I want to quit!

Are you sure it isn't water weight? Have you been eating sugary or salty foods, which cause bloating and unnecessary weight gain?

I know just how you feel, I'm ready to throw the towel in myself. But I'm not going to. I hope you can find the strength to keep going.

If you're sure you're logging your calories correctly, something could be amiss - a friend was in the same situation as you, and was recently diagnosed with an underactive thyroid, so yes do make that doctor's appointment.

You sound so frustrated!!! Don't quit! In your post, you said you "slacked off" for the last two weeks. A 4.5 gain after not weighing yourself and slacking off a bit isn't so bad. If you give up, your gain may be much more significant. Everyone falls off the wagon at times. If you get back on, you could quickly lose the 4.5 lbs. Everything worth achieving is difficult. NEVER GIVE UP!

I completely understand! I gave up all junk food, sodas, chips, etc for Lent. And wouldn't you know the scale didn't even move except up a few ounces???? Yea, I hear ya!! :mad:

I agree with everyone else too!! I've quit many times before, only to gain back that 4.5 lbs and then some, usually gaining more each time. It sucks, and it is frustraing, I've broke down crying many times because of it. Stay strong, and definitely get some labwork checked out. Sounds like thyroid insuffiency.

Have you been exercising? It's possible a couple of extra pounds can be muscle. How are your clothes fitting?

Regardless, try to remember why you started this journey to begin with. Was it for your overall health? Weight loss? Fitting into skinny jeans? An upcoming vacation? Whatever the reasons, write them down, post them where you can see them, and then when you get discouraged, this will remind you, and encourage you!

You only fail if you quit trying. I know what you are going through. I have been at the same weight for 5 months, can’t seem to lose anymore. Sometimes I fall off the diet wagon, but I just get back on ASAP. There is only two ways to lose weight; reduce calorie or increase exercise. That it, maybe if one isn’t working; you may focus more on the other. Hang in there… you can do it.

First - :flowerforyou:

Second: You have taken away your tools (scales and food tracking). These are the two things that keep you on the path.

This is a lifelong journey, it will never end, a lifestyle that you have to embrace fully with desire and dedication. This 'bump' in the road should be your FINAL wake-up call. You can do this you have the rest of your life don't let this set back send you back where you were before. You came here (To MFP and this lifestyle) with a purpose don't lose sight of that now.

As for weighing I don't know your particulars but for me:

I make everything constant for my weigh -ins.

Same scale
Same place on floor (no rug)
In the morning after bathroom business - (if you have been constipated for several days remember that when you weigh)
In my birthday suit (try not to picture my birthday suit )

I extend my hand to you as a friend if you would like to add me.
We have a long road ahead; we will see many good days and many bad days. We raise our glasses that the bad days are very few and far between, but no matter what we must stay on the path.

Eating healthy and exercise is a new lifestyle all together. Most of us have to religiously continue the daily fight to survive. Hang in there! Some things that work for some, don't always work for others. The trick is finding that nitch for you. I've learned the biggest struggle for me was getting from the couch to the treadmil. But once i got there, it is amazing! I am a runner (a slow one), but none the less, a runner.. I'm not a biker. and i know that so i do what works, and try to mix it up a bit with something fun like ZUMBA! Jumping on a trampoline or playing softball or volleyball or tennis are great ways to workout! The trick is pushing through that first fight of whatever you enjoy doing (or didnt know you'd enjoy). You're fighting yourself all the time! Your mind says one thing, but your body another. Keep at it. Say, do i have something in store for you today body... you're not going to like this one bit! and smile My current goal is a marathon. I did one in 2008. Now, i must say, i am a casual jogger, but i was shocked when i actually completed the Duluth Grandma's Marathon. I wanted to cry (mostly cuz i could finally stop running) but also because I DID IT!! I DID IT!! I never thought i could do something like that. And i did it BY MYSELF! There were MANY times i wanted to give up, but kept pushing. Heck, scream if you have to! Stay active, stay alert of what you eat, and try to have fun doing it Best of Luck to you! This is a battle we all fight every day of our lives, find what works for you! Keep searching, DONT GIVE UP! ! !

Are you working out?
I gain before losing.... then I drop a few pounds at a time.

Glad your going into the doc. Could be thyroid or other things.
If you haven't done anything to gain this weight it could be health
related. Best to rule that option out.

Good luck to you!

Maybe I'm being a little harsh here, but if you give up now you weren't committed to this in the first place. You didn't gain the unwanted weight overnight. You won't lose it overnight either. You have to commit to this!

I gave up the scale for lent, tracked almost everday (slacked off the last 2 weeks in tracking but didn't go crazy eating) and I just got on the scale and gained 4.5lbs...

Of all the BAD things to give up, the scale is what you chose? Hmm.

The truth was I was not being totally honest with my food and was not making the best food choices.

This is probably what the OP was doing. You HAVE to be honest and track EVERYTHING. Otherwise you're just cheating yourself.

I say all this as someone who has been on and off again many times in the past. You really have to WANT this. Don't give up. See your Dr. and get back on the wagon!

Stick with it friend! You definitely sound like you are not happy where you are, and quiting would only hurt you! When I started, I tried to focus on one thing at a time, so I would not feel overwhelmed. If logging your food is something you are struggling with, just focus on that for 2 entire weeks. Be really honest with yourself about what you put in your mouth. Just doing that will help you get a handle on calorie intake. (even if you go over your calorie goal, logging helps you stop before it gets out of hand.)

then once you do that for 2 weeks, you can pick your next goal to focus on. Could be staying under your calorie goal consistently, or could be at least 20 mins of exercise at day or could be getting your water in every day. Then celebrate all your successes, not just the ones on the scale.

You want to do this and you want to succeed! I hear it in your email and the frustration in your tone. Don't give up and we won't give up on your either!!:flowerforyou:

You are not too harsh! However just and FYI..Lent is not about giving up something "BAD", It's about giving up something that is HARD for you to give up

Guess I never was much into religion. Either way, doesn't sound like it was a tough thing to give up.