PLEASE HELP! *venting* ADVISE NEEDED!!!!!!!

Shrinkingmam0429
Shrinkingmam0429 Posts: 58 Member
in Motivation and Support
Okay, So I've been working my *kitten* off to live a healthier life, and loose weight. Back story on me, I gained 60lbs during pregnancy with my son 2 years ago, got on Birth control 6wks later, gained another 30 (Side note: I dont blame my weight gain on my child or birth control AT all. Obviously it factors in - I did nothing to help myself from gaining weight. ) In the last 2 years, I started college for nursing, planned a wedding, was a full time mom, got married (Theres where the wedding weigh factors in), didnt workout, Ate only 400cal a day, The list goes on.....

Anyways, In April 2012, I looked at myself in the mirror, and I was horrified, I lived behind the mindset, that no matter what I looked like, I was beautiful, So my weight wasnt a problem (Obviously incorrect) That day I didnt know Who was in the mirror looking back at me, I was mortified to see that was what I had become, I'm Young, I'm a nurse, I'm a wife, I'm Most importantly a mother, And I wanted to be proud of that, I saw someone OLD looking, Hurting in pain, Body aching everywhere, I saw someone who didnt care about them self, So that day I Mentally changed my life. the next day May 1,2012 I worked out for the First time in my life. Ever since then I've been in the gym every single night for an hour and a half drenched in sweat, doing kickboxing or Pilates an hour each day, Working 12hr shifts at the hospital, taking the stairs 8 flights up, 8 flights down multiple times a day, changed my eating, my emotional thought process, Total life transformation. I'm a wife and mom, and I need sleep too, so i cant imagine pushing myself any longer than I already am.....Having since lost 23lbs since may 1st, I've noticed my weight loss going lower and lower each month, 13lbs the first month, 7lbs the next, 3 this month, and it's like I loose weight, gain it back 1 day later, back and fourth and back and fourth, and I'm getting really discouraged.

Last Week, I woke up in horrible pain, in my abdominal area, cramping, and started bleeding, went to the ER - found out my Birth control IUD had removed itself from my Uterus and lodged into my cervix, Now not only is there a chance of pregnancy, I'm set back from working out because they surgically had to remove the IUD :(

I was so worried of gaining weight, and stupidly this morning, i got on the scale and gained another 3lbs. Basically felt like a total failure, and my mind it taking over again, negative thoughts are clouding the success I've already had with weight loss.

I understand perseverance is key. But I really need some Positive thoughts, or Advice, Anything that may help !


**Sorry so long!**

Replies

  • lshaunessy
    lshaunessy Posts: 64
    I don't usually reply to posts like this, because I'm nowhere close to being an expert. But I just felt like I needed to give you some encouragement. What you have accomplished so far is amazing, and you shouldn't get down about a small setback, which this will be. It's far better to make sure you're completely healed from your surgery before you get back to your workouts. Your weight loss is important, but not to the point you compromise your health. You're doing great, keep your chin up kiddo.
  • ali_supaslim
    ali_supaslim Posts: 34 Member
    I hear you and feel your pain girl! Been bobbing back and forth with the same few pounds FOR FOUR MONTHS! Small changes small changes small changes. One at a time knock out the things that are blocking you from your progress and goals! Not sure what those are for you.

    Food should always be looked at as "Today is a new day!" And as for workouts being derailed...think about shadow boxing at home. Great burn and low impact! Just move those arms for now!

    I wish you luck and hope you find strength and courage to move forward and have pride in what you have accomplished so far. 23 lbs is amazing! Keep going with pride!
  • ZugTheMegasaurus
    ZugTheMegasaurus Posts: 801 Member
    Try to remember that sometimes, life happens. You had a serious medical problem that had to be dealt with; that doesn't detract from everything you've accomplished so far. Those pounds are meaningless; you know that they aren't actual fat, and even if they were, you would know exactly what to do to take them right back off again.

    Follow your doctor's instructions to get better and then get right back to what you were doing. Nothing you've said signals any kind of failure, so don't let those thoughts lie to you and get you down.
  • etacarinae
    etacarinae Posts: 3 Member
    Ah, the old weight fluctuation frustration. It's so tempting to hop on the scale really often to see the change, but in reality it's not going to tell you much. Depending on what you ate, if it was high in sodium, if it was carby, if it was a whole huge list of things that could cause you to retain water (or conversely, to lose it) your weight can swing by several pounds a day. Mine does. Especially considering the stress you're under, and now with the medical procedure you had... it's totally normal!

    People often see a huge drop initially in their weight. You changed a million things. And depending on how your diet changed, your body could have just been releasing a lot of stored water, and now you're getting down to the business of actually losing fat. Also, keep in mind that by working out like that you're building muscle and that's going to slow the movement on the scale. But it's a good thing! Because it means the composition of your body is changing.

    If I might suggest, consider instead how you feel physically. How do your clothes fit? How do your workouts feel? If you've been training for a while it's not strange to imagine that your body has adjusted and doesn't need to work as hard to do the same thing as it did when you first started. But that's not necessarily bad either! It means you're getting stronger :)

    And keep in mind that weight loss often happens in "wooshes" - you don't see anything for weeks and then WAM! Several pounds seem to disappear over night. And most importantly, don't set your progress by the number on the scale. If you're body is improving, if you feel healthier, THAT is what is most important.

    Keep up the great work!
  • vtmoon
    vtmoon Posts: 3,436 Member
    I say give your self time to heal from the surgery then worry about the scale numbers. Your body is going through I lot I think and it's trying to heal.
  • fabandfunat51
    fabandfunat51 Posts: 117 Member
    You are doing so great Sweetie! Seriously! AS times goes by, your weight loss WILL slow down - no more 10-15lbs in a month. But you know what??? That proves you are getting fitter! When you are obese (or morbidly obese like I am), yes the weight comes off quickly, however what a gift to not be obese or morbidly obese anymore. I'll take the slow weight loss any time over that label!

    Also, STOP WEIGHING yourself so much! It becomes nothing but discouraging. You are recovering from surgery, and your body is totally out of whack so don't expect it to do what you want it to do - just let it heal, and continue to do what you are doing. Weigh maybe twice a month - on the first and fifteenth of the month for a true result, not the up and down of water weight each day. So discouraging!

    You should be so proud of your accomplishments so far because you are DOING GREAT!

    Hugs!
  • Dmarisol
    Dmarisol Posts: 35 Member
    Girl, don't worry it happens, take it a day at a time. You are doing a great job. Take care of your self and try to eat healthy. Just by eating healthy you can lose weight even if you are not able to exercise right away. :D
  • lcn1220
    lcn1220 Posts: 124 Member
    OP: Breathe. Understand that you're upset, but it's just a set back, it's not forever. And you've only plateaued that just means you should try new things i.e. different workouts, look into tweaking your diet.

    Can you go for walks? I wasn't allowed to workout proper after abdominal surgery, but I was allowed to walk. And did it daily in the evening until I was cleared to exercise more rigorously.

    Are there little tweaks you can do to your diet now?

    Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. Focus on things you can fix.

    Hang in there and good luck.
  • KrysGettinFit
    KrysGettinFit Posts: 131 Member
    You are doing GREAT! I just creeped on your pics and you look beautiful. Don't let yourself get to discouraged, every day is a new day! Just keep eating right and exercise when you can :) good luck!
  • infamousmk
    infamousmk Posts: 6,033 Member
    One day at a time! Make sure you're eating enough, minding your macros (getting enough protein), and don't sweat the scale. It's going to go up and down a few pounds here and there over the course of the month, but in the end, it's the long-term gradual loss that's going to count.

    As for the surgery, etc., try not to stress too much. It's just a small setback in the long run. Find activities you can do while in recovery, and don't give up just because of a bad day or even a bad week.


    It took a long time to gain the weight, it's going to take just as long to take it off. I started out 80+ pounds overweight, and I've only lost 20 pounds in the last year. But, I'm still doing better today than I was yesterday.
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    First....deep breath ....in....out

    Ok you are attacking this as a sprint while it is more like a marathon......if a marathon was like for life instead of 42k.

    First you do not have to do cardio for one hour and a half every single day. 45 minutes is more than enought, you will burn out and your body is abviously thinking this is the new "normal" and got used to do the same thing more efficiently. Mnaybe try to do some strength training.

    Secondly, your diary is not open so it is hard to help you....but I am guessing you are at 1200 calories net?

    Did you take a diet break for a few weeks? Eating at maintenance can be good for the body and the soul.

    Last, be gentle to yourself honey. You have your plate full.
  • wingsoffire
    wingsoffire Posts: 9
    First off you need time to take care of healing. If you don't heal fro this surgery it is going to keep you down longer. Secondly, you are doing so much! I applaud you. Give yourself some slack. Relax as much as you can. Stress isn't good for you either. When you are healed up and ready then get back into working out like you had been. Sometimes taking a break is the best thing for you. Also try to remember the scale is not telling you the whole story. Hang in there.
  • julesassid
    julesassid Posts: 49
    Surgery will cause you to retain fluid while you're healing. Just keep eating healthy and walk when your doctor says you can and get back to the gym when you get the all clear.
    If it makes you feel better, I've been working out and eatting better since February 2012 and I just now lost 25 lbs. Slow and steady wins this race. You're doing all of the right things - congratulate yourself on all the positive changes you've made. Notice clothing fitting better, your endurance building and forget about the numbers on the scale. Also remember that you're not alone - we're all frustrated by how slowly the lbs come off (and how easy they can come on)!
    Good luck!
  • yychen01
    yychen01 Posts: 31 Member
    You're doing great! Make sure you give your body enough time to recover before exercising again. The previous post is correct: you don't have to run for an hr and a half, just 45 minutes will help you lose weight at a steady pace. As for the one or two pound fluctuations, I really wouldn't even think about it unless it was more than 5 pounds. For us women, water retention happens easily and often. I think your progress is really amazing. Keep your head up. :)
  • hockeymama1963
    hockeymama1963 Posts: 45 Member
    Sweetie don't worry about the weight right now. Get better from your surgery and keep eating healthy. Your body needs the nutrition to heal itself. The weight wil come off if you keep following the plan and working out when the doctor says it is ok to get back in the gym. You have come a long way sweetheart and you will make it. Keep studying,and finish your nursing clinicals, enjoy your new hubby and little one. Life is too short to worry. Do what is right and God will take care of the rest.

    Love and Hugs

    Angela
  • icesk8ermom
    icesk8ermom Posts: 82 Member
    Quote what everyone else has already said!!!

    You are doing great, keep in mind that your hormones are also probably totally out of whack also right now which plays a big factor in weight loss and depression.

    Keep your chin up your doing great! If you don't listen to your body and take care of it you can cause yourself more harm. Someone suggested arm exercises that was a great recommendation...doing some arm punches will give you something to do and make you feel like you’re are still doing something positive and will also help release some endorphins that your needing to release to increase your spirits and help with some slight depression.

    ~ Best of luck
  • hgaspard83
    hgaspard83 Posts: 66 Member
    I agree today is a new day, and you hold on to water weight after being laid up for surgery. Dont let it bother you. Good LUCK !!!

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