Help!Need advice

jenny1117
jenny1117 Posts: 1
edited November 16 in Health and Weight Loss
Ok..so I need some advice, or encouragement, or something! So, I quit smoking in November and by January I had gained 18 pounds on top of the extra weight I already knew existed. At that time(the beginning of January) I decided I was ready for a life change. I joined the YMCA and since January have been working out, profusely, six days a week and changed my diet completely. I have literally changed my diet by 360 degrees. I have lost a few inches and 10 pounds in 3 months! What am I doing wrong?? I am very discouraged. I realize that I did not gain my weight over night, but as hard as I am working, I feel like the weight should be falling off. Any suggestions or ideas would be a great help?

Replies

  • misskarne
    misskarne Posts: 1,765 Member
    10 pounds in 3 months is great!

    You are right. The weight did not go on overnight. It will not come off overnight. Be patient.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Congrats on your 10 lb weight loss :)
    Keep working out in the gym, but be aware that weight loss is mostly about food.
    In other words, eat less than you are now.
    This thread has everything you need:
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1
  • SBRRepeat
    SBRRepeat Posts: 384 Member
    10 pounds and several inches is great progress! You should be very happy with that. Keep in mind that starting new exercise programs can cause some water retention, too.

    If you have MFP set up to lose more aggressively than you are, then it may be that you are eating a little more than you think and burning a little less. So, let's start there:
    Are you weighing and logging your food carefully?
    Are you eating back exercise calories? If so, how are you estimating how much you burn?

    Others will be along shortly to ask all the other relevant questions, but you should be proud of your progress! Successful weight loss is about long term change, not infomercial style rapid weight loss.
  • eeelizabeth2012
    eeelizabeth2012 Posts: 132 Member
    Nothing was working for me. I recently got a Fitbit and have been making sure to get 10,000 steps a day and eating within my budget and the pounds starting falling off.
    My advice to you is to MOVE! I walk 30 mins in the morning, 45 mins at lunch, 1 hour after work, and pilates 20 mins at night before bedtime. It sounds like a lot... but broken down it really isnt and now I crave movement. The Fitbit keeps it fun for me because it tracks everything I am doing and synced with myfitnesspal it tracks calories etc too. I also can compete with other people and that makes it fun for the most steps in a day, week, weekend, etc.

    That is what has worked for me.
  • eeelizabeth2012
    eeelizabeth2012 Posts: 132 Member
    PS: I lost 7 lbs in 4 weeks so far.
  • cbhubbybubble
    cbhubbybubble Posts: 465 Member
    A few inches and 10lbs in 3 months is good. It's progress. All progress is good. As noted, losing weight is more about eating than working out. Keep going to the gym, but focus on a calorie deficit to ensure you're on the right track to keep losing.
  • dpwellman
    dpwellman Posts: 3,271 Member
    It takes a while. Some days are progress. Some days, not so much. All in all, I'm sitting on a NINE month plateau, but I'm still here. Grinding. Something is going to give eventually.
  • SergeantSausage
    SergeantSausage Posts: 1,673 Member
    "a pound a week, more or less" (paraphrased)

    "doing wrong"


    LOL.

    Unrealistic expectations much?
  • snowflakesav
    snowflakesav Posts: 649 Member
    I think you are a solid road to great progress. I agree a fitbit and going for 10000 steps might be a good tool to try.
  • riffraff2112
    riffraff2112 Posts: 1,756 Member
    Sounds to me like you are doing great. It is not a race, and whatever you are doing is working so keep it up.

    I would second the notion that food is the most important part of the weight loss equation so make sure you are strict with your calories. Working out is awesome but definitely not the fastest way to lose weight (which seems to be your main goal).

    My body tends to hold on to weight longer than other peoples, and it can get frustrating but trust me, for long term health and sustainability....slow and steady wins the race
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