Feeling very disheartened. What's going on?
FauxBoho
Posts: 30 Member
I seriously need some help. I’m getting really down on myself.
I’m currently trying to lose weight after gaining 20kgs after having a baby. I was eating & drinking too much so started doing Dry July where I didn’t touch a drop of alcohol. Then halfway through I started the Whole30. It says not to count calories but I was interested so I did. I was never over 1500 calories. I didn’t weigh myself and trusted the process. I was eating 100% clean (absolutely no sneaky snacking etc) with sweet potatoes, fish, chicken, veggies, salads etc. I was walking with my baby daily to start getting a little bit of fitness back before starting BBG (Bikini Body Guide, half hour circuit) pre-training. I’m on week 2 and have been really enjoying myself.
I got on the scale today and am devastated. I have only lost 1kg (2.2lbs) in nearly 7 weeks. I know it takes time but this is ridiculous. I’m overweight. I’m 5’9 (175cm) and weigh 87kgs (191lbs). I need to lose weight.
My question is what is going on?? I have been told I should stop working out & just eat to lose weight then start working out when I’m close to my goal. Does this sound right?? I’m supposed to do arms & abs today. I was looking forward to it. Now I’m really unsure. My goal at this stage is to lose weight. Of course I want to gain muscle but not before losing weight.
Help help help!!!!
I’m currently trying to lose weight after gaining 20kgs after having a baby. I was eating & drinking too much so started doing Dry July where I didn’t touch a drop of alcohol. Then halfway through I started the Whole30. It says not to count calories but I was interested so I did. I was never over 1500 calories. I didn’t weigh myself and trusted the process. I was eating 100% clean (absolutely no sneaky snacking etc) with sweet potatoes, fish, chicken, veggies, salads etc. I was walking with my baby daily to start getting a little bit of fitness back before starting BBG (Bikini Body Guide, half hour circuit) pre-training. I’m on week 2 and have been really enjoying myself.
I got on the scale today and am devastated. I have only lost 1kg (2.2lbs) in nearly 7 weeks. I know it takes time but this is ridiculous. I’m overweight. I’m 5’9 (175cm) and weigh 87kgs (191lbs). I need to lose weight.
My question is what is going on?? I have been told I should stop working out & just eat to lose weight then start working out when I’m close to my goal. Does this sound right?? I’m supposed to do arms & abs today. I was looking forward to it. Now I’m really unsure. My goal at this stage is to lose weight. Of course I want to gain muscle but not before losing weight.
Help help help!!!!
2
Replies
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I should add I was also never under 1200 calories. I was generally around 1400 I would say.0
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Do you weigh your food?1
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Are you using a food scale to measure your intake?1
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Apparently, you say you weigh everything. Then you need to keep going. Weight loss takes time.1
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Yes, I weigh everything. Nothing is a guess1
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What are your goals set at? Like how many lbs per week?
I ask because I'm 5'9" as well, and to lose .5lbs a week, I can eat 1620 at sedentary. So an additional 200 calorie deficit would still be giving me less than a 1lb a week.
It is also possible for water retention due to new workout regimes. Do you use a tape measure to measure yourself? Sometimes it shows more results than the scale.
Edit: typo.2 -
I agree with the give it more time. If you are absolutely certain of your accuracy in logging trust the process and try to be patient. I realise this is hard.
Are you using other methods of gauging change ie: measurements and photos, clothing being looser. The scale can be a lying *kitten* at times and seeing that you are incorporating quite a few new things into your life that may be confounding the numbers for you. Sometimes too there are quite long periods where the numbers on the scale don't change then all of a sudden you drop a lot.1 -
vespiquenn wrote: »What are your goals set at? Like how many lbs per week?
I ask because I'm 5'9" as well, and to lose .5lbs a week, I can eat 1620 at sedentary. So an additional 200 calorie deficit would still be giving me less than a 1lb a week.
It is also possible for water retention due to new workout regimes. Do you use a tape measure to measure yourself? Sometimes it shows more results than the scale.
Edit: typo.
I would love to lose 1kg per week but realistically I would be happy with 500g (1lb). If I had been doing this for awhile or had less weight to lose I would be ok with such slow weight loss but I'm really only just starting so was hoping to lose more.0 -
HippySkoppy wrote: »I agree with the give it more time. If you are absolutely certain of your accuracy in logging trust the process and try to be patient. I realise this is hard.
Are you using other methods of gauging change ie: measurements and photos, clothing being looser. The scale can be a lying *kitten* at times and seeing that you are incorporating quite a few new things into your life that may be confounding the numbers for you. Sometimes too there are quite long periods where the numbers on the scale don't change then all of a sudden you drop a lot.
I am 100% certain. Absolutely no sneaky calories, no cheat meals, no lying to myself.
I did take photos but I'm not keen on comparing after just 1kg weight loss. I doubt I would see much. My clothes do not feel looser.0 -
HippySkoppy wrote: »I agree with the give it more time. If you are absolutely certain of your accuracy in logging trust the process and try to be patient. I realise this is hard.
Are you using other methods of gauging change ie: measurements and photos, clothing being looser. The scale can be a lying *kitten* at times and seeing that you are incorporating quite a few new things into your life that may be confounding the numbers for you. Sometimes too there are quite long periods where the numbers on the scale don't change then all of a sudden you drop a lot.
I am 100% certain. Absolutely no sneaky calories, no cheat meals, no lying to myself.
I did take photos but I'm not keen on comparing after just 1kg weight loss. I doubt I would see much. My clothes do not feel looser.
Even if you're not keen on measuring, you should start to get a base point. It is very common to lose inches but no weight on the scale due to water retention. When in reality, inches lost are better than any number on the scale. It's recommended to do it once a month.
Aside from that, you are still seeing losses, even if they are slow. If your logging is 100% on point, give it a few weeks and reevaluate. It would be concerning if there was no loss in 7 weeks, but that is not the case.
But do not stop working out. I don't know who would even give you that advice. It is silly.
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Your frustration is understandable but at least you are doing everything you can to lose weight and increase your fitness.
I guess if there hasn't been any change in the weeks to come (or however long your patience can hold out) the next port of call would be a Dr. to see if there is any underlying medical condition that is contributing to the lack of progress.
I wish you the best, I really do but I'm stumped.2 -
I sound similar to you. Same height, similar starting weight. I eat very similar and I also do BBG (I'm on my 11th week) and what I have noticed is that for me I often will stall in weight loss for a period of 3-5 weeks and then over the course of a week lose 5 lbs. The water retention can be particularly bad if you are just starting a new routine. I say, give it a couple more weeks. If you are tracking and being consistent I am sure you will start to see changes.
Oh and take measurements and pictures. They are so much more motivating than the scale.2 -
Women have such a harder time getting their bodies to drop weight.
It's an evolutionary, survival mechanism.
The solution is to just keep at it, and in time your body's hormones will respond but so slowly.
Make sure you're feeding your body great nutrition and exercising regularly.
It just takes time, and we're all going to respond differently.
Good Luck!2 -
vespiquenn wrote: »HippySkoppy wrote: »I agree with the give it more time. If you are absolutely certain of your accuracy in logging trust the process and try to be patient. I realise this is hard.
Are you using other methods of gauging change ie: measurements and photos, clothing being looser. The scale can be a lying *kitten* at times and seeing that you are incorporating quite a few new things into your life that may be confounding the numbers for you. Sometimes too there are quite long periods where the numbers on the scale don't change then all of a sudden you drop a lot.
I am 100% certain. Absolutely no sneaky calories, no cheat meals, no lying to myself.
I did take photos but I'm not keen on comparing after just 1kg weight loss. I doubt I would see much. My clothes do not feel looser.
Even if you're not keen on measuring, you should start to get a base point. It is very common to lose inches but no weight on the scale due to water retention. When in reality, inches lost are better than any number on the scale. It's recommended to do it once a month.
Aside from that, you are still seeing losses, even if they are slow. If your logging is 100% on point, give it a few weeks and reevaluate. It would be concerning if there was no loss in 7 weeks, but that is not the case.
But do not stop working out. I don't know who would even give you that advice. It is silly.
Got the advice from a friend who is a doctor
hence they panic & confusion 0 -
HippySkoppy wrote: »Your frustration is understandable but at least you are doing everything you can to lose weight and increase your fitness.
I guess if there hasn't been any change in the weeks to come (or however long your patience can hold out) the next port of call would be a Dr. to see if there is any underlying medical condition that is contributing to the lack of progress.
I wish you the best, I really do but I'm stumped.
I should have added that I have Hypothyroidism and am on 150mg of Thyroxine. I have been on it since being pregnant and haven't really tried to lose weight since going on it (2 years ago) I assumed since my thyroid is under control that weight loss should be 'average' (if there is such a thing) rather than slow as it has always been.0 -
Return2Fit wrote: »Women have such a harder time getting their bodies to drop weight.
It's an evolutionary, survival mechanism.
The solution is to just keep at it, and in time your body's hormones will respond but so slowly.
Make sure you're feeding your body great nutrition and exercising regularly.
It just takes time, and we're all going to respond differently.
Good Luck!
Thats what I was afraid of. I guess I was hoping I was doing something wrong & could fix it but I know in my heart I'm doing everything right. It's just that I lose weight very slowly. I will keep trucking, it just sucks.0 -
HippySkoppy wrote: »Your frustration is understandable but at least you are doing everything you can to lose weight and increase your fitness.
I guess if there hasn't been any change in the weeks to come (or however long your patience can hold out) the next port of call would be a Dr. to see if there is any underlying medical condition that is contributing to the lack of progress.
I wish you the best, I really do but I'm stumped.
I should have added that I have Hypothyroidism and am on 150mg of Thyroxine. I have been on it since being pregnant and haven't really tried to lose weight since going on it (2 years ago) I assumed since my thyroid is under control that weight loss should be 'average' (if there is such a thing) rather than slow as it has always been.
Ah, I am not versed in this condition but I have seen instances where the advice in situations similar to yours is to get you levels re-tested, especially in light that the levels were determined during pregnancy, time could have changed things for you. There are some members on here who are very experienced and offer great advice, maybe try plugging in a MFP search for specific questions relating to weight loss and hypothyroidism.1 -
HippySkoppy wrote: »HippySkoppy wrote: »Your frustration is understandable but at least you are doing everything you can to lose weight and increase your fitness.
I guess if there hasn't been any change in the weeks to come (or however long your patience can hold out) the next port of call would be a Dr. to see if there is any underlying medical condition that is contributing to the lack of progress.
I wish you the best, I really do but I'm stumped.
I should have added that I have Hypothyroidism and am on 150mg of Thyroxine. I have been on it since being pregnant and haven't really tried to lose weight since going on it (2 years ago) I assumed since my thyroid is under control that weight loss should be 'average' (if there is such a thing) rather than slow as it has always been.
Ah, I am not versed in this condition but I have seen instances where the advice in situations similar to yours is to get you levels re-tested, especially in light that the levels were determined during pregnancy, time could have changed things for you. There are some members on here who are very experienced and offer great advice, maybe try plugging in a MFP search for specific questions relating to weight loss and hypothyroidism.
Sorry I should have added that I'm retested every 6 months. I tested the other day and my numbers are good.
Thanks for your thoughts
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HippySkoppy wrote: »Your frustration is understandable but at least you are doing everything you can to lose weight and increase your fitness.
I guess if there hasn't been any change in the weeks to come (or however long your patience can hold out) the next port of call would be a Dr. to see if there is any underlying medical condition that is contributing to the lack of progress.
I wish you the best, I really do but I'm stumped.
I should have added that I have Hypothyroidism and am on 150mg of Thyroxine. I have been on it since being pregnant and haven't really tried to lose weight since going on it (2 years ago) I assumed since my thyroid is under control that weight loss should be 'average' (if there is such a thing) rather than slow as it has always been.
I am hypo/hashi's on 300mcg. If you have not been teated recently (like in the last 2 months) then I recommend you do. I have to be tested around every 8 weeks to ensure my levels are stable because they can bounce around and adjustments are needed.
That being said, I have lost weight before and am losing it again so that won't stop you. Yes, it becomes slower and harder if it isn't under control.0 -
vespiquenn wrote: »HippySkoppy wrote: »I agree with the give it more time. If you are absolutely certain of your accuracy in logging trust the process and try to be patient. I realise this is hard.
Are you using other methods of gauging change ie: measurements and photos, clothing being looser. The scale can be a lying *kitten* at times and seeing that you are incorporating quite a few new things into your life that may be confounding the numbers for you. Sometimes too there are quite long periods where the numbers on the scale don't change then all of a sudden you drop a lot.
I am 100% certain. Absolutely no sneaky calories, no cheat meals, no lying to myself.
I did take photos but I'm not keen on comparing after just 1kg weight loss. I doubt I would see much. My clothes do not feel looser.
Even if you're not keen on measuring, you should start to get a base point. It is very common to lose inches but no weight on the scale due to water retention. When in reality, inches lost are better than any number on the scale. It's recommended to do it once a month.
Aside from that, you are still seeing losses, even if they are slow. If your logging is 100% on point, give it a few weeks and reevaluate. It would be concerning if there was no loss in 7 weeks, but that is not the case.
But do not stop working out. I don't know who would even give you that advice. It is silly.
Got the advice from a friend who is a doctor hence they panic & confusion
I hate to say it, but doctors, unless within the world of nutrition, are not very well versed in weight loss. What they know is often basic and even sometimes based on outdate studies. Not saying to never listen to them, but I would question the qualifications of any doctor that tells someone to wait to work out until they are close to their goal weight. Unless injured, that doesn't make much sense.
With that being said, if you think your levels should be tested again just as a precaution, it might help ease the mind. It might be the answer you're looking for. But otherwise, follow the suggestions everyone has offered and see if there is any difference within 4-5 weeks. If there isn't, then it would be benefitial to start digging further for the problem.0 -
Thanks everyone
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I tend to gain 4-6lbs whenever I start a new workout routine. It's just water weight but it does make things go slower. I also gain 2-4lbs right before my cycle starts and I stay up for a week sometimes.
My metabolism is insanely slow, like a snail. I eat 1200 calories a day and I only lose 0.25-0.50 lb per week. It's so slow. But I've been at this for 3 years and I'm wearing jeans I wore 12 years ago! You can do it!2 -
First of all, I'm going to disagree with the advice to stop working out.
But I am going to suggest that that advice may have come from a place of "you just had a baby; you have so much on your plate right now; don't stress yourself out too much".
I don't know how old your baby is now, but it's pretty common for new mums to get very little sleep - and not getting enough sleep tends to work against weight loss.
So, my advice would be to keep eating healthy and working out (especially since you enjoy it), but try to stop stressing about it.
Also, are you breastfeeding? If so, 1400 calories is likely too low and could potentially affect supply.1 -
You did say you're on week 2 of a new exercise program? It's NOT unusual to GAIN weight when starting a new workout program. 5-7lbs is average.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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There's a couple of things that could be happening -
1) Did you have a meal before you weighed in (possibly the night before) that contained a lot of carbs and/or sodium. Or just a heavy meal in general. Very possible that you are retaining water weight.
2) Were you very sore before you weighed in due to weight lifting? When I have a very heavy weight lifting session, I could be 2-4 lbs heavier (also due to retaining water weight)
3) You could be putting on a little bit of muscle while losing fat since you just recently began this workout routine.
My recommendations -
1) Weigh yourself more frequently. I weigh myself 1/week every Friday morning. I don't overeat Thursday or lift Thursday to minimize water weight.
2) Check your body fat too
3) See how your clothes fit.
Stick with it - you're probably fine.2 -
You can gain or lose 5lbs a day during to salt content, water retention, menstrual cycle. You could have weighed in at a light time 7 weeks ago and heavy time this one and in reality you lost a lot more. Unfortunately with only a single starting weight you don't know if that was representative of what you were.
If you are really good with your logging then you should have lost more.
I would recommend weighing at the same time every day and every day for a week just so you can see the normal fluctuations. Then drop back to weekly1 -
I weigh in at the same time every week but had stopped for the month I did the Whole30 as that is a part of the rules. I didn't lift or eat anything high in sodium the day before.
I can't decide if I should increase my carbs & lower my fat or vice versa. Currently on low carbs & high fat. Was going to add back legumes & things like quinoa so I could increase my carbs but am now unsure. I don't want to over engineer my weight loss but I feel like I don't have a choice. All the other Mums who did this with me lost about 5kgs. I lost the least. I was also the only one who worked out. All cardio (HIIT) and some knee push ups so I can't have gained too much muscle.
Not sure if I mentioned my daughter is 18 months old so I am well and truely over the infant stage.0 -
You did say you're on week 2 of a new exercise program? It's NOT unusual to GAIN weight when starting a new workout program. 5-7lbs is average.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
Yes I'm on week 2 of the pretraining part of BBG. Goes for 4 weeks before starting the real deal for 12 weeks.
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SusanMFindlay wrote: »First of all, I'm going to disagree with the advice to stop working out.
But I am going to suggest that that advice may have come from a place of "you just had a baby; you have so much on your plate right now; don't stress yourself out too much".
I don't know how old your baby is now, but it's pretty common for new mums to get very little sleep - and not getting enough sleep tends to work against weight loss.
So, my advice would be to keep eating healthy and working out (especially since you enjoy it), but try to stop stressing about it.
Also, are you breastfeeding? If so, 1400 calories is likely too low and could potentially affect supply.
Yes I'm still breastfeeding her 3 times in 24 hours. I also think breastfeeding makes it hard to lose weight. My body seems to want to hold onto as much weight as possible. Not sure if that's a thing, it's just my experience. I'm also on antidepressants & have a pretty bad history with food so my metabolism is probably working against me.
Not making excuses just something that may be a consideration.0 -
I should add I was also never under 1200 calories. I was generally around 1400 I would say.
This statement explains part of the problem. Put your data into your MFP profile, give your goal, get calorie allowance, measure & weigh everything, track everything.
However, if you are still breastfeeding, I would say be careful about reducing calories right now. Nutrition is far more important. Maybe concentrate on "healthy eating" to support baby's nutrition & growth; keep walking; once baby is weaned, then use MFP to lose the weight.
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