Lost 11 lbs but feel just as fat as before.

Are you kidding? 11 pounds is terrific. You did not put the weight on over night and it is not coming off over night either. You need to celebrate your loss and keep doing what you are doing. Congrats so far

segacs wrote: »

First off, the time you lost 50 pounds in 4 months, did you regain some or all of it? That's probably because you lost it too fast. And now in your mind, you're expecting to lose it that quickly again, and you're feeling frustrated that you're not.

You need to reset your expectations. Slow and steady. A pound a week is a good pace. The slower you lose, the better you'll do at retaining essential muscle mass. Also, you'll be losing it at a pace that involves eating a diet that you can keep up indefinitely. That equals lifestyle change, which equals keeping the weight off once it's gone.

The first 11 pounds probably included a fair bit of water weight. The reason you still feel like a "big blob" is partly because you're way too hard on yourself, and partly because losing water weight won't have a huge effect on your body's shape or how toned and fit you feel.

Just keep at it. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Eat enough, exercise moderately as your injury allows, and keep a sense of balance. You'll get there.

I don't think I could say it any better.

You're probably not going to get a lot of favourable opinions of packaged diet solutions like Jenny Craig on MFP, because this site is designed for people who want to lose weight using the calorie counting method.

Obviously, nobody's gonna tell you what to do. If you're happy doing what you're doing, there's nothing wrong with it.

But just so you know: The reason these companies make so much money is that they set you up basically to yo-yo diet. They tell you to just eat their food and follow their plan for a short, time-limited period so that you'll lose the weight. Then when you stop, you haven't actually learned about nutrition or calorie deficits, you aren't equipped with the vital skills to keep the weight off, so most people re-gain. And then they make more money by getting you to sign up again, and again, and again...

So by all means, stick with Jenny Craig, but I'd also urge you to take the opportunity to learn the theory behind it. That will help you transition into healthy habits for life, with your own food, totally free.

NiqueKristan wrote: »

AntonioP23 wrote: »

NiqueKristan wrote: »

Hi all! I have lost 11 pounds in a month. It shows on the scale but I still feel like a big blob.
I'm 5"6, started at 222 and I'm now 211z
Also, my weight loss feels slow. I've lost 50 pounds before, all in 4 months.
I have a knee injury now and a very hectic schedule so I don't have time to do as much exercise before and now everything is low impact.
Any encouragement or ideas as to why I don't feel better after losing 11 pounds please? I drink tons of water and exercise 5 times a week. Been eating healthy although I haven't been logging.

I really good way to gauge the effects of your weighloss would be comparing pictures or how your clothes feel...

Well done on losing lots of weight...your metabolism may have adjusted to your calorie level hence the slowing of fat loss.

How accurate are you logging every day? There may be a difference in what you are consuming and what you think you are.

I had double knee surgery 6 months ago so I feel your pain - I managed to take TOTAL control over my diet as exercising wasn't possible.

I can only do walking right now and weight lifting for my upper body.

Wow how did knee surgery go? I'm considering it.
That's great you are strict with your diet. I am on Jenny Craig now, and because I follow it 100% I'm 1500 cals a day

It went ok thanks - will see in next couple of months if it worked.

OK - I'm from London so not too sure what that plan is like.

Feel free to add me and check out my diary.

I eat at random times as I'm busy - I prelog the night before and plan ahead.

Also - I like having a big meal in the evening so I enjoy things!

11 pounds is excellent, WTG! Keep doing what you're doing and be patient.

I do the same thing. One day I'll be thinking how great I look (compared to 50 lbs ago), and the next day all I can think is how fat I look when looking in the mirror, that I've always looked this fat, that I'll always look this fat.

It's a mental health issue (for me, at least).

I just have learned to acknowledge that it's all in my mind, that I do look better, and move on. By doing that consistently over the years these negative thoughts happen less and less, and when they do come, it's easier for me to make them go away.

melly0405 wrote: »

If you feel as though 11 lbs isn't much, the next time you are in the supermarket pick up a 10 lb bag of potatoes and carry it around with you. After a while you will realize that the 11 lbs you lost really does make a difference. Don't get discouraged and keep up the great work!

Strap on a back pack filled with 11lbs of potatoes and walk around with it on all day and night.
I think it's a great result. Well done to you

I lost 10lbs in about two months (mid November to mid January) and I still felt pretty much exactly the same, just found that my clothes were a bit looser. Over the past few weeks I haven't really lost any more weight, but now I'm starting to get used to it and I can tell, it's weird. It took a while for my brain to catch up and feel better about my physique, I suppose, I really don't know the psychology behind it. Also, I saw someone the other day who I haven't seen since before I lost that weight, and she couldn't get over how different I look apparently, even though I personally didn't think it was that noticeable, and people who see me more regularly haven't really commented. Anyway my point is that it may just take a little time! Congratulations and I hope the psychological reward component sets it for you soon, I know it's hard work

Way to go!!

I think the key is to recognize that the whole thing is a process! I truly believe in setting small achievable goals and then wholeheartedly rewarding yourself when you reach them. Lost 10 lbs already? Fan-freaking-tastic, you go girl! Get a massage, a manicure, take yourself out to the movies with a friend-- on you-- to celebrate your milestone! 10 lbs later? Do the same thing! It's important to celebrate yourself!

How can you get to a point where you can celebrate? Figure out a way to make the weight seem like 10 lbs (or whatever you need to get yourself to the end, bit by bit) instead of a mountainous 50 lbs. It really does help, I can guarantee. You might find that the closer you get to the goal, the smaller your reward intervals need to be spaced in order for you to really recognize your own progress. No problem! There's something nice about holding onto the feeling of (healthy) celebration while you're inching towards the next interval lost. It has really helped me savor the process and push through.

The other thing I've found helpful is reframing how I think of weight loss- every month I revisit my goals based on the previous month. It is another way I judge my progress based on intervals achieved. Set a plan for the month and commit to sticking to it through weekly commitments (or larger monthly goals), using positive reinforcement. I "Pay" myself $1 for every day I hit the gym, usually within a minute of walking through the front door. That could be $10 or $0.25 for someone else's budget, but the point is, I reward myself for sticking to my goals. This money goes into a savings account solely dedicated to reaching my fitness goals. At the end of the month I look back through my workout + eating diary and see that I banked $xx.00 and to me that's certainly better than zero, in more ways than one. Again, if you focus on accomplishment and positive reinforcement, I think you'll be surprised at how much PRIDE you have for your efforts. That is how you build self-confidence, by holding yourself accountable for reaching your goals. Congrats on making big changes in your life!