Slow progress

rw4hawks

I feel like my progress is so slow compared to others. I am eating a few things that are not healthy, but I feel like I'm doing that in moderation. I stay within my calorie level and exercise 4 times per week. so when I have a treat like a cookie with coffee or a couple beers on the weekend, or a dish of ice scream occasionally, is that why my loss is so slow? I just don't want to give everything up, and I am the type that can eat in moderation.

One more issue I can think of, is the fact that I workout after work, so once I eat dinner, I track my food and exercise, and like tonight, I have 400 cal I need to eat yet-before I go to bed.

Your thoughts? Suggestions welcome!

spammyanna

It helps if you open your diary so we can make better observations about your food.

It could be that your sodium intake is high, so you are retaining too much water. It could be that you are not eating enough, so your body is hoarding all the calories it gets. It could be that you aren't drinking enough water.

Also, weight loss is so individual, and everyone is different. You should not compare yourself to other people! They way your body is losing weight is the way YOUR body loses weight. Be proud of your accomplishments, and don't worry what is going on with everyone else!

QueenHanifa

I use to compare my progress with everyone else.Now i came to except that,"this is my journey" and i have to take things as they come .We're all different.I was so worried about what everyone else was doing and not realizing that I was losing inches,even tho the scale wasn't moving.Keep doing what your doing and things will surely change

Deb2012

What are you considering slow?
Is your calorie intake too low even before exercising?
How bad are your "bad" foods/days?


Some people lose weight slower than others, but if you're doing everything right it will happen - don't give up

k121777

I completely agree with QueenHanifa.
Just keep doing what your doing. It probably took you a lifetime to gain the weight.....it might take a year or two to lose. (don't know how much you have to lose)
I would suggest more exercise. bump it from 4 days a week to 6. More fresh fruits and veggies. Less bad food and sodium. And I don't eat my calories back, but from what I hear, you can.

Joj43

Truely, I could have written this. But slowly I am learning to accept that this is my life and I'm doing it my way and if it takes me twice as long to achieve my goals then so be it. I work-out like crazy and never have huge drops on the scales which really gets me down. But this morning I jumped on those scales, saw the result which wasn't what I wanted, jumped straight back off and told myself that next week would be better and to keep doing what I'm doing.....I'll get there eventually. So hang in there; keep working at your own pace; and you will get the results you are looking for. Good luck

lotuslion

I don't really have much to add to what others have already said, except I deeply sympathize. This is my second time losing weight, in between bouts of illness, and last time I was dropping 2lbs per week pretty consistently. Now I have to fight to get 1 lb per week. It's frustrating, I know, but hang in there. Remember that you ARE getting healthier, and eventually that will pay off.

Also, you may want to check in with your doctor and/or a nutritionist. They can be super helpful in setting appropriate calorie goals. Stay strong!

rw4hawks

I have set my goal at 1100 because I wasn't seeing much loss with 1200, and I'm fairly short, so thought that wouldn't hurt. I started on May 1st, was in a walking boot in July, but I have lost 18 pounds. lately it seems like a pound every two weeks.

Thanks everyone! I appreciate your comments and advise. I'm so glad I found this sight!

MIMITIME

My weight loss is also slow. I don't think I am doing any thing wrong. I am older and I have thyroid issues so I am just happy I am loseing at all. Plus, it took me a while to put the weight on and it is going to take me a while to get it off. I set my goal at 1 pound a week but I lose more like a half of a pound a week. Having said that, you may not be eating enough calories. If you need help with getting those 400 calories, you can knock them out pretty quick with peanut butter and the fats here are the good fats.

spammyanna

Are you eating back your exercise calories?

Your body may not be getting enough fuel, and is holding on to every morsel you ingest. Instead of cutting calories more, try giving your body the fuel it needs.

Good luck!

rw4hawks

Yes, I usually do try to eat most of them back. And rely on peanut butter and milk as a snack a lot of times. ;-)

spammyanna

What does MFP recommend for you as far as calorie intake? And how much are you trying to lose?

janeyloveslife

I've been struggling with this too, as I used to always have a fast metabolism and thought once I started trying the weight would just fall off.. Not so anymore I'm afraid!
One reason I do wonder is if the body is not used to getting fewer calories, could it be trying not to to shed the weight in case it needs the fat later, and will it start to fall off quicker once it gets used to the new calorie intake.
Also just remember it is more about how you feel and look rather than the numbers on the scales. My face is definitely less rounded, and my clothes fit better, and I have more muscle definition, but the numbers aren't moving down as fast as I'd like.
Don't despair, stick at it.. So long as you aren't gaining weight, it's all good

rw4hawks

50 before I'm 50! Not sure if I'll make that though, and I'm ok with that, since this is more for my health than a number.

Lift_hard_eat_big

Weight gain is a pretty slow process, weight loss is usually slower.