this might be selfish...

sky379
sky379 Posts: 46
edited September 21 in Motivation and Support
but I really could use some motivation/words of wisdom/encouragement right about now.

I've been on this site for a few weeks, but have struggled to lose 10-15 pounds for a loooooooong time. Since being on this site, I have modified what I am eating and making sure I am eating enough/more often/drinking more water. I have lowered my carb/sodium/sugar intake and have tried different workouts. I also just started doing the 30 day shred, since I have seen so many people on this site rave about it.

I just don't know what more I can do. I have actually gained some weight since on this site and I am getting really discouraged. My clothes feel the same, my measurements are the same, my weight is the same or a little more.

I weigh around 128-130 now. When I started the site I was 125. My first goal is 120 and then eventually 115-117. What else can I do to get over this plataeu that I have apparently been in for a year or so. What can I do to jumpstart weight loss?

I originally had my goal of 1lb a week which had my net calories at 1200, but I read articles/other posts that to help jumpstart weight loss is to change goal to 1/2lb a week, which is why my net calories are higher. Should I set it back to 1lb/week toh ave net calories at 1200??!

Replies

  • Lparault
    Lparault Posts: 100
    I was having the same problem...working my butt off, eating right maintaining or gaining after an initial drop of 6 lbs. It was ALL fluid. Looked down two nights ago and my ankles had disappeared and my toes looked like sausages...I broke down and took a fluid pill.

    When you press your fingers to your arm, leg, chest or stomach do you see the mark for a while? If so, then its probably a fluid retention problem. If you've increased your exercise, your muscles are holding fluid to repair themselves. Increase your water intake (I know, I know) if that doesn't flush you out, talk to your doctor about a low dose diuretic as needed.

    Good luck!
  • hamiltonba
    hamiltonba Posts: 474 Member
    I would increase exercise
  • heather62803
    heather62803 Posts: 266 Member
    my first thought is water intake - are you making sure you are hydrated? If you are not getting enough water your body will actually retain water to make up for it - which could result in a gain of a few pounds. I struggled with a plateau for over a month and finally broke through when I forced myself to drink more - I'm now drinking around 12 cups of water a day and have started losing again. Hope this helps - good luck!
  • sky379
    sky379 Posts: 46
    I would increase exercise

    I work out ALOT. I was training for 2 marathons then broke my ankle (talk about dissapointments) and even still went to the gym on crutches.
  • taryn_perry
    taryn_perry Posts: 193 Member
    Don't get discouraged. We all go through it. It must be what you are eating/are not eating. I'd be happy to take a look at your food diary if you'd like some suggestions??

    Send me a DM and we can chat.

    DON'T GIVE UP!!
  • AbiLuV
    AbiLuV Posts: 47
    If your measurements are still the same you probably just gained muscle. Muscle helps burn fat so keep up the good work!
    If your goal is only 10-15 lbs try not going on the scale so much. Judge it by your clothes and how well they are fitting. Jump on the scale every other week or so.
    Maybe you are just bloated :blushing: try cutting out dairy. Just for a week! :sad: I know it seems hard, but how bad do you want that last 10lbs gone? After a week slowly add dairy back in.
    Don't give up! You can do this!!!
  • sky379
    sky379 Posts: 46

    When you press your fingers to your arm, leg, chest or stomach do you see the mark for a while? If so, then its probably a fluid retention problem. If you've increased your exercise, your muscles are holding fluid to repair themselves. Increase your water intake (I know, I know) if that doesn't flush you out, talk to your doctor about a low dose diuretic as needed.

    Good luck!

    I just tried this, and it dissappeared in 2-3 seconds. Do you suggest an over the counter diuretic? I've seen those
  • AprilChampion
    AprilChampion Posts: 184 Member
    After looking at your food journal, i am wondering if maybe lowering your caloric intake would help? instead of 1600 cals, maybe bump it down to 1400-1500 and divide it into 6 meals of 250-300 cals each instead of eating big meals? I dont know what your work out routine is and i dont know how many calories you burn during your work outs and how many times a week you work out, however, i DO know, after having experienced it for myself, that eating three largeish meals a day and a *couple* of "snacks" dont help with weight loss. I worked with a personal trainer and this is what he told me...Not only do you have to mix UP your work out routine AND eat 6 small meals through out the day...I eat ROUGHLY 1200-1300 calories a day and ive lost 14 pounds so far...i hope that helps .
  • aippolito1
    aippolito1 Posts: 4,894 Member
    - Water half your weight in ounces
    - Measure DO IT!!! If your smaller, you've gained muscle and/or burned fat!!
    - Stay consistent & patient!
  • HealthyChanges2010
    HealthyChanges2010 Posts: 5,831 Member
    It's not unusual for some of us to gain when we first start out, our bodies are getting used to the change of food choices. They are detoxing so to speak, junk food we've eaten in the past has a ton of sodium in it and it does take a bit of time to get rid of that and see some weight loss.

    As long as you're eating healthy food and what's alloted you by MFP, drinking plenty of water as Arielle shared and getting in workouts patience might be the thing that would work for now.:flowerforyou:

    You'll drop the weight, sometimes it just takes a bit of time for some at the begining, some drop right off the bat. If we've screwed up our metabolism in the past by numerous unhealthy 'diets' that can slow down progress until our body understands we aren't going to starve it anymore.

    Becca:heart:
  • LittleSpy
    LittleSpy Posts: 6,754 Member
    When you're that close to your goal weight, you should probably try to keep your net calories pretty close to your maintenance cals. I personally don't think lowering your calories is a great idea to lose your last 10 pounds unless you want to eat that little for the rest of your life. I know that I'm probably a good 45-50 pounds overweight still and my body just freaks out if I put it at a calorie deficit anywhere near 1000/day (I lost my first 50 pounds chugging along with 1500-2000 calorie deficits each day). I anticipate it will take me a year to lose my next 40 pounds and then maybe even another year to lose the last 10. But you know what? I'm really going to enjoy my healthy metabolism at my goal weight. :laugh:

    Be sure you're weighing out your portion sizes so that you're not underestimating your calories eaten. And make sure you're being realistic with how many calories you're actually burning with exercise, too.

    Also, I know it's hard to be so patient, but give any change to your diet and exericse at least a month to work before you write it off. Our bodies take time to adjust and there is a lot that goes on that can cause us to gain temporary weight (water retention, extra fiber/waste weight, etc).
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