It's not the lbs loss, it's the progress.

NotGoddess

I weighed in today and found I'd lost 0.2lb for the week, possibly 0.6 but my scale was wavering so I decided to go with the higher weight to be safe-if it's wrong I'll show better progress next week, right?

Here's my thing...six months ago I would have been appalled at only losing 0.2lb, counted it as a failure and probably gone and binged on pizza and ice cream. After all, did it really matter? 0.2lb is nothing!

Now I would have liked to have lost more this week, but just seeing that I -did- make progress made me so happy. I know I'm living healthier, making better choices, and above all, making progress. Slow, but steady. My body fat is going down and starting to become a more important number to me than the lbs lost.

Has anyone else found that their mindset toward weight loss has shifted since starting with MFP? If so, how.

edward1973

I tell myself to focus on the end result - the journey is just many little steps there

ericalynn104

I totally agree. Even if it is a baby step, it's still a step towards the goal. It's still a bummer when the number isn't quite what you were expecting, but no matter what you're still getting there.

cclark1203

I too have shifted my thought process. I workout heavy 4 times a week and do other things in between, stay close to my calories as possible and have only lost 3 lbs in more than a month. I decided I am ok with that, I have more energy now and am able to do things I didn't feel I could do before. It's a long process for me and I am ok with that.

Monica_has_a_goal

Every ounce.. COUNTS!

pffssas

I find that strength training makes me HATE THE SCALE! have no desire to weigh in before 8/31/11...but, I refuse to let fear rule me LOL! sooo i will weigh-in tomorrow as scheduled!

bjohs

I weighed in today and found I'd lost 0.2lb for the week, possibly 0.6 but my scale was wavering so I decided to go with the higher weight to be safe-if it's wrong I'll show better progress next week, right?

Here's my thing...six months ago I would have been appalled at only losing 0.2lb, counted it as a failure and probably gone and binged on pizza and ice cream. After all, did it really matter? 0.2lb is nothing!

Now I would have liked to have lost more this week, but just seeing that I -did- make progress made me so happy. I know I'm living healthier, making better choices, and above all, making progress. Slow, but steady. My body fat is going down and starting to become a more important number to me than the lbs lost.

Has anyone else found that their mindset toward weight loss has shifted since starting with MFP? If so, how.

Not just with MFP, but my mindset has changed since starting my journey over a year and a half ago. I don't freak out over small weight gains anymore or if I have plateaued for up to 4 weeks. I've also learned to enjoy the process and experiment with new things. It can be as horrible or as enjoyable as we make it. Kudos to you for seeing a success in each little ounce!

change_happens

I weighed in today and found I'd lost 0.2lb for the week, possibly 0.6 but my scale was wavering so I decided to go with the higher weight to be safe-if it's wrong I'll show better progress next week, right?

Here's my thing...six months ago I would have been appalled at only losing 0.2lb, counted it as a failure and probably gone and binged on pizza and ice cream. After all, did it really matter? 0.2lb is nothing!

Now I would have liked to have lost more this week, but just seeing that I -did- make progress made me so happy. I know I'm living healthier, making better choices, and above all, making progress. Slow, but steady. My body fat is going down and starting to become a more important number to me than the lbs lost.

Has anyone else found that their mindset toward weight loss has shifted since starting with MFP? If so, how.

I have come to realize that the scale isn't my friend Instead of my weighing in on a daily basis, hoping and wishing that the number will fall, I have decided to just stay the course and continue to make healthy choices. That is not to say that all of my choices are healthy, not by a long shot, but for the most part, they usually are.

Instead of driving myself crazy about a number on the scale, I will be focusing on eating healthier, building muscle and drinking my water. Those are attainable goals that will bring the weight loss. So, it is a burden lifted for me. I can now wake up without thinking, "I hope I lost weight today." Instead I wake up and say, "Lower body or upper body toning?"

A different mindset + a new focus = burden lifted AND a toned body

33runnergirl

My weight loss has slowed considerably since I started training for a marathon (doesn't make any sense I know!). I was close to quitting when I finally decided that I would not be slave to the scale. I know I will be in much better shape and more fit when I finish. If I lose a few lbs along the way great, if not, that is OK too.

iamahealthychick

I think because I have just started, i am still a bit 'antsy' about the number on the scale HOWEVER I do see that slowly... Very slowly... Changing. I am losing fairly well each week but not really seeing it in my body/clothes. I keep reminding myself that maybe some fat is coming off the internal organs? (don't correct me if I'm wrong... I need some hope). I also feel that this time things are different. I am more active than ever, i have goals and thoughts of triathalons in the future and i really want it to happen this time.

noogie98

The scale is secondary for me; primarily, I go by how my clothes fit, how I feel and my energy level. I work out 6 days a week at Curves for an hour & a half every day. Some people say that Curves is not really a workout, and to those, I would like to invite them to come join me & my friends some afternoon. We are moving & busting our butts every day there, heart rates elevated & sweat dripping. Plus, we are having fun doing it! Six months ago, I was walking with a cane ~ so yeah, for me it is about the progress. Bonus, in the past 6 months, I have lost 50 lbs, so it is all good. Granted, I have a long way to go, but 75 lbs left to go is a lot better than when I started, which was 125 lbs to lose. I am eating healthier, watching the kinds of fuel I put in my body & it shows. I haven't felt this good in years!

I start back to work Monday ~ I work in an elementary school with special needs children ages 3, 4 & 5. My true test will be when my little angels come back to school on 8/22. If I can keep up with them all day & continue with my workout after school, then I will be thrilled beyond words. I plan on trying, and my mind is set to do this.Lately, I am very stubborn & strong willed, so I see it happening. Mind over matter ~ if I can dream it, I can do it!!

ninerbuff

So true. I've had a couple of clients who only lost 4lbs. in 6 weeks of training and they were disappointed. Till it was pointed out that their physiques were sleeker, they wore smaller clothes, they could eat a little more than just dieting alone, and their FITNESS was increased by more than double.
There is no magic pill, diet, or contraption that will substitute for patience.

SunnyDispo619

Agree wholeheartedly. I've been at this solid for over one year. I don't know exactly when the mental shift took hold, but it did. I enjoy when I see a loss on the scale, but even when I don't, I can still see changes in my body and I feel so much better mentally. I no longer have some of my old bad cravings either. I think I'm most proud of conquering the mental part of it b/c that really was the most difficult. Now that I've done that, I'm not in any real hurry to get the rest of my weight off b/c I know it will happen.

SkateboardFi

i completely agree, and just based on the support i get here from friends and knowing that i have a 30 DS group that's always reporting in their workouts has made me way more accountable and motivated to do the work! i have pretty much made 'weighing in' a once in a while thing considering it rarely moves for me, but i am watching my body and endurance change so i still consider it a win! i might weigh in like...twice a month lol