To those who are struggling or getting discouraged.

I've never been more dedicated to counting calories in my life than I am right now. I'm proud of myself. I've been treating it too much like a diet and I am unexpectedly making lifestyle changes. I am not discouraged as far as eating healthy, logging every day, and changing little habits one at a time.

I'm discouraged that I can't exercise more or with as much intensity as others. I have a genetic connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome type III and I'm always in a lot of pain and at a risk of subluxations (partial dislocations in my joints) or even full dislocations. If I'm not running to appointments and my part-time job, I'm sitting in bed. Like now. I'm going to pick up my fiance in a few minutes and I was moving all day up until this point and it made my pain level go up. I wanted to go to the gym. Driving to get my fiance is going to be too much. Working out? I don't even have approved machines or exercises, and I'm in PT. They give me little at home exercises. I usually go to the pool, but it's closed for another week and even that is hard on me. It's also uncomfortable being around thin swimmers when I'm bigger.

Thank you for starting this discussion. It's so uplifting.

I know these feels. When I got here I had severe chronic pain and walked with a cane. I'd just quit my job, which I loved, because of bone-crushing fatigue. I felt like I'd had to drop out of my life. It was rough. But it got better. I did no exercise at all for the first part of my weight loss. Now I lift weights and run but I make slower progress than others.

Hang in there and give yourself permission to go as slow as you need. I get so down sometimes about the limitations, but that just makes my victories that much sweeter. You can do this, and you're going to. :flowerforyou:

OP, this is a marvelous and amazingly thoughtful post. Thank you for being you. :flowerforyou:

You are awesome. Seriously.

I know how tough it can be sometimes to say "screw it" when you had a bad day or gave into a craving and binged. It is easy to just say, "Screw it, this weekend I am eating whatever I want." But it isn't always easy to get back on track.

It is also easy to feel upset when the scale number isn't going down as we had hoped. Unfortunately it takes time. And if it isn't going down for a few weeks, then maybe it is time to reevaluate and adjust.


We all struggle and get discouraged sometimes, but if you are reading this then you are still here and you are still fighting.

And I admire that.

How am I supposed to adjust. How am I supposed to wrkout for 60 when only you have 10min.
How do u adjust when u are surrounded by lies

Sometimes just making small changes can start you off. I don't have 60 minutes a day every day. But I can find ten at work to walk stairs. Or 5 to park further from the store entrance. Walking somewhere you would have driven.

Little things like that.

You don't have to reach a finish line tomorrow. Just be a step closer than yesterday. Or last week.

It is within your grasp

Nice timing. :happy:

Excellent post.

I just started trying to lose weight in December and I have been discouraged several times already. It is always so hard starting out and trying to figure out where to start etc. My sister found Myfitnesspal and I just joined. I have never been more encouraged and ready to take the steps to lose weight!! It is posts like these and reading the responses that help keep me motivated! Thanks for this! I needed it today.. esp when there is extra junk food around the house and not a lot of time for healthy meal planning today!

Sometimes strength is the quiet voice at the end of the day that says, "I'll try again tomorrow."

Love it.

LOVE this! :drinker:

I just wanted to say amen to the whole we all have our own limitations. I know exactly how you feel. I have Chrons Disease and it has taken me over a year to loose ten pounds. Rejoice in the small victories, NOT eating that extra burger, Parking out further just to walk even though there was a parking spot right by the entrance, getting up off the couch even when it hurt. These things are the stuff normal people take for granite. It takes a lot of courage to say I don't care what those people think of how big I am now, But in a year those people are going to be saying, good for her. Besides do it for yourself, your fiancé, and your family. They are the ones who matter and I am sure they know about your condition. Ask them to pray for and encourage you to move forward and that God takes the pain away. I know that painful diseases can hinder us in the worst ways. I also have hydradentitis. It keeps me from working out more than the Chrons. Trust that God will make it possible for you to loose the weight. Also I know that the heavier we are the more pressure on our joints so this could help you as well in the long run. I hope you find the strength each day to move forward in your daily weight control. From one struggler to another I wish you well. God bless!

Thank you! I needed that more than you could know!

You are awesome. Seriously.

I know how tough it can be sometimes to say "screw it" when you had a bad day or gave into a craving and binged. It is easy to just say, "Screw it, this weekend I am eating whatever I want." But it isn't always easy to get back on track.

It is also easy to feel upset when the scale number isn't going down as we had hoped. Unfortunately it takes time. And if it isn't going down for a few weeks, then maybe it is time to reevaluate and adjust.


We all struggle and get discouraged sometimes, but if you are reading this then you are still here and you are still fighting.

And I admire that.

Thank you for this! I admire you for posting something so supportive! Keep fighting the fight!

Thank you for such an encouraging post.

Thank you for the support