Discouraged...

shaynes14

You can do this! Others have said it, but mini-goals help make it less daunting. Come up with some little reward besides food for each goal you reach. Early in my journey here, I saw that someone bought a necklace and she bought a bead for every 5 lbs. she lost. She also bought a charm with a major milestone like losing 25 lbs. or running in a 5k. I started doing it, and now I have quite a necklace. Even though no one else may know what it is, I know what it represents. Just lost my 45th pound today so I need to go shopping. Some have set goals as crazy as get a tattoo or manicure. It seems like a good idea to me. It lessens the dread of "denying" but rather gives you something to reach for. There are some great stories on this site. You won't have to look hard to see some great success stories! Don't give up! You are worth it!

spottedlee

:glasses: Yes. One pound at a time. I have about 135 to lose. It seems daunting at times!

me too! I thought my 125 was bad enough when I first joined but I am doing great,, one step at a time,, we both will get there!

Articeluvsmemphis

to be honest you will have MANY more of these days, but for right now, small steps. Best quote I can think of, "If the problem isn't hunger, food isn't the solution"

So many times when we're upset about something food is a comfort. When we're happy or in a social setting we tend to conform and eat like everyone else, also not good.

This is to say, we just need to realize how emotions/settings/people all influence our eating.

The weight loss journey is more mental than anything, and learning. Pretty much whatever you think is right for weight loss will probably work, just keep going, and make sure to measure your success on the scale but find MANY other ways to do this as well because sometimes the scale will let you down when indeed you have loss inches, or you have better endurance, or your pants fit better, your blood pressure went down, etc. . .

There hasn't been a day I haven't acknowledged I am actively losing weight, and need to be aware of what I eat and what activity I'm getting in. So this must be at the forefront, the weight will never go anywhere if there isn't action behind the thoughts and feelings of wanting to lose them.

There will be binge days, you will feel suckish and hate yourself, but another quote "Guilt doesn't burn calories, neither does shame"

Okay, pretty sure none of these random string of thoughts went together, but I think it should help; you CAN do this, it's not going to be easy, it's worth having, so the time it took to gain the weight, it'll take time to get it off.

siouxperwoman

Take it ONE pound at a time. You didn't surpass your weight overnight so don't get disappointed when you don't wake up skinny the next morning. It is very hard keeping motivated when you know that you are eating right and working out but you are losing at a safe rate and you manage to keep the weight off. This site is wonderful for support and you did AWESOME by not turning to food for comfort.

When I feel down, I take a walk or put on happy music and dance around the house. Not only am I making myself feel better but I am also burning calories and that's what we want to do. Keep your head up!

I agree with this! I did myfitnesspal before, and lost about 20 pounds, over a lonnnnggg amount of time. But when I stopped, it didn't come back. This is because I worked hard, and for a long time to make sure it was really the fat that was gone. Then when I would try "fast" tv dieting plans that you pay for, I would stick to the unrealistic ways for a few weeks, lose a lot, then as soon as I couldn't just live off of lettuce and ate normal, ALL of the weight came back. It wasn't fat I lost at all, just water weight. SO... remember this from my mistakes. There is no "fast" track to losing it, and if there is, it's not permanent and most likely not healthy.

MaximalLife

We all have such days - just keep punching.

All Is Possible!

Kougra

You should be proud of yourself for not turning to food. I am PROUD of you! This journey will be full of ups and downs and everything in between. And during those times when you need a a boost, there are alot of people here that will give you the hand up you need. We are in this together.

When you have those times when you feel that you had a bad day, acknowledge it, make peace with it and move on to the next step. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. Beating yourself up doesn't accomplish anything but causes so much inner turmoil. Every day, get up look at that wonderful person in the mirror and tell her how proud you are of her for making that lifestyle change. And tell her how much you love her for her. It is a very hard thing to do. But it will get easier. That person looking back at you needs to know that you love her.

Best wishes on your journey. :flowerforyou:

ahjenny

Not turning to food is a great thing! Don't think of it as 97 pounds to lose. Think of it as "10 pounds is my first goal." You're already 3 pounds closer to that! Break it up into smaller and more managable goals. 10 pounds, 1 workout a week, keeping withing caloric goals for a week, etc. It will make things easier. Keep it up. Every day is a new day to make good decisions.

CyberEd312

You really have to break it down to taking it one day at a time and if that still seems to daunting then break it down even more. When I started and was staring at losing 300+ pounds it was just to overwhelming to wrap my head around. So I took it hour by hour and then half day at a time and then to where I am now... I get up everyday and make sure that I do everything possible to make each day as successful as I can so that when I go to bed at night I have done everything possible to obtain my goals for that day and then I get up refocus and do it again. Always putting one foot in front of the other... 30 months later and I am 7 lbs. from breaking 300 lbs. loss!!! and it seems like just yesterday I started my journey... Just stay positive and keep taking those baby steps.... Good luck.......

vguynes

Just take it one day at a time. Not turning to food during your time of disappointment is a major accomplishment. You should be really proud of yourself. Stick with healthy eating and exercising, and you WILL reach your goal! Keep your head up!

Fit02bme

A good remidy for discouragement is K-Love radoi, they can also be found online at K-Love.com. It is positive encouraging music. One of my favorite singers is mandissa she has a lot of upbeet, encouraging, feel good music. Keep your head up and pray for courage and determination. I say a prayer for you. God Bless & Stay Strong

sharonlane23

Hi i'm Sharon, i have been in that place alot of times too, the one thing i can tell you is you made a wise choice by writing it down, on here and talking to people who know exactly where you are coming from, i have alot more then 100 lbs to lose but we can't look at the big picture, we have to take it day by day minute by minute! often times i look in the mirror and i dont see anything happening on the outside, but you know we are changing on the inside, and right now that more important. we have to be here for each other in good times and bad, we can do this, together ! hang in there sweetie, tomorrow will be better.

traumensie

Hi there, and congrats on making the decision to make changes in your life that will improve your health, and boost your self-esteem! I know it's hard some days, but here are a few of the things I do that help me stay focused on my goals that I hope help you too:

1. The next day, week, month is gonna pass - what do I want at the end of it cause it's coming one way or another!
2. Focus on numbers. Maybe this appeals to my inner OCD but I focus on calories eaten, or calories burned, or how much water I've had that day, how many minutes I exercised (I actually entered 10 minutes of walking today for a whopping total of 33 calories burned hahaha!) but darn it, it's that collection of numbers (calories in, calories out) that will add up to my goal. I can't get to my goal today, but thinking in terms of those numbers gives me something I can do right now, today, that brings me closer to where I want to be. I feel good when I enter a number that is within my target range - something I can feel good about right now and not get impatient with the slow process of weight loss.
3. Keep posting and connecting with people who are fighting the same fight as you. It is really comforting to know you're not alone!

Good luck!

grapenutSF

You're making progress. Not turning to food when you're discouraged is a huge leap forward. Soak up all the rewards along the way---doesn't it feel good- TODAY- to eat healthier? Do you feel endorphins after you exercise? Are you meeting anyone supportive/fun/interesting in this new fitness hobby? There are so many gains in addition to weight loss. Broaden your perspective and settle in for a ride.

nursy911

I suggest breaking down your weight loss into smaller goals....Like in 15 or 20 lbs increments.....so that each goal is more manageable. On the positive side......you are able toe exercise and you have a whole community of support! You CAN DO IT!!

TheAncientMariner

A journey of a thousand miles begins with but a single step! Take each day as it comes and success will be yours! Good luck

FatgutBgone

Don't get discouraged. This is like eating an elephant. You have to do it one bite at a time. You should concentrate on what you have done so far.Set a small goal at a time. I try to go for 2 lbs at a time. Plan each day what you are going to do and eat and try to match your calories you eat to the calories you burn as close as possible. That is what I have been doing. When I feel bad or upset I do some jumping jacks or lift weights or some sort of exercise to get my mood up again.

Stay strong -[][][]

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[][][]- and live long,

ruby_red_rose

One great piece of wisdom I have received...we always overestimate what we can do in a day, but underestimate what we can do in a year. Take your time and enjoy the process. You'll get there!

Love this quote!

Switty_Kitty

Im discouraged too and my goal feels impossible. But the only way we will make there is to keep plugging away at it! Giving up is not an option.

Best of luck to you! :flowerforyou: