Not-so-successful story

curvymonkey

I know exactly how you feel. A couple of years ago I lost about 30 pounds and I did notice a difference. Then last year I got lazy because I was busy with work and school and slacked off so I gained about 15 of those pounds back. This year I've been trying to lose those 15 pounds again and it feels almost hopeless.

The year I lost weight I was using Weight Watchers Online and taking kickboxing classes. I can't afford the classes anymore because they were stupid expensive so I had to quit. The WW Online part was good because I was accountable for what I ate, and kept me honest about what I was eating. That part was helpful, I just didn't enjoy having to pay monthly for an online tool like that.

I wasn't one to enjoy going to the gym but I forced myself to go. I was going to a gym that didn't have much other than machines and free weights. I got bored of it. I did that last year, 2-3 times a week at the gym, and then I would walk or do Taebo in the morning for about 30 minutes. Some weeks I slacked off, some weeks I was good. It didn't seem to make a difference. I guess not being consistent was the problem. I was sick of the gym. So a friend suggested Curves, so I joined that late last year.

As much as I enjoyed the comraderie of having women rooting for your progress, I'm not a social person when I'm working out. I just like to do my thing and get it over with. Women there like to chit chat, and I don't want to be mean and say stop being social with me. Also it's one circuit. As you get stronger the machines get harder, but in the end, it's one circuit. I don't know how many times I've heard from trainers and other friends that doing the same thing over and over again your body gets used to it and you plateau. I just didn't listen. Until I year passed and I WAS consistant. I did that three times a week. It didn't make a difference. I stayed the same weight.

I've been 207 all year, sometimes losing or gaining 2-3 pounds. It's incredibly frustrating. My husband joined with me to another gym a few weeks ago that offers different classes like Zumba, Yoga, and Group Power. I've been going to the Group Power classes, and I love it. Two weeks later and I haven't lost a pound but I feel muscles forming. My husband says not to focus on the weight and focus on the healthy part of working out. Hey man, being 207 is not healthy, and not helping my morale!

So we'll hang in there together. Maybe we just need to keep motivating each other. I just want to be under 200. From there I'll feel better. Something about that 2 bothers me SO much. And it should.

eleanoreb

I think you should still post your before and after pics

Sweet13_Princess

I think you're very successful! Your post title is a complete misnomer. I think it's always difficult to see yourself in a new light after weight loss. You look in the mirror every day, so change just becomes hard to see because it's so gradual. Have someone take a picture of you and compare. I'm sure you'll notice the change. It's just difficult to see when you look in the mirror on a day to day basis. Congrats on the journey! Keep up the good work and don't lose heart.

Shannon

Rworthy

Nah. Maybe after another 10-15. Or after I squeeze myself into a smaller jean size. (I ordered a pair and they're on their way. I have to fit them by Dec.31 for an event we're going to.) If the jean fits, I'll post my pics. ;P

muth3rluvx2

Once, after I had lost about 60 pounds, I foolishly answered someone who asked me how much weight I had lost. She looked at me in astonishment and said, "NOOOOO, you never looked that fat to me." The moral of the story is that you don't really know what people are thinking about how you look. The truth is that almost everybody is thinking about themselves, not about us. If they're happy with the way they look, then that's what they're thinking: "I look cute/thin/sexy". If there's an audio in your head that keeps saying "Other people think I look like a fatass" then you're thinking that about yourself. You have to change the tape - "Other people are thinking about themselves, not about me."

Ok, there are always going to be some idiots who think its funny to say something mean. Whoever said it to you has probably completely forgotten the whole thing. That's right - that person doesn't remember you at all. You're the one who is keeping that memory alive so you are the only one who can chuck it out of your life.

Why is this important? Because when you reach your goal weight - and you will if you stay as persistent as you are - you are going to get compliments for about one month and then nobody's going to mention how you look again. That's right - months or years of work on your part and one month's worth of compliments is the limit. After that, they'll all go back to thinking about themselves. So you need to start working on changing that audio in your head. You need to have a constant mantra running - "I feel great, I look great, I am great" - before you hit goal weight or you're going to be very disappointed.

It's the truth - nobody cares as much about how we look as we do ourselves. You are the only one who can change how you feel about yourself. Start being positive about it today. If you work at thinking positively about yourself as hard as you're working to lose weight, then by the time you hit goal weight, you'll feel great and nothing anybody says will change that.

What a great set of observations!!! And it's amazing how long those "first impression" comments stick with us... I think you should repost this whole set of statements separately in a new thread! This is fantastic and although a BA in Psych, sometimes I forgot the basics - you are TOTALLY right!!!!

orange_avocado

Rworthy, have you tried going to the grocery store and picking up 4 5lb bags of flour or sugar? Just carry them around for a few minutes in a hand-basket or better yet, your arms. You'll feel a little silly, but just think! You used to carry that extra poundage around with you all the time! And now it's tiring to carry it around for even a few minutes (... or it would be if you weren't so fit and strong! )

Seriously, 20lbs is a big success. And no, it isn't easy, but that doesn't make it any less worth it. And ignore the *kitten* of the world - there will always be someone who will cut another person down to feel better about themselves, but at the end of the day you are truly the better person! I bet that jerk couldn't run a mile to save his life.

ViSci90

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bluiz13

fyi i reported ViSci90

nishhhh

i know exactly what you mean ... just stay positive! put all that negativity out of your mind and think of how far you've come. let that be your motivation to keep with it!

Good luck

EmpressB

I have a hundred lbs to lose. With that being said, I realize that it may take a good while before it becomes noticeable to others. I've lost 10 lbs thus far and feel a difference, my stomach is smaller, my clothes fit better and I am working out more and gaining a love for being active. My mom and sister say they see a difference, I don't really expect my friends to notice though. If they do...great, if not, oh well.

You're doing a great job! And I totally understand your feelings. I realize for myself that even after I lose 50 lbs, I will still be seen as very fat to people, esp those who don't know where I'm coming from. But I'm gonna feel like HOT STUFF because I know my victory. That's what matters! Cliched as it may sound, it's true. Strangers can't dictate how you feel about yourself, even some of the most gorgeous women out there (Tyra Banks for example, who was teased about her large forehead) have naysayers. You will ALWAAYS have people ready to shoot you down, but what matters is loving yourself and surrounding yourself with those who will support you. Keep up the good work, even if it's taking a while, everyday is till a step FORWARD not back and one day you will gain the victory!

Caperfae

A 20 lb loss is awesome and you should feel successful and celebrate it.
Karma will catch up to that guy in the car eventually for being mean spirited .. trust me!
Don't let anyone rain on your parade .. keep at it for yourself and your health. :flowerforyou:

hmsteph

Be proud of what you have accomplished and understand that you are not alone!

I am 5' 8 and 229 (240) when I started out. Straight up no bs the BMI calculator makes me cry, not as bad as it use to but still its a huge slap in the face for someone even a stupid chart to tell you flat out your obese. I was really angry and ignored it to the point that my body told me it couldn't take anymore (I was diagnosed with a disease that threatens to leave me permanently blind due to being over weight) and even when that happened I was still just ticked but the difference was instead of living in denial and ignoring the weight I said well this is complete S*** but wtf are you going to do to change it??? (I cuss a lot when I get mad :embarassed: )

The point isn't some sob story of mine but that you can do this! and 20 pounds is significant! I know it doesn't seem like a lot when you feel like you have so much more to go but your body will thank you for the progress and I bet you feel a lot better. I know I do and even through all of the lows and frustration you just have to remember that not feeling like crap is way worth the effort and commitment of hanging in there. I know I would take on a grizzly bear if it meant I would never have to feel that bad and unhappy ever again. It is totally worth not just looking better but being HEALTHY and eventually happy with that girl in the mirror.