When you want to give up..

saarahmurphy

What do you do personally when you are disappointed with the scale and feel like giving up?

scarlett_k

Carry on.

tlsb2016

I remember how far I’ve come. Or, when I hadn’t come that far, I remind myself how sick I felt which was what pushed me forward in the first place. Also I switch over to read the success stories for inspiration. Finally, I promise to give it just one more day... then one more after that m, etc.

HellYeahItsKriss

stop using the scale as your reason.

Weight goes up and down your entire weight loss, i even had it stop for 30 days and sit at 213 and not even move .1 in either direction. Thats just how weight loss works and if the scale is going to be the reason you feel like or end up quitting then stay off it and place your priorities on something else.

H_Ock12

I look at my workout log and remind myself that I can lift heavier and run farther and faster than I could six months ago....and in six months, I'll be even better (barring injury). To me, that's what matters.

CourtneyUT

I tell myself that in a month I'll be miserable, starting over and mad at myself for stopping.

notreallychris

Ween yourself off the scale or use a trend app if you must weigh everyday. Maybe take measurements instead, as a way of documenting your progress.

Your weight WILL FLUCTUATE. Water weight, TOM, etc... Weight loss is not linear.

whosshe

I've lost 76lbs now and have 24 to go. Even now when I'm feeling discouraged I have to remind myself that if I'm eating at a deficit and I'm logging accurately my weight will go down.

ladyhusker39

I ask myself what's the alternative?

neesa_ross

I remember my non-scale victories and keep pushing forward.

bellaesprita000

"You did not come this far only to come this far". I weigh daily and use a trending app. I also celebrate any and all NSVs as they happen. I don't overly restrict my calories or food choices. I have chocolate after every meal. A few days out of the month, I eat at maintenance to make room for the calorific foods I love. I also like trying new classes in the gym, new recipes, etc. I've lost 30 lbs over 4 months doing these things.

gcibsthom

I have a before shot of me 110 lbs ago....When I get discouraged and want to give up, I look at it, remember how far I have come, and it destroys any vestige of discouragement I may have....I push on....

dsboohead

Rome wasn't built in a day and I won't be either!

rloates91

Relax and stay positive.

I look at my weightloss graph and remind myself how far I've come and how weight fluctuates which is normal.

I also started jogging a month ago and when I'm down I go for a run to increase my endorphins and remind myself that I couldn't run as far or as fast last week - no matter what the scales says my body is getting stronger.

brightresolve

Moving the scale is a result - and one I can't directly control on a day by day basis. Weight fluctuates and we are only estimating our calories consumed and our calorie burn.

Carrying on with today's plan of being under calorie goal, weighing and measuring and staying honest about what goes in, getting some exercise and staying honest about what I burn, recording it all accurately - Now THAT I can be completely responsible for. And if I keep doing it, and adjust honestly where I find I have a problem, I can't help but succeed on the scale in the long run. And that's what I tell myself when it feels hard.

Jancandoit7

OP- how long have you been at it? After 4.5 months my losses are slowing down - and yep-I do get discouraged at times. So I take a break day now and then- up my calories and have a few extra treats or just eat more in general for a day or two. This mental break usually helps me stay the course.(but can't do it too often!) And, as others have said, I look at the progress I've made and am too stubborn to give that up so I just press on.

whosshe

ladyhusker39 wrote: »

I ask myself what's the alternative?

Yes I find myself saying this too. What? Am I just going to go back to gaining weight? No thanks.

newheavensearth

I look at my before pictures and remember what my life was like at those times. Remembering how badly I felt about myself, how horribly I was treated because of my weight, and how badly I treated people in return makes me never want to go there again.

jennifer_417

I just don't give up.

DebLaBounty

I look at the numbers on the scale, shrug, and say 'huh, that's weird." Then I lace up my shoes and head out the door for a walk, a run, or a visit to the gym.

WendyJoy76

just take it day by day, make good choices , move more, drink more water and be kind to yourself you can do this!

MarvinsAMartian

saarahmurphy wrote: »

What do you do personally when you are disappointed with the scale and feel like giving up?

I say "bad scale" and threaten to buy a new one if it doesn't get its *kitten* together.

Seriously though, don't weigh yourself all the time if you know you're an emotional person and may react that way. Find other ways to "win" and remove anything the causes negative feelings in your life. That goes beyond losing/gaining weight.

LiftHeavyThings27105

Mindset! It is all about mindset and positive thoughts. We humans are crazy creatures! We all have our own demons. I call mine "hamster wheel". To me, my hamster wheel is when I engage in that internal conversation and it just spins around, faster and faster, consuming all sorts of energy and it goes NOWHERE!

If there are things that trigger you - for example, the number on the scale - then remove these triggers. For now.

But, you have to learn to master those things. Start by recognizing them. Then recognize how you respond to them. Then change the response. Anyway, could write books on that. Wont here! Yes, you are most welcome! LOL!

@WendyJoy76 said it.....be kind to yourself. I use a different phrase. But the concept is the same. Pay yourself! That is the phrase that I use. So, same thing. Celebrate small victories. That is HUGE.

So, if you suffer a trigger and you do the same stupid things that you always do *BUT* this time you recognize the trigger and you recognize the behavior *BUT* you did not change the behavior....shoot, girl, that is a win! You are recognizing things now. You will - and much sooner than you think - start changing the behavior. But for right now - you recognize both trigger and behavior. TOTAL WIN! Pay yourself.

We are all here to help. If you have issues you know what to do. It is too simple, right? Then how come it ain't easy? Good question. The answer - your "hamster wheel". You will get there. Just don't quit. If you quit then you fail. Anything else....success!

starfruit132

Take a week or two at maintenance and wait until after the holidays. You may feel like you just needed a break. There is only losing, gaining or maintaining. There is no quitting. You can do this. Stay strong.

kenyonhaff

Take a deep breath. Make a cup of tea.

Remember weight loss isn't linear.

Look at the scale as data. Not a personal judgement. Just information.

It can be frustrating figuring out what works and what doesn't. Or sometimes there is actually nothing wrong...water weight from working out more, you have...er...some constipation... All things that isn't more fat.

ninerbuff

saarahmurphy wrote: »

What do you do personally when you are disappointed with the scale and feel like giving up?

Realize that giving up leads to more disappointment. I tell my clients all the time that if they do give up and quit, then they can't ever complain about being unhappy about their weight or body ever again logically.

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

Ralphone

Try and take a look back at how I got there and then try not to repeat it.Don't give up just keep at it .

cwolfman13

I don't put all of my stock in a number on the scale...it is in fact rather low on my list of things I look at to determine success...