Found new stretch marks

rori20 · February 2011

I started really getting back into exercising and watching my food about a couple of weeks ago. I had just weighed myself on Friday out of being anxious to see my new weight, although my weigh-in day is Saturdays. I had lost four pounds in a little under two weeks! I didn't log it, since it wasn't technically my weigh-in day.

The next morning I got on the scale to make it official, and I was back up to one lb less than my starting weight. I tried not to let it eat at me, because weight fluctuates.Also, I've been weight training, so might have gained muscle weight. I taped myself and saw no noticeable difference in inches., which made me feel as if maybe I hadn't been losing weight after all.

I couldn't get it off of my mind all day, and my spirits were down. I felt as if my hard work wasn't making a difference. I suffer from depression, and admittedly I can be over-dramatic and too hard on myself.

Anyway, things got a lot worse that night when I found stretch marks I hadn't seen before on the back of my knees. It has crushed my mood completely. I've got stretch marks all over my body because of what I did to it these past two years. They're all over my thighs, under my arms, all over my stomach and on my chest. I am very self-conscious about them, but they've gotten a lot lighter the last few months and I really thought I wasn't going to get any more new ones.

I haven't exercised in two days and I'm eating and drinking a lot more, and more caloric things, than I usually would.

Needless to say I'm in a huge slump and wondered if anyone has any encouraging words/tips for bad days. Thanks in advance, guys. The MFP community really helps me keep going and I appreciate you all.

kmm7309 · February 2011

I suffer from depression and anxiety myself, and I tend to be over-dramatic. Every day, when I go to log my first calorie, I mentally note that the tally is back down to 0 calories consumed. No matter how bad I screw up, every day I get the chance to start again fresh. This stuff takes time to adjust to- there's a reason that so many of us are overweight!

Secondly, every bite you contemplate consuming is something you can hold yourself accountable for. I don't have any problems going up for seconds at dinner time- because my first portion is so much less than it used to be. So I eat slowly, let it settle, and decide if I would like some more. I know that if I put it on my plate, I will eat it, so I try to avoid that. But that knowledge can be applied to anything you consume. If you splurge (as I often do) on a smoothie, do you need a 24 oz? Would a 12 oz satisfy? If you eat a cookie, do you really need another? If portion control is an issue, pre-portion your snacks or buy them pre-portioned.

And I do know, above anything else, that exercise counteracts depression. I grumble through every workout and bead of sweat that falls, but I feel so elated afterwards that the end justifies the means. Do what you can to exercise daily. Anything you can do! It will help balance your chemicals to help your depression.

pablosgirl24 · February 2011

Hi rori20, I have just joined this site this morning with the hopes of losing at least 40 pounds. I too am dissapointed with what I have done to my body at the age of 24. I have stretch marks all over my stomach which have only appeared in the last month or so, which has been a big motivator for me. Stretch marks do eventually fade to a light white colour and new ones will appear if you are predisposed to them unfortunately. As we gain weight and even lose weight, this will happen and we just have to accept it. As for the weight loss, it seems as though you are trying really hard and the weight training will mean you are turning that fat into muscle which always weighs more. Have you thought about just doing the cardio to burn fat first and then perhaps doing some light toning exercise like swimming? I think this may yield better results for you, but we all need to find something that works for us..... try not to put yourself down so much, you are obviously a very pretty girl and I under stand that self-motivating is hard. I hope to get inspiration from this site too, to try and get back in shape. xxx

wonlife2live · February 2011

Each day begins new!

I, too have been eating way over my calorie goal, especially in the evening. However, I am still logging daily. I have no set weigh in day, if I wake up and feel "skinnier" I hop on the scale. It works for me, less stressing about "the day." My clothes are fitting better, and that is a great reward. My cycle impacts what I eat, my energy level, and water retention, so weighing on a regular schedule would probably be discouraging.

The weight did not come on overnight, nor will it come off that way. Even if you can't keep your calories down to the goal number, keeping them lower than they used to be (when we habitually ate too much) is a step in the right direction. Just being aware of how you are eating is a positive change.

So, keep on Sister, a healthier you is worth the effort!

McKayMachina · February 2011

Boo to stretch marks. I hate them! But I look at it this way: I can have stretch marks and be fat or I can have stretch marks and be fit. Those are my options. I choose the latter!

As much as I'd like to have picture-perfect skin, I no longer have that luxury. It's one of my "in a perfect world" items. In the real world, we can focus on our weight loss and live happier lives.

My favorite comedian, Katt Williams, put it best: "We don't have no time to worry 'bout no *kitten* like stretch marks... They came from either one of two things: Either you was big and got small, or you were small and got big ! Either way, we fu<kin'... Either Waaay!" hahaha

rori20 · February 2011

Just to get it out of the way, thanks to everyone who has responded. Every one of you has been helpful and uplifting. This is why I love MFP! I would have a much rougher time doing this without you.

kmm7309- I like how you think with the "Every day I'm back at zero calories" mentality. That has helped me in the past, and I need to reconnect with that thought. Also, exercise is a great help for depression. The hard part is getting up and getting it done, but doesn't it just feel awesome when you're through?

pablosgirl124-Welcome to the site! I think you'll love it here. As you can see, this place is full of positive, wonderful people that will help you along. I do a combination of cardio and weight training, hoping for a double whammy. I plan to stick with the weights, since I need to strengthen my legs. I blew out my left knee last October because of my weight and my right knee was starting to ache in the same way. I don't know if it's the weights, but my right knee has already stopped aching. I see where you're going with that suggestion, though, and I think what I will do is to put my scale away for this first month. Thanks for the compliments, too.

wonlife2live-I specifically want to thank you for talking about how, even though we might not see the results we want, all is not lost when we look at the change we have made in our habits. Admittedly, I downed oo much coconut rum yesterday, but it was nothing compared to how much I used to drink. I made a conscious decision at the store to buy a small bottle. That's a positive. I didn't buy a bunk of junk food and other crap for comfort (had the booze for that, I guess. lol). I ate healthier than I gave myself credit for yesterday, even if I ate a bit too much. That's a positive. Thanks for helping me see the positives.

McKayMachina-Thanks for the smile. I have never heard of Katt Williams, but I'll have to look Katt up now! Also, you make a lot of sense when you talk about the two choices we have. I think I'll choose the latter as well!

Thanks again, guys. I'm sipping some tea, counting my blessings and feeling brightened. I just might get to sleep at a decent hour tonight and wake up for a great bike ride in the morning!

Found new stretch marks

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