Just joined here...already discouraged :(

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Replies

  • freebirdjones
    freebirdjones Posts: 236 Member
    You need to realize that having so little to lose means you have to lose it slower. Set MFP to half a pound per week. Eat back half of your exercise calories. Weigh your food using a food scale and log accurately. Look into a compound lifting program like Stronglifts 5x5. And be patient.

    You're making great progress, don't give up so soon.


    ETA: also I would recommend not cutting out everything you enjoy. I do an 80/20 approach. 80% of my diet is nutritious healthy food, and I leave myself 20% for treats.

    This is great advice. I came on here with about 5lbs to lose and after reading msg boards I have went from 1200 cals per day to 1800 and gone from cardio to lifting weights. My advice ready the msg boards and also there is a link I'll go get and repost, it will be a great read for you. But lift and also don't cut out a few tasty treats!
  • BigDnSW
    BigDnSW Posts: 641 Member
    Be patient with yourself as several have said. I'd be more concerned about the long term health benefits you are deriving from eating properly and getting exercise. It will pay off in the long run.
  • darwinwoodka
    darwinwoodka Posts: 322 Member
    LIFT. Do some strength training and put on some muscle. Makes you leaner, stronger, burns calories and helps keep you from gaining it back!
  • Sparlingo
    Sparlingo Posts: 938 Member
    I will agree with those that are suggesting weight training. It sounds like you're really more unhappy with your body composition than you are your actual weight. Consider it!

    Also, here's another thing to think about in losing those last few pounds: The longer it takes you, the longer you've already been essentially successful at maintaining. Consider it "maintenance practice" :smile:.
  • Siege_Tank
    Siege_Tank Posts: 781 Member
    Wow, you are right, you don't have a lot to lose, most people on her would envy you. stop with the process foods first. Are you a small, medium or large framed person? a small framed person should weight a 120-133. so more for a medium or large framed person. I'm sorry, but I thing you are doing fine and should leave this website for the people who really need assistants.

    Not to sound rude, but this is a fitness site. Not ONLY a weight loss site and tool. It's for people looking to lose, tone up, get healthy, get fit, etc. So she is in the right place.


    And like others have said, be patient. The less you have to lose, the harder it is. And be happy, you lost an inch off your stomach. That shows right there you are making progress. :D

    I know right. Don't tell her to leave, there are plenty of skinny-fat people on here trying to get toned and fill out without bulking on fat.

    OP: you don't have a lot to lose. You lost an inch.. That's great progress for someone who needs to trim down slightly.

    The battle of the bulge is won by eternal vigilance. Learn to eat for what kind of body you want, because as soon as you stop cutting and go back to your normal eating, the weight will regain.

    Take it off slow because this should be a change for life, unless you're trying to just fit into a dress for a special occasion, in which case diet away.

    Otherwise, learn to love your body for where it naturally weighs when you don't put effort into counting. It seems like that weight was perfectly healthy for you.
  • Qarol
    Qarol Posts: 6,171 Member
    SQUAT.
    That's what I was thinking.... but I didn't want to be rude.
    Squat, b*tch...would be rude.

    Oh wait, no it wouldn't.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    Yeah it's kinda a ***** to lose the last 5lbs. Just keep doing what you are doing now, cause you did lose 1lb & inches. That's a great thing. Also someone mentioned squats...... hell yeah.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    I just have to say that I think it's funny that some people don't read their posts before posting. Bad spelling can make your post read completely different than you meant it...

    And Crankstr, please don't give up!!! You should be the size YOU want to be, but don't do it by depriving yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Did you mean to address this to Crankstr?
  • Okay, congratulations on that lost inch which would be a way bigger deal than that lost pound to me. An inch! That is amazing in only three weeks. At 127, you're in the ballpark of where you should be for your height and it sounds like your biggest concern is that you have some softer areas. Okay, so I can't speak from personal experience as I haven't been in the right weight range for my height in 10+ years, but I have a dear friend of mine who was in your shoes. She didn't have any weight that she "needed" to lose, but she was softer in some areas. In the last two years, she's taken up the lyra, silks, and trapeze to participate in our local hippie circus. (She is awesome at it.) She looks amazingly strong now despite being super tiny. Now, I'm not suggesting you take up circus arts unless you want to, but some of the things that she had to do to get into shape to do the lyra and silks could be applicable to your situation. She does a ton of body weight exercises (Google some lyra performances and you'll see why this is important) and a fair amount of lifting. She's the leader of my local band of hoopdancers so I can promise you that she definitely does cardio,as well. To me, it sounds like you're on the right track with with the boot camp and I wish you a ton of luck with your continued journey.
  • karlalband
    karlalband Posts: 196 Member
    I would give anything to be a 127 lbs - 135lbs like I use to be, it was the best. I always a size 9/10. I still have another 80 lbs to lose. Your tall same height as me. (You have got to be turning heads) and that's a complement. Just tone up, walk, exercise machines, eat better, get different clothes. Stand tall, tuck your tummy in and hold your shoulders back, chin up! BTW if you want or need to lose 5 lbs then do it. Wishing you the best!:flowerforyou:
  • Crankstr
    Crankstr Posts: 3,958 Member
    I just have to say that I think it's funny that some people don't read their posts before posting. Bad spelling can make your post read completely different than you meant it...

    And Crankstr, please don't give up!!! You should be the size YOU want to be, but don't do it by depriving yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Did you mean to address this to Crankstr?

    I know! I R confused! What am I depriving myself of exactly? LOLz
  • Ramberta
    Ramberta Posts: 1,312 Member
    You've got to be kidding me. Do you know how many people here would die to only have 5 friggin lbs. to lose? Deal with it.
    I don't think it's up to anyone else to judge what level of weight loss is important to someone .
    This site is here to motivate, not ridicule :huh:

    You'd be amazed at how many people seem to claim the opposite. *eyeroll*

    But OP, I will echo the others in saying losing an inch off your waist is in no way "killing yourself for nothing". It's true that your progress is going to be very slow because the lower weight you are, the slower it comes off... but don't get discouraged, you are achieving amazing results already! If you keep this up you will reach both your goal weight and be much stronger and more buff by the end of summer, if not sooner. Patience is key! :smile:
  • Just for the record...I lost 1 lb in almost 3 weeks, not 1 lb per week. I do need to add more exercising. I've only been going to a 55 min boot camp 2-3x a week. It burns around 300 calories. I am on my feet a lot though, not that it counts for much. I'm thinking of joining a gym though but more for the classes. I've never been big on actually working out but like the upbeat motivation of actual classes.

    Also as I look back at my food journal for the week, I realized I'm not eating enough! That could have a lot to do with my slow progress. I wish MFP would separate the good fats/sugars from the bad ones so I knew what was "ok" to actually eat.
  • Ramberta
    Ramberta Posts: 1,312 Member
    Just for the record...I lost 1 lb in almost 3 weeks, not 1 lb per week. I do need to add more exercising. I've only been going to a 55 min boot camp 2-3x a week. It burns around 300 calories. I am on my feet a lot though, not that it counts for much. I'm thinking of joining a gym though but more for the classes. I've never been big on actually working out but like the upbeat motivation of actual classes.

    Also as I look back at my food journal for the week, I realized I'm not eating enough! That could have a lot to do with my slow progress. I wish MFP would separate the good fats/sugars from the bad ones so I knew what was "ok" to actually eat.

    My best advice on this front is to stop thinking about what you "can't" eat (junk food and processed sugars), and think more about incorporating healthy foods into your diet that you maybe haven't tried before or eaten much of in the past. Learn to love fruits, veggies and all forms of protein (there are way more than just meats), and try nuts & seeds, avocados, olives, tofu, eggs and cottage cheese for healthy fats.
  • TesselCat
    TesselCat Posts: 74
    I really agree with the people suggesting you try strength training instead of just cardio. Go look through the success stories section for before/after pictures of ladies who lift - it might be exactly what you're looking for.

    Here's a good one to check out!
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/929824-its-been-over-a-year-since-my-hot-affair-began?hl=love+affair+with+weights
  • Adirafox
    Adirafox Posts: 107 Member
    I read this article not too long ago:
    http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-9159/the-top-12-reasons-you-cant-shed-that-extra-weight.html

    I hope it helps and give you the inspiration you need to keep going. Not sure how much you're trying to shed, but if your body is already used to a routine, sometimes you have to change it up a bit to get the results you want. Good luck.

    I dug this article!

    One suggestion is to start making smoothies with PB2! I ADORE ADORE ADORE peanut butter, but obviously, it's high in fat and calories. PB2 is powdered peanut butter. I haven't tried it as peanut butter, since I heard it's kinda weird that way (you can reconstitute it with water), but I put it in my smoothies to increase the protein and give me that awesome yummy pb flavor. I've also added it to oatmeal. Maybe that will help with one craving!

    Overall, it sounds like you are doing great, and being 127 at 5'6" (and 3/4"!!!) is a weight that I will never achieve, and I am the same height (okay, fine....I'm something like 6/7" of that final inch...I still feel weird saying 5'7" ), but I have a large frame, so I am pretty stoked to be rocking my size 10s right now (which are getting loose!).
  • If your working out really hard during that boot camp you should remember: Muscle weighs more than fat. You will see the lbs drop slower as you start shrinking those last inches. The muscle is toning up and fat almost gone. Don't give up. Also stay healthy. If you are a person genetically meant to be 127 you are going to have a real problem pushing past your body's perfect weight (though you may not find it to your perfect image of yourself)
  • I am also at a plateau for at least a year. I give up every now and then and today I was ready to go on a binge and decided to read the message board instead. So I guess I will get myself going to Curves and see if I feel better when I come home
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    If your working out really hard during that boot camp you should remember: Muscle weighs more than fat. You will see the lbs drop slower as you start shrinking those last inches. The muscle is toning up and fat almost gone. Don't give up. Also stay healthy. If you are a person genetically meant to be 127 you are going to have a real problem pushing past your body's perfect weight (though you may not find it to your perfect image of yourself)



    Muscle does NOT weigh more than fat. I wish people would stop saying that.
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,341 Member
    If your working out really hard during that boot camp you should remember: Muscle weighs more than fat. You will see the lbs drop slower as you start shrinking those last inches. The muscle is toning up and fat almost gone. Don't give up. Also stay healthy. If you are a person genetically meant to be 127 you are going to have a real problem pushing past your body's perfect weight (though you may not find it to your perfect image of yourself)



    Muscle does NOT weigh more than fat. I wish people would stop saying that.

    And you also don't gain muscle in a week, eating at a deficit.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    If your working out really hard during that boot camp you should remember: Muscle weighs more than fat. You will see the lbs drop slower as you start shrinking those last inches. The muscle is toning up and fat almost gone. Don't give up. Also stay healthy. If you are a person genetically meant to be 127 you are going to have a real problem pushing past your body's perfect weight (though you may not find it to your perfect image of yourself)



    Muscle does NOT weigh more than fat. I wish people would stop saying that.

    And you also don't gain muscle in a week, eating at a deficit.


    Actually it's very very very hard to gain muscle on a deficit at all. Unless you are very new to lifting & even then it wont last long that way.
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,341 Member
    If your working out really hard during that boot camp you should remember: Muscle weighs more than fat. You will see the lbs drop slower as you start shrinking those last inches. The muscle is toning up and fat almost gone. Don't give up. Also stay healthy. If you are a person genetically meant to be 127 you are going to have a real problem pushing past your body's perfect weight (though you may not find it to your perfect image of yourself)



    Muscle does NOT weigh more than fat. I wish people would stop saying that.

    And you also don't gain muscle in a week, eating at a deficit.


    Actually it's very very very hard to gain muscle on a deficit at all. Unless you are very new to lifting & even then it wont last long that way.

    Exactly. It's such a common misconception.
  • pcastagner
    pcastagner Posts: 1,606 Member
    If your working out really hard during that boot camp you should remember: Muscle weighs more than fat. You will see the lbs drop slower as you start shrinking those last inches. The muscle is toning up and fat almost gone. Don't give up. Also stay healthy. If you are a person genetically meant to be 127 you are going to have a real problem pushing past your body's perfect weight (though you may not find it to your perfect image of yourself)



    Muscle does NOT weigh more than fat. I wish people would stop saying that.

    Yes, it does. Normally when we say "muscle weighs more than fat", we assume the listener has enough sense to share the assumption that we are keeping volume the same. Yes, the statement lacks precision because it doesn't say "muscle has a greater density than fat" or "a given volume of muscle weighs more than that same volume of fat". But it's massively incorrect to ask for precision while simultaneously making assumptions involving the missing data.


    Muscle weighs more than fat. That's a perfectly fine statement and most people understand what it means.
  • kirstyfairhead
    kirstyfairhead Posts: 220 Member
    I have a lot more weight to lose than you but as a little person with a low BMR I can only create a small deficit each day (unless I wanted to only be eating 800 cals and that sooo wouldn't work). As you are so slim and only exercising 3 times per week you are probably in the same situation so DON'T worry. You are actually doing really well (I celebrate if I lose 1/2lb in a week). As for taking an inch of your waist that is fantastic.

    To be fair at your weight, If you have some body image issues, I would seriously think about looking at strength training (loads of guys on this site are clued up about this). You won't necessarily lose weight but your body shape would change and I'm pretty sure you would be happy with a leaner looking you.

    Lastly I know it's hard but try not to obsess too much or beat yourself up too badly. It's good to be keeping an eye on your weight but also to maintain some perspective. It is too easy to say I can't lose those 5lbs so I'm gonna do Atkins or the cabbage diet or some other latest thing and before you know it you are yo yo dieting like crazy and you are heavier than you ever were when you started out.

    So don't be discouraged, you have achieved genuinely good results. The only problem you have right now is that your expectations of yourself are too high.

    Stick with it gal, will be worth it in the long run.
  • Jkn099
    Jkn099 Posts: 2 Member
    I'm sure this has been stated in multiple posts, but I'm going give you my 2 cents anyways. At 5'6" (nearly 5'7") you're likely near or below your ideal weight even at 127lbs. That said, don't always take to heart what the scale says. The most important thing is that inch you lost around your belly. That's not easy to do. The problem with obsessing over what a scale says is that many factors come to play when weighing in.

    For example: the time of day, what you're wearing, when you last ate or drank, and even whether or not you have to go to the bathroom are all factors.

    Someone in your position, who is only looking to lose a few pounds, should probably concentrate more on inches gained or lost as opposed to what a scale says, as the scale can literally flucate a couple pounds in a DAY given the factors I listed above.