I do get a little down about seeing people that put up before and after pictures when they had only twenty pounds to lose in the first place, or they start a exercise program and tone up and they look awesome. I'm sure it is jealousy and some shame that i had let myself get to this point in the first place. It is especially frustrating to me when I know I have lost weight and my clothes are looser and I run into someone I haven't seen for awhile and they don't notice I just keep telling myself that pretty soon I will have some before and afters to post.

It can be frustrating. I try not to spent much time reading/focus on the smaller loss posts. They are in a very different place than I am and whatever isn't supporting/helping me in my journey. It's not that I'm not happy for them, because I am. My time and energy has limits and I must prioritize what I spend it on. Which is my journey and others who are on the

Honestly I havent had that feeling about that topic but I can relate to the actual feeling- for me it was seeing others pregnant or with babies- my out of control eating and habits have prevented me from getting pregnant- but that is what it is- I have forgiven myself for that.

So I can relate to having that feeling of frustration inside of you

Someday soon you will get that - gee did you do your hair different did you get new clothes.... at first they will be able to tell something is different but not put their finger on it and then a lil after that you'll be getting the gee you look great you been loosing weight??

Till then keep coming here and we all will dote love and kudos upon u!!

I gotta go clean lol tteveryone l8r

Its hard to see some post where the girls at 135 call themselves fat. I couldn't tell you the last time I saw that number. It gets very discouraging mostly because their struggle is so very different from mine. I'm not worried about the cute two piece yet I'm worried about the arthritis. I'm worried about not being able to get up off the may at my daughters karate class. While I have met some great people on mfp I just find at times its hard relate

I take progress pics of myself weekly so that when I am feeling discouraged, I can stare at them until I make myself see the changes (even tiny ones) that my body is making. I am really trying to focus inward and not compare my eating, exercise, or progress with others so that I stay encouraged and positive.

And yes, it's hard than a B&^%#!!!!!

I experienced many of the frustrations y'all have mentioned (and I recognize that it's easier for men to recover). All I can do is mention a few things that I learned in the past couple of years:

1. Don't diet. You must instead 'change to a healthier lifestyle'. Look at it as permanent correction of a bad habit, not a temporary fix.
2. Throw away your scale (or at least hide it). Your weight is relatively impertinent, and it will shift up and down constantly as you become healthier. You should only weigh-in once a month or so. Use tangible goals to gauge your progress instead, such as 'I hiked my route twice for the first time', or 'I just donated all my XXL shirts'.
3. Ignore the mirror until you are 8-12 months along -- the changes are gradual and you won't be able to easily perceive them (and if you are like me, you don't have a good body image to begin with). Once you've been at it for at least 6 months or so, visit someone you haven't seen in a while (a chance to reconnect w/ a friend) -- you're likely to get a huge boost when they see your progress.
4. Estimate your exercise conservatively (round down to the nearest 100), and your calorie intake liberally (round up to the nearest 50).
5. Stick with it. At times it will be will easier than anticipated, and other times, it will ROYALLY SUCK! Just keep swimming...just keep swimming....just keep swimming.
6. Don't cheat. If you go searching for an excuse, any will do. You can convince yourself of just about anything (esp when chocolate cheesecake is involved).

I take progress pics of myself weekly so that when I am feeling discouraged, I can stare at them until I make myself see the changes (even tiny ones) that my body is making. I am really trying to focus inward and not compare my eating, exercise, or progress with others so that I stay encouraged and positive.

And yes, it's hard than a B&^%#!!!!!

I like this idea too. maybe wearing the same clothes every time.

I take progress pics of myself weekly so that when I am feeling discouraged, I can stare at them until I make myself see the changes (even tiny ones) that my body is making. I am really trying to focus inward and not compare my eating, exercise, or progress with others so that I stay encouraged and positive.

And yes, it's hard than a B&^%#!!!!!

I like this idea too. maybe wearing the same clothes every time.

Exactly! I have one set in a matching sports bra/shorts (I take it in my bathroom every two weeks or so), another set in my swimsuit (taken by a swim classmate every month), and a set of me in my work clothes (taken by a colleague every two weeks). I make side-by-side progress photos using them very often. It really helps with the motivation and also with deciding next steps with my fitness routine based on my body's changes

I experienced many of the frustrations y'all have mentioned (and I recognize that it's easier for men to recover). All I can do is mention a few things that I learned in the past couple of years:

1. Don't diet. You must instead 'change to a healthier lifestyle'. Look at it as permanent correction of a bad habit, not a temporary fix.
2. Throw away your scale (or at least hide it). Your weight is relatively impertinent, and it will shift up and down constantly as you become healthier. You should only weigh-in once a month or so. Use tangible goals to gauge your progress instead, such as 'I hiked my route twice for the first time', or 'I just donated all my XXL shirts'.
3. Ignore the mirror until you are 8-12 months along -- the changes are gradual and you won't be able to easily perceive them (and if you are like me, you don't have a good body image to begin with). Once you've been at it for at least 6 months or so, visit someone you haven't seen in a while (a chance to reconnect w/ a friend) -- you're likely to get a huge boost when they see your progress.
4. Estimate your exercise conservatively (round down to the nearest 100), and your calorie intake liberally (round up to the nearest 50).
5. Stick with it. At times it will be will easier than anticipated, and other times, it will ROYALLY SUCK! Just keep swimming...just keep swimming....just keep swimming.
6. Don't cheat. If you go searching for an excuse, any will do. You can convince yourself of just about anything (esp when chocolate cheesecake is involved).

this is my new bible

I hate seeing those pics too! But I try to envision that being my pic some day and use it for motivation. It's hard, but no one is happy with their own body, not even the skinny folks