20 days and nothing to show for it...

I'm dealing with adult son living here, using meth; big blow-up; he left. If anything, I'm even more agitated since he left because I don't know where he's gone or what he's doing. In the old days (as recent as 5 weeks ago), I would be in the kitchen gnawing my way through the contents of the refrigerator and cabinets like a giant slug. I learned a long time ago that stuffing myself to the point of misery with food completely eclipses whatever problems I might be having.

A month ago I made a meal plan for myself and have been sticking with it as closely as I can. That's my focus - appropriate meals and water. I'm not going to weigh myself more than once a month. If I eat appropriately, I trust that the weight will come off.

But OMG the emotions that have been coming up without me stuffing them down with food. I'm dealing, but it's rocky.

You can deal, too. I'm sure I don't have anything special that you don't have.

I hit my 20 day log in mark and yet have nothing to show for loss. I've fluctuated gaining a pound or two and losing a pound or two and vice versa.

A lot of personal issues have been going on that have left me unmotivated and extrememly emotional.

I shouldn't use that as an excuse for not losing but that's more or less the reason for it. I haven't been able to focus on anything but the problems I've been going through.

How have others dealt with mini/major crisis AND still able to lose?

I'm frustrated with seeing 20 days logged and my ticker saying 0lbs lost

I joined MFP in April. On May 1st, I had my first migraine and my doctor decided to do a spinal tap on me, which left me out of commission for a month. After that, a couple of months later, I lost 15 lbs. Then in July, my favorite uncle died, and I took another month off. I still logged in everyday, but I was majorly depressed after that. Finally in August, I pulled myself out of the funk and started working out again, and I have lost 22 lbs altogether now. My point is, that crap happens, but we get through it. You just have to give yourself time, not be to hard on yourself and never give up. Hang tough, honey bunny!

I hit my 20 day log in mark and yet have nothing to show for loss. I've fluctuated gaining a pound or two and losing a pound or two and vice versa.

A lot of personal issues have been going on that have left me unmotivated and extrememly emotional.

I shouldn't use that as an excuse for not losing but that's more or less the reason for it. I haven't been able to focus on anything but the problems I've been going through.

How have others dealt with mini/major crisis AND still able to lose?

I'm frustrated with seeing 20 days logged and my ticker saying 0lbs lost

A big part of weight loss is being emotionally stable. The reason that is is because most of us will eat foods as "comfort foods" to feel better about the emotional problems we are going through. Also, when we are not emotionally stable, we will have excess cortisol and depleted magnesium stores and both of these are TERRIBLE for losing fat or scale weight.

Join an online support group and get through whatever trouble you're having so you can get on the bandwagon of weight loss. If that means dumping a boyfriend or kicking a husband to the couch while you get to become a better "you" then so be it!

savingfaith, i totally agree with everything the previous posters have stated. Further, I would ask if have you taken your measurements. you can log them with your weight on mfp and track success that way. Losing inches can be an even better indicator that you are losing. And I have lost inches when I have maintained and not loss. We are MFP friends so I know you have been logging pretty regularly because I see you on there. That is something. That is not just something that is an awesome accomplishment. They say it takes 21 days to make a habit. I would encourage you to think about what good habits you have been making these past twenty days. Try to focus on the positive and change your thinking so it is more positive.

Sometimes it takes a little while to build up momentum and really get going. An example is when you are making a u turn, which is basically what you are doing. I seached for posts about successful weight loss once and found an article about that on dropping weight. That article said people successful at weight loss ate breakfast, when they started to gain weight they immediatley worked harder and corrected it, they logged their food regularly, they ate under a certain amount of calories, and weighed themselves regularly, That's all I remember. Try to cultivate good habits of successful people. What are people that are losing weight on my fitness pal doing? I like to look at their food and exercise journals and try to emmulate successful people.

I hope the things adding to your stress level eases soon. I hope the best for you and feel free to hit me up anytime. Keep going and hang in there. You will see results.

Internal changes comes first, external changes come second.

It also helps if you have an open diary so that people can see what you are eating and offer suggestions for avoiding common problems even if you are fighting stresses.

Just joined after urging from many who listened to my whining! I think I am going to have a hard time with it too but you are trying and.....you need to stick with it.

You have alot to prioritize and as long as you can maintain (flucuate +/-) then you should not get down about it.

I have a good feeling you will do fine - just don't give up:flowerforyou:

I just looked at your diary and just saying the foods you are eating are probably the cause for no weight loss. I have to say they sound wonderful, I would love to eat them, but unfortunately if I did I would not lose either maybe gain. If choosing a better food choice you would lose and could even eat a lot more than what you are. Just saying...

I hit my 20 day log in mark and yet have nothing to show for loss. I've fluctuated gaining a pound or two and losing a pound or two and vice versa.

A lot of personal issues have been going on that have left me unmotivated and extrememly emotional.

I shouldn't use that as an excuse for not losing but that's more or less the reason for it. I haven't been able to focus on anything but the problems I've been going through.

How have others dealt with mini/major crisis AND still able to lose?

I'm frustrated with seeing 20 days logged and my ticker saying 0lbs lost

I went and looked through your diary, and honestly, what I saw was a LOT of CRAP. I went through about a week and saw incomplete or missing meals...and mostly JUNK. I'm not sure I saw a fruit or veggie at all And honestly, I think MFP allows too many carbs.

I would suggest something like scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast instead of a McDonalds frappe. I have 2 fresh eggs ( we own chickens, so usually they are like 5 days old), 2-4 slices of soy bacon, and either a greek yogurt or 1/2 cup cottage cheese. That is under 400 calories and under 20g net carbs.

For lunch, a HUGE salad with romaine, cheese, cucumbers, and 3-4oz of chicken or turkey. Up to 2 Tablespoons of dressing ( i put my salad in a container with a lid, put on dressing, then cover and shake). Many times I will also have a nature valley protein granola bar. If you want McDonalds or Wendy's, go ahead..but take the top bun off and DO NOT have fries. I have also done a wrap using high fiber/low carb tortillas.

For dinner, fill in the gaps left from breakfast and lunch-- meat and veggies, starch only if you have carbs left.

I know some of what I have said is harsh, and I don't mean to hurt you...but I want you to succeed, and it will be VERY difficult the way you have been eating. The first week after I tweaked my diet (I had been eating within calorie limits, but not watching macros closely) I lost 4.8lbs. The first month was 8-9lbs. Before that it took me the 3 months to lose 7lbs!