Frustrated with...EVERYTHING!!

Codefox

Since what you're doing isn't working you should start doing what worked for everyone who does it. Log your food (accurately). That's all the advice you need.

Ophidion

_HeartsOnFire_

Not trying to be rude or snarky, but how much time did you spend typing all that out? You could have logged what you ate.

I wish you all the luck in the world. If you really want to lose the weight, you'll start logging.

jakedner

Not to add to your frustration, but about 3 months ago I had a 6 week plateau of no change on the scale and what I thought to be minimal changes in my body composition. Since then, I have dropped a few more pounds, but in the last 6 weeks when I added some aggressive weight training to the mix (with the help of a trainer), I am on another 6 week weight loss plateau. I am however seeing some small changes in my body, but only because my trainer tracks my progress by measurements and body fat %.

You won't have a chance at the fresh start or coming back to roller derby strong and healthy if you give up.

TavistockToad

In all honesty, I don't really use the MFP food or exercise diary. I usually don't have the time to do it daily. Uhg. I know that I need to to do it, though.

this is your problem then... use MFP, weigh, measure and log EVERYTHING for a month and then come back if its still not working

DancingDreams1234

Well no wonder you are not seeing results, you are not logging. So you are probably over eating, it's pretty shocking when you start logging your food and see how much you actually eat.

anubhavsharma18

You never gained weight in 1 month, so you are not going to loose in 1. Keep doing good work, you are getting stronger.

crazybookworm

First off, congratulations on taking the steps to becoming healthier! I know it can be frustrating when things don't exactly go as planned.

I want to try and find a way to say this that won't result in me getting a cyber beating...You don't need to track calories to lose weight. Yes, it absolutely helps, and big congrats to everyone who has had success in losing weight, tracking calories. You DO need an awareness of what you are eating and consuming, but it's not necessary to track every single calorie. How did they do it in the past when things like this weren't available?

I didn't join MFP until I reached Maintenance mode. Yes, like I said, I did have a general idea of what I was consuming/burning every day but I didn't count calories(again, just want to make it clear that there is nothing wrong with counting calories to lose weight).

If you know you're eating is mostly in check, may I ask what types of exercise you are doing? If you are spending an hour at the gym, but doing basically the same workout over and over, your body eventually falls into a routine, which results in your body not having to work as hard, which results in fewer calories burned. If you change up your workout frequently ,about every 4-5 workouts, you will always keep that body of your guessing, which means you are always making it work hard and blast those calories! Try to change up/amp up that routine of yours every 5 workouts to keep your body from falling into a routine.

The keys that made me successful were: Portion control, healthier eating, exercise, moderation and substitution. I wrote a blog post that goes into more detail on how I incorporated all of those keys into my daily life. You are more than welcome to have a look: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/crazybookworm/view/i-did-not-use-my-fitness-pal-to-lose-weight-468643

I hope this helps!

Hang in there, girl. Frustration is all part of the process You are doing great, and I know I'll be reading your success story in no time!

You can do this!

socajam

To get right to the point, I am so frustrated with spending an hour a day in the gym doing cardio and now adding weight lifting into the mix and watching almost every calorie that goes into my mouth for over a month now to not see any changes. I'm discouraged and feeling down about this choice. Almost to the point that thinking this so-called lifestyle change was a huge mistake. I mean why not enjoy what I'm eating, since proper diet and exercise isn't doing anything to help me. I've stopped stepping on the scale to check my progress, because it hasn't budged a bit in a month. Sometimes I feel like I've made progress and then realize it's just my imagination. I'm so tired of seeing my friends lose weight in no time flat by doing the same thing I am. And I'm getting no where. My boyfriend says that he sees it in my butt and nowhere else. But of course, he sees me everyday. Friends that I don't see as often say that they can tell a little in my face and that's about it. But my clothes tell me I'm insane and this isn't working. I just want to cry, because I'm tired of beating myself up for nothing.

My goal is to drop approx 75 lbs by April 2014. I am moving across country and I want to start fresh. A whole new everything. A new me. The trainer I just spoke with (and starting with in a few weeks) says it's definitely doable. Plus, I am going back to rollerderby when I get settled next spring after a 4 year hiatus and I want to be healthy for it. And strong. I'm not looking to be supermodel skinny, because I like curves mixed in with muscle. But my belly HAS to go and I'm struggling with that area. I don't know what to do to get rid of it. Because my daily cardio workout isn't doing anything at the moment. Pointers on losing bellies, anyone? I'm all ears at the moment. And could use the encouragement, since I am going to start pulling my hair out soon.

I find doing kettle bell exercises have helped me to decrease my stomach, especially my muffin top - those swings and exercises where you squat and lift your leg up to your chest works wonders. I use Paul Katami KB DVD. I use to look at least 5-6 months pregnant. I also eat very healthy and have lowered my sodium from 2500 mg to 1500 - my scale was not moving with such a high sodium intake. Some days my sodium intake never reaches 1000mg, and I drink at least 64 oz water along with 100% cranberry and water.

habsfan802

Rome wasn't built in a day. You didn't get this way in 30 days it's not gonna go away in 30 days. Never give up. Never never never quit. That's the key to success.

MyaPapaya75

When your frustrated enough you will put in the work...now just isn't your time to shine...when you want that stage and success story you will hop to it and put in all it takes to make it happen with no excuses even if it means staying up an extra 30min or getting up an hour early.....if you let the bangwagon pass you in this lifetime your choice ..your life.

BerryH

Another vote for accurately tracking your food, drink and workouts via MFP, and accurately measuring your portion sizes. I had no idea how I got so fat until I realised I could get through 3,000 calories on a regular basis without feeling stuffed. In fact, I'd recommend tracking your normal intake for at least three days before switching to MFP's recommendations - when you see where you're going wrong, it's much easier to fix it.

rjmudlax13

Step 1: You need to log your calorie intake. Be honest, accurate and persistent. Do you know your TDEE? Do you use a food scale?

beachlover317

When you are ready to lose weight - you will do what it takes to lose weight.
If you don't want to log? No one is going to make you. The ball is in your court. We always can find excuses for things - but

YOUR BODY KEEPS AN ACCURATE RECORD OF YOUR FOOD AND EXERCISE - REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU WRITE DOWN.

Get real with yourself. When you do, you'll make a plan and work it every day. Good luck.

missymakayla

We all have been there.. Don't give up, keep going, and start logging your food, it helps!!!

Fit_Content

Bump - To read and learn for later

kellydcrowe1

2 things:
1. lose the scale, find a pair of jeans you want to fit in to..try them on every week use them to mark your progress. I use a size 5 pair of shorts I have not been able to fit since last summer.
2. when you increase muscle, you increase your body mass or weight...

Conclusion: stay positive so much is going on the scale only measures one part of it!!

dchrise

TRACK WHAT YOU EAT!!! Try a simple test - eyeball a cup of something and then actually MEASURE it to see how much you have. I bet you'll find that your eyeball measurement is larger. It only takes a few assumptions like that to throw your calorie intake way off each day. Even chewing too much gum can derail you - even sugar free! The package may say that a stick has ZERO calories, but if you're chewing 10+ sticks a day, there's about 100 calories right there that you don't even think about! The exercise is great and will help you build muscle, but remember that muscle weighs MORE than fat. Tell yourself tthese 10 little words each day - - - - - "IF IT IS TO BE IT IS UP TO ME...". Believe in yourself and know that you can make it happen!!!

_HeartsOnFire_

Make the decision. It's your choice. You can do it though. You just have to want it bad enough. I think you're getting closer to that. So you are heading in the right direction.

deksgrl

Weigh and measure everything you put in your mouth. Eat the correct amount of calories for you to lose weight, but have proper fuel for working out.

Do that for a month and see what happens. If you don't do it, the only one you are cheating is yourself. Otherwise, just stay frustrated and see no change.

FYI, the trainer should tell you the same thing. You don't know how much you are really eating unless you are keeping track.

sharonfoustmills

keep working at it, you do not have the one body in the world that defies science

make sure you are measuring portions, never guess at them

StVal

For those that gave positive encouragement. Thank you!

IronCakes

You're welcome!

1princesswarrior

Another vote for logging everything into MFP and get a HRM. You'll be surprised what you are and are not eating once it's written down.

Then:

Figure out your BMR and do NOT net less than that each day. MFP is set up so you eat back your exercise calories. You will drop weight fast on 1200 calories but I would not recommend that for more and 1-2 months. 75lbs by April 2014 is very ambitious, healthy weight loss is 1-1.5 lbs/week.

Get a food scale and weigh everything. My family makes fun of me because I take my scale and a little cheat sheet of average plate weights everywhere with me but I don't care.

Take your measurements every 2 weeks or so. You could be losing inches and not know it. It took me over 30lbs to really see a change in the mirror but I was taking measurements and that helped.

Find a group of supportive friends on MFP that will also hold you accountable. That has been the biggest help is knowing that I'm not alone in this. Good luck and feel free to add me if you want.

Scubanana7

You are young. Weight loss is never easy for anyone. But it normally works a little faster for younger folks. Ask anyone over 40, then ask anyone over 50.

I am diabetic, hypothryoid and almost 59. I didn't lose this weight by saying I know what I eat and I am eating correctly. I count every calorie, measure every portion AND hit the gym for 1.5-2 hours 5 days a week. I don't work out like a Grandma either. I lift weights, swim up to a mile, elliptical, treadmill. I sweat like a man. I push as hard as my old body will let me. I lift as heavy as I can move.

When you are serious about losing, you will realize it is a MISSION. Sure--I still live life. But right now, my FOCUS is this journey. I put it FIRST. I lived enough years yakking about losing--but until I PUT ME FIRST and the PLAN FIRST and the GYM FIRST, nothing ever happened but a few pounds here and there. Which, came back as I was NEVER committed until now.

Want to lose?? Then COMMIT to the process. Good luck. You gonna let this GREAT GRANDMA beat you?

Great Possibilities come with CONTROL.

michellekicks

Tracking your food is the only way. Meticulously.

I gained up to my highest weight ever after I started kickboxing training and was training 4-5 hours a week. Our bodies naturally compensate for increased activity by prompting us to eat more.

A calorie deficit must be purposefully created and adhered to if you want to lose body fat.

michele121212

So don't spend an hour at the gym....

Exercise is for your health, not weight loss

You cannot out exercise a bad diet.


One Starbucks can completely undo an hours workout calorie wise, but you still get the benefits to your heart.


Find exercise you don't resent.

Don't spend an hour doing it at once, work up to that.

Also, do not rely on exercise for weight loss.

You cannot exercise away a bad diet.

And BUY A TAPE MEASURE and use it

You are probably making progress and don't know because you are relying on a scale.

I have been 160ibs twice before,

One time I wore a size 16, the other time an 8, both same number on the scale. Very different body fat percentages.

If that gives you an idea of how inaccurate weight can be I. Showing progress

Also log your food.


Just the act of logging it makes you realize how much you eat.


!!Such excellent advice..have had this experience exactly!!
[above was advice of Lesteidel..used reply instead of quote..lol!]

StVal

You gonna let this GREAT GRANDMA beat you?

Awesome!! I love you just for saying that.

Confuzzled4ever

this is me right now.. cause I want my dinner. LOL (and it's only 9:30am *sigh*)

Confuzzled4ever

OP....

If your not losing weight, then you're not doing something right. It's not the food, it's not the exercise. It's *you*. Right now I've been exactly the same for 2 months. I eat healthy food. I generally stay in a calorie deficit. By all accounts I should be losing weight. But i'm not. I've been bad with sugar this week, but usually that's not in my diet either. Stress, miscounting, not fully committing. All these things lead to no changes. All of these things I cam guilty of these last 2 months. Even if there is no loss, weight or inches wise, but you are making healthier choices you are *still* doing something good for yourself. Start there. its' *HARD* to make the good healthy choices, because we are conditioned to pick the ice cream and sugar is the most addictive substance on there is (and the most abundant, it's literally in just about everything) I am still committed to this, but I have realized there are just some time in life where no matter how well intentions or how much you have told yourself this time you will choose the apple, you will also eat the cake and skip the gym.

You have to make the time and commit the time and the energy to it. If what you are dong isn't working, it's not the foods fault or the exercises fault. It's yours. Something you are doing or not doing, whether it's intentional or not. I know my exact problem. i'm stressed beyond belief and completely strapped for time. I am still cooking healthy, but i'm not sleeping right, so i'm craving and caving in to sugar. It's ok to get off track, or to have trouble finding the track. Just don't give up. The simple fact that you re trying and you are aware that you need to change puts you leaps and bounds ahead of half the people who claim to be on a diet.

Don't ever judge yourself or your loss by gauging others. You have no idea what they are really doing. One of my friends lost a ton of weight, by "eating healthy" yea until she came off the fad diet she wouldn't admit she was following and put double what she lost back on.

You don't have to open your diary up to others if you don't want to. But you do have to open it up to yourself. Log everything and be honest to yourself. I'd bet money you're eating way more then you think you are. When you do cardio make sure you get you heart rate up and you are having fun. I hate the treadmill. I do Zumba and kickboxing and combat and step class. I have so much fun I forget i'm exercising. I joined an ultimate Frisbee group in my area too.

None of this will matter unless you truly change your diet and keep that under control. Weight is lost/gained in the kitchen not the gym.