Need Advice

healthykaitlin
healthykaitlin Posts: 91 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
This will probably be quite long - so my apologies beforehand. Also, I understand this topic has been covered - but I'd like to vent as well as receive advice.
My will-power is depleting.
I've always struggled with weight, but at around age 19 I decided to get fit. I worked out regularly, ate healthy (maybe even too little) and quickly went from 175 down to 115. Unfortunately, however, I gave up -maybe thought my metabolism had learned to match that of my skinnier friends. I don't really know where the change happened, but suddenly I ate in abundance and stopped working out altogether.
Of course I gained it all back, and then some. I went up to 205. Obese for my 5'4" frame.

Since then, I've tried to lose weight every so often. It usually never sticks. I got down to 195 over a year ago and that weight lingered.

Then, a little over a month ago, I decided it was time for a serious change. I'm 24 years old, I want to get fit and healthy and enjoy the remainder of my 20s.

Unfortunately, it's not all uphill from here. Instantly after I started eating less, my weight went down to 180 very quickly. I started picking up more paleo influences and (when affordable) focus on chicken, fish, and especially veggies. The only pre-packaged foods I tend to eat are the occasional light canned soup and packaged lower sugar oatmeal. I've been working out 4-6 days per week for about three weeks, using the treadmill and walking on incline or jogging.
Yet, I'm stuck at 180.

My lifestyle the past few years has been fast or comfort: cheese enchiladas, greasy burgers and fries, bagels with extra cream cheese, candy, lots of baking: cupcakes, cookies, etc. fatty cuts of steak, spaghetti with extra marinara and meatballs - you name it, really.

Now, I've given up baked goods, breads, red meat, pasta, most cheese (except the occasional part-skim mozz or provolone), ice cream, chocolate - all of it, gone in less than a month. Cravings are no issue whatsoever, it's almost unimaginable that I ever struggled to get my calories under 2000. I've discovered more ways to cook spaghetti squash, cauliflower, and zucchini than I ever imagined. I went from a completely sedentary, lazy lifestyle to one where I go out of my way to park at the end of parking lots and always make time for the gym, whether in the morning or evening.

It's been almost effortless. And then I look at the scale (mind you, I have two: one at my boyfriend's, one at home, and they both say the same thing), and unbelievably see that it hasn't budged in 14+ days even though I'm still obese.. This is becoming rocket science for me. I'm reading Why We Get Fat, watching countless Ted talks. I don't know what else I can do to get the scale to say "179".

I know I shouldn't stress, but I really fear losing the will-power that's pushing me forward and returning to the lifestyle that got me here in the first place.

Replies

  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    The first thing you need is patience. 14 days isn't that long. Give it more time.

    I would also tell you to watch your sodium. You're in the red most days. That could be causing you to retain water which could be masking your weight loss. Also, if you just started exercising, the fluid retention from that could be keeping the scale from moving as well.

    Take measurements, start eating back some of your exercise calories (you're only at 1000 cals most days....not good), keep tracking all of your food, watch your sodium, and give it time.
  • Dustin710
    Dustin710 Posts: 8 Member
    The initial change from a sedentary lifestyle coupled with unhealthy eating habits to one of more activity with a cleaner, efficient diet is often the most visible, and sometimes motivating, aspect of weight loss.
    In this stage calories from food are reduced resulting in residual energy to come from glycogen stores that are built up in the muscles, liver and fat cells. Glycogen is water-laden, or full of water, and therefore plays a significant role in “water weight” that is often attributed to initial weight loss (1).

    As you lose weight your body composition changes. Remember to adjust your calorie intake for every 5-10 lbs lost.

    It sounds as if you have taken on a drastic diet change quickly. I understand that you said you cravings are absent. Nonetheless, it is important to prevent problems before they occur. One key factor in continuing weight loss is to allow some flexibility in your diet. This will help to prevent a high-risk situation, or binge-eating (2). Also, it is important to take control of any small weight gain (>5 lbs or 2 kg). Don’t allow these to be discouraging, but rather use them as motivation to prevent a larger relapse. This sort of mentality is what will eventually propel you towards your long term goals and allow you to remain at your goal weight.

    It is reported that those who are successful at maintaining their weight loss eat a low-calorie, low-fat, diet, eat breakfast regularly, self-monitor their weight, and maintain a consistent eating pattern across weekdays and weekends. Long-term success has been shown to be correlated to a continued adherence to diet and exercise (2).

    Now, I’d like to say, congratulations. You have started an awesome journey and it seems as if you have your mind in the right place. Stay motivated and move forward. I want you to see that “179” on the scale. More importantly, I want you to really find a joy in being active and eating clean.


    My personal advice is to take at least 1 week and find an awesome workout that you have not done yet. I personally really like the website www.midwestfit.com these guys post a different workout daily and it’s usually a really good challenge. Whatever you do, push yourself harder for at least one week and continue to log absolutely everything you eat, but make sure you eat enough. This is my challenge to you. I know you can do it. I want to see you post back whenever you reach this goal.


    Sources:
    (1) http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/56/1/292S.short
    (2) http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/82/1/222S.full
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Your sodium intake is outrageous. You've probably got a lot of stored water weight. You seem to think that you're eating much healthier than you are as well. I didn't see a well balance nutritious meal out of all the days I looked at. You're eating very low calories but it's not coming from good food.
  • healthykaitlin
    healthykaitlin Posts: 91 Member
    I'm appreciating this feedback.

    I should, however, mention that tracking my nutrition is a new step for me. The sodium, fat, protein, etc. in my diary may be off as I've been focusing on caloric intake (though, admittedly, that is still too low as I am used to glutenous, high calorie foods... now I'm eating food that has more nutritious value, yet is much lower in calories - it's a big adjustment!!). My diary makes it look as though I eat out 5+ times a week, when in reality it's only 1-2. I often make things home made, check against labels, and add a similar caloric comparison to my diary so that I know I'm not going over my calories.

    I'll focus more on the accuracy of this process to aid in my situation for future comparison, though it's worth noting that most of the food I eat is fresh veggies and home made meals - not Q'Doba, Chipotle, etc. (I think that's why my sodium looks as high as it does). I also don't always track the raw veggies I occasionally munch on, a handful of broccoli or carrots. I will admit though that the days you see canned soup and things of that nature are when I'm feeling absolutely broke and it's what I have on hand.

    Dustin - that post is very encouraging. I think the only reason I don't feel deprived is because I've discovered things like cauliflower pizza crust, cauliflower mashed potatoes, cauliflower buffalo bites, zucchini pizza boats, and other things to replace what I would normally crave. I'm having so much fun experimenting in the kitchen that's I think it's overwhelmed my bad habits. I will have to keep in mind, for the future, that to treat myself is not to ruin my diet. I'm sure at one point I'll be overcome by some type of craving!

    Thank you all for your help. Any amount of advice is greatly appreciated!
  • Brandolin11
    Brandolin11 Posts: 492 Member
    I know I'm a total stranger but I can't tell you how excited I am for you that you've discovered a completely new way to eat and ESPECIALLY that the cravings are gone! Isn't it the most freeing, wonderful feeling in the world? I found true happiness when I got out from under the cravings.

    Also wanted to let you know that, as a person who lost about 70 lbs, I had a few moments like this - like, a few weeks where the weight really hung on. I'll never forget the low 150's - thought I was going to go OUT OF MY MIND for awhile there - wanted to get to 149 so bad I could taste it, but my body just wouldn't comply, despite the fact I was doing everything perfectly.

    So just know you're in good company and your body is normal and never, ever, ever let it "get to you" to the point that you sabatoge yourself. These moments are designed SPECIFICALLY to challenge your stamina and discipline and will make you into a better person for the rest of your LIFE if you just hang on and do what's right in the face of adversity!

    Okay - that being said - dumb question but, have you recalculated your TDEE lately? Since you dropped that weight so quickly, it's time to re-figure your daily needs. If you have, then stick to it, keep on keeping on, and I PROMISE that scale will move soon.

    If not - quickly re-calc, re-enter that into MFP, and go for it.!! You can do this - NEVER get discouraged. Trust the process - it works!

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