All This Work for This?

pauljsolie

Are you sure you don't have IWIN Syndrome. Next time you see your doctor ask to be screened for that.

psiren28

PCOS typically slows down weight loss but 5lbs is great. I also have PCOS and it's taken me almost 2 years to lose 60lb but it's all been worth it. However slow it gets (although I don't think 5lbs in a month is particularly slow) you're still lighter than you were and will continue to be if you just stick to it. Keep it up

palmerig88

Are you seriously complaining about this? Weight loss is not an exact science. Be happy you've lost 5lbs so far and deal with it.

This seems very harsh. I can see exactly why she is frustrated, she is just asking for help.

Masachapa

Ms. Strongandtender,
Please do not forget the importance of thorough hydration during weight loss. I noticed that you have not kept track of your water consumption. It is amazing how full and extra glass of water can make you feel, and that might assist in avoiding empty calorie snack foods.
Good luck! Even though we do not know each other, keep in mind that we are all here together because we want to achieve the same goals and love to support each other and be supported when we need it.

DataBased

I can relate with your anxiousness, but I'm also reminding myself every day of what everybody has said here: We didn't get this size in a month, we are making a complete lifestyle change, we are learning how to be good to our bodies, measure yourself because muscle weights more than fat, and try to understand that you're human - we will all fall down along the way. Falling down is not failure. Staying down - giving up - not trying anymore - those are examples of failure.

The people here are outstanding and supportive. You did just right by posting your frustration. Keep up the good work and keep looking for the patterns that work for you. Examine the weeks that were good and compare them against those that weren't. Trial and error will win the day.

And have some fun - attitude can be a help or a hindrance. You decide. :-D

wisebadger53

Lots of good advice here. Also, make sure you have your correct activity level set up when calculating your daily calorie goals. I originally set mine at "Lightly Active", and had the same issues. When I changed it to "Sedentary" (I have an office job), I started to lose the 2 lbs./week that I wanted. When I hit a plateau (talk about FRUSTRATING), I actually started eating more calories and doubled my time at the gym. I have found that different things work for different people, but thought I would share what worked for me. Good luck with your journey!

moylie

I also have PCOS and an underactive thyroid, that's why, for me, I know it's REALLY important to make good food choices most of the time. Sure, I give in to cravings, and have too much to drink sometimes We're all human, and we all deserve to indulge, too... wisely, that is. I strongly suggest adding sodium to your tabs, so you can see how much is there. Processed foods and eating out are horrible for sodium, and you will likely hang onto water weight if that's what your diet is primarily made of. Not to knit-pick, but Girl Scout Cookies and potato chips for dinner???? You should try pre-chopping veggies and keeping them stored in the fridge to grab easily. There are a TON of healthier options, if convenience is your thing. Drink a ton of water, try 2-3 cups of green tea a day, and really try to go for fresh, natural stuff vs. pre-packaged foods. I also agree that hitting your goal, and not going under is important. Also, some people find it helpful to switch up their calories after a few weeks, if you're not getting results. MFP isn't a one-size-fits-all program. It does take some tweeking to get the results you want. BEST of LUCK! Hang in there.

jwaters1006

5 pounds is a great start!

I looked through your food diary and there are some changes that can be made to increase the loss. Maybe try more fruits to curb the sweet cravings. Also, increase your protein intake, I'm almost always over on protein. I drink chocolate protein w/ skim or 2% milk.

Also, instead of buying breakfast sanwhiches I make my own. Sometimes I use bread, sometimes I use those bagel thins, lowfat cheese, egg whites, turkey sausage or bacon. cheaper and lower in calories.

Feel free to add me as a friend if you'd like. We can support each other on this crazy journey!

blissmanifesto

It's taken me more than 2 years of continual effort to drop 76 lbs. It was indeed "dribs and drabs" at time, and sometimes I would plateau for weeks as well. I imagine that the whole 111 lbs you want to lose will take at least 2 years, and that's if you really stick to your program 100% and don't get stuck on a plateau for too long. What I'm trying to say is, you should adjust your mindset a bit now: let go of the idea that you're "on a diet." You are actually learning a whole new lifestyle, one which you will be living with for the rest of your entire life, forever. You will not be able to change your whole life overnight, either; it takes time to get new habits to stick, and to identify and change all the little bad habits which are tripping you up right now.

Losing a lot of weight is really a mental game. You have to change the way you think about food and about your own body, about shopping and cooking and preparing meals, about exercise and fitness. It's a whole lot to tackle! But anyone who does not do the mental work involved will gain back all the weight. So use the time wisely as you are losing weight to clean house mentally. Pam Peake, the weight loss doctor, says it takes the mind a full year to completely adjust to every 25 lbs that you lose. So according to her, you won't really catch up to your weight loss mentally for 4 years! So please let go of your impatience. There's nothing to be impatient about: you have already begun your new life and you will see great results very soon.

Also, I completely agree with MacMadame who recommended that you restrict your carbs to less than 100 grams/day and increase your protein. That has worked very well for me.

StrongandTender

Are you seriously complaining about this? Weight loss is not an exact science. Be happy you've lost 5lbs so far and deal with it.

No, I'm not complaining. I'm confused and frustrated. If you have an issue with what I - or anyone else - posted, don't reply.

I said in my OP that I know it averages out to be a respectable loss over a four-week period. It's the 4 pound gain and the 0.5 loss that have me stumped.

woou

I personally think 5lbs in a month is awesome! It took me 3 months to lose 8, and I'm ecstatic. :bigsmile:

KareninCanada

Another vote for measuring!! I've been down and up and down and up... since Jan 14 I've got a net loss of only 3.6 lb, but I'm down a total of seven inches. :happy:

BaconMD

It took me a month and a half of working out before my weight even started to show up on my scale. I'd say you're doing well enough. But you need to realize it's going to be a life-long change, not an instant fix. You'll gain it all right back if you don't make changes you can live with the rest of your days.

crimsontech

I have PCOS as well. 5 pounds in the first month is great! I only lost 0.8 pounds my first month but it was because I was re-building some lost muscle while doing daily walks. Exercise gives me the best results at weight loss with my PCOS, though I do take care with my diet as well.

The good news is, after losing 0.8 pounds the first month, all of a sudden the weight started falling off and I lost like 15 pounds the next month. I'm currently nearly the end of my 3rd month with almost 35 pounds off!

Pebble321

It makes me nervous, because I know every choice I've made wasn't one I'd be proud of, but my diary is now public. I appreciate the feedback so far. I'm going to keep reading and trying to take in what everyone says.

Don't be nervous, you're being accountable to yourself first and foremost, what everyone else thinks is secondary - though hopefully very helpful!

My advice is to keep at it.... I think there comes a time in any activity where the initial novelty wears off and you realise that you are in this for the long term. I know it doesn't seem like a lot of weight to lose at this stage, but I'm betting that the changes you have made to your diet and lifestyle are major and that is what is going to get you to a healthy weight.
Every time you eat a healthier snack instead of an unhealthy one or go for a 15 minute walk instead of sitting on the couch - you've taken a positive step towards getting healthier.
It's not the big things that count in the long term, it's those tiny little choices that you make each day. We get really fixated on the scale but it is a fickle tool and doesn't always reflect the positive changes that are happening. Looking at your weight loss progression, I'd take a guess that the gain was hormonal - if you track this over a few months you will probably see a pattern developing.

Hang in there, good luck!
Hang in there, keep making small choices in the present minute and you WILL see results in the long term.

akjstyles

From taking a look 2 weeks back into your food diary my best advice would be to cut out, or change your snacks to something healthy. On some days the most calories consumed are coming from snack foods. Try some fresh fruit and veggies. Sodium can be a real damper on weight loss and many pre-packed foods contain tons of it. Also do you use a heart rate monitor to determine your exercise calories? The estimates on mfp can be quite a bit higher then the actual calories burnt are, so eating all of those back may be putting you above your calorie goals if you are just estimating. 5 pounds in a month is still good so just keep at it. Look at it this way, you are 5 pounds lighter then you were last month and you will continue losing!

BreK51

I find if I eat and exercise, and I am under my caloric allowance, it backfires. What happens is your metabolism slows down. It is best to eat what it gives you, and make sure you are drinking at least 8(8oz) of water. Try that and see if it makes a difference. but be sure to eat your calories. If you are exercising to get way under the allowance it could be causing the problem , try to stay as close to your calories as you can.. Hang in there! Also, it is best to lose around a pound or two a week. you are learning how to eat healthier, and it may take longer but once you hit your goal it will stay off longer because you have learned how to eat and what it takes to keep it off. Patience my dear, it will come

knucklescasey

I think 5 pounds is fantastic. Maybe you need to eat all of your calories to keep your metabolism running good.

KilikiMom

"I have been under my caloric goal all but 3 days "

that tells me you are not eating enough....you need to eat ALL of your daily calories and then eat back some of your exercise calories

i sabotaged myself a while back staying just under 1500 WITH exercise....it was pointed out to me that i need to eat ALL of that 1500 PLUS eat back some of the calories i burned off...and poof i started loosing weight again!

mell312

If you are set to be losing 1.5 a week, then that's 6 lbs a month. You are pretty close to right on! Unfortunately the only healthy way to lose weigh and keep it off is slow and steady. Hang in there and you will meet your goals.

Christine1110

Your doing a wonderful job!! Keep up the good work!

dmouse0225

I think that is a great start! Try not to focus on the weekly # so much. I have a tendency to lose 5 one week, then gain 3, lose 2, lose nothing, etc. On average, I have lost 1.7 a month... it works out to be totally worth it!!!

Just one more thing I would caution... Make sure you are eating enough. Close to your daily calories, and not way under. (And eat what you burn... most if not all).

You will do fine! Good luck!

Sherbog

5 pounds sounds pretty darn good to me. When I get discouraged I start measuring and weighing my intake. I can really surprise myself on portion control. Weighing and measuring portions helped me.

Record your intake and perhaps increase your exercise. I increase my walking when I am discouraged.

Wish I could be more helpful. The emotional strain of all this hard work is difficult. Think about it instead of gaining you lost!

Stefanie7125

i try to limit the scale to once a month. I measure every week. Inches are much better than lbs. Keep at it!!

froeschli

I've started running every other day, and on the morning after the 'running day' i am typically 2-3lbs heavier than on the morning before. I think it has to do with muscle recovery and water retention.
But even before I started running, my weight would go up 2, then down 3, up one, down a bit - all throughout one week.

5lbs tells you you've made progress. Any way you turn it, that's 5 lbs closer to your goal. I agree with the other posters - inches will tell. I'm actually going to start a spreadsheet for my measurements right now...

sun33082

If you have PCOS, you definitely need to lower your carbs. I briefly looked at your diary and you're getting over 250 carbs a lot of days. You should change your goals and shoot for around 100, less if possible. Focus on protein. Eliminate "white" carbs especially. Eliminate starches. Watch the sugar too. Switch to stevia for your sweetner and avoid all added sugar. Sugar from fruits and veggies are ok. Try this for a while and you'll probably have more success.

OhDD65

Be patient..........you will have some of those weeks where nothing happens and you have exercised yourself to death. Once
I increased my calories up to 1300 I started losing again. Only .6 lbs a week, but something is definitely better than nothing.
I also backed off my amt of time exercising daily, which helped with me not burning out on that end of things. Remember it
really is the inches that you will see that counts and you will be thrilled to find a change in your clothes size. That in itself
motivated me and it will you also. Good luck on your journey !!

ninerbuff

Take the pound a week and continue. Clients that I have do it that way keep the weight off.

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

treetop57

Every five pounds, I visual the weight I've lost as a bag of sugar.


You're lugging around that much less this month than last month.

dmouse0225

Every five pounds, I visual the weight I've lost as a bag of sugar.


You're lugging around that much less this month than last month.

That is a powerful visual!!!