about ready to give up

Don't give up! I just added you as a friend - I have made lots since I joined and everyone is really supportive
Maybe you could up your calories to 1500 so you aren't feeling so deprived? I know the weather is still pretty crappy in Ontario...but can you do a 20 minute walk once a day to start?

A healthy weight loss is .5–2 lb. per week, so 6 lb. in a month is great. Log everything you eat accurately & honestly. Logging works.

Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

Agreed. Also, don't rely on the scale ALL the time. Measure yourself as well. Don't listen to your family saying that you aren't trying hard enough, you obviously are if you have lost 6 lbs. Keep going! It gets hard sometimes, but it will be worth it. I also sent you a request!

I feel the same way but please don't give up. NEVER eat under 1200 calories and break your workouts into little segments at a time. If you get 30 minutes of exercise in a day by breaking it into 10 minute sections through out the day its more exercise then you would get if you didn't do it at all right? That's what I keep telling myself and that is what I plan on doing! I am going to add you as a friend as well! We can help each other

3 pounds could just be normal fluctuations. I know how much we want to see things go down in a linear path, but unfortunately life doesn't work that way.

Also, maybe 1200 is too restrictive for you. What is your height/weight/gender? I was trying to do the 1200 thing at first too, and was basically setting myself up to fail. Some people do just fine on that amount, but I certainly did not. I bumped up my calories a little bit, and now feel much more in control and like I can keep going. Just something to think about.

Keep working at it! At 1200 calories my progress was not measurable enough to keep me motivated. After bumping up my daily calories to 1360 which doesn't seem like a lot but it made a big difference. I have more energy and don't feel deprived ~ the numbers on the scale are going down slowly which is the healthiest and best way. Don't give up ~ there's lots of support here

Hello!

As others have mentioned, you may want to consider eating a bit more if it means it's easier for you to stay on track. Sometimes making a drastic change and jumping into a brand new diet/exercise plan can make sticking with it long-term much harder to do. If you make small, gradual changes instead, you might find the experience more pleasant. You might feel better if you raise your calories and eat foods that you like in order to meet that calorie goal every day.

As for exercise, start out with things that you enjoy doing and things that are low impact. Leslie Sansone has lots of videos out that are low impact and centered around walking. You can do them in your living room, and I've heard great things about her programs.

Some people prefer to dive head first into the pool, but others do better getting their toes wet first. Be patient with yourself and don't give up. It doesn't have to be all or nothing right from the get-go in order to be successful. Even small steps are still steps in the right direction.

you need to lose more than 100 pounds? 1200 calories is not near enough. Put your stats in MFP for 1 pound a week and just log everything, You will lose but it will take time. At least you will not be so hungry while you do it.

^This.

Read the Sexypants link: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

Do Not Give Up! Then who wins???? That scale does. That's not right. First of all you probably need to be eating more around 14-1500 calories per day and not 1200 calories...That is the bare minimum of calories that someone would need. Depending on how much you were eating before and cutting back to 1500 calories and eating 6 times a day that way you are never hungry. Sometimes eating so little will put your body into starvation mode and it will stand still and not lose a single pound for you. You have to feed your body to lose weight.

Don't give up! I have a lifestyle coach/fitness trainer from California (I am in NJ) training me; she is fabulous! She focuses on proper food combining AND activity geared to your body shape/fat distribution. She does NOT advocate/encourage calorie counting (because she says it causes just what you are feeling) but rather good food choices, whole foods, micronutrients. Effective! Hang in there!

Along with the sexy pants link

read this one...

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here?hl=so+you're+new+here

I am about ready to give up AGAIN on trying to lose weight. I've been trying my best (although family says I'm not trying good enough) to stay on 1200 calories per day. At first I was a few calories under and now I'm going too far over. Watching calories is hard. To date have lost 6 pounds over last month (about). But 3 of those pounds I keep gaining back, then lose, then gain, then lose. Frustrating. I know that I need to exercise but find it very hard to start since I cannot keep it up for more than a couple of minutes or more before lower back pain starts. Maybe I'm just better off feeling like the Good Year Blimp". :sad: :indifferent:

Good year pimp *

Every1 has bad days from time to time. Think about 'why' u have chosen weightloss, let that motivate u. As the saying goes 'this to shall pass' Hope u feel better soon

You are most definitely not alone! I have given up so many times, and wish I hadn't - please don't give up (and please tell me the same thing if needed, and it will be, in the future!). I also have lower back issues, and I find that the recumbent bike works best for me - make sure it is set so there is still a bend in your knees at the furthest point. Also do gentle lower back exercises/stretches at least once a week.

Mary

Please don't give up!! Don't solely measure yourself using the scale as it can play tricks on you! Measure yourself by inches as that is a big motivator too! I'm rooting for you and good job thus far! Aim for gradual results versus instant gratification!

6lb a month is 72lb a year. Now that's some serious weight loss. Spout that at your family when they are saying you're not trying hard enough. 6lb is a good weight to lose per month. Well done.
Hang in there lots of people are rooting for you :bigsmile: