Anyone that has been successful but lost weight very slowly?

It took me nearly two years to lose 50+ pounds and I've been maintaining in a fairly tight range for 6 months. It takes time to find your comfort zone and learn to eat and exercise properly given your own personal preferences. Just keep at it. You'll get there and you won't have to starve yourself to do it. You got this!

While losing weight slowly is often healthy and recommended, it certainly can be a real motivation killer. But there are lots of things you can do to keep yourself moving in the right direction, so don't lose hope!

I've had lots of luck staying motivated by taking my body measurements in addition to stepping on the scale. For me, my inches shrink faster than the scale moves. So get the measuring tape out!

Take some pics of yourself. I know, I know... no one really wants to take pics when they aren't looking like they want to look. But I don't know about you, but when I'm trying to lose weight I'm constantly checking myself in the mirror to see if I can see any changes. Over the course of time, I have trouble seeing anything different. But pics really help me zero in where I'm making progress... especially if I put my "over time" pics side by side.

Find someone who can keep you accountable or join a support group. After my first baby I tried losing the weight by myself. I did ok, but my motivation and accountability waivered. So after a year of going it alone, I joined a group and lost more in just 3 months than I did that first year. Plus I stayed excited about what I was doing. So this time around (I'm working on baby #2 weight and looking at needing to 75lbs) I jumped right into a group. They keep me accountable, encouraged, and give me tips when I'm struggling.

Finally. Determine WHY you want to lose weight. Really dig deep and find a meaningful reason you need to get to a different place. Then put that reason in writing and post it in places you will see it often.

I hope this helps! Feel free to message me anytime.

You took a long time to get the weight on. It takes a permanent change in lifestyle to keep it off. If you take it slowly you are more likely to make those changes. I am halfway to my goal, but the changes I have made will stay with me forever.

Keep motivated by setting interim goals with movement and diet.

I lost 41 pounds last year and I'm going for another 50 this year. I echo everyone- it took awhile to pack on, and it's not going to come off overnight, especially when I'm working so hard on making this a lifestyle change. I lost 45+ pounds years ago in a short period of time, and it swiftly came back on. Plus, I think once you get the initial excess weight off, it makes exercising a lot easier and more enticing. But I hear you, it can be frustrating to see people dropping like, 50 lbs in 6 months, and wondering what the hell I have to do to speed up the process. Just listen to your body- all progress is good progress, and I think you'll def see the results for longer.

Just one more way to look at this...if you could fast forward to 1 yr from now, obviously you would be happiest reaching your ultimate goal weight (if you're like most people) BUT, if we assume for a moment that's not possible...would you rather say, "Ugh I'm heavier than a year ago!" or "I lost 4.2 lb since last February" or "I lost 21 lb since last February!"

I bet you've got an answer to that ;-)

I average about 1/2 a week as well and I am currently down 35lbs. For me any loss is progress and losing at a slower weight is more realistic for my lifestyle and comfort.

If I want to see my glass as half empty I would say I'm a slow loser. If the glass is half full I lose inches quickly if I lift weights. In the past month I've lost 4 lbs but I lost 8.75". In the past I have gone a month and longer without losing a pound but I lost inches. So my suggestion is to lift weights or do some kind of aerobic weight training like The Firm. If you work on changing your body composition as you lose weight you'll be much happier with your results.

I will also add that while losing weight slowly isn't totally amazing like it is on the Biggest Loser, it does teach you what it takes to lose weight and keep it off. I've lost weight quickly in the past and once I stopped dieting I started to gain again. I had not learned how to eat reasonable amounts of food. Any loss is better than gaining or maintaining. Each of us has to accept how our bodies work and also that once we reach *ahem* a certain age it doesn't come off as quickly anymore.

It has taken me 2 years to lose 75lbs so far. I can totally relate to what you are saying, I look here for motivation, but unfortunately get discouraged by how fast some others lose the weight. It doesn't help that I am not a patient person either

Your current weightloss is remarkable. Big difference in your 2 photos. Time to get some new clothes!
Slow and steady seems to be working!

Just eat right and exercise! Keep at it, you got this!

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1193569-cookies-taste-better-than-skinny-feels

This is a great post! Enjoy :drinker:

I think that the more you have to loss, the more you can allow yourself to lose at first. If you keep eating healthy (and not starving yourself) and maybe exercising more you can surely lose more than 2 lbs a month. I think it's a great advice if someone doesn't have to lose a lot of weight. It took me 1,5 years to lose 15 kgs (33 lbs) but I haven't always been dieting. When I started I could lose 1 kg (2 lbs) a week with no problem. I don't think it would be unhealthy if you did everything right, and at least it gives you a great point to start to.

It is coming off pretty slow for me. I'm older and thyroid is probably a bit out of whack. I do feel impatient and discouraged but I figure I wil weigh a little less each month and get to my goal eventually.

I didn't read all the responses so forgive me if what I say has already been said.

Losing weight is not an over night fix. It took years for you to be where you are and in this 'predicament'. It will take time for you to lose the weight. Weight loss is not a temporary fix, it should be a lifestyle change. Its not a diet, its a lifestyle change.

Its taken me 3 years to lose 90lbs. I have learned a lot in 3 years. Once I reached my goal, I didn't ditch everything I learned and went back to old ways. Its how I live now. Its my life.

Slow gradual changes are more likely to last then quick fixes. I do agree that its hard on the motivation. But don't lose sight of that goal and why you are doing what you are doing. Adding years to your life should be motivation. Being healthy every day is motivation. Every pound you lose, the closer that goal is. You will get there!

Lost weight REALLY slowly this time as I used to have Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) - basically ridiculously overexercising and undereating, but not at an anorexic weight level. I then burnt all bridges to that and put on an unreal amount of weight, around 120 lbs, and have now taken 50lbs off again. very slowly, over about 3 years. gentle is good, as you get used to what you can eat, but if you did want to lose more, it is just a case of exercising a bit more and eating a little less. however, slowly is definitely a good way to get used to eating that much as a regular thing, not just a 'while i'm on a diet' thing.

good luck, and enjoy what you do eat

xxx