Anyone else struggling? Let's share in a judgment free thread

augustremulous

Lost 12 pounds, and slowly gained back 8 pounds over about 9 months. I have about 70 to lose.

I'm always injuring myself - back in March I was doing some weighted squats and felt a sharp pain in my foot. I've been dealing with it since then, seeing doctors and physical therapists and having custom orthotics put in. It flares up and goes away - today I took a measly little 2 mile walk with my dog and ended with a throbbing, aching foot. I came home and iced and stretched, and I'm managing it.

Likewise, I threw out my back three weeks ago, and could barely move. I couldn't even bend over if I dropped something on the ground without going into painful lower back spasms or just straight up getting stuck. It's finally better, but not enough for me to work out hard - certainly not enough for most gym movements.

This week I've been swimming. Every single thing I've ever read says that swimming doesn't hep with weight loss - but it helps my back feel better and it's pretty much the only activity I feel safe doing right now. I do about 1500 yards per workout, and I'm doing HIIT and feel amazing afterwards with a swimmer's high.

And here I am sitting, having consumed all my` allotted calories for the day, kind of wishing that I could have more (but it's not overwhelming - I can handle it for the night) and wondering why this is so hard for me when so many people have done it.

I love seeing all the success stories here, but sometimes I'm just seriously confused about why I seem to struggle so much to follow such a simple plan. And why so many people seem to start out losing lots and just dropping water weight immediately, while I push hard for every little pound.

Anyway, not necessarily looking for motivation or comfort - just wanting to provide a space for people to vent. And I know that late on a Saturday evening there must be some other people who are feeling frustrated and you can feel free to use this space to share experiences and thoughts.

usmcmp

Exercise doesn't cause weight loss. Doesn't matter if it's doing squats, walking, or swimming. Exercise has many health benefits and burns calories. Weight loss comes from your calorie intake.

Most of us struggle. The first year I was on MyFitnessPal I lost 15 pounds. I lost some, gained it back and more, lost a little, gained some, lost a bit more, and so on. I have never seemed to drop a lot of weight at once. I fight for every pound. I am afraid of being hungry and when I feel the slightest bit of hunger I tend to go a bit crazy with food.

There's no trick or tip I can give you beyond just stick with it. Try different deficits (1 pound, half a pound, maintain but don't track exercise). Try changing your macros to see if one way is more sustainable. Hang in there, it does come off.

kellibee2000

I love the idea of venting in a judgement free space & I need this right now, so I'm about to get real personal. I'm 263lbs, living in total denial, then last night I found under my belly a raw angry line of skin from my fat roll & I flipped out! Broke right thru my denial & defenses, now I'm a vulnerable mess. I've got to change, @33 I want to live a full life with my kiddos & travel, I can't live fat anymore! Argh!!! Thank you for this space, now off to plan some serious lifestyle changes.

loneda

My only exercise is swimming and I am losing weight. I know that on paper all you need to lose weight is a calorie deficit. But in reality I need to exercise to lose weight because exercise controls my appetite and cravings. Swimming is one of the few exercises I enjoy, and I really love it.

Keep swimming and don't pay attention to what you are reading. If you haven't already, join the Swimmers group here on MFP.

Edited to add: my mantra has been "Comparison is the thief of joy." I repeat it to myself when I start to feel bad about how much better other people's weight loss is.