Discouraged.

LizMarchini

Hi Guys!

I've been doing the calorie counting using this site since the new year and I'm only down four pounds. I feel like I am trying so hard to make the right food choices and counting and weighing everything and im not seeing alot of result.

Am I doing something wrong?

please help me! I dont want to give up already but its so hard!

livestar

Don't give up! I'm in the same boat, but sometimes it takes time for the body to adjust. A good friend of mine stuck it out through a very long plateau and finally is losing again, AND she looks incredible. Stick with it! Not just for weight loss, but for a healthier future.

fetchfury

hey,

I felt exactly the same way, but I haven't lost anything! I posted a thread and lots of people helped out with my attitude, I think we just have to keep at it! 4 pounds is really good, it'll all add up soon.

x

fetchfury

thread - http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/455479-this-is-always-why-i-give-up

rhogar00

Don't give up! 4 pounds is great!! Just stick to it and try to stay positive and it will come off!

MalibuBeth

I have only lost 4 lbs, but that's great! I'm excited about it! This should be a slow process, so stick with it! 4lbs lost is better than a 1 lb gain right?!

Tigg1011

4lbs in lesss than 3 full weeks is awesome!! wed all like it to come off overnight but unfortunately we arent so lucky. 4lbs is great tho anddd ur just geting started! keep it up!!

Smuterella

4lbs in three weeks is REALLY GOOD!

chevy88grl

Today is your 19th day and you've lost 4lbs? That's awesome. Successful weight loss isn't something that happens overnight. I truly believe that slow and steady weight loss - while frustrating at times - is the key to keeping it off permanently. So, don't be down on yourself... you're doing great!

jchrisman717

That's more than a 1 lb loss a week right? That's pretty good - I would be happy if I lost that much since Jan. 1. Small losses add up - just keep it up.

auticus

* you didn't put the weight on in a month, you won't take it off in a month

Remember that.

Healthy weight loss is around 5-8 lbs a month max. I know we are in a hurry to rip off the fat but it doesn't work that way. It is a slow journey and a lifestyle change. Quick dieting will get you quick results which you will quickly lose and go back when you return to your old habits.

You have done well in the short amount of time you have done this. You must have patience.

Captain_Tightpants

4lbs since the new year is 1.5lbs a week. That is TEXTBOOK PERFECT weight loss.

The steady, slow losses are the ones that stay off for good. You're doing everything right, just keep going!!!

Quarrysider

I have only lost 4 lbs, but that's great! I'm excited about it! This should be a slow process, so stick with it! 4lbs lost is better than a 1 lb gain right?!

^^^^ This. I'm only 3lb down so far this year, so you are doing better than me! It's slow and dull right now, but it will add up before you know it - even if the scale is being slow, I bet the inches are changing:happy:

redkim615

Don't feel bad, I started this site Jan 2nd and I've lost six pounds so far. It's not quick weight loss, it's gradual like weight watchers. Check your sodium intake though. If you are eatting too much sodium it will cause you to hold water, so you'll end up with "water weight". Also watch your saturated fat intake as well.
Don't give up, hang in there.

rugbyphreak

4 pounds is a great start! stay positive. mix up your food choices to throw your body for a loop. work out! add little bits of exercise where you can.

Bella3119

Darling, YOU'VE LOST 4 POUNDS!!!! That's an accomplishment!!!

madubil

"only down four pounds"?? HIGH FIVE GIRL!! Thats fantastic progress. And I mean it- thats where you should be. A pound and a half a week is really great progress- its sustainable. Really great work girl!

PS- stop beating yourself up you are doing great!

netchik

Hiya - you might like to open up your diary so people can make educated suggestions, however your rate of loss is spot-on. Keep at it, it's worth it!

Well done on your loss so far :flowerforyou:

morganadk2_deleted

so you started new year its only 19th today and you have lost 4lbs , thats really good well done!

LauraSmyth28

I'm in the same boat. I've lost 4.5lbs since Jan 1st. Last January I did MFP and lost 12lbs in 3 weeks. Then I gave up (why?!!) and kept those 12lbs off until this year.

So this time I'm sticking at it till I get to my goal, no matter how long that takes. What would be the point of giving up? I'd only be back here again next January!

So my ticker that you see below my post is counting what I've lost since last Jan. So I suppose you could say I've only lost 17lbs in a YEAR!! lol.

Keep going....we'll get there xx

Ditchit

I have lost ONE pound in my first week (weighed yesterday) and was very disheartened. However, I think I have to realise that it will take a while for my body to adjust to the new intake of food and water. There are many things which will effect the scales but its not just about what the scales say. I have already had 2 comments asking me if I have lost weight, my mind is in the right place (which has been no mean feat in itself for a long long time) and I feel more optomistic about my healthier, slimmer future. My friend told me last night, its not a race, this is a new way of living, slimming and getting healthier and happier in the process. Keep your mind on the button and the rest will follow. But I do understand how you feel, I felt the same.

Keep at it and we will reap the rewards, more than we may be able to imagine at the moment!

JeanniebeanL79

I get discouraged too but as everyone tells me: If you are exercising and eating right, you will eventually see the results you want to see. If you give up and go back to your old ways that won't change anything. And who knows maybe you are retaining water, and you will see a change when you least expect it. DON'T GIVE UP!!! 4 pounds it amazing!

TuscanySun

Dont be discouraged. 4 lbs is a good start. Remember that the weight did not get on you overnight and its not going to come off overnight either.

Educate yourself on nutrition and make changes as you go. Learn and change what you're consuming and what you're doing.

Drink lots of water, eat whole, nutritious foods lots of veggies and lean protein, move more each day. It truly is a process to change your life. I've been working on it for 2 years and still have times of being upset with the slow pace....but I know that its worth the effort to save and improve my life.

Dont give up.

LS7301853

4 pounds down is better than 0.1 pound up. Congrats! Keep up the good work. I started at the beginning of the year, too. I'm down 0.2, but it's better than gaining. I got my calorie intake under control the first two weeks and now am adding in water water and more water and exercise. Again, keep up the good work and best of luck to you.

aimeercole

* you didn't put the weight on in a month, you won't take it off in a month

That is exactly right! 4 pounds is great! Imagine if you had GAINED four pounds, you would think it was ALOT.... so give yourself the victory of the 4 pounds lost. Great job. Keep it up.

DonnaRe2012

Hang in there. Two things that help me. Really watch your sugar intake that is a real diet killer. Try to make sure you are only getting the sugar grams you are allowed (that was the hardest part for me). Second is make sure you are eating protein at breakfast !! This starts your engines running 1st thing in the morning. On the days I don't haave time for eggs I add a JM whey protein shake along with oatmeal or whole grain toast.

Oh and water water water water......and no processed foods!!:happy:

ashlie30

Are a lot of your calories from vegetables and fibre? I have only been doing this site for two weeks, but I have gone through big weight fluctuations before (lost 60lbs, and then over time and pregnancy slowly let it all creep back on). What I have learned about myself in the past, and what I have been focusing on since I started on MFP, is how I eat my calories. I have stayed within calorie goals before and not had it be effective, and I have still ended up being hungry. So I had to get creative in maximizing my calories and finding a balance that works for me. I found that I am a protein, veggie, fruit girl. I eat grains and snacks and cheese and things too, but I really have to watch how I balance them into my diet, or I plateau.
Try maybe mixing some different things into your diet, if you haven't already, or some substitutions. It is a constant game of trying o figure out what your body responds to, and what it doesn't. And I found a great way to get some extra vegetables and things is to make some homemade soup, and have that for one meal a day. You can find some great recipes online. Use a broth base, lots of veggies, maybe add some turkey and/or some brown rice to help fill you up,
Another thing you might want to try is shifting when you have your calories. Some people respond better to eating their larger meal earlier in the day, and then a lighter (but still filling meal) at dinner time. Some people it doesn't matter. Just don't jump around too much, start changes slow, and give them time to see results.
Sorry if this seems like a lot, or confusing. But everyone loses weight differently, and every body is different. You just need give yourself some time to see what works best for you.

katkat1717

Keep up the good work!! four pounds is great!!

crysmcd1

i feel the same way. i like to see results. 5 years ago i did medifast and took off over 40lbs in less than 3 months. it was amazing to see the change happen so fast. but i realized something, i cant live off of medifast for the rest of my life. its a good way to talk lbs off fast, but without a life change (like we are making) its never going to stay off. im right there with you. im not going to give up, and i hope you dont either. hugs.

MalibuBeth

i feel the same way. i like to see results. 5 years ago i did medifast and took off over 40lbs in less than 3 months. it was amazing to see the change happen so fast. but i realized something, i cant live off of medifast for the rest of my life. its a good way to talk lbs off fast, but without a life change (like we are making) its never going to stay off. im right there with you. im not going to give up, and i hope you dont either. hugs.

that's right! great support!

SueInAz

4 pounds is great! Keep in mind that this isn't "The Biggest Loser." You aren't working out 6 hours a day and eating next to nothing.

Losing weight slowly is the right way to go. Yes, it'll take longer but you'll also greatly reduce your chances of having lots of loose skin left over when you're done. Shrinking slowly will allow your skin to shrink with you. You'll look and feel much better when you're done.

If you haven't started yet, try adding some exercise into your routine. Even walking 20 minutes a day can help you to shed pounds and inches just a little quicker, plus you'll feel great!

One other recommendation... if you haven't yet, start measuring your body. Often you'll find that even though you aren't losing much weight, you're losing inches. I think inches are more important because that's what determines how your clothes fit, not the number on your scale.