Feeling like quitting this!

Yes it is worth it, but you're going to need to figure out what works for you.

I am a boring, 54 year old person. I set myself to sedentary, asked MFP to figure out my calories, and add in my exercise. I lowered my carbs to under 40% (35% would have been better). I got visual aids to learn portion sizes and weighed/measured everything I could.

I lost initial and then got tired of the slow pace. I WISHED I could just snap my fingers and make the damn flab go away.

It didn't.

Anyway, eventually it did. It wasn't hard. It just took stubborn persistence. You're a music teacher. It's like practicing. It feels like it never helps, then that you're going backwards, then suddenly you can play. You've got to stick to it.

And really . . . measure and watch your carbs.

Is it worth it? Only you can answer that.

For me, having (at this point) 20 pounds to lose NOW is a lot better than having 50 pounds to lose LATER because I decided "it wasn't worth it."

One more question, since you are 49 yrs old, have you started going through menopause?

Don't quit! I feel like quiting but my drive to continue is greater. I have been working out 5 days a week for three weeks now and only lost 3 lbs. I walk/jog between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 miles those days and some cross fit training exercises. I have been soda free and gluten free since February 2012. Changing to gluten free was the hardest thing ever! I am slowly re-incorporating some gluten due to my desicion to run alot. The first 2-4 weeks of any kind of change is so hard and everyone's body responds differently. It will take some more time to get all the toxins out of your body. Look at it as: it didn't take you 2 weeks to get unhealthy So it will take more than two to get healthy. You made the desision to better your health for some reason so don't give up on it.

Have you measured yourself? It's possible that you're losing inches instead of pounds. If your clothes are fitting better and you're shrinking you are on the right track. Sometimes we need to rethink this need we have to lose pounds. If you're losing inches then you're losing fat and that's great!

Another thing to consider is that you may have chosen the wrong activity level. I'm not as active as I thought I was. I just recently had to readjust my numbers to start getting results again. You may just need to tweak your plan a little but don't give up. Of course, it's worth it.

I also recommend weighing your food. It would be nice if we didn't have to be so careful and accurate about everything we eat but for most of us we do need to do that.

I see a lot of stuff about water, soda and sodium, but not a lot about accurately logging your calories and exercise, which is what is important for fat loss.

For more help please post your current height, weight, and age.

Also tell us how many calories you're getting a day and how many calories you're burning from exercise. Thanks!

^ this

Last Friday, after weighing in, I said the same thing...I felt like saying "the heck with this"...why keep at it if it isn't working...but I did buy shorts two weeks ago that were two sizes smaller...I know in my head I have to keep going...but it is awfully frustrating at times!!

I'm 49, too. Let me tell you what works for me, in case it applies to you, too.

I set my calorie goal for my BMR as if I were sedentary, which turns out to be 1600 calories (5' 7", 178 lbs.) I weigh everything I can on my food scale and go to great lengths to make my log as accurate as can be.

I eat back my exercise calories because my exercise schedule is erratic and highly variable. It's important to make sure you have a pretty accurate idea of calories you've burned, since MFP data can be way off. I used a HRM to get an idea of my typical burn for activities. I generally lift weights for about 25 minutes, 2-3 days a week. When my taekwondo school is in session I go to classes 45-120 minutes in a week, depending on when I can make it. Other days, I try to walk outdoors to get some exercise.

I always have ice water near me and try to stay well hydrated.

I keep my sodium at or below 2000mg most of the time.

I only weigh myself on the morning of a day AFTER a rest day, and even then I will not bother if I can tell I am retaining water because my rings are tight on my fingers. (Exercise can cause your muscles to retain water for repair.)

I hope this helps!

I've been trying to lose weight for a long time now, and I can't even count the number of times where it just didn't seem "worth it" to me either... and my weight just kept creeping up. Here's how I'm (trying) to look at it now. Lets say it takes three years to lose the 60 pounds I have left to go until my goal. Working this hard to lose like 1/3 of a pound a week doesn't seem worth it on the surface but in 3 years I could be at my goal weight... or I could be worrying about paying for 2 seats on an airplane. Of course I'm hoping to get to goal long before 3 years but either way I know if I work hard every day I'll be a happy girl in the future.

Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Nutrition Facts For Foods

Do you weigh in the morning after you use the restroom but before you eat? That's the best time to do it. Make sure to count all your little snacks you eat and log it. The smart phone app helps a lot.

I've been in your shoes before and now what you are going through, but don't give up! It sounds as though your body may have hit a plateau.

Whenever I hit a plateau I go back and look at my food dairy…did I measure my portions correctly, did I count my calories correctly, am I eating enough food, and when was the last time I changed my workout routine?

Besides what the scale says…. how do you feel?

Hang in there and never give up!
Teri Elkins - BS in Health and Wellness

I have been struggling up and down with the same 4 pounds for almost a month and it is frustrating as hell but I was told to find my BMR and TDEE and go by that cuz I was eating too few calories . Check into that and see if that helps but yes it is frustrating but yes it is worth it. Plus it's hot so water retention might be a problem and bringing you down. Don't give up You have only just begun don't you wanna see this till the end?

So you just give up? It gets hard and you give up?

Are you weighing your food? Are you measuring your food? If you are not then chances are you are eating too much. There are many variables as to why you are not losing weight and overeating could be one of many reasons. Are you exercising? If so what kind? Also, are you getting enough protein? In fact, are you eating enough? Your body could be on a metabolic slowdown.

Where will you be a year from now if you quit? If you don't?

This makes the most sense. I am coming up to a year and have lots of ups and downs. However, if I had quit, I would not be more than halfway to my goal.

This is a game of patience, consistency, finding the right food plan for you, and exercise. Simple math and great results.

Also, and not to be gauche, but I weigh after I do the morning duties in the buff about 3 times a week. I always weigh more with clothes on at the end of the day.

Hang in there, it's worth it and find out what works for you. Besides, this isn't just about losing weight and inches, but also a healthy body and soul.