Trying not to get discouraged....

ken_hogan
ken_hogan Posts: 854 Member
in Motivation and Support
I'm doing my best not to let the scale bother me because I understand that it's not the ONLY to track your progress, but in the past several weeks I've lost nothing...actually put a bit over 2 pounds in. I've tried changing my calorie intake, decreasing and increasing. I'm open to suggestions and my diary is open....
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Replies

  • princesstoadstool82
    princesstoadstool82 Posts: 371 Member
    have you measured other ways? such as a tape measure? your clothing???
    , are you lifting ???

    i do the eat more 2 weigh less method, google it :) just strating out with it.. all the best :)
  • pippywillow
    pippywillow Posts: 253 Member
    Just keep plugging away at it and the scale will catch up eventually.

    How do you feel inside? Do you have more energy? Are you happy with yourself? I think those are the biggest markers of success. And even if you don't lose it's worth it to have a healthy lifestyle for so many other reasons. Remember your kids and wife just want you around for as long as possible, keep at it for them.

    23 pounds is amazing! Great job!
  • ken_hogan
    ken_hogan Posts: 854 Member
    have you measured other ways? such as a tape measure? your clothing???
    , are you lifting ???

    i do the eat more 2 weigh less method, google it :) just strating out with it.. all the best :)

    I measured my waist a few weeks ago but have to do it again today when I get home from work..I've been running but now lifting. I've actually tightened up my belt a notch or two so at least I know I'm losing SOMETHING... :)
  • ken_hogan
    ken_hogan Posts: 854 Member
    Just keep plugging away at it and the scale will catch up eventually.

    How do you feel inside? Do you have more energy? Are you happy with yourself? I think those are the biggest markers of success. And even if you don't lose it's worth it to have a healthy lifestyle for so many other reasons. Remember your kids and wife just want you around for as long as possible, keep at it for them.

    23 pounds is amazing! Great job!

    I've been feeling great and my clothes have been starting to feel looser. I just have never come across this situation before when I was doing Weight Watchers. I will just stay patient and it will catch up like you said.
  • princesstoadstool82
    princesstoadstool82 Posts: 371 Member
    have you measured other ways? such as a tape measure? your clothing???
    , are you lifting ???

    i do the eat more 2 weigh less method, google it :) just strating out with it.. all the best :)

    I measured my waist a few weeks ago but have to do it again today when I get home from work..I've been running but now lifting. I've actually tightened up my belt a notch or two so at least I know I'm losing SOMETHING... :)


    if your lifting, and you've lost inches/ cm's... but the scale hasnt moved, im gonna assume thats muscle you've gained :) muscle take up less room then fat :)
  • princesstoadstool82
    princesstoadstool82 Posts: 371 Member
    dont focus so much on the scale, :) more on inches :)
  • NadirToZenith
    NadirToZenith Posts: 62 Member
    I agree. Sounds like you're putting on muscle which is fantastic. More muscle means faster calorie burn. Don't get discouraged. You're actually moving toward your goal faster than you think!
  • ken_hogan
    ken_hogan Posts: 854 Member
    dont focus so much on the scale, :) more on inches :)

    Thank you...I usually don't dwell on it like this but am just trying to move forward. :happy:
  • princesstoadstool82
    princesstoadstool82 Posts: 371 Member
    dont focus so much on the scale, :) more on inches :)

    Thank you...I usually don't dwell on it like this but am just trying to move forward. :happy:


    one step at a time mate :smile: you can do it :happy:
  • lkgarza
    lkgarza Posts: 56 Member
    Just wanted to add my encouragement! Keep at it! You will get there and it sounds like there are other great indicators that you are moving in the right direction! I too am discouraged with the scale, but my clothes are fitting differently and I am feeling stronger so that is what I am focusing on! Best of luck! Keep us posted with your journey!
  • 1princesswarrior
    1princesswarrior Posts: 1,242 Member
    Just wanted to add my encouragement! Keep at it! You will get there and it sounds like there are other great indicators that you are moving in the right direction! I too am discouraged with the scale, but my clothes are fitting differently and I am feeling stronger so that is what I am focusing on! Best of luck! Keep us posted with your journey!

    ^^^^^
  • MFPRat
    MFPRat Posts: 201 Member
    Hi Ken.

    I took a look at your food diary and see what I see in my diary, treats (kit kats, ice cream, etc.), except, I have a lot of beer in my diary too!! I haven't seen the scale move in the right direction either.

    I'm going to cut back on my alcohol by having water between beers and swap out my treats with snacks of walnuts, grapes, watermelon.

    I hope by putting it in writing here that I will actually do it!!
  • lbuseth
    lbuseth Posts: 41
    Congrats on what you have done so far! That is something to be proud of. After taking a look at your food. I would say that you need to eat less processed food. More fruits, veggies and lean protein. Additionally do you workout? Maybe adding in some walks in the morning or evening would help? Also, make sure you are eating everything 3 hours because your body will burn fat faster this way. If you need any help let me know. Good Luck and keep up the good work!
  • Lonestar5775
    Lonestar5775 Posts: 740 Member
    Hey Ken,

    It looks like you're dedicated to logging and you are staying under goal consistently. Have you tried adding any exercising to "kick start" your metabolism? Also, I am a firm believer that it took years to get to the weight at which you started and taking it off will require patience and detemination. You are already down 23 so that is a fantastic start.

    I say don't grow discouraged, show your 3 sons that you're in it for the long haul and quitting is not an option. Add me if you would like another motivator.

    YOU CAN DO THIS!
  • shrimpydoo
    shrimpydoo Posts: 112 Member
    I agree with all the other posts. Hang in...could be your body is just going through a mini weight loss plateau, but if you continue to do everything right, it may correct itself. It's hard, I know, but keep working at it. You're doing awesome.
  • whipsmart10014
    whipsmart10014 Posts: 29
    I know it's difficult not to hop on the scale everyday, but you can drive yourself mad doing so. Better to measure yourself at a consistent time every two weeks. You will gain weight as you increase muscle mass, but if you stick with it and continue to carefully monitor your diet, you'll also lose inches... and losing inches (fat) is what matters :-)
  • lisquito
    lisquito Posts: 19 Member
    I know its been said, but they're right! Gaining muscle will make it seem like you're not losing weight (pounds on the scale) so measuring inches or how your clothes are fitting will be a good indication of your progress! I also heartily agree with the note above that the way that you're feeling - feeling better, more energized, healthier - are better indicators than either weight or inches!!!!!

    Lastly - I have noticed that sometimes I hit small plateaus in my weight loss progress, but thats when I'm weighing myself every few days as opposed to every two weeks. Spacing out measuring will help you appreciate the progress and not stress about the daily weight fluctuations, which are completely normal!
  • shayleac
    shayleac Posts: 76 Member
    I had this same problem for months.

    Also looked at your diary, you eat a TON of sodium. I would try to keep that below 2500mg everyday
    and drink more water to flush it out. It could be making you retain water.

    I only weigh myself once every 2 weeks to avoid getting discouraged.

    Good luck on your journey!
  • Sondicalondi
    Sondicalondi Posts: 57 Member
    Ken, I looked at your diary and I did notice some processed foods. With me, when I don't chose processed foods like ice cream, processed cheese, white bread, etc. and DO choose eggs, natural cheese, oatmeal, 100% wheat bread, coconut milk, nuts, etc. I always lose. Same amount of calories but healthier. Ex. So today I had 2 eggs, a bunch of veggies stir fried in Pam, all for 200 calories rather than a box cereal. I am using FP for the first time for motivation and it is working too. I will cheer you on the whole way-stay with it!!!
  • mspoopoo
    mspoopoo Posts: 500 Member
    You have already achieved a good amount of weight loss! Well done!

    Looking at your diet, there seems to be a lot of processed foods, bread, sweets.

    For an example breakfast you might try 2 eggs cooked in a teaspoon or less of coconut oil and some fresh spinach cooked with it.

    You will feel a lot fuller for longer and much less sodium, sugar, etc.

    You are doing a great job!!!
  • PlumDrop12
    PlumDrop12 Posts: 4
    I just read that one of the reasons for plateauing is dehydration. So up your water intake and keep eating decent. Good luck!
    Add me if u wud like so extra encouragement. :-)
  • lucystacy71
    lucystacy71 Posts: 290 Member
    I understand exactly how your are feeling. The scale hasn't moved for me awhile as well, and it's hard not to feel as if you failed to make any progress, but that's just not the truth. Sometimes the best measure of progress isn't the scale. I actually put my scale in a spare room just so I'm not tempted to continually weigh myself.

    You're doing great so just keep it up!
  • MyaPapaya75
    MyaPapaya75 Posts: 3,143 Member
    Your doing good I looked at your diary..your very good with logging I just think you probably need to watch your sodium and also cut back on the amount you treat yourself with sweets and processed foods...eating out at restaurants, chocolates, icecream and such..those things will hinder you....try treating yourself once a week as opposed to daily.
  • Sondicalondi
    Sondicalondi Posts: 57 Member
    I forgot to mention, I treat myself everyday to a hersheys chocolate mini for 45 calories...so I eat the junk too..everyday, just a little bit.
  • ken_hogan
    ken_hogan Posts: 854 Member
    Thanks for all the responses everyone!! Just wanted to say that on my 'official' weigh in day, this past Friday, I was 232.4. Now today, I'm at 229.4. I'm guessing water retention maybe?? But at least I saw some movement in the right direction!
  • Sondicalondi
    Sondicalondi Posts: 57 Member
    Hey Ken, I noticed you don't track your sugar or fat intake. I think if you switched out a couple of categories and replaced them to track your fat and sugar you would see that the pizza and candy are pushing your totals way high for the day. (set a goal first, google what you should have) Sugar & fat can hinder your wt. loss. Eat a ton of veggies and some fruit maybe? I track my sugar since I am a sweetaholic. BUT, you eat whatever you need to to lose weight. If that's pizza keep at it, not judging you just trying to help. (hope i'm not being too bosey)
  • irivas1
    irivas1 Posts: 35 Member
    All of the above, howeverrrrrr...I say we gang up and have a serious conversation with that @#%$ SCALE! :mad: INTERVENTION TIME!!! I have a fast moving vehicle and we can stuff ourselves in it and toss it out the window, while doing 120 MPH over a bridge!!!!! Then we all hang out with the guy with the beer and bar nuts! :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: ...(GRAND APPLAUSE! CROWDS CHEERING WITH ENTHUSIASM! :wink:

    Okay, okay...obviously I have been having the same issue as you, however; I'm just a little more emotional in my response (I'm really quite normal...heh, heh). :laugh: Kidding aside, I was glad to see that you were able to see some movement on that @#%$ SCALE. Keep up the good work! :smile:
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Hey Ken, I noticed you don't track your sugar or fat intake. I think if you switched out a couple of categories and replaced them to track your fat and sugar you would see that the pizza and candy are pushing your totals way high for the day. (set a goal first, google what you should have) Sugar & fat can hinder your wt. loss. Eat a ton of veggies and some fruit maybe? I track my sugar since I am a sweetaholic. BUT, you eat whatever you need to to lose weight. If that's pizza keep at it, not judging you just trying to help. (hope i'm not being too bosey)

    As long as he is keeping at his calorie goals, it isn't going to matter if his carbs or sugars are high (speaking losing wise).
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Water retention is definitely a major factor. As others have said - rely on measurements. Not drinking enough water or having too much sodium can make you retain a lot of water. Not to mention your muscles will also retain water after you workout.

    The only other suggestion I would make is if you aren't using a food scale - get one asap.
  • nyrina4life
    nyrina4life Posts: 196 Member
    Could you be sensitive to sodium??? I noticed you went over your sodium intake a few times, so this could have caused some water gain ? It could also be muscle, it's really hard for me to tell just from numbers alone. :smile:

    You could try just reducing your sodium a little?? I imagine the scale will move in the right direction soon though. We all hit bumpy patches along the way. Keep your chin up, and keep working toward your goal! You've all ready done a fantastic job so far. :drinker:

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