sucess seems soooo far away :-(

First off, let me say that you're already a success story.

You started.
You've lost 7 lbs.
You're still working to find the best way to go about things for your health.

To me, these things are successes. Maybe not the big success of reaching goal, but don't discount the smaller stuff, please.

I do understand that it's hard to decide who's right and who's wrong when it comes to what to do because just about everything will work for a group of someones. It's about figuring out what's best for you.

It took me a very long time to grasp that I couldn't do a plan that involved denying myself the things I love because I'll always end up binging and giving up. I've other things to work on, but without grasping that one single thing I wouldn't have lost what I did have kept it off, or be continually getting back at it when I do slip off by the wayside.

Not being able to eat the cruciferous vegetables can be really really frustrating. I did a year of that and it made me nuts because I love them. But did they give you a list of those you can eat with the meds? If not, see what you can find online, you may come up with options you didn't think about.

When it comes down to it, in my opinion, you can lose weight eating anything so long as you're in calorie deficit, but you might not feel the best doing it. I like a balance, myself, and over time I'm finding what foods make my body feel ick and weeding them out of my diet for the most part.

Remember, losing weight isn't all or nothing. Not in successes, not in what you're eating, nothing. It's about continuing to go forward, step by step, learning as you go along, changing where you see fit, and remembering that you shouldn't judge yourself against anyone else. This isn't a race or a competition. It's about making you the best you you can be.

You can do this.

(edited because we should never judge ourselves against others progress... sheesh)

I hit those slumps too girl!!! I know how you feel...and yet as I sit here telling you that you can do this....You are doing this!!! Eat what you want within moderation, eat a lot of fruits and vegetables...you can eat lots of vegetables for less calories than say French fries and a burger....I still get a burger every once in a while and I also have turkey burgers...Make sure you use seasonings...they add so much delicious flavor!!! Like the above poster said...eat what works for you! You will find your stride in no time

Also I don't weigh but maybe every two weeks usually...that way I can see a decent loss Measure yourself!! First time I grabbed a tape measure..could barely get it around me!!!! Guess what!!! I can get it around me and there is plenty hanging loose now

That is what keeps me going..when I'm feeling like all the hard work isn't doing it for me I either jump on a scale or grab my tape measure...and just plain rejoice in the fact that I am doing it!!! I am losing the weight! You can too and I hope you are ready for it! Its an amazing feeling!

First off, let me say that you're already a success story.

You started.
You've lost 7 lbs.
You're still working to find the best way to go about things for your health.

To me, these things are successes. Maybe not the big success of reaching goal, but don't discount the smaller stuff, please.

I do understand that it's hard to decide who's right and who's wrong when it comes to what to do because just about everything will work for a group of someones. It's about figuring out what's best for you.

It took me a very long time to grasp that I couldn't do a plan that involved denying myself the things I love because I'll always end up binging and giving up. I've other things to work on, but without grasping that one single thing I wouldn't have lost what I did have kept it off, or be continually getting back at it when I do slip off by the wayside.

Not being able to eat the cruciferous vegetables can be really really frustrating. I did a year of that and it made me nuts because I love them. But did they give you a list of those you can eat with the meds? If not, see what you can find online, you may come up with options you didn't think about.

When it comes down to it, in my opinion, you can lose weight eating anything so long as you're in calorie deficit, but you might not feel the best doing it. I like a balance, myself, and over time I'm finding what foods make my body feel ick and weeding them out of my diet for the most part.

Remember, losing weight isn't all or nothing. Not in successes, not in what you're eating, nothing. It's about continuing to go forward, step by step, learning as you go along, changing where you see fit, and remembering that you shouldn't judge yourself against anyone else. This isn't a race or a competition. It's about making you the best you you can be.

You can do this.

(edited because we should never judge ourselves against others progress... sheesh)

What she said....

I am slowly becoming a success story by having one 'big deal meal' a day (delicious calories splurge), and filling in the rest of the day with clean, fresh foods. The best advice I can offer you, is to stop listening to what everyone tells you, and just listen to your body. You'll feel better and make better choices the longer you stay committed to MFP, so just believe in yourself. Just be conscious of what you put in your body, sweat lots, drink water, and respect your body. You can totally do this. Best wishes!

I have been with MFP for almost 2 months. I've only lost 4 lbs but it's something! It can be hard and I'm sure you are determined to lose the weight. There are times I eat way more than I should but the next day I get right back on track. I'll send you a friend request and we can help motivate each other. I wish you all the luck in the world on you losing the weight

I have found that you have to find the smaller successes. Like I noticed yesterday that I had to do my bra up one row tighter or that I can do more pushups than I was able to before, or I have logged a lot more workouts in September than I did in August. I have a long way to go, but weight isn't the only success (but it is a good one). I have only lost 9lbs in the last 3 months, but it is still progress and I am ok with that.

Good luck!

agreed with all of my mfp buddies here. It is a process, you can't expect it to happen overnight. It is a lifetime commitment and once you come to that realization it will get you over alot of dreary days Im here if ya need me

Tof

Just set smaller milestones along the way. Getting to certain weights and or being able to work out a certain amount of time. A big goal can be daunting. For me it was getting under 200, losing 20, 30 lbs. Keep it simple. If you want more friends feel free to add me. We can always use extra support and a little fun. We don't have to be martyrs on this journey to being healthy. :bigsmile:

Just set smaller milestones along the way. Getting to certain weights and or being able to work out a certain amount of time. A big goal can be daunting. For me it was getting under 200, losing 20, 30 lbs. Keep it simple. If you want more friends feel free to add me. We can always use extra support and a little fun. We don't have to be martyrs on this journey to being healthy. :bigsmile:

Totally agree with this!! My first goal is to get to 200 which would be a huge thing for me because I hadn't weighed that since 2006. But I've also started thinking about how when I lost 6 pounds I was at my weight when I got married. Just this morning I realized that I haven't been this weight since I first started working a desk job 6 years ago and wasn't getting anywhere with my weight loss at that time. Little milestones. And remember, you'll start noticing changes before everyone else does so don't let that get you down. I say that because I crave that validation to help me keep going

It's true, this is something that takes a long time, and that can make it very boring. But, just imagine how amazing it will feel once you have achieved your goal. I can promise you it's worth it. And while it is a slow tedious process, you'll have lots of exciting moments of feeling that you've achieved something along the way. Watching your body change can be a real buzz. I would recommend taking progress photos - start now if you haven't already, and take them every month or so. Sometimes you think things haven't really changed until you look at pictures. So, it's worth accepting that this is something that is often boring, and often difficult, but it's so, so worth it, and there will be exciting times along the way.

As for exactly how you should do it... Really, keep it simple. Make small changes that you can stick with permanently. I would highly recommend not cutting out any foods that you love (except for medical reasons obviously), not forcing yourself to do hours and hours of exercise that you don't enjoy, basically do what you can to not feel like you're "on a diet", and the whole thing will be a lot easier. If you want to change lots of habits, that's fine, but maybe pick one or two at a time to work on.

Here's a handy guide: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

You will hear a lot of advice, on these forums, elsewhere on the internet, and in real life. Some will be good advice, a lot will be crap, and it can be hard to know which is which. If in doubt, keep it simple. Don't make radical changes unless you're sure they're right for you. If you make mistakes, don't ever let that be reason to stop trying.

And, you'll get there. Don't think about wanting it RIGHT NOW. Think about where you're going to be this time next year. I can't promise you'll be at your goal, but you'll be a huge way towards it, and you'll look really different from how you do now. You just have to be patient and persistent, and don't give up. Ever. :flowerforyou:

Everyone is different.

As far as diet goes, I really haven't changed what I eat all that much. I try to chose better when I eat fast food (picking fish or going to Subway). I also cut out snacking, and if I really need something I have a banana or an apple. If I know I'm going out to dinner later at night (where there will be more calories), I have brunch instead of breakfast and lunch to have a little more wiggle room. I also cut sodas down to one can or less a day. I keep filtered water in the fridge and Gatorade mix too.

If I had to start cold turkey super strict diet I would cheat. In my opinion a lifestyle change (like eating better) still has to be something that you like or you won't be able to keep it up.

Instead I'm focusing more on making a new work out routine (one that I still like and feel good about). When I hit a platue I may make more adjustments to my diet.

I see it as a success that I'm feeling good about myself, and I feel I can maintain it.

A couple of other things to keep in mind:

1. As somebody else mentioned, you will get LOTS of advice on here. Filter it to what works best for YOU. The pieces of advice will conflict with each other, don't get concerned or confused by that - remember that everybody is different & what works for 1 person may or may not work for somebody else....

2. Not only keep your goals reasonable (it's OK to have a long term picture of where you want to be, but keep in mind that may change as you travel down the path because you may end up looking & feeling healthier at a higher weight than you thought if you have built a good amount of muscle) & just aim at the next goal. after you reach it, then set your next goal & work to it. Keep doing this until you are happy where you are. Your goals may be #'s on the scale, they may be a distance walked, run or swam, they may be a # of repetitions in a set (or # of sets) if you're lifting weights or doing core exercises, they may be creating the ability to do things that you haven't been able to do - every 1 of them you hit is a success. Keeping them reasonable & hitting them 1 at a time makes it easier to continue to be successful without feeling overwhelmed & I think you'll be surprised at how quickly you hit them. When you keep hitting them & setting the next one (that always makes me happy) will keep your motivation up & you'll find yourself striving more. The next goal is always the important one, the final stop on the journey is not because I will bet it won't be what you originally planned it to be.....

3. The scale is just a # that can be influenced by many things, don't worry so much about that & concentrate on being able to do things. Remember that, for the same volume, muscle weighs more than fat. If you are exercising you may not see the scale # go down (it may even go up a little bit), but you will still see yourself getting smaller - clothes will fit better, etc. This is a bigger success than making the scale # change - it means you are making good changes to your body.......

Keep the faith, keep at it & add friends - they will help motivate you & will help hold you accountable if need be. You're on the right path & it's a much more crowded road than you would think. Stop & ask for directions once in a while...........