How to stay motivated when you're not losing????

Julieandpaloma
Julieandpaloma Posts: 20 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I've been dieting and exercising pretty hard for the past 5 weeks - and have only lost 1 pound. How do you guys stay motivated when you don't see results?

Replies

  • DanaDark
    DanaDark Posts: 2,187 Member
    I take measurements and calculations.

    Neck
    Waist
    Hips
    Military Body Fat Calculator
    Electrical Impedance Calculator

    And try to see how well clothes are fitting.

    This week, I registered 0 weight loss. But, saw reductions in every measurement. So, I think I am retaining water a little more... kinda had a lot of sodium last night!
  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    well... only you can decide to keep going.

    However, what is the alternative? Give up? Decide to be overweight and be fine with it? That part is up to you, but if you want to change your body, you are going to have to fight for the results. It isn't easy in today's culture.

    So you've made some changes and lost 1 lb. How often do you weigh? Are you sure it is just 1 lb? What was your goal during that 5 weeks? The reason I ask this stuff is because it could be that your measurement was wrong. It could also mean that you need to make another change to get the results you want. The calorie intake and expenditure are estimates and sometimes that part is wrong. There are a lot of variables to consider.

    All I can tell you, is that if you want the results, you have to just keep trying. Don't necessarily keep doing the same things, but experiment (for a month or so for each change) until you find a routine that works.
  • mary94523
    mary94523 Posts: 2
    GauchoMark, I came to this board today to ask the question, How do I stay motivated when I'm not losing? And guess what. Your answer was perfect, just what I needed to hear. You're right! Do I want to just GIVE UP? No, I don't. So, I'll keep moving forward and see what happens when I tweak caloric intake or type of exercise. Thank you so much.
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    I've been dieting and exercising pretty hard for the past 5 weeks - and have only lost 1 pound. How do you guys stay motivated when you don't see results?

    pictures. The scale is a lying *kitten*, but photos are not.

    there is only about a 3-4lbs difference between the picture on the left and the picture on the right

    8333632541_30b15c1f26_b.jpg
    sept-dec by crochetmom2010, on Flickr
  • concordancia
    concordancia Posts: 5,320 Member
    I set fitness and nutrition goals, so that I have things to work towards besides pounds lost- especially since the pounds won't get lost.

    I even have a longevity goal - I will reward myself as long as I am still sticking with the program, no matter what the scale says.
  • jc2103
    jc2103 Posts: 11
    How do you guys stay motivated when you don't see results?
    Keep in mind that the scale is just one way to measure progress (and it's not a particularly good one). Using a scale only measures how much you weigh. It doesn't take into account measurements, it doesn't differentiate between lean mass and fatty tissue.

    Ask yourself... how do your clothes fit? Do you see a difference in tone (this will take a good bit longer than five weeks)? Do you have more energy? Feel good after a workout? Sleep more soundly?

    Combined those answers are a better indication than just what a scale reads.
  • gmallan
    gmallan Posts: 2,099 Member
    Apart from using alternate measurement methods (tape measure, bf%, pictures), it helps to have goals that aren't related to weight loss. Run a certain distance without stopping, improve time on a run, squat a certain weight, do a pull-up. The options are endless really. This will ensure that even when you aren't progressing on weight loss you stay motivated and is especially important when you are getting really close to maintenance

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