About to give up

ashleyjloss85

I've put on around 40 pounds over the last few years and I'm trying to lose it.

I had a horrible diet, fat food and soda ALL day.

For 3 weeks, I've completely changed. No fast food, no soda, no rice, no potato.. I eat around 1200 a day.

Ive only lost 5 lbs!

At 3lb/week I should be closer to 10 by now.

Im 162 right now. 33 years old. 5'3.

Very discouraged... I just want to order chinese and give up. Im giving up everything good and losing at a snails pace.

yfyf1010

I feel you. Almost 48 here & need to lose 30 pounds. I have been eating at or under my 1200 but I only fluctuate ounces! Last week I read about caloric density- basically eating fiber foods & food w/ lots of water in their make up.. grapes vs raisins. The less dense the more you can eat, get filled up, and wash out more. That was the gist. It worked lost a pound (which is better than ounces). One thing, there’s a difference between caloric density and nutrients density. This gave me a little bounce because I too am feeling that I am loosing steam 😔

SueSueDio

"Only" 5lbs in 3 weeks? That is not a snail's pace.

Don't give up trying, but don't give up everything you love either. It's unnecessary, and you probably don't need to be eating that few calories anyway. Adjust your expectations.

Read the "most helpful" stickied posts in the forum sections, set your calorie goal and activity level appropriately in MFP, and eat the amount it tells you to. Include things you love in your eating plan. If you're not willing to give it up for good, don't give it up now! Otherwise, how will you learn to keep the weight off once you've lost it?

And finally, have patience! You put on the excess weight "over the last few years" - you're not going to lose it all overnight. It will take time, but you can do it if you trust the process and consistently eat a bit less than your body needs each day. You won't get there at all if you give up, so take baby steps and keep moving forward.

Wetcoaster

You should not be trying to lose 3 pounds a week especially at your weight it is unhealthy.

AnvilHead

Sounds like the biggest problem is unrealistic expectations. Three pounds a week isn't a realistic rate of loss unless you're morbidly obese, and at 5'3" and 162 pounds you're nowhere near that.

felixg1109

If you want to stop just do it. But that will lead back to gaining weight - do you think that will make you feel better?

Patience is the key. You can't be sure you even lost more than 5lbs fat - there could be water involved etc.

In addition to that 1200 is not that low concerning your height (or am i wrong - 5'3 should be 1,6m). To loose about 3lbs you have to be about 1300kcal below your usage each day. Are you sure you reach that ~2800kcals neccessary? That would be about 1300kcal burned by movement/exercise each day. Thats a lot.

Redordeadhead

5lbs in 3 weeks is a very good loss, you should not expect to lose more. Just be patient, weight loss takes time. Keep doing what you're doing because it's working!

mlinci

At your current weight, 5 lbs in 3 weeks is SUPER FAST.
I’m not sure it’s even possible to achieve a deficit sufficient to lose 3lbs per week at your relatively low weight.
Also, seriously, what good would giving up do? Think about it all in the long term, what changes do you need to make to get to and maintain a lower weight?

kommodevaran

Most aspects have already been covered, so I'll just ask why you're giving up rice and potatoes and everything good?

Lillymoo01

Reset your goals to losing between 0.5lbs to 1lb a week. Yes, it will take longer to reach your goals but at least you have a chance of reaching them before you give up because it is too hard. Those increased calories will mean that you can add foods to your diet that you actually enjoy.

snowflake954

You have a few mental adjustments to make. Losing weight fast is not good for your body--there are people on here a long time that can verify that, and tell you what happens. You need a gradual, fairly steady loss with some exercise (if you want to) to keep muscle so you'll like how you look when you lose the weight. It will take awhile, but you can be successful. If you quit, you'll stay where you are, or pack on more. The choice is yours. Good luck, and hope you make the right choice.

tiptoethruthetulips

So you lost 5lb and you are going to give up? 10lb in three weeks is unrealistic.

So you can continute and in six months you could be almost at goal weight if not at goal weight or give up and be 30lb heavier. Your choice your consequences.

Don_WM_

A lot of great advice already.
2 pounds a week is the generally accepted safe maintainable number. Much more loss per week is generally not something you can do for life and to truly lose weight and keep it off, it has to be just that: A new lifestyle. You're actually doing pretty good. Keep in mind your body needs time to adjust - it takes time to teach it you aren't going to be having the same eating habits. Do some research and you'll be better educated on what you can eat - I eat 'junk' food occasionally (usually sorry afterward) and it doesn't change my eating lifestyle or my weight much. Are you exercising? It helps a lot with weight loss AND attitude - even walking 10000 steps a day or less depending on how sedentary you were before is great exercise (it's what I started with). Stick with it, never never never give up. You will be so glad you didn't in the end.

sunfastrose

Sliedur wrote: »

A lot of great advice already.
2 pounds a week is the generally accepted safe maintainable number. Much more loss per week is generally not something you can do for life and to truly lose weight and keep it off, it has to be just that: A new lifestyle. You're actually doing pretty good. Keep in mind your body needs time to adjust - it takes time to teach it you aren't going to be having the same eating habits. Do some research and you'll be better educated on what you can eat - I eat 'junk' food occasionally (usually sorry afterward) and it doesn't change my eating lifestyle or my weight much. Are you exercising? It helps a lot with weight loss AND attitude - even walking 10000 steps a day or less depending on how sedentary you were before is great exercise (it's what I started with). Stick with it, never never never give up. You will be so glad you didn't in the end.

Just to point out - at the OP's size and amount to lose even 2 pounds per week is most likely not reasonable. The difference between the OP's TDEE and the minimum healthy intake for a woman (1200) is most likely not to be the 1000 calories that a 2 pound per week loss would be.

fitoverfortymom

I think the only thing you should give up on is your expectations.

The 40lbs didn't get there in three weeks, so you shouldn't expect it to come off that quickly. Pick a reasonable deficit (1-1.5lb loss per week goal) and eat to that goal. Repeat.

You're only prolonging being overweight by quitting.

rsclause

Pick an eating style that gives you a slight deficit and let time do the rest. I can get pretty aggressive like no cheating and running 30+ miles a week. I learned not to go extremely low on calories the hard way. I went way low thinking I am going to kill this. I was so sick I had to stop running and eat for to days just to get back to normal. I also found I lose faster with a manageable deficit. As long as the scale is moving in the right direction you got this.

kgirlhart

You need to change your expectations. You don't have to give up everything good. You also shouldn't expect (or even try) to lose 3 pounds per week. That is way too aggressive. Reset your goal to 1 pound per week and try to be more patient. You didn't gain 40 pounds over night and you won't lose it any quicker. But if you give up and quit you won't lose it either so you might as well just set a reasonable goal and be patient.

kshama2001

ashleyjloss85 wrote: »

I've put on around 40 pounds over the last few years and I'm trying to lose it.

I had a horrible diet, fat food and soda ALL day.

For 3 weeks, I've completely changed. No fast food, no soda, no rice, no potato.. I eat around 1200 a day.

Ive only lost 5 lbs!

At 3lb/week I should be closer to 10 by now.

Im 162 right now. 33 years old. 5'3.

Very discouraged... I just want to order chinese and give up. Im giving up everything good and losing at a snails pace.

You could be retaining water due to the stress of undereating.

I'd be miserable on 1200 calories too. With only 40 pounds to lose, set your weekly weight loss goal to a pound a week and enjoy those extra calories.

https://www.aworkoutroutine.com/1200-calorie-diet/

ekim2016

don't give up! Remember you started for a reason. Just stay the course and remember Rome wasn't built in a day. Also, you didn't put the weight on super fast so why think it should evaporate super fast. 5 pounds is good so far... keep on keeping on... remember the svelt body you desire is within in your reach...one pound at a time.

WaterBunnie

Where is giving up going to get you? Apart from 5lbs back on, plus more. 1200 calories a day is too low and is making you feel deprived. A more realistic calorie goal will mean you can still have some of what you enjoy and you'll still lose.

evergreenlakegirl

Hi Ashley- Trying to change your lifestyle and fitness can be, at times, discouraging. Give yourself time to adjust. Maybe trying Yoga will help you to re-set. It isn't a way to loose weight necessarily, but it does help with anxiety and stress. Studies have shown that Yoga raises your Cortisol levels, known to improve depression and anxiety.
Breath deep and hug yourself. Namaste

Noreenmarie1234

5lbs in 3 weeks is SUPER fast at your weight!

brandy_losinit

Congradulations on your 5lb loss! That is very great to see down is down. I do agree with everyone about the goal expectations. We are all in a rush to drop it off. I have come and gone between here and weight watchers since 2013. I have lost and kept off 50lbs (47 actually) and i still have about 55 left to lose. I have been defeated by myself and the sweet/salty tooth so many times. Food is too easy to have an addiction to. Pintrest has amazing recipes to try. Ultimately this is a gradual lifestyle changing process. I used 3 tsp of sugar and cream in my coffee, now my coffee has 1 splenda and non fat milk. There are ways to modify your diet to include all the things you love in a more healthy way. Don't deny yourself. That leads to bingeing (in my world anyway). Start 1 meal at a time, 1 day at a time, 1 week at a time ya know? Fitbit is fun too! I think we get down on ourselves and need support. I am sending you a friend request

Misty_1375

ashleyjloss85 wrote: »

I've put on around 40 pounds over the last few years and I'm trying to lose it.

I had a horrible diet, fat food and soda ALL day.

For 3 weeks, I've completely changed. No fast food, no soda, no rice, no potato.. I eat around 1200 a day.

Ive only lost 5 lbs!

At 3lb/week I should be closer to 10 by now.

Im 162 right now. 33 years old. 5'3.

Very discouraged... I just want to order chinese and give up. Im giving up everything good and losing at a snails pace.

Don't give up! One year ago today I was in the exact same spot you are, weight and height. I'm down a total of 30lbs (give or take). I wasn't real strict on counting until a little bit into watching what I was eating. Then I went full strict Keto. I swore though I was 5'4 and then recently found out I'm 5'3. That inch really made a difference to me!...lol. You WILL get there. It is completely possible. Make sure to stay hydrated, tons of water.

GOT_Obsessed

How did you come to think that this rate is slow? Where did you get this idea? Exactly what results did you hope to see after only 3 weeks.

You should be happy about that rate, not frustrated.

TrishSeren

You've lost A LOT of weight in only 3 weeks. I've been going for a month and a half now and I've lost 1.5kg which is 3 pounds approx.

I would say eat a little more each day, your weight loss might be slower but it'll be sustainable. Adjust your expectations, eat a bit more and accept a slower rate of loss. Your current rate is making you miserable (it seems) and isn't sustainable.

I'm around the same height as you and I'm eating 1,400 a day (more usually especially on exercise days) and losing. I also drink wine, eat rice, eat potatoes and just had some brownie. Weight loss doesn't mean you have to miserable.

kshama2001

GOT_Obsessed wrote: »

How did you come to think that this rate is slow? Where did you get this idea? Exactly what results did you hope to see after only 3 weeks.

You should be happy about that rate, not frustrated.

I blame shows like the The Biggest Loser for creating unrealistic expectations.

tahilson

Hang in there you can do it! If by chance you do eat your Chinese food that doesn’t mean it over. Start tomorrow with a vengeance! I was the same way I went bought a punching bag lol

GOT_Obsessed

kshama2001 wrote: »

GOT_Obsessed wrote: »

How did you come to think that this rate is slow? Where did you get this idea? Exactly what results did you hope to see after only 3 weeks.

You should be happy about that rate, not frustrated.

I blame shows like the The Biggest Loser for creating unrealistic expectations.

Oh good point. That stupid show.

psychod787

ashleyjloss85 wrote: »

I've put on around 40 pounds over the last few years and I'm trying to lose it.

I had a horrible diet, fat food and soda ALL day.

For 3 weeks, I've completely changed. No fast food, no soda, no rice, no potato.. I eat around 1200 a day.

Ive only lost 5 lbs!

At 3lb/week I should be closer to 10 by now.

Im 162 right now. 33 years old. 5'3.

Very discouraged... I just want to order chinese and give up. Im giving up everything good and losing at a snails pace.

First off... Eat more. Second congrats on the 3 lbs. Third..... when the "kitten" did potatoes become the enemy? Rice? Really? The lowly potato can be your best friend. A 150 gram sweet potato has like 120 cals. That's 0.8 cals a gram! They are full of fiber, keeps you full, and micro nutrients! Dang. I dont think its until you cover then with cheese or deep fat fry them that tgey become well not so healthy, but ohh so good! Sorry for the rant!

CSARdiver

ashleyjloss85 wrote: »

I've put on around 40 pounds over the last few years and I'm trying to lose it.

I had a horrible diet, fat food and soda ALL day.

For 3 weeks, I've completely changed. No fast food, no soda, no rice, no potato.. I eat around 1200 a day.

Ive only lost 5 lbs!

At 3lb/week I should be closer to 10 by now.

Im 162 right now. 33 years old. 5'3.

Very discouraged... I just want to order chinese and give up. Im giving up everything good and losing at a snails pace.

To counter: I had a wonderful diet - fat food and soda - even a beer every day. Doing this I managed to lose ~1 lb/week in the first year, then shifting to gaining muscle and losing body fat these past 3 years.

Congrats on your loss! Now slow down and focus on what matters....calorie management. Make small sustainable changes. Never make drastic changes - these are unsustainable and will inevitably fail.

What's the hurry?