HELP! ON THE VERGE OF QUITTING!!!!

Not to be a mega-b*tch, although I am, if you think that you are going to lose weight every week, you are wrong. I have gone periods as short as three weeks and as long as almost three months without losing. If you are going to give up that easily because you didn't get numerical confirmation that you are changing your life for the better, maybe you should quit. This isn't easy, but it's worth it.

A good day of eating is not 800 calories! I had a quick look at your journal - not enough calories, not enough protein, good carbs and veggies. 5-6 meals per day, proper hydration, adequate sleep, good fats, stay away from high processed foods and then practice patience. You need to get in for the looooooooooong haul

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

This: too few calories, too much processed stuff, not enough water, really hard exercise on some days, but not consistent.

You are making it too hard. Eat well and balanced. Do go under by so many calories. Exercise most days for 30-45 minutes.

I would have hit the jackpot if I were paid for these threads today. :grumble:


Your body can fluctuate more than that (not fat, not muscle) on a daily basis. That is all you need to know!

^^^This. Even if your diary was public, this would still be the answer.

Agreed. Also, weight loss isn't measured by "yesterday"...it is a measure of progress over time. What you ate yesterday won't necessarily show up in your weight today. As long as your weight goes down over many months, you're doing it correctly.

Let me just say, PLEASE do NOT give up... A quote I love, and tell my self consistently:
"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got"

Keep pushing, and know that your body weight can fluctuate 5lbs up and down.. I get discouraged too, we all do.
Remember that your healing your body, and becomming more healthy internally, that's what should matter most.

KEEP going , your down 9lbs!! Get your second win!

Start tracking your sodium. I consumed a large quantity the other day. Weighed myself the next morning and I was up 2lbs. Weighed myself this morning and now I'm down 2 lbs.

Don't give up! Even if you have a not so good day, you can always get back on track the next.

Good luck!

Dood! thats just not a good idea. Thats probably why there is a mfp to begin with lol.

If you are working out, in the beginning I always gain a couple of lbs while fat gets changed into muscle and then after a couple of weeks of tracking what I eat and continuing to exercise, the lbs start melting away. Also, sometimes the scale is not the best indicator. Take other measurements, follow whatever program you are on and take the measurements again in 1 month, no cheating, it is only a month, it will be worth it. Keep going! Let me know how it goes!

Gained 3, lost 2 = a gain of 1 pound which can totally be attributed to normal daily weight fluctuations and you're ready to throw the towel in? You need to re-evaluate how committed you are to this lifestyle change? And you're basing your decision off of the last 2 weeks? Weight loss takes time....it didn't take you 2 weeks to gain the weight did it? You need to re-committ, log every single bite (there's some sketchy logging in your diary), stop weighing yourself so frequently, once a week if you must but once a month is even better. Make healthy food choices, stay in your calorie goal, drink lot's of water and exercise....and have patience.

I gained back 16 pounds the last month went back over 200 and my size 16 pants are super tight now. But you know what tomorrow is a new day. You can do this. Don't give up because the scale isn;t moving. Let me tell you about my spinal fusion surgery I was scheduled for soon. It's been put off indefinately. Why because I started working out, lifting weights, and now I hardly even need pain medication now. Wow, I feel like a human being again. MFP will help you. You can do this.

The Human spirit is amazing. You don't even know what youre capable until you try. A year and half ago I left my spouse of 10 years a drug addict who left me 250,000 dollars in debt, I was in academic bankruptcy in grad school and default on my student loans, I also owe 4 years back taxes to the IRS and had to file them married filing seperate because he kept his W2s which made me owe over 4000. I was evicted from my house, got my car reposed and he stole my pay check while I had a kidney infection. I was suicidal...But this week I purchased my first car since the divorce, my tax return will pay almost my whole back taxes, I have a job using my degree which I will be at a year next month and my student loans are out of default, plus I weight 30 pounds less than when I was married and I got my name back. Did I mention I was 17 hours from home and all friends and family. I also survived being rearended by a semi and have disc injury in my back. So no excuses you can do this.. if I can you can..



So don't quit. Yo ucan do this...

There are single parents with 2-3 kids on MFP that have managed to figure out meals and workouts.

Stop weighing yourself so much - the scale is unreliable. Limit it to once every 2-3 weeks and rely on measurements.

Log everything! Even if it is a bad day - log it. And don't undereat. I see a few days where you come in at 400-700 cals. There are other days you are coming in just over 1100.

It's not about ONLY eating healthy...that's why I really dislike when people adopt an all or nothing attitude. Eat what you are able to afford or make that fits in your calorie goals. Changes in eating habits take time...but at least get yourself used to watching your portions.

Just honestly though - you are coming so low under your calorie goals.


If you want, check out this link by MFPer Heliotsdan - It'll give you a detailed walkthrough (with pictures even) on finding your TDEE and calculating what you should be eating.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

Or for a different version to figure out your TDEE, as well as some great advice...check out:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833500-what-do-i-do-common-sense-cliff-notes
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/844040-raspberry-ketones-for-the-rest-of-us


Also, if you are worried about the calorie intake, I also suggest you read this thread that has numerous people who met their goals and are maintaining. Some for years and they also provide their calorie intake and how often they work out.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/816542-let-s-hear-it-for-maintainenance


For more information about fitness and nutrition, I highly suggest checking out and joining this group: (Read all the stickies. It's great information to know.)
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10118-eat-train-progress
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/865230-resources-and-references


For those eating below their BMR:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/81391-starvation-mode-myths-and-science
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/859495-if-only-i-had-known?page=1#posts-12919931


For the whole eating under a 1000 calories, look...you are going to do what you want but check out the link below at some of the stories of people who thought it was okay (especially because they weren't "feeling" hungry a lot of times) but ended up regretting it. These links are just information to give you options. I'm not preaching or trying to tell you or anyone what is the "right way"...just throwing some info your way is all.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/521480-1000-calories-or-less-a-day
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing
http://www.fitwatch.com/weight-loss/3-reasons-why-eating-less-than-1000-calories-is-a-waste-of-time-3347.html


Yes, this is can all be overwhelming and complicated , but you are more than welcome to ask questions on the post.
One of the things that I have found that has been one of the best methods for me to get fit is to understand fitness. To understand where all these figures, etc come from.

The good thing is once you get the hang of it - it is something you'll be aware of constantly and you'll get a better understanding about your eating habits.

So I HIGHLY suggest making the effort to take every chance to educate yourself. Even if you don't end up going with any of these methods, calculations, etc - at least you understand what they are, where others are coming from, and maybe they will still be able to help you figure out what is best for you.

Also - this is your life and you are in control of it. If you want, you'll figure out a way to eat healthier, plan meal options etc. Like I said, there are many single parents with 2+ kids that are struggling, but they have managed to do it. And hopefully with you taking better care of yourself (through food and exercise), your kids will also notice and look up to you, adopting your new healthy habits as well.

Also keep in mind that the only way to fail is to quit. Here are some quotes that I have on my profile that remind me to keep moving forward...two of them from those that are on MFP.

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.” ~Maya Angelou

"Don't worry about yesterday. You've got the knowledge to go forward and that's all that counts" - MFPer DavPul

"Stop being weak, only weak people allow themselves to be sabotaged" - MFPer Acg67

***After looking at your diary, I can see where you are going wrong. You are either eating way too little, or way too much. When you go under your calories, you are putting your body into starvation mode, then after a few days or so of doing that, your body tells you to EAT!!! So you do, and since you've been pretty hungry for several days....you overdo it! You have got to eat back your exercise calories on here! If you don't you will be setting yourself up for hunger. Some people can get away with not eating them, and do ok, but most of us can't. Be careful not to overestimate calories burned, though. Also, you should try n eat healthy every 2-3 hours. Don't let yourself get too hungry. Also, when you know you're going out to eat, don't skip meals! Try to cut a few calories here n there, to save up for later, n maybe get in a workout so you'll have a few extra calories to work with. Then once you get to that restaurant, you won't be starving n want to put just everything n anything into your body. It's much easier to make better and wiser chooices when you're not starving to death! I know Cheesecake factory has a delicious almond crusted fish! I know it doesn't sound as appetising as what you actually ate, but still is very good. When the food isn't quite as delicious, it's easier for us to put the fork down when we're full. What you also could have done, is go ahead and get what it was you ordered, and ask for a box with your order. Place half the food in the box, and get it out of your site. I know if there's extra food on my plate, I keep saying, oh one more bite, one more bite.

This isn't "speed-dieting". Sheesh girl....give it time. I'm talking at least six months before you give up and eat cheese cake. For instance...if you only AVERAGE one pound per week (which is what most experts recommend), in six months that's 24 pounds....in just a year thats 52 pounds!!!

My best advice is stick to watching your calories and BE PATIENT.

All of this is great information, that I knew nothing about.

Thank you!

You can do this, good luck! :flowerforyou: