I can't stay motivated..

ChristieeSmith_x
ChristieeSmith_x Posts: 15
in Motivation and Support
I have been here 2 weeks now, the first week I only logged exersize and gained half a pound. Now I'm at the end of week one logging food and I've only been under goal one day and that was pure luck. I just want to lose so bad but can't seem to stick to goal. I started eating recommended servings on packets and I am eating a lot less than I did but still go miles over goal.

I need advise. I'm desperate to lose. I did a year at weightwatchers and stuck to it well but never lost. :(

Replies

  • WaimanaloMan
    WaimanaloMan Posts: 160 Member
    One of the most important things that has helped me is to be able to have an accurate idea of the calories you eat versus the exercise you do. To help with that I bought a heart rate monitor and a kitchen scale.

    If you can accurately weigh your food instead of guessing portions it helps so much. I was surprised to see what I thought was a certain weight, was way off when I actually weighed it with a scale. The heart rate monitor was a huge help, because MFP would exaggerate calorie burns for the workouts I did, like a 25min kettle bell session being a 500 calorie burn when in reality it was only 250-300. If you can afford a heart rate monitor (they aren't expensive) then I would really recommend you get one to get a better idea of what you are burning when you exercise.

    My first two weeks were tough, I had to learn about portion control, and that some food that seemed healthy could be extremely high in calories if I didn't portion it properly - for example the 1200 calorie plate of nachos! I started learning the foods that not only tasted great, but also were modest in calories and high in nutrition. It sounds a bit scientific but these are skills you will definitely acquire if you stick to it. You can totally succeed, my Wife and I are doing very well and with no tricks or gimmicks, just regular exercise and proper-portioned healthy food.

    Slow and steady wins the race, you can achieve weight loss and better health without starving yourself or searching for quick fixes, not that I'm saying you would do such a thing, I just want to send the point home that there is no trick to doing well with this. Knowledge is your friend, you'll be just fine :)
  • sammirust
    sammirust Posts: 83
    i looked up visual aides for serving sizes. after about a month, i started to realize i was eating waaaaaay to much a serving. it took me a while, but ive not gotten to a point where i know what i need to eat, and how much. if im unaware of calories in something, or if im eating new foods, like my greek yogurt i just tried today :P, then i logg it, otherwise, i dont bother. i dont believe this site should be used like that. it makes you Dependant on it. get a scale or look up portion sizes, and just get up and move. anything is better than nothing. walking a few minutes with the little one and significant other- or best friend- is great. its a way for everyone to bond and make some terrific memories while you get a bit of exercise.
    sorry if my post is all over the place, its 4am here and im just waking up :yawn:
    good luck on your journey, just dont let the weight loss take over your life. make sure to enjoy yourself :heart:
  • FeelingLessChubby
    FeelingLessChubby Posts: 152 Member
    Don't lose heart - it takes longer than a week to sort out your eating, I promise! It happened to me!

    During my first week of logging food (I wasn't doing any exercise) I discovered that I ate 1200 calories just in the first half of my day - that was a huge surprise! So I looked over my diary and saw exactly where I was going wrong - just picked out all the things that had the highest numbers of everything (calories, fat etc) and I decided I'm going to eat half of those portions per meal, or give them up all together if I can, or keep them as a once-in-a-while treat.

    Then I discovered that 1200 calories recommended for me by MFP is not enough, and I did my calculations based on this topic here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/952996-level-obstacles-lose-weight-target-fat-easy

    Then I discovered I should be eating 1400, so that's what I set my goal to.

    In the next 2 weeks I lost 4 lbs and I didn't even know this until I stepped on a scale at my friend's place! Awesome!

    Now I started exercising and I feel much better. Someone on this forum said "diet is for the weight, exercise is for fitness" - those are very wise words, and I use them as my guide!

    First week is learning - now look over your diary and see where you're going wrong with the worst foods.

    It would help if you made your diary public, then you could ask people for advice. It also helps to read food diaries of people who post success stories here - you get loads of good food suggestions!

    Good luck hun, don't give up - first week was rubbish for me too, but now I'm flyin' high! :o)

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