Feeling frustrated.
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WanderingRivers
Posts: 612 Member
I'm working on losing weight but I am feeling so frustrated. I'm tired of having to weigh and measure my food all the time. Of having to watch everything I eat, of not eating even if I'm hungry because I don't have enough calories that day. I just want to be able to eat without fretting about calories or anything.
It's just aggravating to me. I know I still have a while to go to get to goal and it just feels like this long never ending tunnel that has no light at the end of it.
I know I need to just suck it up and be a big girl but damn I'm just so beyond over it right now and I want to have a normal meal without having to track every single thing.
It's just aggravating to me. I know I still have a while to go to get to goal and it just feels like this long never ending tunnel that has no light at the end of it.
I know I need to just suck it up and be a big girl but damn I'm just so beyond over it right now and I want to have a normal meal without having to track every single thing.
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Replies
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Are you getting regular exercise? If I don't exercise I get really hungry and really frustrated.
Hang on, it's worth it.
What are your goals (how much do you need to lose, how many calories are you given?)1 -
As long as the weather cooperates, I walk for 45 minutes at lunch 5d a week
CW: 156.6
GW: 135
Current calories a day is 1520.
I'm just feeling like I'm Sisyphus pushing the boulder up the hill only for it to roll to the bottom just as I'm getting to the top.0 -
I've been on MFP for over 2 years now. I lost 40 lbs the first year (lost 35 lbs prior to that utilizing a different website) and have roughly been maintaining since (still need to lose another 40 when I'm ready to focus & commit to the deficit it will take). With the exception of vacations, I have logged the whole time. I know myself, and I know I will need to continue to log for the rest of my life to stay on track and not regain the weight. I don't let this stress me out... it is what it is. I admit, I enjoy my logging breaks, but those times don't amount to carefree eating, because I'm now very aware of the calories in most things, so I still limit my choices & portions. Given time, though, I know I would become more lax & just end up back where I started, and that sounds far more frustrating to me.
Do make sure you are pursuing a weekly weight loss goal that is appropriate for your current height & weight. Since you mention running out of calories, maybe most, if not all, of your frustration is due to a calorie allowance that is too low, and not the logging itself. Also, if you have been in a calorie deficit for a lengthy amount of time, you may want to consider the info provided in this thread:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10481830/the-diet-break/p1
Sorry... we're always going to have to watch we eat now, in some way or form. This is why it's important to have the view of a permanent lifestyle change and not a temporary diet with an end date. Perhaps focusing on a fitness goal would help distract you from your discontent with the weight loss process. Wish you the best.3 -
KurumiSophia wrote: »As long as the weather cooperates, I walk for 45 minutes at lunch 5d a week
CW: 156.6
GW: 135
Current calories a day is 1520.
I'm just feeling like I'm Sisyphus pushing the boulder up the hill only for it to roll to the bottom just as I'm getting to the top.
Well, at 156 and walking for 45 minutes a day you should be adding in 200 or so more calories a day to fuel that exercise - that's how MFP works. 1700-1800 is a good amount of food, so perhaps you need to play around with your macros and make sure you're getting enough protein and fat. If I eat too many carbs I feel hungry all the time, too. If you only have 15-20 pounds to lose, it's a grind - I can relate. Those last few pounds are tough, but you can relax and eat at maintenance every now and then, too.
Hang on.
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KurumiSophia wrote: »As long as the weather cooperates, I walk for 45 minutes at lunch 5d a week
CW: 156.6
GW: 135
Current calories a day is 1520.
I'm just feeling like I'm Sisyphus pushing the boulder up the hill only for it to roll to the bottom just as I'm getting to the top.
Didn't see this. It's widely discussed how tedious losing the last 15-20 lbs can be. Unfortunately, logging is all the more critical because you have no room for error.0 -
I don't really have a fitness goal since I have a knee that holds me back from doing anything more strenuous then walking or beginners yoga. I have more of a "get skinny" goal. My current settings are for .5 lbs a week and I try not to eat all my exercise calories back just to make sure I am losing.
I've been in a deficit since I want to say around March or April. (My brain is fuzzy with time) I know not the longest time in the long run but it feels like forever.
Stress is just part of who I am. I ALWAYS stress over stuff. Its like breathing, it just is. I can't think of a time when I'm not stressing over something.0 -
cmriverside wrote: »KurumiSophia wrote: »As long as the weather cooperates, I walk for 45 minutes at lunch 5d a week
CW: 156.6
GW: 135
Current calories a day is 1520.
I'm just feeling like I'm Sisyphus pushing the boulder up the hill only for it to roll to the bottom just as I'm getting to the top.
Those last few pounds are tough, but you can relax and eat at maintenance every now and then, too.
Absolutely! No reason you have to be in a deficit every single day 0 -
KurumiSophia wrote: »I don't really have a fitness goal since I have a knee that holds me back from doing anything more strenuous then walking or beginners yoga. I have more of a "get skinny" goal. My current settings are for .5 lbs a week and I try not to eat all my exercise calories back just to make sure I am losing.
I've been in a deficit since I want to say around March or April. (My brain is fuzzy with time) I know not the longest time in the long run but it feels like forever.
Stress is just part of who I am. I ALWAYS stress over stuff. Its like breathing, it just is. I can't think of a time when I'm not stressing over something.
It sounds like you have made great progress then, since you have lost 20 lbs in about 4 months! Congratulations!
Your current goal is completely appropriate, but we do have less wiggle room without exercise. It wouldn't really contribute to your calorie burn, but maybe you could look into some floor-based strength training exercises if you would like to improve your muscle tone & help you feel stronger.
I have a friend on my list who has made steady (albeit) slow progress as she's neared her goal by incorporating the diet break technique- several weeks at a deficit, 1-2 weeks at maintenance. You still have to log, but it gives your body & mind a break and this has helped her maintain a good attitude and improved her adherence.1 -
KurumiSophia wrote: »As long as the weather cooperates, I walk for 45 minutes at lunch 5d a week
CW: 156.6
GW: 135
Current calories a day is 1520.
I'm just feeling like I'm Sisyphus pushing the boulder up the hill only for it to roll to the bottom just as I'm getting to the top.
Get into weight lifting! You won't get bigger, you'll burn tons of fat and develop a good shape, look at all the Women who lift!
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KurumiSophia wrote: »As long as the weather cooperates, I walk for 45 minutes at lunch 5d a week
CW: 156.6
GW: 135
Current calories a day is 1520.
I'm just feeling like I'm Sisyphus pushing the boulder up the hill only for it to roll to the bottom just as I'm getting to the top.
Get into weight lifting! You won't get bigger, you'll burn tons of fat and develop a good shape, look at all the Women who lift!
Plus, getting stronger is a HUGE mental boost. I'm sure there are workarounds for your knee.0 -
KurumiSophia wrote: »As long as the weather cooperates, I walk for 45 minutes at lunch 5d a week
CW: 156.6
GW: 135
Current calories a day is 1520.
I'm just feeling like I'm Sisyphus pushing the boulder up the hill only for it to roll to the bottom just as I'm getting to the top.
Get into weight lifting! You won't get bigger, you'll burn tons of fat and develop a good shape, look at all the Women who lift!
I can't do anything more strenuous then walking or beginners yoga thanks to my ACL in my left knee being attached on only one end. (I was hit by a car while on foot about a decade back.) I had looked into the possibility of weight lifting but with so much dependent on having good knees for that to work, it just isn't something that's possible for me. I appreciate the thought but it's just not on my list of things I can do.0 -
They say "don't skip leg day" but maybe you can. No squats or lunges for you. Upper body workouts on the bench, fully supported.0
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They say "don't skip leg day" but maybe you can. No squats or lunges for you. Upper body workouts on the bench, fully supported.
I'm not much of a gym person. I feel like an idiot every time I step into one and am embarrassed to exercise in front of other people. Honestly, I prefer things I can do at home without any equipment. (Space is at a premium for me.)0 -
I have some resistance bands. I'm not saying I use them, but I do know where they are!
Kurumi, I pretty much just walk, swim, and kayak for exercise. Do whatever makes you happy.1 -
KurumiSophia wrote: »They say "don't skip leg day" but maybe you can. No squats or lunges for you. Upper body workouts on the bench, fully supported.
I'm not much of a gym person. I feel like an idiot every time I step into one and am embarrassed to exercise in front of other people. Honestly, I prefer things I can do at home without any equipment. (Space is at a premium for me.)
Which takes me back to my original suggestion- there are many simple strength training exercises that can be done on the floor with hand weights or no weights at all. It's not going to build muscle the way heavy lifting would, but there are still benefits, including nicely shaping & toning your body. I've always been a fan of Margaret Richards' Body Electric shows on PBS (try youtube). After learning the basic exercises, you just put your favorite music on & work the muscles to exhaustion. But I'm getting the feeling you're just not into it.0 -
Just one last thought from me... I see there's going to be a guy running in this week's Spartan race on NBC that is missing an arm and a leg, and a man with Parkinson's running the American Ninja Warrior course. I plan on watching it... I know I can always use some inspiration. 1
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KurumiSophia wrote: »Of having to watch everything I eat, of not eating even if I'm hungry because I don't have enough calories that day.
You're doing it wrong. Consult a nutrition specialist, preferably one associated with a medical centre. He/she can tell you what to eat to NOT feel hungry while dieting.
Short version: minimize the amount of carbs (sugar to as close to zero as possible), eat enough protein and use quite a lot of vegetable based oil in your sallads. A lot of vegetables, some fruit. You won't feel hungry this way but will loose weight.
The point of minimizing carbs is to not have insulin rushes. Those will make you crave food. Google this to understand.
If traditional western diet protein sources (animal based) start to feel repulsive, you could study veggie or vegan options. Easy to google.
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KurumiSophia wrote: »Of having to watch everything I eat, of not eating even if I'm hungry because I don't have enough calories that day.
You're doing it wrong. Consult a nutrition specialist, preferably one associated with a medical centre. He/she can tell you what to eat to NOT feel hungry while dieting.
Short version: minimize the amount of carbs (sugar to as close to zero as possible), eat enough protein and use quite a lot of vegetable based oil in your sallads. A lot of vegetables, some fruit. You won't feel hungry this way but will loose weight.
The point of minimizing carbs is to not have insulin rushes. Those will make you crave food. Google this to understand.
If traditional western diet protein sources (animal based) start to feel repulsive, you could study veggie or vegan options. Easy to google.
no, not for everyone...eating high fat makes me crave more foods, protein and carbs satiate me0 -
I used to tell myself that hunger is what losing weight feels like. That said, I would schedule my hunger times. Generally it was once per day, leaving work until I got home to my planned snack. I suppose I could have had a snack before leaving work, but pretty sure that would have resulted in 2 snacks. Didn't want to start snacking in the car. So I was hungry, but it was temporary.
I've lost 100+ lbs and it's been gone for 10+ years. I lost the last 40 by joining Weight Watchers. Even after Lifetime, I tracked for 5 years. I still weigh my food at home to control portions. But I don't feel like I'm fretting over calories. I think I'm being vigilant. Because for a while now it's seemed that "normal" in our world is overweight. I don't think I'll ever be normal.
You don't need to exercise to lose. I quit adding calories for my exercise, 30 min on whatever machine was open at the gym because it just didn't amount to much.
Advice- see if you can change your menu and get more volume for your calories. It is drag being hungry a lot.
Last- determination. Getting to goal is about determination.0 -
KurumiSophia wrote: »KurumiSophia wrote: »As long as the weather cooperates, I walk for 45 minutes at lunch 5d a week
CW: 156.6
GW: 135
Current calories a day is 1520.
I'm just feeling like I'm Sisyphus pushing the boulder up the hill only for it to roll to the bottom just as I'm getting to the top.
Get into weight lifting! You won't get bigger, you'll burn tons of fat and develop a good shape, look at all the Women who lift!
I can't do anything more strenuous then walking or beginners yoga thanks to my ACL in my left knee being attached on only one end. (I was hit by a car while on foot about a decade back.) I had looked into the possibility of weight lifting but with so much dependent on having good knees for that to work, it just isn't something that's possible for me. I appreciate the thought but it's just not on my list of things I can do.
I've got no ACL at all in my right knee. Try stationary bike, it's easy on the knees. You can do HIIT intervals on a bike and greatly improve your cardiovascular health, as well as get those calories to eat.
I do lifting but I wear a knee brace to do it.
By the way - I do this at home, using cheap hand me down equipment.0
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