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MyFitnessPal Community

So frustrated!

woodwardtm

I am so frustrated today. I am meeting my calorie goals and exercising almost every day. The past 2 days I have done 50 and 55 minutes of cardio respectively. I just want the scale to budge a little so that I get some type of positive reinforcement. It seems when you go from comepletely sedentary to exercising daily, you should see some reward! It is no wonder people get frustrated and give up. Let's hope the plateau breaks soon as I need some positive reinforcement to keep me motivated to do this.

Replies

vickthedick

I'm having the opposite problem. I've lost 4 lbs in 2 days. i think my scale is broken

lkokot

I know that feeling...been "stuck" for the past 2 months after losing 45lbs...

FFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUU Weight Loss!

ktsmom430

Don't give up!

It will happen, just stick with it and keep your eye on portion sizes for your food intake.

You are worth it and it will happen.

EmilyOfTheSun

It's only two days. You need to be a bit more patient.

woodwardtm

I am just starting and you would think that such a change in eating and exercising would be bringing some immediate results but so far I am not seeing a reward for the hard work and sacrifice. It is supposed to show the most results at the beginning but I am not seeing it. Ugh!!!

woodwardtm

It isn't only 2 days. I have exercising daily for a week and have just bumped things up over the last 2 days to see if I could get better results.

dittmarml

How long have you been doing this? It can take a month or more depending on a whole lot of individual factors.

Your body needs time to adjust to increased exercise and to changes in diet. It operates in such a way as to maintain equilibrium so changes need time to affect the entire system. A change on the scale is just a tiny indicator.

Also if we saw your diary we might be able to make suggestions that help you. Weight loss is largely determined by what you're taking in...exercise can bump up metabolic rate (which also takes weeks) and certainly is good for your overall fitness level but most of it is about your food intake.

52in13

Keep it up! A plateau is not two days, wait a week and see what happens. You have to build some muscle so it can burn those calories.

Whatever you do, don't give up.

If you keep at it and it doesn't work, go to the doctor and have them check your TSH levels (your thyroid). There are new studies that show that what they thought was normal really isn't. I just got diagnosed last year with hypothyroidism.

OlyOtis

Change things up. If you stick with a similar routine your body adapts. Try sprints instead of cardio for example. Lift heavy wights for low reps rather than light weights for high reps. Keep the body confused.

_kannnd

Food wise, you should open up your diary to let people know what it is you are eating. How many calories are you eating a day? If you are working out every day, you should be eating more. Do you eat your exercise calories back? Working out a lot means your body needs more fuel. And you also need to be eating the right foods. Just because you are staying within your calorie range, doesn't mean that you are eating the right foods.

You should also take measurements instead of just depending on the scale. I've gone several times where I've stayed the same weight for a while, yet I've lost several inches. The scale isn't always your friend, but you can see general improvements with measurements.

Also, if it's only been 2 days, you can't really expect to see big results. You need to give it some time. You can't expect to see immediately dramatic results.

EmilyOfTheSun

It isn't only 2 days. I have exercising daily for a week and have just bumped things up over the last 2 days to see if I could get better results.

When I first started working out, it took three weeks for the scale to move. After those first three weeks, the pounds started coming off consistently and steadily.

morkiemama

Changing up your exercise intensity can cause your body to retain water. Remember it is new to this too and is probably freaking out a bit. Give it some real time and if your eating is on target you will see a loss

sweetbn

Its hard but you WONT see results right away. This is a marathon not a sprint!! The thing I tell myself is that I didnt put the weight on in 2 days, how can I expect it to come off in 2 days?? Just keep up the good work, it will all pay off in the end!!!

sweetbn

Also, get a scale to weigh your food and a heart rate monitor to see how much you are burning in exercise. Sometimes MFP is way off on the calories burned and also when I eyeball things for size they are WAY off what the scale says

MSM3M3

Don't get frustrated sometimes you are losing weight
its just the way the process works u can lose 5IBS of
fat but it was converted into 5IBS of muscles so your gonna
stay the same weight that's if your doing strength training
that is. that's why i love those high tech weighting scales
tell you everything.

NJSunshine13

Slow and steady wins the race. It could just be water retention or something. Keep up the exercise and eating right. You WILL see results. I know it's frustrating and you want to quit, but this is not a diet, it's a lifestyle and there's no quitting. Stay strong. We will give you the positive feedback. To hell with the scale

JesterMFP

Be patient. You need to look at things longer-term. You can't expect to see results over days, it's more like weeks and months. I know it's hard at the beginning when you're so motivated, and excited to see change. It will come, it just happens slower than most people expect. Try and find something else to keep that motivation going, other than seeing a drop on the scale.

sammyleebun

Hello. Take a look at what you are eating and how much water you are consuming.. I had such a hard time getting back to the basics. Keep your head up.. I only weigh on Sundays.. so try to pick one day and see if that helps.. You can do this.. be patient..

Caletagirl

Don't give up. I have just started and I'm determined to not go on the scales. I have been doing hardcore exercise the last week and I am aching and tired but I am determined. Your body will take time to adjust but stick with it. Maybe give yourself a longer time to weigh yourself? It might mentally make you work harder. I am weighing myself in 5 weeks, will also give me time to get into eating the right foods and portions.
Good luck

Bella431

You really should only weigh yourself once a week. You are going to bounce daily, so don't give up......just stay on track! YOU CAN DO IT!

langsyne

Dont forget that muscle weighs more than fat. You could be losing fat and inches but gaining muscle so the scales wont move. I don't own scales, only a tape measure. I have no interest in what I weigh, when my clothes start to get loose and I can fit into my old clothes I'll know I'm there.

meredith1123

A couple of days may not reflect a weight loss, especially if you had a high calorie weekend. I tend to splurge on weekends and then it takes until Wednesday for my Monday and Tuesday work out and eating routines to bounce into place and reflect on the scale. I'd suggest not weighing yourself every day. That is SO discouraging. Even on a good week when i've done everything perfectly i can fluctuate in weight before I finally start to show a loss on the scale.

Also change your cardio routine around. stay consistent with your time of work outs but maybe do different styles of cardio a couple of times a week. your body adjusts rather quickly to the same repetitive work out.

When you weigh once a week - weigh CONSISTENTLY. Weigh on the same day each week, at the same time ( i recommend first thing in morning), wearing the same clothes. You may find this works better for you.

akaMrsmojo

The scale is flicked, it will happen. Plus check your measurements, many time you are losing inches and cannot tell on the scales. When I first started, I would lose then get stuck for a week or so and suddenly drop.

You may also not being eating enough. If you are working that hard, your body needs to be replenished with calories.

Are you eating back your calories?

gingertreat

OP I can relate. I clicked on the "Motivation and support" message boards for precisely the same reason you posted. I feel like I've been working out and eating right for weeks at least and then I notice it's only been 9 days into the new year -.- haha. Don't give up and keep going.

topper133

Firstly stop getting on the scales everyday! You'll only end up disappointed and for many reasons already posted (i.e. Muscle weighs more than fat etc), only weekly+ measurements will tell the tale, I personally would do it every 2 weeks.

Just enjoy your new found motivation and you will notice the health benefits quicker than you will body aesthetics!!!

luperaz

Lets look at the weight loss math. 3500 calories is 1 pound of fat, 50 mins of good cardio is 500 calories. There is almost no possible way to burn 3500 calories in 2 days let alone a week. I do crazy Cardio and eat right and only lose about 1 pound a week. Sometimes it comes off slowly sometimes or sometimes I lose quickly. Give yourself and your body a chance. doing 50 mins of cardio a day is a big accomplishment you should be proud, not many people the discipline to do that.

meredith1123

The scale is flicked, it will happen. Plus check your measurements, many time you are losing inches and cannot tell on the scales. When I first started, I would lose then get stuck for a week or so and suddenly drop.

You may also not being eating enough. If you are working that hard, your body needs to be replenished with calories.

Are you eating back your calories?

you dont necessarily need to eat any calories you burn off especially if your cardio work out is less than an hour a day. If i were to eat those calories back for an hours worth of cardio, i'd never drop the weight correctly or at all really.
If you arent busting your *kitten* for 3 hours a day, i'd say stick to your goal calories each day and leave your 'burned/earned calories' alone. those are a bonus and save them for the weekend in case you need to splurge. its all about balance!!!

And i do agree with inches. sometimes we lose inches and not weight. check your measurements!

Renegade408

How are you feeling?

I have found that I might not lose weight, but I feel like I have more energy and can push myself a little harder.

Also, step away from the scale. Try weighing only once a week. I have started weighing on Sunday mornings first thing.

BlackTimber

Changing your lifestyle is not measured in hours or days. If the scale becomes bothersome then just keep doing what you are doing and weigh yourself a month from now. Even you didn't lose an ounce but you were active for 30 days, you are going to feel way better and probably look better too. For now I would say, keep it simple:

Focus on your calories.
Eat back ~50% of your exercise calories.
Experiment with different forms of exercise to find one that fits what you LIKE to do.

As you get more into it you will want to pay a little more attention to exactly what your eating. There are so many theories about what foods are healthy or not, it will make your head spin. Avoid any "special" diets - they are designed to take your money, not make you healthy. Avoid supplements. The majority of supplements will do ~5% of what you expect them to do, again they are designed to take your money, not make you healthy.

It took me three weeks before I lost any scale weight. But since then (30ish weeks) I have lost ~40 pounds at a relatively steady rate. It will happen if you want it to.

GoddessG

I was "stuck" for nearly 2 weeks. SO FRUSTRATING!!!!!

So I reviewed my food (nutrition) log and realized that I was no longer drink anywhere near the water that I should be drinking each day. So I computed minimum water needs (weight in lbs * .75 = minimum ounces) On 3rd day, it started coming off again bounteously. (3.1 lbs in 2 days before slowing back down)

I also pulled out my measuring tape. As I am very obese, it's hard to measure the exact same place twice in a row, so I measure my circumference just under my breast. I may not have lost ounces, let alone pounds, but I did lose an inch in a week. I just added measuring the neck but only have one reading so far.

As I reviewed the nutrition log this morning, I realize that since my water intake is up, my protein intake is down. This isn't good. Protein builds muscle and the more muscle we have, the higher our metabolism = more calories burned without exercise. So I'm reworking my eating plan to accommodate both. (Minimum protein requirement = wt in pounds * .37 = grams of protein

I am finding this journey very educational.