Scale victory but not seeing results?

Picklefrits

Hey community, I am currently in need of some motivation. I am 5'3 and my starting weight was (ugh) 288 pounds. I since then have lost down to 256 pounds and while I am seeing the numbers slowly go down every week the hard issue I am having is I am still in the same size despite losing over 30 pounds so far. Has anybody else experienced this? I'm finding it really hard to stay motivated since I still can't fit into a smaller size. I'm sure it will come eventually but I haven't really seen a change in the mirror, nor has anybody around me really noticed that I look smaller. Granted my shirts feel a little looser but that's pretty much all I've noticed.

comeonnow142857

Yes. There is a range of size where you are going to look very similar regardless of weight loss. 256lbs at 5'3 is still 256lbs at 5'3. It's not like going from 180 to 150lbs, where shape of the body will change a lot more. But you're 1/4 of the way to being 150lbs. By then, people will hella notice, and your health will be much more secure.

You are on the right track to smaller sizes, changes in the mirror and everyone noticing the changes. Responding to this not happening just yet, while the groundwork is being successfully and consistently built, by giving up, will prevent all those things you want. Continuing as you are doing will get you the things you want.

You don't need to feel motivated, but you do need to continue doing what you are doing, even when you don't feel motivated. This secures your habits. It's working. It just takes a while to reap what is sowed.

(P.S. looking at yourself in the mirror every day distorts perspective of changes. Take photos of yourself, and then check again 30lbs loss later, and so on.).

leanjogreen18

Take pictures sometimes you can see it in pictures better than in real life.

Start now and find a before pic!

lorrpb

Don't let random and inconsistent clothing Sizes determine your life. You've lost 30 lbs-- congrats!-- and your shirts are looser. This is success. As for other people, you can't depend on that. Some people aren't very observant and some don't say anything even when they do notice.

Lizzy622

If you are like me, many of your clothes may be stretchy. Put on something tighter and less stretchy. Don't get discouraged.

Tacklewasher

I lost probably 40 lbs before I had issues with my pants. The weight came off everywhere else first, so my neck and chest went down (I'm a guy so losing the chest was fine), but my gut didn't move much. Even now after losing over 70 lbs, I'm still in a 44 waist. My theory on this is simple.

Not only does fat suck, but it is mean. It knows where you want to lose it and where you want to keep it and just says screw you, you're trying to get rid of me so I'm going to go away where you want me to stay (boobs) and stay where you want me to leave (belly).

Hang in there. It will come off eventually. It simply has to. In my case, I can't see where else I CAN lose much more fat so it HAS to come off my gut.

serindipte

Use a fabric tape measure and get body measurements. I take them in far more places than MFP shows. Lower abdomen, upper abdomen, around the widest part of my hips which is actually around upper thighs. I also do around breasts and under them around the rib cage. I'm not down a pants size, but I am down 5" around lower abdomen and outer thighs. Stretchy pants, lycra jeans, they make our pants fit far bigger than they would have so it takes a bit longer to go down a size.