Getting discouraged. Help?!

WifedUpMartin

I cannot begin to put into words how discouraged I am getting through this. This is the second week that I haven't lost a single ounce of weight. I have a LOT to lose (55 is my first goal but once I hit that I would like to lose another 75). I shouldn't have trouble losing weight. I haven't gone over my cals ONCE since I started using this website over 3 weeks ago. I walk for a total of 30 minutes every day during my 2 breaks at work and I go to the gym and do cardio in the evening 3 nights a week. I added weight machines for the first time this week in hopes of starting to firm up but I have only used them once so far so I don't think I'm gaining muscle weight. Plus I gained weight last week before I even started using them! I'm making my food diary public in case anyone wants to look at it and offer some advice. I am in tears because I am so frustrated. I went from eating fast food almost every day and having ZERO activity to starting on here and not having touched fast food (unless you count Subway two times) and working out on a regular basis.

Am I doing something wrong? I don't understand why the weight is not coming off. I'm not losing inches either...

XxXstars9967XxX

I cannot begin to put into words how discouraged I am getting through this. This is the second week that I haven't lost a single ounce of weight. I have a LOT to lose (55 is my first goal but once I hit that I would like to lose another 75). I shouldn't have trouble losing weight. I haven't gone over my cals ONCE since I started using this website over 3 weeks ago. I walk for a total of 30 minutes every day during my 2 breaks at work and I go to the gym and do cardio in the evening 3 nights a week. I added weight machines for the first time this week in hopes of starting to firm up but I have only used them once so far so I don't think I'm gaining muscle weight. Plus I gained weight last week before I even started using them! I'm making my food diary public in case anyone wants to look at it and offer some advice. I am in tears because I am so frustrated. I went from eating fast food almost every day and having ZERO activity to starting on here and not having touched fast food (unless you count Subway two times) and working out on a regular basis.

Am I doing something wrong? I don't understand why the weight is not coming off. I'm not losing inches either...

exactly what im going through..feel free to add me if you want

CassieLEO

Plain and simple- You are starving your body by not giving it enough fuel so its metabolism is shutting down. Eat back those exercise calories!!! I did, and I broke a plateau of 3 weeks myself before I believed in eating back calories...

FatUncleRob

All I can say is - don't give up! :flowerforyou:

It will work. You will see results eventually.
I think sometimes the weight loss gets delayed because the body is in a state of shock.

spammyanna

Ditto...it looks like you aren't eating enough! Try upping your calorie intake a little and see what happens.

SLMiddleton

Maybe your not eating enough? It looks like you have hundresd of calories leftoer each day...even before your exercise calories are added?
Keep at it though and dont give up - you will get there!

JatieKo621

I glanced at your diary- watch out for sodium and sugar. Sugar is a big enemy-it can make your insulin levels spike and stop the fat burning process. Sodium makes us retain water-so it might be water weight that you aren't losing. Try a few days of all non-processed foods, just fruits, veggies, and lean protein like chicken breast without the skin. I've been baking chicken in the oven without any salt or oil, just some cracked pepper and it turns out pretty tasty. Try eating things like that for a few days to see if it helps. Most canned, bagged, or pre-made items are LOADED with salt and sugar so it you try eating only non processed items, it could help a lot.

thedobster

Don't be discouraged....I am only losing a little myself...I've lost 3.4 lbs in 4 weeks...I think water is a necessary evil.I find getting encouragement on this site it helps.

Mads1997

Just looking at 4 days of your diary ........you are not eating anywhere near enough!!

Agglaki

In addition to what has already been said, try to cut the carbs out of the dinner as much as possible.

They are much harder to digest by the body and at night the body is slowing down, so eat your carbs during breakfast and lunch, and as you approach dinner and bed time try to limit them.

CassieLEO

I glanced at your diary- watch out for sodium and sugar. Sugar is a big enemy-it can make your insulin levels spike and stop the fat burning process. Sodium makes us retain water-so it might be water weight that you aren't losing. Try a few days of all non-processed foods, just fruits, veggies, and lean protein like chicken breast without the skin. I've been baking chicken in the oven without any salt or oil, just some cracked pepper and it turns out pretty tasty. Try eating things like that for a few days to see if it helps. Most canned, bagged, or pre-made items are LOADED with salt and sugar so it you try eating only non processed items, it could help a lot.

I was going to mention this too. Most of the food you are eating is processed salty things. I think your sodium is high and you are also retaining too....

TwilaG

You may think it is crazy to eat a little more; but, I was told the same thing and it did help me. I don't eat all of my calories back but I do try to eat at least half of them.

thedobster

Awesome job!

angeljamin

I am going through the same thing. I don't do weights, I do aerobics and walking and I'm stuck this week. I lost 8 lbs in my first two weeks and this week nothing.

I am going to stay positive and keep going like I have been, because it has to work! There is no way that we can go from eating over 5000 calories a day to 1200 and not lose weight. Our bodies are just adjusting to our knew way of life. It will work. Please don't get discouraged. I will add you and we can keep each other motivated :happy:

FatUncleRob

Maybe your not eating enough? It looks like you have hundresd of calories leftoer each day...even before your exercise calories are added?
Keep at it though and dont give up - you will get there!

Yeah, after looking at your diary it looks like you need to eat more. (I know, it seems illogical).

Try adding fresh fruit and drink more water.

Kind of a personal question, but are you constipated?
I had terrible trouble with that my first couple of weeks. :embarassed:
Again, I think it just takes your body a while to adjust to the new lifestyle. (More water and fruit should help.)

theresaaugello

Weight loss can be VERY frustrating! Stick with it and you WILL get results! Make sure to eat and sleep is also VERY VERY important during weight loss.

WifedUpMartin

I eat 5-6 times a day and I am never hungry! I feel like I am stuffing myself! And I feel like I'm drowning in all the water I've been drinking! Do I just eat to get my cals up even though I'm not hungry?!

thetigerzeye

Glad you came to us before giving up! *hugs* like they said try to eat a little bit more and just pay attention and make sure you're not GAININg weight also take your measurements... maybe your not losing weight because you're building muscle... and that's a good thing because you'll still get THINNER but you'll weigh the same! Gl! And add me too ^_~

dlaplume2

Hang in there. It's a hard adjustment on your body. I did go through and look at your diary, and I know it sound crazy, but maybe you should be eating more. Make sure they are healthy calories.

Try adding fruit, nuts, whole grains. It gets more frustrating when you are feeling so deprived and nothing moves. Make sure you eat enough to satisfy you. I don't know what you were eating like before, but if you were in starvation mode before your are only exaserbating the issue.

Best wishes.

If you want you can take a look at my diary and get some ideas.

sue26

yep I agree with most of what others said, not enough calories and too much sodium. Good job on the water though. Keep it up though it does get easier

Peridotite

Like stated above, after looking at your food diary you need to eat more. Sounds like a backward way to look at it but it is true.

WifedUpMartin

Kind of a personal question, but are you constipated?
I had terrible trouble with that my first couple of weeks. :embarassed:
Again, I think it just takes your body a while to adjust to the new lifestyle. (More water and fruit should help.)

Nope! I am about as regular as they get. I even go at the same time every day! lol probably TMI!

carolinedb

Yes, it sounds crazy, but eat more! I eat back almost all of my exercise calories every day!

srp2011

I think you're doing a great job so far of cutting out the fast food and switching to a more healthy diet, but there's still some higher sodium convenience foods and snacks - I would suggest adding in more fruit in place of the sugary snacks, and maybe try incorporating fish (baked, steamed or broiled). I find a day or two of cutting out all processed foods, eating a good amount of lean protein, steamed or raw veggies, and fresh fruits really helps me lose.

letsgetserious

HEY......
DONT GIVE UP....famous last words eh???

But when I joint about 4 weeks ago the same thing happened to me.... make sure you are eating enough and
keep it up. the scale is now moving for me...YEAH....I eventaully lost 10 lbs in 3 weeks then people say to eat back
your xercise calories but YIKES i went up 4 #!@& lbs.. I WAS NOT HAPPY... I have about 40-55lbs to lose and I think right
now I am back on track NOT eating back my xercise calories...till I hit a plateau.... who really knows the answers

SOOOO please dont give up girly... KEPP GOING!!!!! ONE DAY IT WILL ALL BE WORTH IT>>>>>:glasses:

CassieLEO

I know the days I am going to exercise and I know what I usually will burn in a session because I have a HRM. SO, I will add more calories during the day so that I have no excuse not to exercise, and then at the end of the night im not rushing to find something thats high calorie to eat to replenish thsoe calories...

celticgirl1787

Definitely try to eat more. If that doesn't work, you might go to your doctor and have them check your thyroid. Just a simple blood test will reveal how its functioning. If its out of whack that can cause weight gain and/or inability to lose weight.

makmyra

First of all....feel free to add me if you'd like. I went thru exactly what ur doing my first time around on this site...but like you-and like I knew about me.....there is something we know we're not doing right and maybe not being honest about it....or maybe its just that u need to drink more water and take in less sodium from the looks of ur diary. Sodium tends to retain water and all available fluids in our body.....now I'm not claiming to be perfect or God-like but I am here to help you if you want some extra support... no need to be frustrated....this site and the people you meet are great role models!! :flowerforyou:

lauriallen

You've gotten so many good points already and I agree with them all. If your not hungry and still need to add some calories then us OJ or apple juice to substitute for food, and chocolate milk is a great drink after a really good cardio workout it will help you recover. Feel free to add me if you're looking for some more support, the more the better I say.

Good Luck girl.

Nicksmom1974

I don't know if this will help or not, but I agree with everyone else that you are not eating enough.

My doctor has me on 1200 calories per day, down from 2500 to 3000 per day. It was difficult to make it balance out. But you do have to eat or your body will definately go into starvation mode and hold on to everything you put in your mouth. The processed foods are a no no too. For dinner, try 6 to 8 oz of meat - steak, chicken, fish, etc. and as many fresh/frozen/canned veggies (watch the sodium content) as you can eat like greenbeans, broci., califlower, greens, spinich, large mixed green salads...that type thing. Most vegies like these only carry 35 to 45 calories per cup so you can eat almost as much as you want and get full.

malabaugh

Hang in there! You should be aiming for lifestyle changes. It sounds like you have the exercise portion totally under control. Good for you going from inactive to working out regularly. Keep that up! I looked at your diary and will agree with other comments-try to eat more of those exercise calories. Sodium also reeks havoc on the scale. Packaged foods are so convenient, but loaded with sodium. Do you have time each week to devote to cooking? I have found that making my own "pre-packaged" meals helps me control my calories and ensures that there is always a quick, healthy meal in the fridge. For example, I noticed you eat oatmeal for breakfast. Me too! I make a big pot of steel cut oats once a week, portion it out in containers and every morning grab one, reheat, and add my preferred fixings (almond butter, honey, and banana-350 calories and keeps me satisfied for at least 4 hours)

Don't be discouraged, you are making wonderful changes. You just have a few more adjustments to make and you will be successful! Drink lots of water, keep moving, tweak your diet and keep at it. Stay off the scale for a while and just keep going based on how you feel. The weight will come off! Those of us on this journey all know that it did not take a month to become overweight, so it is unrealistic to expect it to come off quickly. Slow and steady! Hang in there.