Discouraged already

Don26
Don26 Posts: 46
edited October 6 in Introduce Yourself
Hello all.
I am 46 and live near Chicago.
I joined 2 weeks ago, starting weight 230 pounds.
I just weighed in at 226 pounds.
I actually gained 1.6 pounds this week!
Week one started out good (obviously) but now I just gained and I have not gone over my calorie count once.
I have been eating very healthy and have basically gone vegiterian.
Was not my intention, just the result of trying to eat healthy.
What gives?
Is there such a thing as not actually eating enough?
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Replies

  • EddieG77
    EddieG77 Posts: 185 Member
    We all fluctuate with our weight....and yes sometimes when I don't eat enough, I gain...it is your body....it needs food!!! Try to change it up once in a while....feel free to add me if you would like support!!

    Happy Holidays
    Ed
  • Sexi4eva
    Sexi4eva Posts: 20
    I think so... I was informed by my support team on MFP that I should eat more... Sometimes the more water intake will aid you in elimination that extra fat and liquid stored in your body. I am not an expert.. I urge you not to give up so fast...
  • victoria1957
    victoria1957 Posts: 44 Member
    No need to be discouraged. It is very normal for a person to lose some weight and then hover and yo yo over the the same lb or two but if you stick with it and don't give up then you will begin to see the scale drop again. Remember as you lose weight, your new body will have new requirements. Add on an exercise. Something modest and just build as you go. You will get stronger and slimmer. I added juicing to my diet about 6 months ago and walking and then running....so you can do it too. I am 54 and am training for a half marathon now. 10 months ago I was at my wits end, I was so sick and depressed. If you can watch the documentary by Joe Cross. Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead, it has been a major inspiration to me. It is on Netflix. Check it out and don't give up! We are here for you Don.
  • queendebor
    queendebor Posts: 112 Member
    Hi Don! Don't be discouraged. While I am only a few weeks in, I've been fighting my weight since I was a kid, so I've been there, done that. Yes, you can eat too little. Your body reacts by storing fat. I lost thirty pounds doing Weight Watchers a couple years ago, and they recommend no more than two pounds a week. So, you are actually now right on track.

    I look at it this way. It took me fifty years to gain it. If it takes me awhile to lose it, that's okay. Mfp is very similar to Weight Watchers - recording everything you eat and drink is important, and taking pride in small gains without beating yourself up over the setbacks is crucial. You can do it!
  • Jesuslover59
    Jesuslover59 Posts: 23
    @queendebor; thank you that encourages me too! Don you are doing fine, and have lost over a pound a week! Congrats!
  • lmelangley
    lmelangley Posts: 1,039 Member
    I routinely go up a pound for a couple of days and then drop back down. I don't count any weight gain or loss as real unless I see it for at least 3 days in a row. Some things to consider:
    1. Are you eating all of the calories MFP suggests? If yes, try going up or down by a hundred or so for a few days to shake up your metabolism a bit - works for me.
    2. May be TMI, but could you need to use the bathroom?
    3. Are you exercising? Remember that some folks put on weight as they start to gain muscle. The good news is that muscle is more compact, so where you may not see results on the scale, you might in your measurements. If you haven't taken your measurements, do that now.
    4. What's the ultimate goal - to be skinny or to be healthier? If it's healthier, don't worry so much. Everything takes time and the scale is only one small gauge of being healthy.
  • Qexxlia
    Qexxlia Posts: 19
    Man, keep it up. The first few weeks and months are hard, you'll want to slip into your old habits. If you can get to the six month mark, then your lifestyle and habits will fit the more healthy category. The habits you want to slip into now will seem uncomfortable or repulsive then.

    For me it is Five Guys hamburgers. A little over a year ago, those greasy meat stacks were my go-to fast food. Today, I shiver to consider actually eating one. It takes a while for that change to occur though.

    The results will come with the lifestyle change. Try not to worry about the numbers too much.
  • apriltrainer
    apriltrainer Posts: 732 Member
    Don't be discouraged(I"m from CHICAGO TOO!)

    I was so good. Even through Turkey day I was so good. I was mainly doing low carb and trying to do Paleo and lost a great deal of weight. Then boom. Christmas goodies and parties started arriving my way. I am also on a budget so instead of buying things I make fudge and pies and breads to give away. Well I found myself partaking in the goods while making them.

    I went from doing so well on my low carb food to trashing in by the wayside and indulging in WAY too many carbs.

    And I think also being too strict with my carb intake lead to my binges. yup, binges. While making holiday cookies.. I devoured a WHOLE tin of frosting YESTERDAY! The whole can. Gone. In my mouth.

    Not m proudest moment.

    I am learning that being too strict = overcompensating later. I am at a good weight right now but still struggle. I eventually want to learn to be at this weight without the severe strictness and overeating.


    I fluctuated from a low of 112 last week to 116.8 this week.

    Noone can tell though. But I can tell and feel it and was/ am discouraged.

    You aren't alone. THe holiday season is TOUGH!
  • annabellj
    annabellj Posts: 1,337 Member
    definitely dont be discouraged! its ok to flucttuate as long as you are consistently losing. you have to be patient! my scale always jumps up and down during the week. just the way my body is and because of food and water you do that. you are losing perfectly and the first couple wks are the hardest like someone else said, dont give up! keep plugging away and it will finally pay off. it take at least 2 months to creat the kind of habits that you need, you're doin great!
  • angee1126
    angee1126 Posts: 185 Member
    Don't be discouraged! Everyone has minor setbacks and although it sucks, you just gotta dust yourself off and keep on truckin! You can do this! :drinker:
  • dmouse0225
    dmouse0225 Posts: 104
    Don't give up!! The key is to look at what you average. I have a tendency to lose 3 or 4 lbs, and then the next week either gain, or barely lose anything, But I average 1.7 a week! You are still down 4 lbs!!! Definitely make sure you are eating enough, but otherwise, keep up the good work!!!
  • azzacca
    azzacca Posts: 126 Member
    I've been at a plateau for 3 months (well, lost 5 pounds). My husband has been at the same 25 pounds since he started his weight loss journey a year ago (lost the weight fast then stopped. It's all been very disheartening. Especially when people tell me I look good and don't need to lose more (I have lost half the weight I want to and still have a lot of fat).

    For him, it's a matter of not eating enough. With working out, he should be at a mimimum of 2500 calories and usually gets under 2000.

    For me, it's because I eat too many unhealthy carbs (sugar, potato chips).

    It's very discouraging, but I can't let myself give up - I know the weight will start coming off again eventually and if the numbers don't change, I"ll be happy if the %body fat goes into the normal range (3% to go).
  • firesoforion
    firesoforion Posts: 1,017 Member
    You seem to be losing well, everyone's body loses weight differently, and a lot of people will lose a few pounds, gain a pound, lose some more, gain a pound, etcetera. It's really, really discouraging but just look at the bigger picture and give yourself a little (non food) reward every so often just for sticking with it well. That in itself is a real accomplishment.
  • Don26
    Don26 Posts: 46
    WOW...so many great replies...nice group!
    You are all spot on and I am not giving up, was just really mad when I got on the scale and feeling low.
    Feel better already, many thanks.
    I think I may have a sodium issue that is behind this.
    I LOVE salt and put it on everything.
    My biggest problem is diet coke and not enough water.
    When I drink to much of it my hands swell up as they are right now so that is probably the culprit here.
    I am switching over to Diet Rite (no sodium) and will try to drink more water and lay off the soda all together.
    That should probably help.
    Also, I need to start hitting the weights and get out and start walking.
    Excercise is key and so far I have not been doing anything, just concentrating on the diet aspect.
    Thanks again everyone!
  • engineman312
    engineman312 Posts: 3,450 Member
    so many people go into diet mode and think all they can eat are egg whites and vegtables. just be mindful of your portions and what you are eating. no, doritos can't be a regular of your diet, but some baked tostitos and low sodium salsa? yes.
  • Josee76
    Josee76 Posts: 533 Member
    Hello all.
    I am 46 and live near Chicago.
    I joined 2 weeks ago, starting weight 230 pounds.
    I just weighed in at 226 pounds.
    I actually gained 1.6 pounds this week!
    Week one started out good (obviously) but now I just gained and I have not gone over my calorie count once.
    I have been eating very healthy and have basically gone vegiterian.
    Was not my intention, just the result of trying to eat healthy.
    What gives?
    Is there such a thing as not actually eating enough?

    Open up your food diary and perhaps folks out here can make suggestions pertaining to your diet. Going completely vegetarian can be a shock to your system and perhaps you need to make some adjustments. Maybe your not eating enough.

    Good luck with your journey... baby steps!
  • Don26
    Don26 Posts: 46
    Good idea, I will do that.
  • darlilama
    darlilama Posts: 794 Member
    I routinely go up a pound for a couple of days and then drop back down. I don't count any weight gain or loss as real unless I see it for at least 3 days in a row. Some things to consider:
    1. Are you eating all of the calories MFP suggests? If yes, try going up or down by a hundred or so for a few days to shake up your metabolism a bit - works for me.
    2. May be TMI, but could you need to use the bathroom?
    3. Are you exercising? Remember that some folks put on weight as they start to gain muscle. The good news is that muscle is more compact, so where you may not see results on the scale, you might in your measurements. If you haven't taken your measurements, do that now.
    4. What's the ultimate goal - to be skinny or to be healthier? If it's healthier, don't worry so much. Everything takes time and the scale is only one small gauge of being healthy.


    Great answer!
  • engineman312
    engineman312 Posts: 3,450 Member
    i went from drinking a 20oz diet coke a day, to drinking about 1 every two weeks. i used to use it as a pick me up at 3pm. i read somewhere that one apple has the same amount of energy as a soda, and i just swapped my coke for apples. i'm not dragging *kitten* in the afternoon either.
  • ashnm88
    ashnm88 Posts: 748
    Give it some time. As they say Rome wasn't built in a day. If I got discouraged every time I didn't see a change or gained a little I wouldn't be where I am today. 54lbs down, 26lbs to go.


    YOU CAN DO IT!
  • darlilama
    darlilama Posts: 794 Member
    WOW...so many great replies...nice group!
    You are all spot on and I am not giving up, was just really mad when I got on the scale and feeling low.
    Feel better already, many thanks.
    I think I may have a sodium issue that is behind this.
    I LOVE salt and put it on everything.
    My biggest problem is diet coke and not enough water.
    When I drink to much of it my hands swell up as they are right now so that is probably the culprit here.
    I am switching over to Diet Rite (no sodium) and will try to drink more water and lay off the soda all together.
    That should probably help.
    Also, I need to start hitting the weights and get out and start walking.
    Excercise is key and so far I have not been doing anything, just concentrating on the diet aspect.
    Thanks again everyone!

    It's so good to "hear" the enthusiasm! Good luck and keep it up! This month I've chosen basically just to try to not gain anything… too much going on right now to sweat over whether I lose a pound or two!
  • thurberj
    thurberj Posts: 528 Member
    This is a journey not a sprint!! You need to be patient, drink lots of water and burn some calories in addition to lowering your calorie intake. If you want to make drastic changes to your diet that's ok, but for me I am eating most of what I did before in smaller quantities. I have cut down on sweets almost 75%. My husband and i are very social and I even have a booze category on my diary.....I have changed my body completely by working with a trainer and doing strength workouts in addition to the cardio. If you need another friend feel free to add me :-) Good luck!
  • DinaLKeil
    DinaLKeil Posts: 95 Member
    I gained too....but, I'm trying to keep my chin up! Its a life style change, right??? :wink: It's easy to get discouraged..that's when I consult the message boards and realize, I"m not alone! Friend me if you need support. I started around that weight!
  • annabellj
    annabellj Posts: 1,337 Member
    i went from drinking a 20oz diet coke a day, to drinking about 1 every two weeks. i used to use it as a pick me up at 3pm. i read somewhere that one apple has the same amount of energy as a soda, and i just swapped my coke for apples. i'm not dragging *kitten* in the afternoon either.
    oh this is a great tip! i stopped drinking my coke zero and it is tough to do!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,022 Member
    Don't weigh every hour. If you do you'll find that your weight will fluctuate depending of what you consumed and water intake.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • RahBuhBuh
    RahBuhBuh Posts: 585 Member
    Don't give up!

    1. You have already lost weight. AWESOME!!
    2. Be patient with your body. It takes some time for it to change from consumption mode to burn mode.
    3. What everyone else said about fluctuation
    4. Its just a number. If you lose any body fat, waist size, etc then you are becoming more fit.

    Add me if you want.
  • pupcamper
    pupcamper Posts: 410 Member
    Hi Don, I've read your food diary and have to say that you are neither eating enough or eating healthy and it is no surprise you are gaining weight! Eating 800 calories and washing it down with a diet coke doesn't equate to eating healthy, you are going to have no energy to do anything! But please do not get discouraged, you can do this and there is lots of help out there to assist you on your journey! Obviously it is Christmas Eve and I can't spend time helping you out over the next couple of days but if you want some help to putting together some real meal plans and work out schedules I would be more than happy to help you out. My advise to you would be to enjoy yourself over the holidays and do some research and planning into what you can do to make 2012 your year! Sorry for the tough love but your diary screams I need help to me! :drinker:
  • engineman312
    engineman312 Posts: 3,450 Member
    ok, i just looked at your diary. you are 41, 230lbs, and at 1,620 calories? wtf mate? that is waaaaaay to low for you to be eating. how tall are you? i bet you have your diary at 2lbs a week loss (or more) and you have your activity level set at "sedentary" don't you?

    unless you really are an office drone and sit at a desk all day, you should not be at sedentary. and your weight loss, especially in the beginning, should be geared at 1-1.5lbs loss a week. it will help ease you into this, and to avoid any crazy pleatues or loss of motivation.

    i hope you've also looked at other information, such as TDEE, and body fat percentages, and what is healthy weight range and BF% for you.

    but bottom line is that you are eating way too low. go to the the tools menu and take a look at your BMR. you should not eat less then this.
  • tjpinch
    tjpinch Posts: 87 Member
    If I were to listen to the scale, it would tell me that between yesterday and today I lost 2.5lb. I'm here to tell you that's a load of crap.

    In my case it's because the night before last I went out to a dinner party, and I consumed WAY too much sodium. I was still holding on to a lot of water at weigh-in.

    Just look for trends and don't let one bad scale reading get you down. Don't give up; you're doing great!
  • ratherbeskiing
    ratherbeskiing Posts: 847 Member
    Hi Don, I've read your food diary and have to say that you are neither eating enough or eating healthy and it is no surprise you are gaining weight! Eating 800 calories and washing it down with a diet coke doesn't equate to eating healthy, you are going to have no energy to do anything! But please do not get discouraged, you can do this and there is lots of help out there to assist you on your journey!

    -this. you have limited fruits and veggies and sometimes are not even meeting the min of 1200 a day! I do not know how you are not eating more! I would be starving! Also try to work out- even a 15 min walk at a slow pace is better then nothing.
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