Not seeing results

marywt8
marywt8 Posts: 6 Member
in Motivation and Support
It's really hard to stay motivated when you are working hard and don't see results. I'm actually at the heaviest I've ever been and when I discovered that I had a couple 'write off' weeks where I basically did whatever I wanted and, surprise, surprise, it set me even further back.

I've stated putting charts up on the wall in my room, a row for each day of the week, a column for 'food' and I write in the calorie results from MFP each day and exercise, again whether I reached my goal or not, then at the bottom a small goal for the week. It really helps keep things in perspective, but sadly also shows I'm not doing so well and it's no surprise I'm at my heaviest ever.

I guess you just have to keep on trying...

Replies

  • tlynarda
    tlynarda Posts: 1
    Hi,
    I know what you mean. I am in the same boat but I refuse to give up! Even if you don't lose at least keeping track makes you aware of what you put into your body and your physical activity.:smile:
  • Kenazwa
    Kenazwa Posts: 278 Member
    Exactly! I've given up, quit trying, and gained more weight for the last time. This time it's for life (what little I might have left of it at age 60). My old career has ended (outsourced), and I enrolled in the fitness specialist program at the college. My first client is me, and I'm staying right on my butt this time.
  • ellew70
    ellew70 Posts: 222 Member
    I don't know if you are doing anything wrong... you might be doing nothing wrong, or you know exactly what the issue is, but in many of these threads there are some common culprits:

    1. Not weighing your food or otherwise being very accurate about portion sizes. It causes you to underestimate your intake
    2. Overestimating calorie burns from exercise. MFP is not all that accurate, neither are exercise equipment. Try only eating back a fraction.
    3. Starving and then eating from denial - try to eat a little bit more but in many small portions.

    Nothing works for everyone, but maybe one of these small changes might help!
  • ceasingfeline
    ceasingfeline Posts: 26 Member
    I'm exactly the same! Since really kick starting a healthier lifestyle 2 weeks ago (measuring everything to do with food, drinking more water and working out hard every day even if it's only for 20 minutes), I've actually put on 4 pounds. I measured myself last night and I haven't gained any inches so I'm going to assume that I'm turning my fat into muscle (which weighs more) and hopefully I'll start to see some results over the next week or two where the weight will drop off.

    It is so hard to find motivation when you are doing all the right things but nothing is changing. Keep browsing these forums and you will probably find that everything is fairly normal, you just need to give things time. There are also some wonderful people who will hopefully help and motivate you on your weight loss journey.

    Good luck!
  • arguablysamson
    arguablysamson Posts: 1,709 Member
    Give a go what I did...

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1241325-how-to-do-one-meal-a-day-the-basics

    You need a fallback system whereby your ups and downs can't do you in. The sacrifice is reasonable and you can stay on it. You won't have to "try" anything anymore. My struggle now is getting ENOUGH calories to keep from losing weight. This changes you, I'm telling ya. It really does.
  • eldamiano
    eldamiano Posts: 2,667 Member
    It's really hard to stay motivated when you are working hard and don't see results.

    Working hard is just your opinionated reasoning. But in any case, effort does not equal weight loss. Calorie deficit = weight loss.
  • Grumpellina
    Grumpellina Posts: 49
    Hello.

    Please read this article thoroughly, as some people do not seem to really understand how this whole losing weight "game" works. It is a game of ups and downs, successes and failures, regrets and lessons learned.
    http://www.acaloriecounter.com/blog/why-am-i-not-losing-weight/
    I hope reading that can help guide you towards your journey and that it may go as smooth as possible. Feel free to message me if you need to talk, I don't mind being supportive.
  • ceasingfeline
    ceasingfeline Posts: 26 Member
    It's really hard to stay motivated when you are working hard and don't see results.

    Working hard is just your opinionated reasoning. But in any case, effort does not equal weight loss. Calorie deficit = weight loss.

    Perhaps I should have said when you feel like you are working hard then. Motivation is also subjective is it not though?
  • estaticaa
    estaticaa Posts: 67 Member
    This last summer, when I first began to take care of myself, I was horrified to find out my weight had increased after I started doing long walks and swimming at the beach, but it turns out I was most likely building muscle, which is heavier than fat.

    Don't be discouraged with the results you find on the scale and keep track of your body measurements as well. I find they're better indicators of how I'm doing rather than just checking my weight. Also, there may be a great number of reasons why your weight increased ( http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/mariposa224/view/you-did-not-gain-x-number-of-pounds-overnight-431514 )

    Keeping track of exactly how much you're eating also helps a great deal. Don't estimate, otherwise you might just be fooling yourself. But most of all, don't be disappointed with your progress and just take this opportunity to learn more about your body. It may help you achieve better results in the long run. I hardly look at the scale now, I just focus on the things I am able to do now that I couldn't before, on how my old clothes are starting to fit, on how I feel about myself. Weight really is just a number.
  • xsmilexforxmex
    xsmilexforxmex Posts: 1,216 Member
    This may be some tough love but it will start coming off when you are truly ready. Be honest with yourself, log everything. Trust, I understand food addictions and if thats the issue then take it one day at a time: DONT DENY *WHAT* you want, just get it in moderation. I always crave Pizza, sushi, and Mcdonalds... I have learned to split pizza with co workers, order healthier sushi rolls with the occassional fatty one, and get kids menu mcdonalds orders (or at least the smaller version). It takes time, It's not fast, it's not linear. But it also won't work if you give up, so dont. Good luck!
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    Results don't happen in a week or two, they are from a consistent reasonable deficet and hard work and saying no to yourself.

    First off logging everything, not just measuring but weighing food, being realistic with weekly weight loss goals.

    Understanding that new exercise causes water/glycogen stores in your body which can cause water weight gain.

    Understanding you do not gain muscle eating at a deficet, esp as a woman and esp if you are not doing a progressive load lifting program.

    If you want to lose weight then do it. You make that choice.
  • eldamiano
    eldamiano Posts: 2,667 Member
    It's really hard to stay motivated when you are working hard and don't see results.

    Working hard is just your opinionated reasoning. But in any case, effort does not equal weight loss. Calorie deficit = weight loss.

    Perhaps I should have said when you feel like you are working hard then. Motivation is also subjective is it not though?

    Perhaps, but I saw results, so while I appreciate 'working hard' is subjective, I certainly think I worked sufficiently.

    I could walk to the end of the road and claim to be working hard. So if it doesnt work should I lose motivation?

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