Frustrated.

ssampsel18

So I've become really frustrated as of late and was hoping someone might have greater insight in what I should do to continue to progress or just to find other people with similar measurements and goals to my own who could be a buddy of sorts to keep each other motivated.

So I'm 5'5'' and according to my weigh in as of this morning, I weigh 169.5. (I'm frustrated because my last weigh-in a few days ago, I was at 168) I know that this isn't all about the number on the scale however it still makes me feel like all my hard work is for nothing. (I know that's not true, but it still feels that way.)

Anyway I'm shooting for the 145 range. I really just want to be a size 8. When I started losing weight I didn't weigh myself so I honestly have no idea how much weight I've lost. I was at my highest a size 20 in jeans and currently I wear size 14 which I'm proud of. I did that in about 2 years. Once I got to 183ish I began consciously thinking about counting calories and having a goal weight. Myfitnesspal worked really well for a while and I got down to 170 and plateaued and went back and forth between 170-173. I got lazy for a few months and started a new medication that made losing weight very difficult.

Since the new year, I have been very mindful and on top of my eating. I have not surpassed 1590calories a day for all of 2013 and it seemed to be working. I had lost 2 pounds in about two weeks and then this morning for no reason I can decipher I've gained a pound and a half.

Has this happened to anyone else? What did you do? Any help or support would be so appreciated. I'm a college student in NYC and most of my friends are model thin (As in they are actually models) and no one really understands what I am going through.

aprileko71

First of all, congratulations on what you've accomplished so far! It is SO hard to lose weight so you need to look at it from a standpoint of 'Hey! I just did that!!' I too find it difficult to lose weight as I take a medication that is an appetite stimulant..I'm also 41 years old and its true that it just gets harder the older you get. I know we aren't cookie cutter and what works for someone may not work for someone else, but for me I have to eat a higher amount of protein than what my stat's say. Everyday I am over in that category. It's kind of unnerving seeing it in red at the end of the day, but I have always lost weight in the past by upping my protein via shakes, low fat dairy, lean meats etc. You didn't mention what kind of exercise you do, but have you considered lifting weights? It isn't a huge calorie burn like cardio, but you continue to burn even after lifting and you don't really need to dedicate much time to it..2-3 times a week. I do 3x weekly for about 30 minutes. I do cardio as well, but that is just because I want a healthy heart. From all I've read when you plateau you need something to shock the body because it becomes used to what you've been doing so far. This may be the unexpected think you need...or whatever exercise you like that is different from what you are currently doing. Hope this helps...keep up the good work!!