Posts: 415 Member
    One more question, since you are 49 yrs old, have you started going through menopause?
  • lil_pulp
    lil_pulp Posts: 701 Member
    Healthy choices lead to a healthier future. To me, that's always worth it.
  • Jessica11979
    Jessica11979 Posts: 2
    Don't quit! I feel like quiting but my drive to continue is greater. I have been working out 5 days a week for three weeks now and only lost 3 lbs. I walk/jog between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 miles those days and some cross fit training exercises. I have been soda free and gluten free since February 2012. Changing to gluten free was the hardest thing ever! I am slowly re-incorporating some gluten due to my desicion to run alot. The first 2-4 weeks of any kind of change is so hard and everyone's body responds differently. It will take some more time to get all the toxins out of your body. Look at it as: it didn't take you 2 weeks to get unhealthy So it will take more than two to get healthy. You made the desision to better your health for some reason so don't give up on it.
  • dsjohndrow
    dsjohndrow Posts: 1,820 Member
    There are a number of reasons this can happen. What works is a calorie deficit of 500-1000 per day, some simple strength training and 90 minutes of cardio exercise a week. If you are still not losing, it is probably becaue you are eating to much. In the end, a doctor should be able to help.
  • dangerousdumpling
    dangerousdumpling Posts: 1,109 Member
    Have you measured yourself? It's possible that you're losing inches instead of pounds. If your clothes are fitting better and you're shrinking you are on the right track. Sometimes we need to rethink this need we have to lose pounds. If you're losing inches then you're losing fat and that's great!

    Another thing to consider is that you may have chosen the wrong activity level. I'm not as active as I thought I was. I just recently had to readjust my numbers to start getting results again. You may just need to tweak your plan a little but don't give up. Of course, it's worth it.

    I also recommend weighing your food. It would be nice if we didn't have to be so careful and accurate about everything we eat but for most of us we do need to do that.
  • ChristineS_51
    ChristineS_51 Posts: 872 Member
    Read the success stories - there you will find people who DO think this is worth it. The weight didn't go on in four weeks, and it will take a long time to come off. Your diary is closed so it is hard for people to help you. One thing - YOU have to be ready to "want" this as they say - to have that moment when you just think "that's it"!

    Check this out
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/952996-level-obstacles-lose-weight-target-fat-easy

    Gender and age are no barrier to losing weight - I was 60 when I started this, lost weight.

    Focus on change not goals. If you change and substitute healthy choices in all things, the goal will come.

    Good luck, I hope you don't stay discouraged.
    PS Giving up pop and drinking lots of water are two great things to start with food-wise, also exercising regularly - good work. :smile:
  • BeachIron
    BeachIron Posts: 6,490 Member
    I see a lot of stuff about water, soda and sodium, but not a lot about accurately logging your calories and exercise, which is what is important for fat loss.

    For more help please post your current height, weight, and age.

    Also tell us how many calories you're getting a day and how many calories you're burning from exercise. Thanks! =)

    ^ this
  • AJinBirmingham
    AJinBirmingham Posts: 497
    Where will you be a year from now if you quit? If you don't?
  • PReiss828
    PReiss828 Posts: 41 Member
    Last Friday, after weighing in, I said the same thing...I felt like saying "the heck with this"...why keep at it if it isn't working...but I did buy shorts two weeks ago that were two sizes smaller...I know in my head I have to keep going...but it is awfully frustrating at times!!
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    I see a lot of stuff about water, soda and sodium, but not a lot about accurately logging your calories and exercise, which is what is important for fat loss.

    For more help please post your current height, weight, and age.

    Also tell us how many calories you're getting a day and how many calories you're burning from exercise. Thanks! =)

    ^ this

    Yep This......
  • laserturkey
    laserturkey Posts: 1,680 Member
    I'm 49, too. Let me tell you what works for me, in case it applies to you, too.

    I set my calorie goal for my BMR as if I were sedentary, which turns out to be 1600 calories (5' 7", 178 lbs.) I weigh everything I can on my food scale and go to great lengths to make my log as accurate as can be.

    I eat back my exercise calories because my exercise schedule is erratic and highly variable. It's important to make sure you have a pretty accurate idea of calories you've burned, since MFP data can be way off. I used a HRM to get an idea of my typical burn for activities. I generally lift weights for about 25 minutes, 2-3 days a week. When my taekwondo school is in session I go to classes 45-120 minutes in a week, depending on when I can make it. Other days, I try to walk outdoors to get some exercise.

    I always have ice water near me and try to stay well hydrated.

    I keep my sodium at or below 2000mg most of the time.

    I only weigh myself on the morning of a day AFTER a rest day, and even then I will not bother if I can tell I am retaining water because my rings are tight on my fingers. (Exercise can cause your muscles to retain water for repair.)

    I hope this helps!
  • pixeltrash
    pixeltrash Posts: 5 Member
    I was going to say the same thing about inches rather than lbs.

    Cut the sugar out of your diet too. It really does help with cravings of the wrong kind of food. You will notice the sweetness in vegetables and fruits when you cut out processed sugar.
  • cutieryan
    cutieryan Posts: 20 Member
    I've been trying to lose weight for a long time now, and I can't even count the number of times where it just didn't seem "worth it" to me either... and my weight just kept creeping up. Here's how I'm (trying) to look at it now. Lets say it takes three years to lose the 60 pounds I have left to go until my goal. Working this hard to lose like 1/3 of a pound a week doesn't seem worth it on the surface but in 3 years I could be at my goal weight... or I could be worrying about paying for 2 seats on an airplane. Of course I'm hoping to get to goal long before 3 years but either way I know if I work hard every day I'll be a happy girl in the future.
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    Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Nutrition Facts For Foods
  • luckydays27
    luckydays27 Posts: 552 Member
    I am lifting weights and doing 20 lb dumbbell bicep curls (in each hand to 40 lbs total).
    I have lost 35.5 lbs.
    I can curl more than I lost, I think its totally worth it.
    I eat about 1800 cals a day based on my activities and exercise routine.

    Dont quit. Figure out how many cals you need to eat based on your activities and eat that. Workout too. Losing weight is not supposed to be easy but it sure as **** is not as hard as being fat (physically, emotionally).
  • Crumleygirl
    Crumleygirl Posts: 86 Member
    Do you weigh in the morning after you use the restroom but before you eat? That's the best time to do it. Make sure to count all your little snacks you eat and log it. The smart phone app helps a lot.
  • CarlaNeverGivenUp
    CarlaNeverGivenUp Posts: 108 Member
    What great encouragement that everyone shared. I was discouraged at the scale not going down and shared
    with my sons physical therapist. He shared he hates going by the scale. Fat is like feathers--it takes up a lot more
    space on the body. Muscle is like lead-it takes up a lot less space and is heavier.
    Several people encouraged me to measure although the scale didnt reflect change the tape measure did.
    I kept telling myself...I trust the system and kept reading success stories for motivation, tried to just relax
    more...this is the first week i dropped on the scale. I'm trying to keep in focus that is took me 25 years to put on this weight and its not coming off in a few weeks rather months. ALSO figure out what victory you have had? Can you walk further, carry more, clothes fit looser or just feel better about taking care of yourself and eatting healthy. I agree with others if you open your diary it might help...everyone has been so kind and gracious to help...u got thiis!
  • terilea2
    terilea2 Posts: 11
    I've been in your shoes before and now what you are going through, but don't give up! It sounds as though your body may have hit a plateau.

    Whenever I hit a plateau I go back and look at my food dairy…did I measure my portions correctly, did I count my calories correctly, am I eating enough food, and when was the last time I changed my workout routine?

    Besides what the scale says…. how do you feel?

    Hang in there and never give up!
    Teri Elkins - BS in Health and Wellness
  • wildcheetah
    wildcheetah Posts: 1
    Feeling discouraged, I came to MFP's Message Boards... THANKS TO ALL OF YOU for words of advice and encouragement to the original post... it has helped me today just as your words have helped others. Please know your postings matter to people.

    I've been eating healthy and at or below 1,200 calories for two weeks, with treadmill every other day for the first week and now doing Supreme 90Day workout everyday (with its recommended rest days). And the result? I've GAINED 2 lbs and no, clothes don't fit any better. This has happened before when I count calories and exercise and I don't know why, thus I end up getting so discouraged I go back to my norm (at least I don't gain weight then). Soooooo hard to stay motivated with these results.

    Anyone have the same experience? Anyone know why? Most importantly, anyone know how to stop it? :-)
    THANKS

    H 5’6.5” W 185 A 57 female
    Calories: 1,200/day
    Exercise: Burning anywhere from 120 to 300 per day + or – when on Supreme 90Day
  • JessicaZen
    JessicaZen Posts: 149 Member
    I have been struggling up and down with the same 4 pounds for almost a month and it is frustrating as hell but I was told to find my BMR and TDEE and go by that cuz I was eating too few calories . Check into that and see if that helps but yes it is frustrating but yes it is worth it. Plus it's hot so water retention might be a problem and bringing you down. Don't give up You have only just begun don't you wanna see this till the end?
  • luckydays27
    luckydays27 Posts: 552 Member
    H 5’6.5” W 185 A 57 female
    Calories: 1,200/day
    Exercise: Burning anywhere from 120 to 300 per day + or – when on Supreme 90Day

    As weird as it sounds, you need to eat more. I am the close to you in specs (41 F, 5'5", 183.5 lbs and burn 200-500 cals a day - sedentary if not exercising) and eat 1800ish a day. I have lost 1 lb a week since upping my cals and I dont struggle with "dieting" any more. In fact I quit dieting since joining MFP and its never been easier to lose weight.
  • MrsSenecal
    MrsSenecal Posts: 312 Member
    So you just give up? It gets hard and you give up?
  • PinkMartiniPls
    PinkMartiniPls Posts: 50
    I am no longer drinking pop (haven't for 2 1/2 weeks), been drinking 6 - 9 bottles of water, and have been working out for 4 weeks.... and now I'm so frustrated from not losing any weight...I stepped on the scales at my normal time yesterday and according to it...I gained 4 pounds....how? And in a week.... I am watching closely what I eat, i fact I probably over estimate my foods on my counts... (trying to minimize sodium intake) and working out at least 5 days a week....what gives....


    Is working out even worth it if I gain instead of lose....so depressing! I am at a point that it's just not worth it... Any suggestions?

    That happens sometimes, especially when you are working out so vigorously. Don't sweat it! I went through the same thing and although the scale didn't move much, boy did my body tone up and I was dropping pant sizes like crazy!! The number on the scale is meaningless, instead focus on all of the health benefits you will reap from getting into shape. Trust me, if you keep working out, everything else will fall into place and you won't even care about the scale - you'll measure your success by the way you feel and look - it just takes time.
  • born2drum
    born2drum Posts: 731 Member
    Are you weighing your food? Are you measuring your food? If you are not then chances are you are eating too much. There are many variables as to why you are not losing weight and overeating could be one of many reasons. Are you exercising? If so what kind? Also, are you getting enough protein? In fact, are you eating enough? Your body could be on a metabolic slowdown.
  • born2drum
    born2drum Posts: 731 Member
    So you just give up? It gets hard and you give up?

    That's what I said too. WTF? Sounds like this person was not 100% dedicated from the get go.
  • BigDnSW
    BigDnSW Posts: 641 Member
    Where will you be a year from now if you quit? If you don't?

    This makes the most sense. I am coming up to a year and have lots of ups and downs. However, if I had quit, I would not be more than halfway to my goal.

    This is a game of patience, consistency, finding the right food plan for you, and exercise. Simple math and great results.

    Also, and not to be gauche, but I weigh after I do the morning duties in the buff about 3 times a week. I always weigh more with clothes on at the end of the day.

    Hang in there, it's worth it and find out what works for you. Besides, this isn't just about losing weight and inches, but also a healthy body and soul.

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