Two seconds away from throwing in the towel!

I agree with most. Measure and log everything every day and don't eat back all your exercise calories.

I'm having problems with losing and gaining the same 3 pounds, too (for 6 weeks now). I need to see a new low weight SO BAD right now. I know there are days when I slack on the logging, so my focus right now is on being absolutely honest and consistent.

I also upped my calories from 1200 to 1320 (the figure MFP gave me for losing 1 pound per week). I had wanted to keep my calories at 1200 so that the few extra bites or tastes that end up in my mouth wouldn't derail me, but it wasn't working, so I'm going to quit biting and tasting if I have to tie a bandana around my mouth every time I go into the kitchen.

We'll get it figured out. Giving up is not an option!

When you click the "complete diary" button, it uses a mathematical equation to give an estimate of what you could potentially weigh, but it is in no way accurate give the innumerable variables in our human actions and physiology.

I don't know if anyone has pointed that out, but I feel it's an important note.

Also, three to six pounds lost in five weeks is really good, IMO. You're making progress, so giving up would be kind of stupid at this point.

this,

You only fail if you quit.

and this. Keep pushing yourself. In six months, you can either be somewhere better or in the exact same spot or worse than where you are right now. Put in the time and work and you will reap the benefits. Figure out whether you're worth the dedication and then run with it like your *kitten* is on fire.

Nothing in life that's worth having comes easy. Don't give up, keep pushing through in spite of the frustration and disappointment. Eat right, exercise daily, drink tons of water, it WILL happen. If you're sure you are doing things right, and it still doesn't, check with your doctor. There may be other issues, hormonal, or maybe thyroid!

I need some help/support. Every day for WEEKS my diary entries have been saying in 5 weeks, I'd be between 231 and 234. Meanwhile, in the past 5 weeks, I've gone from 247 to 241, now back up to 244 and I'm stuck there- help! I'm two seconds away from giving up but I want this to be the time I succeed more than anything! I've been eating within 50 calories of my goal 95% of the time. I've only gone to the gym twice (today will be #3 for spin class) but calorie reduction alone should show me a loss of a pound of two, not a gain then plateau! Help!!

You really want this to be the time you succeed, but you are close to giving up?? My guess is that you are not logging accurately or your settings are messed up. You need to accurately measure everything that crosses your lips. Buckle down and keep going. It really your only choice.

I need some help/support. Every day for WEEKS my diary entries have been saying in 5 weeks, I'd be between 231 and 234. Meanwhile, in the past 5 weeks, I've gone from 247 to 241, now back up to 244 and I'm stuck there- help! I'm two seconds away from giving up but I want this to be the time I succeed more than anything! I've been eating within 50 calories of my goal 95% of the time. I've only gone to the gym twice (today will be #3 for spin class) but calorie reduction alone should show me a loss of a pound of two, not a gain then plateau! Help!!

I feel exactly the same! I'm so so fed up, I've bed. Going to the gym 4/5 times per week and have put on 2lbs.... Not good! Fed up:( xx

~gives you the towel~ throw it anywhere you want... than pull up your big girl panties and move on.

Don't give up!!! I am still sorta new on here and I have been over weight for so long I can't even feel the thin and pretty person inside me any more! However we can do this!!! Send me a friend request and I will support you. Together with our other MFPs we will be great!
You are already succeeding by making an effort. The weight loss WILL happen if you stick to healthy foods and get the exercising kicked up a notch.
Don't be discouraged!! As one person said, if you quit NOW a year from now, or even next week, you'll wish you hadn't.
The journey is long and begins with just one step!
Take each day one meal at a time. I have to believe it will become easier with time.
Cheer up! You're awesome!! :flowerforyou: :bigsmile:

don't give up, this is a lifesyle change and it takes time to have your body realize you are making changes, it will come

Ok, maybe you're not succeeding the way you had hoped, but giving up is a guaranteed failure. So don't do that. Completely giving up on what you want because it's not coming fast enough is a step in the wrong direction. The next year will go by whether you try or not. Decide whether to fight through and make it happen or still be 244 pounds next year. I'm realizing that I can't comlpain about what I'm not willing to fight to change.

I have been there too. The best advice I got was to up my calories...just a touch. I know that MFP gives you calorie goals that are very low. Sometimes this can shock our systems into thinking they are starving and not actually just getting less. Up your calorie intake by 200. Once I did this I started losing again. And be sure on those days when you do workout to eat back some of your exercise calories (but not all) don't see it as a chance to eat what you want either. Another thing that helped me pull out of my plateau was to cut back on bread related carbs. I still ate potatoes and rices but cut out breads for a week and started seeing massive results. Be sure to pair proteins and carbs with each meal and if you can snacks. The proteins help fuel your digestion and your body's consumption of carbs, pair the two and your body is less likely to store the carbs but burn them!
And DON"T GIVE UP!!! Plateaus are normal. Good luck and keep rocking it!

This is terrible rote advice when her diary is so sparse. Yes, some people don't lose weight because they aren't eating enough. But some people <gasp> don't lose weight because they are eating too much. Without an accurate diet, this is just guess work and you could be setting her up to gain even more.

I'm only on week 4 so don't have a lot of advice. But here a a few tips that I've found help. The thing to keep in mind... If you are really not happy with where you are, only you can change it. Make a plan, stick to it. It needs to be a life long change of your eating habits.

Reserch recipies and tips on line.

Eating high fiber, low carb stuff helps me feel full with out adding calories or carbs. Like Celery, carrots, apples, oranges, salads, etc.

Buying the pre packaged 100 calorie snacks has made it easier to have a snack but a reasonable amount.

If you eat fast food, don't go to one with a drive through.

If you eat out eat a dinner salad before dinner .

If you order off the regular menu (rather than the "heart smart or Diet") and ask for a take out container with your meal. Put half you meal in it before you start eating. Eat only what's on the plate and save the rest for the next day.

Getting on the web site 2 - 5 times a day to fill in what I've eaten.

Don't log in your exercise until the next day, so that I don't get tempted to use the extra calories.

Cut carbs (pasta, bread, etc.) out as much as possible. I buy the "skinny" bread for sandwiches, use Speg. Squash with tomato sauce, If I do have pasta it's in a side dish not the main item.

Watch portion sizes.

Write down your reasons for loosing, ie: live to see my grandkids, get in shape so I can enjoy walking sites when I'm on Vacation, cut down on the wear and tear on my joints, etc. Keep them posted on your fridge, at work somewhere, in your car, etc.

Don't give up! But definitely log everyday and every bite for the first bit. Weigh everything. Try to move everyday... a walk, yoga, workout dvd, workout class, weights. When you put 100% into getting fit and healthy, it will give you results. There will be ups and downs and stalls. The ups suck, the downs are amazing, and the stalls are annoying until you beat them and then feel like you've conquered the world that day. You will find things that work for you, and won't work for you. Feel free to add me if you want good luck!

You can do it! It does help if you log honestly though without skipping days so that you can get a full honest view of your calorie intake. Weigh and measure everything and increase your water intake. If you can't make it to the gym, hit the street and start walking. The little things will add up.

Don't give up, we are all here to motivate and support one another when these feelings creep up Stay positive, think positive, and reach out to MFP friends for support. I was ready to throw in the towel too after having a horrible week, but a few supportive words from MFP friends has me back on track today...

Feel free to add me so we can motivate, support, and boost one another

I noticed that I only really lose when I pair the food change with exercise, with exercise being the key. You may be the same, so be more consistent on that end.