reaching my goal weight seems so far away

xdaysbingefree

If I stick to my calorie goal each day, I won't reach my goal weight until July. I know this is only in four months, but this is very discouraging to me. Does anyone have any tips on how to stay motivated even though results aren't immediate?

LuckyLeprechaun

If you don't stick to it, July is going to come anyway. And you could still be in the same spot you are today if you don't make the changes necessary to produce the results you want.

July is coming....are you going to be ready?

Rae6503

July is a perfect time to go buy a new swim suit. They might have already started to go on clearance by then (as they start selling them in February now).

What will July be like if you don't even try?

LilRedRooster

When you get to July and you haven't changed anything, you'll wish you had changed now. May as well start before July rolls around and you lose the opportunity.

hush7hush

Weigh yourself often! As you watch your number shrink, you'll realize that every day you're a step closer to your goal! [:

ShannonMpls

Life isn't on hold until you reach your goal. You keep living it, and you'll feel better and look better along the way. If you're anything like me, even with the goal in close sight, it loses its significance. I've done so much since I started on MFP that it's been one crazy accomplishment after another. My goal weight isn't the end-all, it's just yet another step in being a healthy and fit person. The end weight is merely a goalpost, and you've got a really fun game to play until then. Enjoy it.

downsizinghoss

July is just in time!

July is a long time if you are just looking to do a short term diet.
If it is a lifestyle change then a few months is nothing.

Stay with it! You can do it.
I am on track for 2014. Doh!

sphenisciforme

Little targets help: getting to the next 5lb marker, fitting into some item of clothing that's a bit tight at the moment - whatever it takes to make you feel you've achieved something along the way.

tiffanyvc

Set a few more goals for yourself. For example, maybe set a goal weight for the end of March, or say - "I'm going to go to the gym this many times between now and April 1" or something like that. That way, you see more success in between now and July.

For me, I NEED to see myself as successful, otherwise I give up. So setting more "mini goals" helps in that area.

JessG11

If you don't stick to it, July is going to come anyway. And you could still be in the same spot you are today if you don't make the changes necessary to produce the results you want.

July is coming....are you going to be ready?

I agree with this completely. I actually told myself this earlier today and repeated it multiple times. I have a much larger amount of weight to lose and I am working towards a large part off be the end of the year. I told myself that the year is going to pass anyways. So it can pass with me losing weight in a healthy way, or it can pass with me doing nothing because it takes to long, which will prob equal gaining, or doing what I can to lose it super dooper fast which I won't be able to maintain and statistically I will gain back plus some. Taking it slower is healthier!

mgmlap

Just stick with it..it took me from March till the end of November to reach my goal. The key is to celebrate the small successes..and before you know it..you will be at goal. Also keep in mind..the longer it takes to lose the weight..the odds of it staying away for good are really up there..

fpizzo

Hello,

It is important to weigh yourself every day, but focus on your program and how you control it each day! If you do the right things each day the weight will go!

CherryPie606

You can do it! I've been doing this for 7 weeks now and you just have to keep plodding on. Try not to let it rule every minute of your thoughts. Time will pass when you're not thinking about it. Good luck!

lahonda904

I feel the same way sometimes...but logging on often seems to help me and having a buddy at work really helps keep me motivated. We walk on breaks and I feel motivated after my walk. Another thing that helps me is to log my exercise even if it is just walking around the mall...you are burning calories. Don't give up!!

Judithdobson

Hi , you will start seeing results much sooner and will feel better about yourself long before July so don't fret. Be patient, at least it is coming off so don't you give up, keep motivated. If you want to boost it, do more exercise. We are all behind you. don't let down the team lol x

TinaDay1114

The slower you lose, the longer you're likely to keep it off, and keep the changes in place that got you to where you wanna be. (And your body needs time to adjust, too). Think of it this way -- if you speed things up and get where you wanna be in 2 months, you might be back where you started in July. And what sense would THAT make??

It took me almost a year to get where I wanted to be -- like most things in life, true gratification comes over time. Immediate gratification is gone in an instant.

LuckyLeprechaun

it took me three years. Was worth the effort.

Stick to it!

sunshine3737

I started my weight loss journey LAST July! Now 7 months later I have lost 53 lbs and I am down 9 pant sizes! When I would get frustrated in the beginning because it wasn't coming off fast enough I would just tell myself it didn't all show up overnight and it isn't going to come off overnight. I just take 1 day at a time and do a happy dance every week as I watch the numbers go down! Keep reminding yourself why you want to lose weight! Good luck!

CyberEd312

Started my journey May 2009...... 32 month later and I am still working towards my goal..... July is a drop in the bucket just take it one day at a time and don't over think it. Just do everything you can each and everyday to work towards your goals and in no time 4 months will have went by....... good luck......

Jan0707

I don't really pay attention to when the estimated date is. I know I need to lose 40 pounds. So, I look at it as 5 lbs 8 times. Much easier for me to look at 5 lbs at a time, or I could easily get frustrated. Just keep on track and the weight will come off. It doesn't appear overnight, and won't go away overnight.

BJPCraig

Try setting minigoals at closer intervals, so that you can get some earlier successes. Also, make sure to use (and watch) your tracker so that you can see your progress. For me, it also helps to break it down to see what you've done. For instance, looking at your tracker, do you realize that you are already over 10% of the way there? You're already 1/7 of the way to your goal.

So, just focus on the next 3 lbs. - 10% - 1/7. Think of it like slowing down to enjoy the drive on your way to your destination!

emmaruns

I started the day after Christmas and I have longer to go than you -figuring I'll reach my goal somewhere between September and November. BUT, I've had so many great things happen in these last 2+ months. I'm down 2 jeans' sizes and have the next two lined up to shrink into, I feel so much better, too!

Remember, it's not like you'll be the same weight, same weight, same weight, BOOM! Goal in July! You'll have many happy victories to celebrate along the way. Just take it day but day and slowly you'll see how they add up and you're doing great!

Emily

BrendaLee

I wish four months felt like a long time to me, but it feels like the blink of an eye! Trust me, it'll go by so quickly. It's already been two months since New Year's.

maryellen8301

Set a few more goals for yourself. For example, maybe set a goal weight for the end of March, or say - "I'm going to go to the gym this many times between now and April 1" or something like that. That way, you see more success in between now and July.

For me, I NEED to see myself as successful, otherwise I give up. So setting more "mini goals" helps in that area.

Agree with ^ mini goals.. i have at least 3 mini goals before my final.. you can do it

successiswithinme

I set small weekly goals for myself. One week its cut down on processed sugars, one week maybe eat more veggies, another week aim for x number of minutes of exercise for the week etc....a week at a time gets me more foucsed on what my needs and goals are

jadedone

Life isn't on hold until you reach your goal. You keep living it, and you'll feel better and look better along the way. If you're anything like me, even with the goal in close sight, it loses its significance. I've done so much since I started on MFP that it's been one crazy accomplishment after another. My goal weight isn't the end-all, it's just yet another step in being a healthy and fit person. The end weight is merely a goalpost, and you've got a really fun game to play until then. Enjoy it.

+10!!!

jadedone

Focus on smaller goals outside of the weight. I know it will take me most of the year to reach my goal. But I can set other goals that are reachable. I have mini targets. And I also have workout goals and fitness goals. Also mini challenges to keep me motivated along the way.

beautifulstronghealthy

I've been following you and I think you're doing great. I struggle with binge eating too and I know that feeling overwhelmed by goals can be a trigger for just giving up and bingeing. Don't let the goal be a source of stress. You are learning more every day and you are growing to understand yourself better. That's what matters. You will reach the goal. In the meantime, be proud of each new day as you overcome the desire to binge. I have been home sick for 3 days and all I can think about is eating while I sit here trapped and unable to exercise. I'm kind of freaking out cuz my metabolism was just starting to speed up and now I can feel it slowing down again. Makes me want to give up and binge. I want to really bad. But I'm not. I've worked too hard. So hang in there because your struggles with food are helping me with my struggle. We will get there!