Help! Feel like quitting :(

tbudge

I went through the exact same thing! I started eating better and did the Insanity program...I instantly lost 6 pounds, and then gained half back, held onto that for a long time, lost a pound, gained 2 back...never ending roller coaster. I asked for advice, everyone told me to eat more...so I did, at first, I lost 3 pounds, then quickly gained it (and some more) right back. I felt so discouraged! I finally lowered my calories, and now I'm losing again. Who knows if this will stick, but so far, so good. The best advice I can give is, trust your body and your instincts! You know you best...the other thing I can say, keep working out and eating right...the time is going to pass anyway, so why not be trying instead of giving up. Think of where you will be a year from now...chances are, a much more fit, healthy you! Good luck to you, and just know you are not the only one!!!

kevin3344

1-2 lbs change is normal. You weight will not go straight down; however, it will go down over time if you're consistent.

You may also want to try something like 30DS, which will jump start your exercise.

Open your diary so we can see it. Go to Settings > Diary Settings > Diary Sharing and change it to Public. That way others can offer help if needed.

kms1320

1. The scale isn't always 100% accurate.
2. Water retention is always possible.
3. Go by how you feel.
4. Start doing 15-30 minutes of exercise a few times a week to kick start it.

I am in my 4th week, and I have stepped on the scale once a week ago. I don't really care what the scale has to say. If I'm diligent in the food I eat and put in the effort to exercise as well, there's only one way the weight can go..

mrblaze211

I like to pretend the other joggers are zombies, and they want to eat my brains. Sometimes I get a little carried away, and start hitting them with a bat. But that almost never happens now that I quit jogging with a bat.

Awsome love it

lambdafu

You know, you can always quit later, and it will be just as easy. The hardest decision is to start, so hang in there for a bit longer.

I have started counting calories and restricting what I eat and drink 2 weeks ago (I drank 2 litre of cola every day, now I drink a glass, I ate a lot of junk food before, now I am preparing most meals myself), and I have seen the scale go down a couple of pounds and going up again. Now, I have some good news and some bad news for you. The bad news is: The pounds you lost may not actually have been a real loss of body fat as you wanted it (yet). But the good news is, the pounds you gained are probably not a gain in body fat either. You can not gain two pounds of fat in a couple of days if you are not eating an incredibly large amount of calories (you are keeping your daily calories intake in check, don't you?).

The body is a complex system, and there are many things that happen in it. Most of the body is actually water. Water comes and goes over the day as you drink, sweat, urinate, deplete and replenish your systems. Also, you have a bowel that holds weight and loses it. The changes in these systems can happen quite fast.

There is no way you can see a change of a couple of pounds of body fat on your scale. The body fat change is hidden behind the normal ups and downs in the rest of the body. You need more patience to see a trend.

So, I suggest to laugh it off, and enjoy the ride! Take pleasure in the new foods you are trying, and the workouts that remind you of muscles that you didn't use properly in a long time. Due to my desk work I developed posture problems, my right shoulder was always hanging low and rolled back. Now, because of the daily workouts, the shoulder is almost perfectly aligned again. That's a real change right there, and it doesn't show on the scale.

25Gigi

I totally understand how you feel. This has happened to me on many occasions trying to lose weight. I am no closer than I was a year ago. But, one thing in the back of my head told to me by a past Weight Watcher leader. She had lost over 100 pounds and it took her many years to do it. She said, "No matter what; never never never give up." So, every time I give up, I revert back to her words and I get right back up again. I hope this helps. You will do this.

Gigi

Cold_Steel

I just spit my drink all over my computer monitor, thanks for that ! (in response to the zombie bat comment)

Cold_Steel

Don't quit - nothing good can come of quitting. Like every one else is saying its a lifestyle change not a diet. I ve lost 60+ lbs in 100 days and there have been weeks where I gained or stayed the same. What I did was I changed my food intake daily, one day I would go up to my normal calories, the next day I would go 200-400 under the next day I would go 100 over... Something about jacking your metabolism all over the place that makes it work. I dont recommend because I am not a doctor but it seems to work for me.

Besides from the look of your image you dont look like you have 50 lbs to lose, it is going to be EASIER for bigger people to lose more while not so big people struggle with the weight loss simply because they have less to lose.

Work hard, play hard and eat lightly.

brittbergh

seriously dont quit. It takes 30 days of doing something everyday to make it routine and habit. Instead of doing a diet, try a clean healthy lifestyle. Diets fail, diets end, diets suck!

ritaadkins2002

hey sweetie....we all go through this stage once and awhile...what ever u do don't give up on yur self....because u deserve to be happy. Maybe u just need to change yur eating habits more or even change yur exercise routines. but what ever u do DON'T GIVE UP ON YUR SELF....u can do this....Lets do this journey together if u like...just add me . I will be there for u .

ruststar

What happens if you quit now? You give up on eating healthier and exercising and the weight starts to go up every year? Where will you be then?

Perhaps the part you should quit is weighing yourself. Get a measuring tape and see where you are now, track your calories and exercise for a month and then tape yourself again. THEN get on the scale. I bet after a month of exercise and healthier eating you will see both movement on the tape and the scale. If you don't, then try increasing your exercise a little bit, and try again in the next month.

MIMITIME

Hi, I can relate. The first week on here I gained 2 pounds so I gave a hard look at my food diary. I had forgotten to add things like my coffee that I use cream and sugar plus the olive oil to cook the eggs. Anyway, I was very discouraged but I decided to give it a couple of weeks and I lost the 2 gained plus 5 so I am glad I stayed.

jemachharo

You can give up and stay the way you are (or potentially gain) or you can stick with a healthier lifestyle and eventually get where you want to be. It doesn't matter if it takes 2 months, 6 months, or a year....at least you get where you want to be.

Those of use who have lost initial weight quickly did so because we have a heck of lot more to lose than you do. Your current weight is well below my goal weight. 10 lbs is only a couple of percent loss from my current weight while 10 lbs is 15 percent of your body. Just be patient.

chatterbox3110

Don't let this get to you - I lost 3lbs a few weeks ago, had a brilliant week the next week, but gained that 3lbs back - don't ask me how, it just happened!

The secret is to not let it get you down - just keep trying and you'll get there in the end!

cori314

There's no such thing in a failure who keeps trying. Coasting to the bottom is the only disgrace. - Blues Traveler

sarahkatara

Hi! I struggle with the same problem. I'll lose some weight, gain it back, and it never seems to budge again. But the only way to make a real difference is to keep going. Think of it like this: if you give up, then there really isn't any way that you're going to succeed. Only you can make the effort. Even though it's hard, if you keep on going with your healthy eating, you have a wayyyy better chance of seeing results. Remember that something is ALWAYS better than nothing. Also, maybe consider upping your activity a little bit. One suggestion i have would be to take some time during your work or school day to take a walk, even if it's for 10 minutes on a break, take either a brisk walk or even a leisurely one if that's what you can handle right now. I've been doing that on my 15 minute breaks and it makes me feel like i am at least giving myself a better chance! you'll feel energized too. I hope this helps and remember too that you're worth it! keep up the good work- your body will catch up :flowerforyou:

Mlehew

Don't you dare quit. You're a beautiful young lady with your entire life ahead of you. The healthier you get the better you will feel. Just keep making good choices with your food and exercise. Some weeks you will lose and some weeks you will hit a plateau. It doesn't matter, just keep pushing ahead and you WILL achieve the results you desire. Remember if you go backwards and start making bad choices, you will return to a less healthy lifestyle with more weight and less energy. I sometimes like to use music as inspiration. I think about the Gloria Estefan song "Get on your feet, get up and make it happen". You can do it!!!

Good Luck,

Michael

nanceeg

Don't give up! Stop dieting but don't stop with your healthy lifestyle. I am having my doctor monitor my weight loss so I have to go see him each month and this makes me accountable. I went the other day and I was so bummed because I only lost 8 lbs. He said that 8 lbs was great but he'd rather I only lost 5. Take it slow! And I had the same experience as you, I was actually down 11 lbs a few days before but I gained some back. I'm willing to bet it is because I am always trying to lose it too fast so my body makes up for it. Believe me. I felt the same way you did until I left the doctor's office. I lose three, gain 4, lose 2, then lose another 3, then gain 2... etc. etc. etc. but in one month, I actually lost a total of 8 so its really a good thing! I've spoke with a personal trainer and they said the same thing. Your body needs time to adjust. TAKE IT SLOW! DON'T GIVE UP!

robinogue

Stop "Dieting"!

Start "Healthier lifestyle"!

It's easier, you don't feel restricted, and have nothing to fall off of!


Ask yourself: could i carry on like this forever if needed? If the answer is no, it's a diet. If it's yes, you've made a lifestyle change.

I so agree with this statement.. I'm not on a diet, I'm just watching what I eat and eating smaller portions... Don't give up, giving up is easy. Work at it, keep on it and you'll see the results slowly but surely. We didn't gain weight overnight, and we won't loose it overnight. We're here for you, to support you, guide you and pick you up when you need picking up!

AnnaPixie

I gain 2lbs if I dont sleep properly!! The scales are the devil, take no notice of it! :devil:

UNLESS it goes down! :bigsmile:

kashmirkat

I agree with a couple other posters - relax a little and start also taking your measurements! One gain means nothing - it could be just temporary water weight too - I had a gain Friday for my weigh in (at my Weight Watchers meeting) but it was gone by Monday - could have been the cold meds I was taking, could have just been lack of sleep - there are so many things that can temporarily cause weight fluxuations - don't give up! You can do it! :happy:

bettyboopo

Thank you everyone for all of your lovely replies, you've all given me the confidence boost I needed to carry on. I've realised that a few pounds gained here and there is nothing and i'm probably weighing myself too often! I've decided to only weigh myself once a month so I get a better overall view of my weight loss and i'm also going to take measurements. Thank you again to everyone who replied, you're all a real inspiration x x x