150 lbs to lose and frustrated

AdAstra47

I am totally, completely, right there with ya. Are you tall, too? 'Cause I am 5'10, and I was up over 300 to start with and have now lost over 40 lb. Although I can tell a difference in the way my clothes fit, I don't see it when I look in the mirror. People are just now starting to ask, kind of tentatively, "Are you losing weight?" so I guess it's starting to be noticeable. But I think because I'm tall & was so big to start with, even an accomplishment like losing 40lb is just a drop in the bucket. Sigh.

As far as how much you've lost, I think 16lb in 2 months is great! I'm averaging 1 or 1.5 lb per week, slow but steady; took me 10 weeks to lose 16 lb. (Yes, I have a chart, so I know exactly when I hit each milestone! ) After all, if you lose too quickly, you run the risk of losing muscle as well as fat, and you also run the risk of slowing down your metabolism. Slow & steady loss will end up being more healthy & sustainable in the long run. It's hard to be patient, though, I know!

I agree with the poster who suggested taking it in baby steps. I'm also trying to lose 150 total, but I have it split up into new goals each month. I'd recommend that strategy for you, too. As long as I hit my mini-goals, I feel like I've accomplished something, even if I don't seem that much closer to 150. It does add up eventually! Hang in there!

Good luck to you!

cobarlo14

It's all about baby steps. One day at a time, one meal at a time, one step at a time. Just stay focused and on the path. Come here for encouragement and to give encouragement. You can do this.

So perfectly said...Dead on!!! Slow and steady...your not dieting... your changing your lifesyle!!! Be proud of that. If your always hungry then there is something wrong... Are you eating the right amount of calories? if your eatting less to get more progress? If so - then your not helping yourself. Food is fuel....pick the right foods and eat your alloted calories for the day. YOU CAN DO IT!!! go with the flow - make good choices and know that before you know it - you won't want cake or whatever your trigger foods are. Go, Go, Go!!

FYI...Started at 414lbs.....I am 8lbs shy of getting under 300....I don't care how long it takes - I will get there...

So will you!!!

YES YOU WILL!!!!!!

check out Kimcat73 - we've been doing this about the same time > She has rocked it!!!!
You can too - Let all of us help. You are going to know what you can or can't do. Start out with small walks and gradually pick'em up.... your body is going to crave more. Go get it!!!

cobarlo14

Dear when I lost 30lbs I wasn't seeing a difference. Take measurements and simply keep striving. Now that I'm down 35 I'm "seeing" a little more difference. Like jeans sliding down and back fat shrinking. It takes awhile dear. Keep going. Feel free to friend. 16lbs in two months is awesome you are doing great!!!!
Kimmy

Great point - you could be losing inches too.....
We didn't put the weight on overnight - it won't come off overnight either.....
pace yourself - your about to take the ride of your life!:flowerforyou:

Artemis_Acorn

Anyone with a lot to lose can relate to how you feel. I know I do. Keep at it though. The upcoming days, weeks and months are going to come and go regardless, and you can either be in a better place at the end of them, or you can give up and be in the same place you are now (or worse.) When I think of it that way, it's easier to keep going and not feel so overwhelmed by what is admittedly a daunting task.

I was where you are (16 pounds down) just a few months ago. My clothes weren't really fitting great - because they had been tight to start with. I was tired all the time. No-one had noticed that I had lost any weight and the changes to my lifestyle were an imposition some days. But I stuck with it - mostly because I was really scared about my health, but also because I wanted to feel good. Physically, mentally, spiritually - it is all tied together.

I am coming up on five months now, and the changes in my body are really taking hold. It is finally showing enought that I get a lot of comments from people who've noticed. I'm down a few sizes. I have a little (not a lot, but a little) more energy. I have fewer headaches and the ones I have are less severe. Many, many other wonderful changes have occured over the past few months. Don't give up. You really are just around the corner from starting to experience the benefits from your effort. The pounds come off one at a time, and I recommend that you celebrate EVERY success - from each pound, to every slight improvement you notice. Celebrate the days when you ate well. Celebrate the days you exercised. Celebrate when you turn down a treat because you know it will put you over on calories. Celebrate when you climb to the top of the stairs and aren't breathing heavy. Celebrate it all!

Read the success stories for inspiration. You CAN do this.

rice161

It is such a cliche, but you didn't put it all on that quick, so take your time to get it off. It's much more likely to become a habit! You'll learn to try new foods and exercise that you didn't think you would in the past so rushing through this process will only slow your learning.

You can do this...just stay connected and get support. I also took an up close picture every 10 lbs to see the difference. It does become more noticeable the longer you go! Set smaller goals for yourself. Rewards are great motivation too... find what works for you!

I was at one time 310 lbs. I honestly still had people coming up after losing SEVENTY lbs asking if I was losing weight (Men are so observant and afraid they might offend you, haha). Today I weigh 217...I still need to lose 72 lbs just to be a normal BMI. Sounds daunting! Yet my next goal is only 17.5 lbs away, much more manageable. You're not alone in this...add friends if you want them!

kmbrooks15

Hang in there...it will come. You might want to try setting some mini-goals and reward yourself when you reach each one (not with food, though! Maybe a mani/pedi, massage, whatever will motivate you other than food!). There's a saying: "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time." Eating an elephant would be a daunting task, but one bite at a time is doable. Same with weight loss: How do you lose 150 lbs.? One pound at a time. Mini-goals will help you have smaller "bites" to contend with. Maybe set a goal that you will get a manicure after your first 25 lbs. Then a mani/pedi after the next 25, a massage after the next 25, etc. My final goal is 75 pounds, and when I reach it, my reward will be a new wardrobe. But I have mini-goals of 25 pounds at a time. I'll do something to reward myself after each 25.

ljd0693

I've gone from 330 lbs to 205 lbs. It can be frustrating at first but you just have to realize that it took you years to put on the weight and it's going to take you years to take it off.

You have to be it for the long run and don't expect immediate results.

Tammylyn117

They say, slow and steady wins the race. I have been and am still in your same boat. It seems like it takes a lot more loss for it to actually show. One thing that seems to work for me is to set small attainable goals and work towards that, and try not to focus on the big picture. I usually try to reward myself when I acheive these goals with things like a pedicure, the new purse I've been eyeing, a new top in a smaller size, etc. It is still hard, but it helps it become a bit more manageable. Good luck with your journey. 16 pounds is still quite amazing, and it's 16 pounds lost not gained, so be proud!

Tammylyn117

I heard an analogy the other week that losing weight is like taking toilet paper off a toilet roll. You can take a lot of sheets off at first and you won't notice it shrinking, but as you get close to the end, every sheet makes a big difference. It's the same with weight loss. It can be frustrating to lose weight and not see a visible difference, but you'll get there. It's a marathon not a sprint. It's not going to happen overnight. But 16lb in 2 months is fantastic. Keep it up and before long you'll be noticing a big difference.

I like that analogy!

Sublog

I am frustrated. I've been dieting for close to two months and have lost 16lbs. Of course, I am happy to see 16lbs gone but wish it were more. Even more though, I wish you could tell a difference. I am sitting right around 300lbs and you can't tell I've lost a bit of weight. Does it seem that way to others who have a large amount to lose? I am having a hard time staying motivated without seeing results. Help!

It's normal. You'll continue to look and feel like the same person for a very long time. That's why its important to keep tabs on your weight, measurements, and progress pictures. It's to provide perspective.

cloveraz

Each and everyone of you are such an inspiration! Keep up the fight for our lives!

ljd0693

I recommend that you find a weight loss support group to join so that you can talk to other people going through the same problems. Don't try to do this alone!

The main ones that I know about are Weight Watchers and TOPS. Both provide the personal support of other members and make you face the scale each week for weigh-in.

acstansell

I started at 274 and am aiming for 75-100 pounds. I'm down 20 now, and I didn't really start to notice until this week. I know it's discouraging, but my thought was that no one noticed because I was so big already - so celebrate yourself. Some people will notice but won't say anything to avoid being rude.

What I do, and this helps me, is I don't think about the big number. I aim for small goals. My first goal was to weigh what I did when I got married - 20lbs less. I met that this week. My next goal is to weigh what I did when I graduated college- 33lbs from here. Then, I'll have 20lbs to get to 200. Small goals work for me so I don't feel overwhelmed and get discouraged and lose motivation.

Keep pushing - 150 is a big number to lose - but 20 is a reasonable goal - you are at 16 - only 4 more! Hurdles are easier to jump when they aren't the height of skyscrapers.

Also - spoil yourself when you hit that little goal! Buy something you've wanted, go see a movie, or get a new outfit (don't do it with bad food, that's what I did...slows you down a bit). If I hit a goal, I buy myself a new piece of clothing. At 30lbs I'm buying running shoes!

brandiuntz

Congratulations on losing 16lbs in 2 months! Be proud of that. It's an excellent weight loss pace!

Others have already said this, but I'll reinforce it. Be patient. I know it's hard at first, especially when you don't "see" or feel the difference, but you are making progress and sooner than you think, you'll notice the difference and others will, too.

The analogy of a toilet paper roll is spot on.

Keep your long-term goals in mind. Take measurements, and pictures to track your progress. Definitely look for support, if you need it. I know the journey can feel too long and hard at first, but you're on the right path and have done so well already. You'll reach your goal if you stick with it.

DWilbanks

I'm in the same position as you are. Might I suggest that if you haven't already, measure yourself. Because one thing that I've noticed is that while it feels as if I'm not loosing much, I am loosing inches. I measure myself each month and in one month I've lost 10 1/2 inches. So try that, and if you want to add me, go right ahead, we can only help each other :flowerforyou:

dlyeates

You have to remember that this journey to a healthy life is not a sprint.....it's a marathon that lasts your whole life. Just because you get to a certain weight shouldn't mean that you go back to all your old habits because those are what got you into trouble in the first place. And 16 lbs in 2 months is AWESOME!!!!! CONGRATS!!!

And I agree with everyone else. Stop looking at the big number!!! When I do that I make myself sick. Overall I want to lose a total of 52+ lbs. If I fixated on that (because there are days I can't see ever getting to my goal weight) I would just give up. I have small goals that I think are attainable.....ie. get to prebaby weight (27lbs lost) by Christmas and within that I tried to do a 5 lbs/month challenge and little things in between. I work so much better when I have small goals because the doubter inside me doesn't even think I'll ever see 145!!!

Don't get down and remember that each day is a brand new challenge. You are more than the number on the scale....it does NOT determine your worth.

I also highly recommend the book Made to Crave for anyone on a weightloss journey. Good luck and remember....we are all in this together!!!

Brandicaloriecountess

Just hang in there. 16 pounds in two months is great! I really noticed a difference around 30-40 pounds, and it wasn't until around 50-60 that people that did not know I was eating better and working out to notice.

Soon you will start dropping sizes and it will all feel worth it.

VanessaFaith

I felt the exact same way! I've lost 101 pounds now, with a LOT left to lose... I still look in the mirror at times and cringe at the thought of how much I've lost and I'm still fat! And some days I feel great about how much I've lost. Don't let it get to you! 16 pounds is great... that means you're on your way! That's 16 pounds you don't have to lose :-) Be encouraged!!

dustyhockeymom

16 pounds in 2 months is great! That's right about the rate you should be losing. I was at 300 pounds when I started and it took me about 30 pounds to really notice a visual difference, even though I could feel a difference in my clothes before that. It was about 40 pounds before anyone else started to notice. I know 150 pounds feels like it will take forever, but it is entirely possible. Break it down into little goals and work towards those. At first my little goals were pretty close together like 15-20 pounds. Now that I am farther along, I still have intermediate goals, but those are a little farther apart. They are also not always just about pounds. I just met the goal of buying a complete new outfit not in plus sizes, I have also had a goal to get below the weight on my driver's license, to not have an obese BMI, etc. Meeting these helps me feel successful. Don't think of it as how far you have to go. Keep focusing on how much you have already done and how close your next goal is.

JessFeldman02

Wow! You guys are amazing. The overwhelming encouragement you've offered is amazing. There are so many of you that are in my boat, and so many that have been here and succeeded. I guess I was being a bit of a whiney girl - I need to remember others are here or have been here and have succeeded. One thing I often tend to forget. Than you again for the words of encouragement. This is the first post I've vented on and the encouragment turned me right around.

jhardenbergh

I haven't read everyone's response before mine, you see very little when you first start when your pretty heavy. Look at it this way losing 15 lbs at 150 lbs is like losing 10% of your body weight, Losing it at 300 lbs is like losing 5%. Don't get me wrong losing the amount of weight you lost in 2 months is great, but it will take time and dedication to get to where you wanna be. Up until I was down maybe 60 lbs, I didn't really notice it when I looked in the mirror, however when looking at pictures you can definately see it. Most people see themselves in the mirror everyday so day to day, week to week, month to month you really won't tell, but others can usually see it better cause they don't see you as often as you see yourself. Congrats on your journey.

skatermom503

Hi
I have lost 83 lbs. and nobody has noticed a thing. Of course I started at 395 so I'm still big. It takes a long time for it to show to others but then it suddenly does. I sort of prefer it this way so people don't start watching and waiting for me to fail. Keep going. 16lbs is a really great start and each pound you lose will make you feel better. Good luck!

cobarlo14

Hi
I have lost 83 lbs. and nobody has noticed a thing. Of course I started at 395 so I'm still big. It takes a long time for it to show to others but then it suddenly does. I sort of prefer it this way so people don't start watching and waiting for me to fail. Keep going. 16lbs is a really great start and each pound you lose will make you feel better. Good luck!

@skatermom503, Me too... I know what you mean. As far as other people watching/waiting all I have to say is this....F*** THEM!
It is your body and you control it!! How good does 83lbs feel??? Got to be good I know it was for me.... Keep up the great work!!!