ugg...ready to throw in the towel :(

cmbx2mom

So I've been fighting these last 10 pounds for the past 5 years or so. I go up then down etc etc. For me to lose I need to be super strict with logging my food and really carving out a lot of time for exercise. Last fall we put our house on the market and so my exercise pretty much ceased. Then between the holidays, moving to an apartment, building a house and switching jobs I found myself back up in weight again. This summer I dedicated to again trying to lose it. AFter 10 weeks I was down maybe 4-5 pounds. Pretty frustrating. We then had a BBQ party at our house that was catered. I let myself have a "free" day..basically didn't worry about what I ate. Then of course we had leftovers that I didn't wnat to throw away so I ate that for a couple more days. AFter a week I was up 3 pounds. I knew I didn't actually eat an extra 10,000 calories so hoped it was just temporary. After another week or so I was up another 1-2 pounds. AT this point I just said forget it...why do I work so hard for 10 weeks, only to have it fall apart in just a couple. It's been a few weeks since then and I go in spurts..somedays I want to get back to it and other days I say why bother. I like to exercise, but it's hard to do it as much as I like with a FT job, 2 kids etc etc. (I averaged 2 workouts a week at work, try to take a 20-30 min walk the other days and 1 workout on the weekend). These 10 pounds would get me about my prepregnancy weight...definitely not under weight. Anyone else have this difficulty and just wonder of it's worth it? My like has to revolve around my logging in foods, looking up calories etc etc to lose weight and sometimes it just gets to be too much.....

RockinSkiBunny

I think you need to stop beating yourself up over a few lbs. Don't frustrate yourself like that. AL ot of it is probably water weight and too much salt etc after eating lie that. Trust me..I am bad a lot on my weekends and know how that feels.

marielusha

I really think you should worry about inches not weight

strawberru314

You may want to reassess your goal weight to see if it is realistic for you. If you are at a healthy weight, your body might just be a little heavier than your were pre-pregnancy. That is ok too. I would not stress about the last few pounds. Keep being active and watching what you eat.

Pedal_Pusher

You are letting life throw you off your game. You need to grab it by the balls and go after what you want. Everyone has stuff to deal with, you can either deal with it and stay in the game or give in, make excuses and get out of the game. Up to you.

tlo5

Don't throw in the towel!!! I'm a mom of 5 (birthed 4) and I work so hard too... I've totally been in the same boat as you. I do Insanity at this moment and it has helped me so much. I'm commited! I have 9lbs to go and honestly I've lost 1lb since starting, but I've lost inches in areas I didn't think was possible. You can do this!!! I'm 35 and I don't want to lose sight of what's important... HEALTHY Heart and body... YOU CAN DO IT!!! You have to take care of you to take care of your family. Try Insanity... Next, I'm doing the Beach Body Ultimate Reset to get rid of my 9lbs. We'll see if it helps... I've heard great things about it. I highly recommend a program that's daily and keeps you on track. I only take off Sunday's. If you can get involved in local runs in your area, that helps out too.

skelley331

It sounds like you are under alot of stress and as we all know stress adds lbs, i agree with everyone else don't worry about that 10lbs, just focus on getting back on track, we all lose sight i know i did and this week i managed to lose 2.8lbs so re-evaluate things and take it one day at a time. Good luck

gatorginger

If trying to fit exercise in is a problem you can still lose weight without it. Of course it is good for you to exercise. Try not stressing over exercising but doing it when you can. It's okay to go over from time to time but it helps if we get right back on track the next day. Next time freeze the food that is leftover and save it for another day. I cheat all the time but I get right back on track the next day. Sure I gain a pound or two but it comes right back off if I get right back on track. I have a 7 night 8 day cruise coming up in December. I plan to enjoy myself because I know I can get the weight back off if I gain, I however will try to exercise some on the boat and try not to over indulge every day but we will see how that goes. I'm not gonna beat myself up over it though and I will be back on track right after cause this is a lifestyle change for me not a diet.

TavistockToad

I really think you should worry about inches not weight

this

add some strength training to your routine, and dont worry about the scale so much!

DamnImASexyBitch

This is why I don't even own a scale. Don't obssess over numbers. If you feel better, and look better keep at it! It's not about some temporary changes, it's a new lifestyle. You will make mistakes, but it doesn't mean you just chuck it all. It's a learning experience!

MinnieInMaine

nevermind, I misread.

beccala18

If at this point you are frustrated, then take a break! Switch over to maintenance calories, keep working out, and just let yourself breathe a little. The more you stress, the worse you are going to feel. Allow yourself a month or two month maintenance break, then switch back to weight loss mode.

Also, take measurements (if you haven't already) and use that as a benchmark as well. There are times when pounds won't come off but inches are - your body is redistributing where the weight is.

You can do this!

FelicityEliza36

# 1 - How much have you lost thus far? Weight and inches...

# 2 - If you have completely changed your body and your mind why are you worrying about your LAST 10 lbs? You seem like you have probably accomplished so much more than just those last 10 lbs. Be proud of what you have already lost and dont obsess over it....

alpine1994

Don't throw any towels in!

I think it would be best for you to change your goal from weight loss to finishing a program, like Insanity, Body Revolution, etc. Even a 30 day one is a good start, like 30 Day Shred or Ripped in 30. They really make a huge difference in body composition without making big changes to your diet if you're already eating moderately healthy. The 30 day ones only take a half hour too, which is doable.

steph0924

Wow! I could have written that same post myself! After both of my pregnancies I had no trouble at all getting back to my prepregnancy weight, but my prepregnancy weight was always 10 or so pounds more than I'd like to be. So, right now I am 146 and would like to be 135. I always ask myself why was it so easy to get from 164 (after pregnancy) to 146, but to try to get down to 135 feels like climbing a mountain? I think for me it is just a matter of being comfortable. I was soooo not comfortable at 164 and worked my butt off to get to where I am now. Then, I slack. I think 146 isn't so bad. I can wear a 10. Then, even though I workout all the time, I would sabatoge my efforts with my diet. Eating more than I should, not logging it. Splurging on the weekends, ruining everything I did during the week when I am more strict.

I've never been thin. I've always been kinda chunky and this I feel works against me more, but I refuse to give up. I swear I will see 135 before the end of the year! So, I have no idea if any of this relates to you, but I decided one morning about 5 weeks ago that 146 is just not where I want to be anymore. I don't want that to be my confortable weight. I started P90X on Sept 8 and haven't missed a workout. It is my priority for what I am trying to accomplish right now. I work FT also, get home, get dinner, work on homework with the kids (10 and 6 yo) and they play while I workout between 7:30 and 8:30 pm. No, I do not have the most organized house on the planet right now, but it is the thing that has to give while I am on this journey to get to this goal finally!!! Also, weekends are no longer a free for all for me. I am counting all on the weekends too, because gosh calories add up fast!!! So, don't throw in the towel! I know I don't see a lot of peeps around here that have a similiar struggle to lose just 10 pounds, but I do!

steph0924

You are letting life throw you off your game. You need to grab it by the balls and go after what you want. Everyone has stuff to deal with, you can either deal with it and stay in the game or give in, make excuses and get out of the game. Up to you.

^^^ I love this!

SoDamnHungry

Try focusing more on your muscle tone and physical endurance than the weight. It may very well help you lose that extra weight and gain much more than just "skinny" in the process.

secretlobster

If you're 10lbs from your personal goal weight, it's highly unlikely that you are at a weight right now that is challenging your health.

You know what's harder than losing the last 10lbs? Keeping them off. The people who maintain exquisite bodies are the ones who live, breathe, and most importantly, LOVE fitness. Their body is a reflection of what they love to do.

Is 10lbs worth this amount of anguish? I could stand to lose 10lbs of fat myself. I decided I'd rather eat cookies once in a while and be able to take a break without beating myself up.

chardi7

Try Intermittent Fasting

cebreisch

Don't throw in the towel!! I've heard the last 10 pounds can be grueling. And the scale is VERY fickle!!!

Yes, you're going to have to food journel "ad nauseum", and I agree with someone else who said that a lot of it is probably water weight or due to salt intake (particularly with the BBQ - LOTS of salt). Someone else suggested paying more attention to measurements - also a great idea.

One thing that's helped me a lot in terms of "having enough data" was getting a Fitbit. It syncs with MyFitnessPal and the website for it is free. I make sure I look at the "calories burned vs. calorie intake" chart - and as long as the calories burned line is above the calorie intake line, I'm going to lose weight.

Having that insight has kept me from throwing in the towl since I got it in February because I have enough data to show me I'm going in the right direction. I've been on this journey since June 2011, and have lost 102 pounds, and have another 100+-ish to go.

(And don't forget to drink lots of water and get in lots of fiber!)

Keep at it! You can do it!!

lizziebeth1028

Wow ready to throw a healthy lifestyle out the window over a few pounds???? What's more important? A lot of people will get so focused over the number and the scale and are so convinced that if they can lose 5 or 10 more pounds they will have the body they desire. When what they really need is to strength train/ lift weights to add more lean muscle mass for a slimmer look. Also if you're plateau'd there is a good chance you're not netting enough calories and actually need to eat more!!

What is your current weight and height?

How many calories are you netting a day?

What types of workouts are you doing?

nduva

I once heard a woman say, "I had to put on my oxygen mask to help the others around me." I'm a busy Mom who works full-time as well. But exercise is one of the few things that is ALL MINE in my day! I get up before my husband and son, so no one misses any wife or mommy time. Sometimes it is frusterating if all you're looking at is the goal; start looking at the journey and identify times when you were really proud of yourself and your accomplishment. I find that is very motivating for me, "today I'm proud of myself because..."

devil_in_a_blue_dress

Have you considered that maybe your end goal isn't realistic? I am 5'3, I always thought 135 pounds seemed realistic. Except I lost 40 pounds on WW, then 15 on MFP and then weigh loss stalled out and I entered the same cycle you are describing with only 10 more pounds to loose. I finally came to the realization that 135 pounds wasn't realistic, even though that's the highest number of the healthy BMI range. I'm healthy, work out 3-5 times a week, I wear an 8-10, I feel and look good -- THAT is what matters.

tuffytuffy1

Here is a thought I had. If you are doing a very calorie-restrictive diet to lose, the weight will come back faster once you start eating significantly more than that large deficit. I have lost 20 pounds but it has taken over a year. I can have bad days, even bad weeks, without it affecting my progress. I eat at least 1600 to 1800 calories a day, sometimes a lot more. And I'm still losing -- VERY SLOWLY, but losing. I love that I haven't had to basically do much restricting of my food. I do lift weights/strength train for a half an hour twice a week with a personal trainer, and I try to eat a lot of grilled chicken, salads, that sort of thing. But it's all food I love, so I don't feel deprived. If you have lost weight in the past with a very restrictive diet, I would try something else like what I described -- eat at a very moderate deficit and the weight will slowly but surely come off and stay off. Good luck, don't let those 10 pounds get you down!

melhoschek

I stopped worrying about wieght...but started noticing inches and how I looked in my clothes...the more I workout the more I lose inches, but when I lift weights, I gain muscle causing me to gain a pound or so...one thing you might try is when you sit down to watch TV...sit on an exercise ball and bounce! Twist your stomach and move your arms..it works everything and you dont even realize you are working out. Its fun and you can do it everyday...GOOD LUCK and SMILE

Melissa

cmbx2mom

Thanks all...some more background...
I'm 5'7". Prepregnancy 155 lbs. Sounds heavy but I have a muscular build, and was in great shape at that weight. I gained 55 lbs with pregnancy. I was able to get down to about 178 before having to go back to work after 1st pregnancy. I kind of stalled at that weight and then got pregnant again and was 212lb the morning before I gave birth to my son. AGain was able to get back down to about 175 before returning to work. My son was a terrible sleeper. Took him 2 years to get through the night so I couldn't really focus on weight loss...just needed to get through the day. ANyway, I was able to get back down to about 160 with calorie counting and exercise, but then broke my ankle. Weight crept back up. I wnet up and down for a bit. Tried Weight watchers and got back down to 160lbs. but didn't have time to continue going to meetings (they were during work) but maintained about 162. When we put the house on the market last fall I had so much to do, I didn't have time to exercise so weight crept up again. I hit about 167 earlier this year and knew I had to get back on track. Hence, this summer (10 weeks).
I know I'm focusing on pounds here, but it does correlate with inches/pants size. It's just easier to have a # vs. "my pants are getting tight". I had been running mostly as my exercise in the past with a few gym classes here and there, but when I switched jobs I lost the classes I had been taking. I have a gym at work, so I don't belong to one elsewhere. I decided to add strength training a little over amonth ago...basically twice a week I do a circuit. I feel great doing it, just haven't noticed anythign on the scale or in measurements/clothes fitting better.
I tried Insanity a couple years ago, but it really hurt my feet/joints. I will do a video sporadically but can't commit to that program fully. I have a number of different circuits I do that I got from various magazizines/online.
I was at the Dr's recently for a physical and of course was told that according to my BMI I'm overweight. I think I would be very happy/healthy around 158lbs, hence these 10 pounds.
I have tried low calories/higher calories etc etc. I did drop a bit at 1350 calories per day, but couldn't maintain eating that little. My goal right now is a consistent 1700 calories per day, whether I exercise or not. I find that easier to handle then trying to figure out eating back exercise calories etc etc. However, even 1700 calories seems like just not enough on some days. ANd then there are days where I ask myself why am I limiting myself when it doens't really get my anywhere. Of course it doens't help that my husband drops weight like it's nothing.
BTW, I'm 38 (tomorrow). Work full time, 2 kids that play lots of sports so evenings are packed and cannot seem to get up at 5am to squeeze a workout in every morning. Even if I could, I feel like my eating is more of an issue then my exercising....

strawberru314

Happy Birthday!

You mentioned that you were of a muscular build... did your doctor do a body fat calculator as well. BMI has is faults and so does the weight you see on the scale. It seems you are very busy with working and your children that maybe you need to set time aside for yourself too. Don't forget to do that. As far as the scale... I would say not to stress and to try to maintain. If you lose weight too, great. But if not, at least you are doing your best to eat healthy and work out when you can.