I feel like there's no point

LonelyPilgrim

I Just want to cry. Today is my weigh-in.

I don't understand why Ive now GAINED weight since last week.

don't tell me it's muscle, I'll bite your head off.

I've been dieting now since March 1st. For the last 9 days, I've been logging all food and exercise calories, eating most of what I exercise off. I've been DOING IT. Just like I "should". I don't *forget* to add in that bite of my son's spaghetti-o's. I don't overestimate my workouts.

I really really try.

Last week, I saw the scale finally move. down ONE POUND. so, that was an encouragement. Now. Gee, I'm 2 lbs heavier than last week, officially 1 lb HEAVIER than when I joined myfitness.

There's nothing worse than feeling like you're doing everything right and not seeing any results. I feel hopeless. If I could justify it "well, I haven't really been working out like I should" or "I did have those splurges over the weekend" then maybe I could find the resolve to just "try harder". But there is no "try harder". I've already been DOING IT.

I've lost weight before. It was never hard like this. I just want to cry, or crawl in bed and sleep, or both.

I feel like I hate the world right now.

LonelyPilgrim

I Just want to cry. Today is my weigh-in.

I don't understand why Ive now GAINED weight since last week.

don't tell me it's muscle, I'll bite your head off.

I've been dieting now since March 1st. For the last 9 days, I've been logging all food and exercise calories, eating most of what I exercise off. I've been DOING IT. Just like I "should". I don't *forget* to add in that bite of my son's spaghetti-o's. I don't overestimate my workouts.

I really really try.

Last week, I saw the scale finally move. down ONE POUND. so, that was an encouragement. Now. Gee, I'm 2 lbs heavier than last week, officially 1 lb HEAVIER than when I joined myfitness.

There's nothing worse than feeling like you're doing everything right and not seeing any results. I feel hopeless. If I could justify it "well, I haven't really been working out like I should" or "I did have those splurges over the weekend" then maybe I could find the resolve to just "try harder". But there is no "try harder". I've already been DOING IT.

I've lost weight before. It was never hard like this. I just want to cry, or crawl in bed and sleep, or both.

I feel like I hate the world right now.

GTOgirl1969

Keep it going! You hit a plateau and you have to break through it eventually. Good luck and don't give up!

lexi1015

I know how you feel! But you also need to remember that we are women and trying to loose weight sucks!! I have the same issue with gaining! The only suggestion is don't let it get you down!!

bethany_burns

It's never going to be easy, and you say you've only been doing this for 9 days? Dude, you have to put in a good 2 months or so before you can really start to get discouraged with no loss. 9 days? Your body is still adjusting to the changes you are making. The most important thing for you to do is GIVE IT TIME! Keep looking forward. If you want to make a real change you should be thinking what things will look like next year, not next week.

Keep your focus on the long term. Even if the scale doesn't move right away you know you are making positive changes for your body. Be patient and you will see results.

MOST OF ALL, HANG IN THERE!!!

LonelyPilgrim

I haven't been dieting for 9 days, I've been on myfitness for 9 days, there's a difference. I've been dieting for 7 weeks. 7 weeks with no loss. To me, that is not a "plateau" or "just give it time" . To me, there is something wrong with this picture. I know my body from previous weight loss and I know I am doing things right (I just got on myfitness 9 days ago to prove it to myself, to make sure I wasn't missing something, actually LOG the calories and exercise. But I've been DOING it since March 1st).

I ALWAYS lose weight quickly the first couple of weeks, even if it is water weight, I expect to see SOME loss. When mid-march came around and I still hadn't lost ANYTHING, I told myself that I just hadn't waited long enough, to be patient etc.

I know you all mean well, but can you really tell me that if you had changed your lifestyle 7 weeks ago and still weigh within 1 lb of your original weight that you wouldnt' be discouraged?

WMayfield

Do you feel or see any changes in your body?? My scale doesn't move down, but I can tell a difference in how my body is starting to look and feel. I try to tell myself that I"m doing this for the long haul--not just to lose 25 lbs.

Don't give up! If you are exercising and eating right, you are taking care of the gift that is your body. Ultimately, that's what we're trying to do.

briblue72

I would totally be discouraged - not gonna lie to you. Maybe you could set your goals a little higher - say to 1 1/2 - 2 lbs/week and try fewer calories. What are your workouts like? I focus mainly on aerobic activity - I've heard it melts fat away faster. Fast walks for 30 minutes, or, if I'm feeling REALLY ambitious, I'll rotate jogging with walking - 4 or 5 minutes of each at a time. Aerobic workout videos have been good to me, too. I've been at this since Jan 5th - not sure how many weeks that is, but this is my first week without weight loss. My scale reads 1/5 of a pound gone, but I'm not even counting that. My problem for the last week or two has been a decrease in exercise and an increase in uncalculated "bites and nibbles."

Sorry about the discouragement. Keep doing what you're doing - be completely conscious of it all. Mix up the routine - try more protein, more fiber, more dairy, whatever.

If nothing else, be proud of yourself that you've stuck with it even through discouragement! Many people give up after 2 or 3 weeks!:flowerforyou:

ladydi

I’m sorry to hear about that. I would be discouraged too. I had a friend that had a hard time losing weight and she went to her physicians they did some sort of testing on her and figured out that she had a thyroid condition. They gave her meds and a diet plan and she is losing weight now. You might want to go to the doctor. Just a suggestion.

tiliquinones

What kind of foods are you eating? Are you eating enough fruits, vegetables and fiber. I went through a phase like that before I joined MFP I didn't understand why I wasn't dropping one single pound. I wasn't eating to unhealthy but I did go out to lunch everyday then I read and article that said for some people drinkin coffee might be the reason why they couldn't loose weight. After I read that I stopped drinking the 2+cups per day. I started to see and feel the difference! I also stopped eating out as much as before and added more vegetables to my diet and exercised more than before.

When I was about 5yrs younger I didn't have a lot of trouble loosing weight, but now that I'm 26 I know my body has changed and what I did before to lose weight might not work now.

Just be patient and don't give up. Experiment with your diet or Add a diffrerent exercise to your workout. Hopefully that will help

P.S. Are you keeping track of your measurements? A lot of times you won't see the difference in the scale but you can feel the difference in your clothes! I hit a plateu know, but my pants feel a lot baggier now so I don't feel too bad

readytomove

I know people aren't going to like what I have to say, but here goes. I'm a nurse, and I know about your body going into starvation mode and everything, but eating your "exercise" calories just doesn't make sense. It is important to eat enough to make sure to get your nutrients and not to go under 1200 calories, or whatever your body absolutely needs, but.....I spoke to the doctor that I work with (He's a family practitioner) about the "exercise" calories. What I was told that you can eat your exercise calories, but only if you NEED to eat something more, or once you've decided to stop losing weight. Otherwise, all that you are doing is replacing everything that you have worked so hard to lose. The only way that it works the way that it says here is if you are depending on building muscle mass in order to lose weight and to increase your basal metabolic rate. Which is what we all want to do, but you need to actually see some improvement in order to keep going. Especially since muscle weighs more than fat. Remember, success begets success.

I'm bracing myself, because I know that I'm going to get hit with a bunch of negative responses, but it's just something to think about. I'm not saying to NEVER eat your exercise calories, but if you don't have to, why should you? :ohwell:

rowlandk

I was eating my exercise calories at first and not seeing a weight loss either, but once I stopped eating them, the weight started coming off!

Life_is_Good

I would be discouraged, too...

As a nurse, you know how a woman's body changes ALL the time. My weight can change up to 3 lbs from one day to the next up or down. (the scale is evil)

There is a post called "the answers to the questions" - perhaps you will find an answer there.

If you really think something's off - maybe you should see your doctor, get your physical if it is due.

Good luck :flowerforyou:

tiliquinones

I know people aren't going to like what I have to say, but here goes. I'm a nurse, and I know about your body going into starvation mode and everything, but eating your "exercise" calories just doesn't make sense. It is important to eat enough to make sure to get your nutrients and not to go under 1200 calories, or whatever your body absolutely needs, but.....I spoke to the doctor that I work with (He's a family practitioner) about the "exercise" calories. What I was told that you can eat your exercise calories, but only if you NEED to eat something more, or once you've decided to stop losing weight. Otherwise, all that you are doing is replacing everything that you have worked so hard to lose. The only way that it works the way that it says here is if you are depending on building muscle mass in order to lose weight and to increase your basal metabolic rate. Which is what we all want to do, but you need to actually see some improvement in order to keep going. Especially since muscle weighs more than fat. Remember, success begets success.

I'm bracing myself, because I know that I'm going to get hit with a bunch of negative responses, but it's just something to think about. I'm not saying to NEVER eat your exercise calories, but if you don't have to, why should you? :ohwell:

I complety agree with you!

readytomove

That makes me feel so much better. I mean, I like the idea of the "exercise" calories so that you know that you CAN eat more if you need to, but you don't have to.

I was really afraid that y'all were going to want to, I don't know, tar and feather me for going against the grain.......:embarassed:

Good luck!

icandoit

There is a Point..... A longer healthier life.
Measurements!!!!
Do the banks challenge. Stay away from the scale for a month. It helped me a lot. Make sure you are eating all your calories along with the calories you burn exercising. Take full body measurements. It will come off. Stay focused and keep at it. sometimes you have to play around to find out what works for you.
Good luck and remember you are making huge changes....your overall health. The weight will come off. We are all here for you.

LonelyPilgrim

To all of you who responded,

I think I eat a good mix of protein/fiber/veggies. I have certainly added a lot more veggies to my menu over the last 2 mo. I also have stopped going out to eat and stopped getting coffee at the coffee stand.

I may have decreased my caffiene intake slightly, but not much, I drink about 6oz in the am and 12 oz in the early afternoon when I hit my slump.

After crying this am, I called my doctor and I have an apt today. I'll ask him about thyroid testing. I dont' know what else to think, lab work-wise, but maybe he will. I've never had thyroid problems, but since I've been through a lot in the last year (difficult divorce, falling madly in love but with baggage, going from working nights as an OB nurse to working days as an ER nurse, buying a house, getting my hormone-secreting IUD removed) maybe something threw my hormones off balance.

As far as measurments, I didnt' take any to begin with and took my first set about 5 days ago, so I'm not going to "remeasure" myself again yet because I think I'll just be disappointed. 5 days isnt' enough time to see changes.

but, my fat pants are the only ones that still fit me, it's not like I'm wearing my skinnier jeans or anything.

The only difference I see is that I "feel" like my abs are tighter,(under the fat) but I'm not seeing any definition or anything.

As for what I do for workouts. I do a cycling class at least once a week (50 minutes group spin) I do a "core conditioning" class once a week. And then I run for at least 30 min 3-4 days a week. I do hills/trails etc. I would exercise more but the 3 days I work, I am leaving for work before 7am and not getting home until 7:30p, and frankly, I just dont' have the time or energy on those days. My son needs homework help,I have to fix dinner, etc.

I have also cut down my wine intake to 2 glasses every 3 days. I know I mabye "should" cut it out completely, but it is one thing I really enjoy. I only allow myself to drink it on days that I've "earned it" from a good workout.

GTOgirl1969

I know people aren't going to like what I have to say, but here goes. I'm a nurse, and I know about your body going into starvation mode and everything, but eating your "exercise" calories just doesn't make sense. It is important to eat enough to make sure to get your nutrients and not to go under 1200 calories, or whatever your body absolutely needs, but.....I spoke to the doctor that I work with (He's a family practitioner) about the "exercise" calories. What I was told that you can eat your exercise calories, but only if you NEED to eat something more, or once you've decided to stop losing weight. Otherwise, all that you are doing is replacing everything that you have worked so hard to lose. The only way that it works the way that it says here is if you are depending on building muscle mass in order to lose weight and to increase your basal metabolic rate. Which is what we all want to do, but you need to actually see some improvement in order to keep going. Especially since muscle weighs more than fat. Remember, success begets success.

I'm bracing myself, because I know that I'm going to get hit with a bunch of negative responses, but it's just something to think about. I'm not saying to NEVER eat your exercise calories, but if you don't have to, why should you? :ohwell:

I complety agree with you!

GTOgirl1969

I know people aren't going to like what I have to say, but here goes. I'm a nurse, and I know about your body going into starvation mode and everything, but eating your "exercise" calories just doesn't make sense. It is important to eat enough to make sure to get your nutrients and not to go under 1200 calories, or whatever your body absolutely needs, but.....I spoke to the doctor that I work with (He's a family practitioner) about the "exercise" calories. What I was told that you can eat your exercise calories, but only if you NEED to eat something more, or once you've decided to stop losing weight. Otherwise, all that you are doing is replacing everything that you have worked so hard to lose. The only way that it works the way that it says here is if you are depending on building muscle mass in order to lose weight and to increase your basal metabolic rate. Which is what we all want to do, but you need to actually see some improvement in order to keep going. Especially since muscle weighs more than fat. Remember, success begets success.

I'm bracing myself, because I know that I'm going to get hit with a bunch of negative responses, but it's just something to think about. I'm not saying to NEVER eat your exercise calories, but if you don't have to, why should you? :ohwell:

I complety agree with you!

I agree too. I never eat ALL my exercise calories..rarely do I end the day with less than 500 calories left over.

Oops...sorry it posted twice

cp005e

I know you are frustrated!!! :frown: I would be, too. It's good that you have an appointment with your doctor - hopefully he will have some ideas and can do some tests for you.

My best advice at this point would be to start tweaking. The last time I got stuck at a plateau it was very demoralizing - I was doing everything right! But all of the calorie calculators are just estimates, based on averages. It might be that your needs are slightly different. And the truth is, your body doesn't WANT to lose weight - it wants you to hang on to that extra in case of famine! :ohwell:

How were you eating prior to March 1? Were you generally eating more, or less? Are you often hungry when you stay under your calories, or is it no big deal? How is your energy? You might want to try adjusting your calories by about 300 up or down for a week or so, and see how you feel and what happens on the scale. If no luck, try going the other way (if you subtracted calories before, then try adding them). Start eating breakfast, if you don't already; start drinking more water, if you don't already. Check your sodium intake - if you are eating processed food a lot, try substituting fresh ingredients where you can. Add some strength training (doesn't have to be anything fancy - there are lots of exercises you can do at home with light weights or even canned food - and don't forget push-ups, squats, lunges, etc).

Good luck at the doctor, and with getting past this rough period. If you are eating healthier and exercising, those are positive steps that ARE improving your overall health - no matter what the scale says.

ladydi

I know people aren't going to like what I have to say, but here goes. I'm a nurse, and I know about your body going into starvation mode and everything, but eating your "exercise" calories just doesn't make sense. It is important to eat enough to make sure to get your nutrients and not to go under 1200 calories, or whatever your body absolutely needs, but.....I spoke to the doctor that I work with (He's a family practitioner) about the "exercise" calories. What I was told that you can eat your exercise calories, but only if you NEED to eat something more, or once you've decided to stop losing weight. Otherwise, all that you are doing is replacing everything that you have worked so hard to lose. The only way that it works the way that it says here is if you are depending on building muscle mass in order to lose weight and to increase your basal metabolic rate. Which is what we all want to do, but you need to actually see some improvement in order to keep going. Especially since muscle weighs more than fat. Remember, success begets success.

I'm bracing myself, because I know that I'm going to get hit with a bunch of negative responses, but it's just something to think about. I'm not saying to NEVER eat your exercise calories, but if you don't have to, why should you? :ohwell:

I agree with you I do the same thing I dont eat my exercise calories.Unless Im really craving something then maybe otherwise I dont.

banks1850

I know people aren't going to like what I have to say, but here goes. I'm a nurse, and I know about your body going into starvation mode and everything, but eating your "exercise" calories just doesn't make sense. It is important to eat enough to make sure to get your nutrients and not to go under 1200 calories, or whatever your body absolutely needs, but.....I spoke to the doctor that I work with (He's a family practitioner) about the "exercise" calories. What I was told that you can eat your exercise calories, but only if you NEED to eat something more, or once you've decided to stop losing weight. Otherwise, all that you are doing is replacing everything that you have worked so hard to lose. The only way that it works the way that it says here is if you are depending on building muscle mass in order to lose weight and to increase your basal metabolic rate. Which is what we all want to do, but you need to actually see some improvement in order to keep going. Especially since muscle weighs more than fat. Remember, success begets success.

I'm bracing myself, because I know that I'm going to get hit with a bunch of negative responses, but it's just something to think about. I'm not saying to NEVER eat your exercise calories, but if you don't have to, why should you? :ohwell:

Hold up a sec. Can you explain the way he get's here:
"Otherwise, all that you are doing is replacing everything that you have worked so hard to lose. "
What I mean by that is, how did you explain this site to him. Did you tell him that this site already builds in a calorie deficit before you exercise?
I also asked my doctor about this. I also spoke to my wife's trainer about this, she is also a certified nutritionist. I showed my plan to both of them (the site plan) and they both agreed that the plan is the correct way to go about it.
I just don't see what is so hard to follow for this. I'm not trying to be snide or trying to hurt any feelings but it's simple numbers. You have a certain number of calories that your body uses to maintain weight, you subtract say 500 a day to loose 1 lb a week. Everyone's with me so far right? So if you subtract say 500 more because you worked out, then you eat back that 500 your still down 500 from your maintenance calories. call maintenance 2000 calories (random)
so 2000 - 500 is 1500 this gets you 1 lb a week weight loss (500 X 7 is 3500 or 1 lb)
-500 is 1000 (the 500 you exercised)
+ 500 is 1500 (the 500 you eat to replace the exercised)
1500 is 500 less then your maintenance calories.

did you explain it this way to the doctor? Or did you just tell him maintenance minus exercise plus eating exercise?
Again, just trying to figure out why he would say this. I'm thinking it was just a misunderstanding.

I don't want this to look like I'm going after you Jessica. I'm not, this is done with the best of hopes that it can be cleared up for people. If you can just give a little explaination as to why it's wrong then I'm fine with it, I just have done a lot of research on it, and this flys in the face of most of it.
Just to clarify, nobody's saying Eat your exercise calories or else, when people say that they mean, on this site, there is a deficit pre-built into your calorie allowance, so exercise calories will increase the deficit over and above an already reduced calorie count, which can (and many times does) bring you below a safe calorie deficit.

mommared53

I know people aren't going to like what I have to say, but here goes. I'm a nurse, and I know about your body going into starvation mode and everything, but eating your "exercise" calories just doesn't make sense. It is important to eat enough to make sure to get your nutrients and not to go under 1200 calories, or whatever your body absolutely needs, but.....I spoke to the doctor that I work with (He's a family practitioner) about the "exercise" calories. What I was told that you can eat your exercise calories, but only if you NEED to eat something more, or once you've decided to stop losing weight. Otherwise, all that you are doing is replacing everything that you have worked so hard to lose. The only way that it works the way that it says here is if you are depending on building muscle mass in order to lose weight and to increase your basal metabolic rate. Which is what we all want to do, but you need to actually see some improvement in order to keep going. Especially since muscle weighs more than fat. Remember, success begets success.

I'm bracing myself, because I know that I'm going to get hit with a bunch of negative responses, but it's just something to think about. I'm not saying to NEVER eat your exercise calories, but if you don't have to, why should you? :ohwell:

There's that phrase "muscle weighs more than fat" again. Someone stated in a post the other day that a pound of muscle weighs the same as a pound of fat. I completely agree. So how can muscle weigh more than fat? It's like saying a pound of bricks weighs more than a pound of feathers. A pound is still a pound no matter what's being weighed.

shorerider

Gotta agree here with "eating the exercise." I filled my doc in today and she was fine with it.

Let me use my example:


If you limit yourself to 1400 calories a day--which is about what I do--then exercise on top of that to burn up anywhere from 700 to 1000 calories a day, then you are actually only giving your body only from 400 to 700 calories a day! No one can exist for long on that small amount of calories. So you eat back what you eat but not beyond the original 1400 you planned to limit yourself too.

For today, I can eat up to 2100 calories and still only be "eating" 1400 because I burned up 700 calories riding. That still means that I'm cutting out about 1000 calories from what my body needs to stay at the current weight I am--which for me is 2400 calories a day.

If I didn't eat back those 700 calories, I'd be giving my body a total of 700 calories today--wayyyyyy to little.

Helawat

I know people aren't going to like what I have to say, but here goes. I'm a nurse, and I know about your body going into starvation mode and everything, but eating your "exercise" calories just doesn't make sense. It is important to eat enough to make sure to get your nutrients and not to go under 1200 calories, or whatever your body absolutely needs, but.....I spoke to the doctor that I work with (He's a family practitioner) about the "exercise" calories. What I was told that you can eat your exercise calories, but only if you NEED to eat something more, or once you've decided to stop losing weight. Otherwise, all that you are doing is replacing everything that you have worked so hard to lose. The only way that it works the way that it says here is if you are depending on building muscle mass in order to lose weight and to increase your basal metabolic rate. Which is what we all want to do, but you need to actually see some improvement in order to keep going. Especially since muscle weighs more than fat. Remember, success begets success.

I'm bracing myself, because I know that I'm going to get hit with a bunch of negative responses, but it's just something to think about. I'm not saying to NEVER eat your exercise calories, but if you don't have to, why should you? :ohwell:

Wait just one sec. First, what logic does he use to get here:
"Otherwise, all that you are doing is replacing everything that you have worked so hard to lose. "
I also asked my doctor about this. I also spoke to my wife's trainer about this, she is also a certified nutritionist. I showed my plan to both of them (the site plan) and they both agreed that the plan is the correct way to go about it.
I just don't see what is so hard to follow for this. I'm not trying to be snide or trying to hurt any feelings but it's simple numbers. You have a certain number of calories that your body uses to maintain weight, you subtract say 500 a day to loose 1 lb a week. Everyone's with me so far right? So if you subtract say 500 more because you worked out, then you eat back that 500 your still down 500 from your maintenance calories. call maintenance 2000 calories (random)
so 2000 - 500 is 1500 this gets you 1 lb a week weight loss (500 X 7 is 3500 or 1 lb)
-500 is 1000 (the 500 you exercised)
+ 500 is 1500 (the 500 you eat to replace the exercised)
1500 is 500 less then your maintenance calories.

did you explain it this way to the doctor? Or did you just tell him maintenance minus exercise plus eating exercise?
Again, just trying to figure out why he would say this. I'm thinking it was just a misunderstanding.

I agree with Banks. I explained this to a friend who then replied "but you replace all the calories that you lost during exercise!"

No!

2000 calories - 500 calorie deficit= 1500 calories
1500 calories- 600 burned from exercise= 900 net calories
900 calories+ 600 calories= 1500 net calories for the day.

As a nurse, would you condone eating only 900 net calories for the day?

banks1850

There's that phrase "muscle weighs more than fat" again. Someone stated in a post the other day that a pound of muscle weighs the same as a pound of fat. I completely agree. So how can muscle weigh more than fat? It's like saying a pound of bricks weighs more than a pound of feathers. A pound is still a pound no matter what's being weighed.

By volume, muscle weighs much more then fat. I.E. a pound of feathers weighs the same as a pound of lead, but a cubic meter of feathers weighs much less then a cubic meter of lead. If you take a softball size amount of fat and a softball size amount of muscle, the muscle will weigh much more.

lockedcj7

LonelyPilgrim

You can't quit. I know exactly how you feel. When I get depressed, I want to stay in bed and cry all day. I have actually prayed to go to sleep and never wake up. It will get better. I know it feels like it won't but it will. I know you can't imagine feeling good again but you will.

You are exercising and eating healthier which automatically decreases your risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type II diabetes and a host of other things. You will live a longer, healthier life and have more time to enjoy your son because of it. You'll be able to take walks on the beach without getting winded and you'll be able to fly kites, throw a ball and enjoy your kid. Weight in and of itself is meaningless. Improved cardiovascular health, increased strength and better stamina is priceless.

Be proud of yourself for making the commitment and sticking with it. Be proud of your accomplishments and who you are. Trust that the lifestyle changes that you've made will work. If it took a 18 mos to gain, it might take that long to lose but you owe it to yourself to stick with it.

mommared53

QUOTE:

There's that phrase "muscle weighs more than fat" again. Someone stated in a post the other day that a pound of muscle weighs the same as a pound of fat. I completely agree. So how can muscle weigh more than fat? It's like saying a pound of bricks weighs more than a pound of feathers. A pound is still a pound no matter what's being weighed.



By volume, muscle weighs much more then fat. I.E. a pound of feathers weighs the same as a pound of lead, but a cubic meter of feathers weighs much less then a cubic meter of lead. If you take a softball size amount of fat and a softball size amount of muscle, the muscle will weigh much more.

Ok, I get that. So a volume of muscle weighs more than a volume of fat. That makes more sense to me than just saying muscle weighs more than fat. Thanks for clearing that up Banks.

KIM4AW

So, just an observation? You fell in love, started a new life with someone, stopped your birth control? Have you considered if you may be pregnant? That would be a good answer to your problem I'm actually trying to get pregnant right now. But I'm on this website to change my bad habits to healthy habits!

lotusfromthemud

LonelyPilgrim

You can't quit. I know exactly how you feel. When I get depressed, I want to stay in bed and cry all day. I have actually prayed to go to sleep and never wake up. It will get better. I know it feels like it won't but it will. I know you can't imagine feeling good again but you will.

You are exercising and eating healthier which automatically decreases your risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type II diabetes and a host of other things. You will live a longer, healthier life and have more time to enjoy your son because of it. You'll be able to take walks on the beach without getting winded and you'll be able to fly kites, throw a ball and enjoy your kid. Weight in and of itself is meaningless. Improved cardiovascular health, increased strength and better stamina is priceless.

Be proud of yourself for making the commitment and sticking with it. Be proud of your accomplishments and who you are. Trust that the lifestyle changes that you've made will work. If it took a 18 mos to gain, it might take that long to lose but you owe it to yourself to stick with it.

That is really well said! The only advice I can add is when you go to see the Dr., examine any medication you might be taking. (obviously disregard that if you're not on any ) Alternately, WebMD has a feature where you can look up possible side effects of drugs. There are many commonly prescribed things that make weight loss difficult.

:flowerforyou:

buckeyebabe

I have to agree with Banks...I had a physical this week (what a wonderful thing to do for your birthday :grumble: ) and I spoke with my Dr. and my nutritionist regarding MFP. We pulled up the site in my nutrionist's office and after she and my Dr. both reviewed how it worked, they stated that this site was doing exaclty what you should be for weight loss.

Since there has been so much confusion about net calories and exercise calories I asked them to clarify it in clear terms...what they stated to me is exactly what Banks is saying. The site calculates your BMR (the amount of calories your body would burn if you did nothing all day long this amount is what you would eat to maintain your current weight) Then from that, based on your goals that you enter, MFP subtracts the amount of calories you need to burn to lose your requested pounds per week. This is the calorie decrease that is needed to calculate your weight loss so, in theory, even if you didn't exercise but followed the weight program that MFP sets up for you, you should still lose weight. (Of course that is providing you update your weight regularly which cause a change in your calorie count over time)

My Dr. and nutritionist did agree that you don't have to eat ALL of your exercise calories but if you don't you must make sure never to fall below the net calories, or your body will start to pack away the calories you take in and store them as fat to help reduce the risk of starving. This will absolutely result in a weight gain. My nutritionist said that this part of weight loss is very scary as people tend to put their body into a starvation mode and aren't even aware of it. She told me that if I don't want to eat all of my calories, and as long as I am at the net calories needed, then that was fine. My Dr. however warned me that to keep my metabolism going that you need to fuel it, just like gas in a car....the less you have the less distance you can do. Sorry, that was his quote, not mine. He recommended that I not practice this too often (not eating all of my earned exercise calories) as your body will grow accustomed to that reduction. He told me never to leave more than 10% of the calories earned each night. My Dr. did say that you can also "bank" them and use more on some days, less on others....but that would require you to do the homework as the site doesn't allow for that kind of calculation. (This FREE site can only do so much) My Dr. also explained that by switching up my calorie count from day to day is yet another way of givng a boost to my metabolism as I would be constantly changing and "confusing" it.

My Dr. and nutritionist were so impressed by this site and it's simplicity that they are considering bringing it to their interdisciplinary teams as a tool to suggest for some of their patients.

PHEW That was a long post but it helped me and I hope it helps you too.