weight loss, starting to think it's a myth.

thebestofme96
thebestofme96 Posts: 4
edited November 15 in Health and Weight Loss
Hello all, this is the first time I write, but I thought it would do some good. I've been watching what I eat for a month now, exercising 4 times a week for a month too and haven't loss weight apart from 2lb which isn't that much to be proud,

I am wondering If losing my 20lb is just a dream and not really a reality, What do you think ? Is my weight goal like the loch ness monster :P

Replies

  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    With 20 pounds to lose, half a pound a week is about what you should be aiming for. It actually is a good amount!
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Sounds about right.
  • JenMaselli
    JenMaselli Posts: 83 Member
    You're off to a good start. It's not a myth, track accurately and it will work.
  • AnxiousPenman
    AnxiousPenman Posts: 71 Member
    When you say you're "watching what you eat" ... does that mean you're tracking your calories using the tracker? And if you are, are you using a food scale to make sure you're tracking accurately?
  • thebestofme96
    thebestofme96 Posts: 4
    yea using the tracker but also eating mainly fruits and vegetables. but what motivates you guys to keep up the hard work ?
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    courcyjess wrote: »
    yea using the tracker but also eating mainly fruits and vegetables. but what motivates you guys to keep up the hard work ?

    Are you weighing your food? If you choose to open your diary, you may get some useful advice.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    courcyjess wrote: »
    yea using the tracker but also eating mainly fruits and vegetables. but what motivates you guys to keep up the hard work ?

    It's fun and I feel and look better than I ever have.
  • Merkavar
    Merkavar Posts: 3,082 Member
    I recently saw a video of women buying diet books from book stores to turn into paper mâché. Because they don't work.

    They probably thought it was a myth to.

    Firstly be patient. 1 month isn't much time. Give it a bit more time.

    Recheck what your eating is accurate. Are you eating back exercise calories?

    How much? 100% 50%?

    Is your exercise burn accurate.

    Maybe your eating more or exercising less than you think.

    But 2 pound isn't that bad, especially if you only have 20 pounds to lose.



  • teresanesselrode2015
    teresanesselrode2015 Posts: 28 Member
    I know how you feel i have only lost a few lbs in a month and a half but i took measurements when i started and i lost half an inch in my legs so that is my motivation. Muscle weighs more than fat lol
  • marissafit06
    marissafit06 Posts: 1,996 Member
    edited March 2015
    courcyjess wrote: »
    yea using the tracker but also eating mainly fruits and vegetables. but what motivates you guys to keep up the hard work ?

    It's easier than just eating "cleanly" was for me. I love sweets, so counting my calories allows me to keep going with out have 6 good weeks and then a binge.
  • Ang108
    Ang108 Posts: 1,711 Member
    courcyjess wrote: »
    Hello all, this is the first time I write, but I thought it would do some good. I've been watching what I eat for a month now, exercising 4 times a week for a month too and haven't loss weight apart from 2lb which isn't that much to be proud,

    I am wondering If losing my 20lb is just a dream and not really a reality, What do you think ? Is my weight goal like the loch ness monster :P

    Next week I will be here at MFP two years and am proud to have lost 55 pounds so far. When I first signed up I also wanted to lose as much as possible as quickly as possible, but decided to go the sensible route.
    Quite a few of my weight loss buddies have lost more weight faster, but also gained over different holidays and had to work extra hard to get back to that point. With .5 pounds a week( sometimes a bit more and sometimes not at all ) I have lost on average .5 pounds a week, something I feel can easily be maintained, which for many people is much more difficult than losing in the first place.
    My advise to you is to take it slowly, but surely.
    Good Luck !


  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    I have found that everytime I have doubted my ability to lose weight, eating less has always helped.
  • thebestofme96
    thebestofme96 Posts: 4
    Thanks for all your great advice. I guess I do have to take it one day at a time. I just wish it could happen over night :P Motivation has always been hard with me but when I look at success stories I tell myself one day I will also have a great story to share. :)
  • teresanesselrode2015
    teresanesselrode2015 Posts: 28 Member
    Hang in there thebestofme96 unfortunately it doesn't happen overnight
  • thebestofme96
    thebestofme96 Posts: 4
    how long do you guys think it will take on average to lose 20lb?
  • AnxiousPenman
    AnxiousPenman Posts: 71 Member
    thebestofme96 wrote: »
    Thanks for all your great advice. I guess I do have to take it one day at a time. I just wish it could happen over night :P Motivation has always been hard with me but when I look at success stories I tell myself one day I will also have a great story to share. :)


    Nothing good ever happens overnight. That's one of the biggest challenges of weight loss (or, it was for me anyway); it takes time and you have to actually give it time.

    And it takes a different amount of time for everyone.

    I lost 60 pounds last year in 7 months. And even thought that was actually super fast, I still felt very impatient a lot of the time. You just kind of have to deal with the impatient aspects and know that so long as you're accurately tracking, you will lose weight (barring any real medical issues).

    Motivation is also very personal. For me, I started losing weight when my wife and I decided to have a baby. Now I'm motivated to lose more weight so I know I'm in good enough shape to keep up with the baby (she's only 10 weeks old and already wearing me out!). I'm motivated to have a body that will allow me to be as active with her as possible as she grows.

    You need to find the motivation that works for you for the long term.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    thebestofme96 wrote: »
    how long do you guys think it will take on average to lose 20lb?

    It took me 4mths to lose 24lbs

  • MelodyandBarbells
    MelodyandBarbells Posts: 7,724 Member
    Hmm are you really 18, OP?
  • kindrabbit
    kindrabbit Posts: 837 Member
    Every journey starts with one step. You have lost 2lbs in a month, that's half lb a week which is the ideal amount for you. That's a perfect start. Do that every month and you'll be the new you before you know it.
    What keeps me going is a mixture of determination (I want this weight gone!) stubbornness (I'm not coming this far then giving up) and a desire to teach my daughter that being accountable for your own health and wellbeing is vital. If you count every single calorie that you consume you WILL loose weight. I have ultimate faith in the math of CICO
  • mumblemagic
    mumblemagic Posts: 1,090 Member
    thebestofme96 wrote: »
    yea using the tracker but also eating mainly fruits and vegetables. but what motivates you guys to keep up the hard work ?

    Make sure you track veggies as well. They're good for you, but they do have calories.

    The only thing that doesn't is water, and maybe tea with no milk and no sugar (ie mostly water).

    Check out the now famous sexy pants guide.

    Summary
    1. Weigh your food using digital scales in grams - don't use measuring cups or spoons for non liquids . Track your drinks too (fruit juice can have around 150 kcal per glass.
    2. Be wary of exercise calories. They are rarely accurate (even with a fitbit) so you may want to consider not eating all of them back.
    3. Be patient. About 0.5 - 1 lb per week is reasonable progress at your weight
    4. Try to make this a lifestyle change not a temporary highly restrictive diet that you stop when you're thin.

  • ljones27uk
    ljones27uk Posts: 177 Member
    it took me 7 months to lose 42lbs.. look at this way, if it came off in a day, it can go on in a day. long term, slow weight loss, is the best way to get the weight off and keep it off. good luck
  • azulvioleta6
    azulvioleta6 Posts: 4,195 Member
    When you are not very overweight, it is difficult and often slow. Don't give up!

    For more specific feedback, consider opening your diary.
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