3 Days in and not inspired

staceykristen

Hi all,

I'm serious this time.. if you look back on my diary you can see I started to do a low carb thing with gym and was sporadic about updating and then stopped. Starting Monday I have eaten nothing but spinach and grilled chicken with green bell pepper and red bell pepper for lunch with about a tablespoon of lite italian dressing, snacking on almonds (never more than 15) when I get cravings during the work day and drinking lots of water. At dinner I have had the same, except last night I had a can of light progresso chicken noodle soup. I've mixed in some grilled zuchinni here and there and eaten a banana and an apple here and there but that is pretty much it. I have also exercised all 3 days for at least an hour 2 of the 3 days doing high intensity interval type workouts on the tredmil elliptical and bike and follow it with lifting weights for my chest and arms to tone up and some hip abduction thigh machines. I feel like after 3 days I would at least maintain my weight or lose a couple of pounds but I seem to have almost gained a pound.

This is not helping me to get motivated and continue! I'm not eating any bread or processed foods and only drinking water and really cutting back on carbs... Any suggestions?

Mokey41

Quit making it so difficult. Lean chicken and spinach have no magic weight loss properties. Eat whatever food you want that fits in your calorie budget. You've also taken on a new exercise program at the same time which probably along with the sodium filled chicken soup has you retaining some water. You don't need a special diet ie: low carb to lose weight and it isn't a 3 day event.

foremant86

Don't be so strict with it.

You don't have to eat just spinach and chicken and whatever else you mentioned, eat a more normal but healthy diet.

The key to weight loss is to change your relationship with food, you can't go all strict and crazy with it unless you can actually eat that way for life, otherwise you need to find a balanced diet that you can maintain for life.

Also don't be in such a hurry to see the scale go down, my jumped 2lbs the first week.

Our bodies take time to adjust, especially when we start new workouts as we tend to hold onto water from sore muscles.

Calm down, it's not a sprint, it's a very long distance marathon. Weight loss is for life, not something to be rushed into. If you go all strict and quickly lose weight there is a good chance you will fail at the end and gain it all back because you aren't eating for life.

chelstakencharge

You are making this way more complicated than it has to be......

fat2fit72014

i started a tumblr and i follow other people that are on the same journey or have accomplished what i am trying to. it really does help!

SoDamnHungry

Find out how many calories you burn a day. Eat at a reasonable calorie deficit to lose weight. Eat whatever you want within those calories. Eat back your exercise calories.

If I did what you're doing right now, I'd have thrown in the towel 36 hours in. You're making weight loss miserable, and it doesn't have to be.

bekahlou75

Not inspired after 3 days?
You are a woman. Your weight will fluctuate like crazy. You should already know this. I can weigh first thing in the morning and an hour later I'm a pound or two heavier. It happens. Pick one day for weighing. Weigh at same time the next week. Take measurements. Compare them weekly. Notice little differences in the way your clothes fit. Pay attention to how you feel when you go up a flight of stairs. Are you as winded as you may have been a month ago? Is that 20 pound bag of rice/dog food/fertilizer easier to pick up and carry? The scale is NOT the only measurement. Stick with it and don't give up.

Escape_Artist

You are making this way more complicated than it has to be......

Exactly this.

Calories in vs calories out.
Stick to your calorie deficit while hitting your macros while enjoying the things you like.

ItsCasey

I'm not eating any bread or processed foods and only drinking water and really cutting back on carbs

I think I found the reason you're not motivated or inspired to continue.

ironanimal

You're doing it wrong.

Expecting to lose a couple of pounds after 3 days, limiting your self to spinach and chicken? Where are these crazy ideas coming from?

Go back to step 1; Count calories. End.

rb16fitness

I'm not motivated by your meal plan either and I didn't even have to suffer it!

Quit low carb as you're evidently not enjoying it so why endure it?
Eat whatever takes your fancy and enjoy every mouthful but just stick to your mfp daily calorie allowance. There's no need to over complicate matters.

Hildy0724

I am also 3 days in and feel GREAT!!! I am working out in shorter intervals and not depriving myself of foods I like. I use moderation as mentioned in prior post. This combo is helping me with the "burned out feeling" I so many times would get. Hoping these simple changes will keep me on track longer. If you need motivation, I am here.

JesterMFP

You're doing it wrong.

^Absolutely. No wonder you're not inspired. I'm surprised you've lasted 3 days.

It doesn't have to be torture, Keep it simple. Eat the foods you like to eat. Log your food and keep to a reasonable (ie not crazy big) calorie deficit. That's it.

juliemouse83

Can't see your diary.

Wait. That's all you're eating on top of exercising? Snap.

How many calories is that?

And it sounds miserable.

Is what you are currently doing something you want to do for the rest of your life? No, I'm serious. If what you are doing is not sustainable, you probably don't need to be doing it.

I've hit my base goal on things I like to eat; chocolate, wine, beef, pasta, bread, wine, cheeses, all kinds of veggies, an occasional piece of cake, ice cream, and did I mention wine? Granted, it took me almost ten months to drop forty-some pounds, and I've decided to drop my goal a little more, but I can do this for as long as I need to because I don't feel like this is a diet.

Just my $0.02.

Kamikazeflutterby

Don't completely overhaul your diet and exercise all at once. It took a long time to establish the habits that got you overweight, it'll take time to change it. Eat at a calorie deficit and don't worry about finding inspiration to keep you chewing food that sounds, frankly, boring.

Low carb is not a magical weight loss bullet, it's just very, very hard to over eat on calories when you have to save the small carb allowance you have for veggies and fruit. Work on finding easy to maintain lower calorie foods and then, when you've been doing this a while, see if you want to restrict your carb intake for whatever reason.

bekahlou75

Can't see your diary.

Wait. That's all you're eating on top of exercising? Snap.

How many calories is that?

And it sounds miserable.

Is what you are currently doing something you want to do for the rest of your life? No, I'm serious. If what you are doing is not sustainable, you probably don't need to be doing it.

I've hit my base goal on things I like to eat; chocolate, wine, beef, pasta, bread, wine, cheeses, all kinds of veggies, an occasional piece of cake, ice cream, and did I mention wine? Granted, it took me almost ten months to drop forty-some pounds, and I've decided to drop my goal a little more, but I can do this for as long as I need to because I don't feel like this is a diet.

Just my $0.02.

Wine makes me happy!

bethannien

I'm not eating any bread or processed foods and only drinking water and really cutting back on carbs

[/quote]

I think progresso soup would qualify as a processed food, yo.

It takes months, not days, to see a real and significant difference. Motivation has to come from within or you'll never make it. To be honest, I really want to give up at some point MOST DAYS. But my health is important to me, so usually I ignore the voice that says to throw in the towel. We put ourselves here. No outside force is going to make us lose the weight just like no outside force made us gain it.

InForBacon

JesterMFP

Also, adjust your expectations in terms of time. This is not something that happens quickly, it's a long-term, even life-long thing. You can't expect big changes after 3 days.

Hearts_2015

.

staceykristen

Jeez, I obviously am sticking to this longer than 3 days, I have lost 50 pounds in the past and can do it again. I was just surprised that I gained in the beginning when I drastically changed my exercise and eating habits. Please do not comment if you are going to be rude. This forum is for support.

Lizzy622

You are making this way more complicated than it has to be......

Exactly this.

Calories in vs calories out.
Stick to your calorie deficit while hitting your macros while enjoying the things you like.

This^^ Be patient. You didn't gain all the weight you are trying to lose in 3 days. Breath and give yourself some room to move. Your plan needs to be sustainable to work.

Myhaloslipped

You're not inspired because that diet sounds like torture. You are overcomplicating things and trying too hard. If you get creative, you can eat foods that you enjoy and stay full while losing weight.

dirty_dirty_eater

Jeez, I obviously am sticking to this longer than 3 days, I have lost 50 pounds in the past and can do it again. I was just surprised that I gained in the beginning when I drastically changed my exercise and eating habits. Please do not comment if you are going to be rude. This forum is for support.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Stand by for a "Why is everyone here so mean?" post.

Holly_Roman_Empire

Quit making it so difficult. Lean chicken and spinach have no magic weight loss properties. Eat whatever food you want that fits in your calorie budget. You've also taken on a new exercise program at the same time which probably along with the sodium filled chicken soup has you retaining some water. You don't need a special diet ie: low carb to lose weight and it isn't a 3 day event.

This.

And I'd be depressed/uninspired after eating your diet too. Expecting a result in 3 days? You're in for a tough lesson if you expect that the entire time you try to lose weight.

Edited after reading your second post: It's not rude if we explain to you why you may be uninspired. There are easier and more enjoyable ways to lose weight besides eating the same thing day in day out. Eat a piece of bread for goodness sake.

Hearts_2015

I think sometimes when we start on MFP we carry along with us the diet mentality from the past. Sounds like that's what you might be doing.. it takes a bit of time to get that out of our head and realize it's about moderation and treats on occasion.

You can eat anything you'd like if it suits you, I try to steer clear of simple carbs simply because they trigger me to eat them to often. Spinach is good for you but if you don't like it, find something that you enjoy and doesn't bore you. Chicken is great but not everyday cooked in the same way.

Check out threads on here for Crockpot recipes, chicken recipes and about any other type protein you can imagine, lots of great new ideas when you're starting out.

How about steel cut oats for breakfast with some Sunflower nut butter mixed in and some eggs. You've got a great long lasting complex carbs, protein (nut butter or eggs) and healthy fats. That's how I plan my meals.. getting in fat/carb/protein of pretty much anything you enjoy.

Maybe starting out you'll want to simply record the food you've typically eaten and go from there. Then swap out some less healthy foods for still tasty but maybe better choices to keep your energy up for the day. Then you learn to moderate those choices. Or simple things like getting in all your water. Hate water? Then drink each day than the day before even if you're not at 8 cups.

See what I mean? Every change makes a huge difference not only for our healthy but mentally and emotionally..it's gives us a feeling of having some control instead of feeling out control.

Hang in there... you're on your way... I've found the longer stretch I do this the more confident I become in my choices and that helps me to gain motivation. Also reading/looking through the before and after threads is incredibly mind blowing when you realize members started out the same as you and me and they've transformed themselves.

You're doing fine, glad you posted for some help,
Hearts

EDIT: ugh! stuck in my own quote.. LOL OP... I think you'll figure out which part's mine.:flowerforyou:

You're doing it wrong.

Expecting to lose a couple of pounds after 3 days, limiting your self to spinach and chicken? Where are these crazy ideas coming from?

Go back to step 1; Count calories. End.

:huh: Dang... she's already come here for help, let's not chase her away!! I think sometimes we don't realize how we're coming across on the boards, or at least I hope some of these replies are intended to sound this way on purpose!

You are making this way more complicated than it has to be......

:noway: Sheesh... sounds like some of you forgot what it's like when you started out! I believe she posted for some help, not odd comments that aren't going to help anyone. No reason to act superior to anyone else on here, we are all here for basically the same reasons, to be healthy in whatever method we find works for us.

Hi all,

I'm serious this time.. if you look back on my diary you can see I started to do a low carb thing with gym and was sporadic about updating and then stopped. Starting Monday I have eaten nothing but spinach and grilled chicken with green bell pepper and red bell pepper for lunch with about a tablespoon of lite Italian dressing, snacking on almonds (never more than 15) when I get cravings during the work day and drinking lots of water. At dinner I have had the same, except last night I had a can of light progresso chicken noodle soup. I've mixed in some grilled zucchini here and there and eaten a banana and an apple here and there but that is pretty much it. I have also exercised all 3 days for at least an hour 2 of the 3 days doing high intensity interval type workouts on the treadmill elliptical and bike and follow it with lifting weights for my chest and arms to tone up and some hip abduction thigh machines. I feel like after 3 days I would at least maintain my weight or lose a couple of pounds but I seem to have almost gained a pound.

This is not helping me to get motivated and continue! I'm not eating any bread or processed foods and only drinking water and really cutting back on carbs... Any suggestions?

GoMizzou99

Count calories...it's easier.

Weight Watchers and Lean Cuisine make some great meals, as does Atkins. Had one for breakfast today. I have eaten them all...some were surprisingly good - some were awful. Message me for my likes/hates.

If you want to increase protein and lower carbs, do that too but stick with calories as the main counting mechanism.

dk50

Give yourself more time ...This sight work's just make sure you're logging the right amount of calorie's for what your eating!!! And don't give up ....

staceykristen

I'm not limiting myself to anything other than trying not to eat a bunch of heavy carbs and processed foods. Yes, yesterday I had a can of soup for dinner because it's freezing outside and I didn't have much time. And yes, I've eaten spinach and chicken for lunch for 3 days because I bought the bag and left it at work and it's been convienant and easy and to honest I'm not ever hungry at lunch but just eat for the nutrition and know I need to .. I usually eat salmon and veggies for dinner but I have been on a budget and just going through what I have right now. My point of the whole message was just to say that I was surprised that I didn't lose weight as a few years ago when I would have changed my habits like this it would have shown up on the scale.

Again, please don't comment if you're trying to be rude or prove that you're some nutrition genius and that i'm oh so stupid and have no will power because I have lost a significant amount of weight before and I can stick to it.

staceykristen

Thank you for the helpful supportive comments! this is what I was looking for. Jeez I didn't expect such a harsh reaction. Thanks again

silvergurl518

i don't understand how you're expecting results in 3 days. i applaud the fact that you want to change and are making the effort. but rome wasn't built in a day. go long--3 month goal, say, and check in once a month. i think you can do this....but remember, things take time!