I feel myself giving up

ajocec
ajocec Posts: 19 Member
in Motivation and Support
I have been doing great since February. Dropping 1-2 lbs a week, working out almost every day and was really happy with my results.

The past 2 weeks i saw the scale go up or stay the same. Have had no weight loss, even though I was still eating at defecit and working out .

I got so frustrated I had a binge day last week, and since then am finding myself eating foods I would not have in the time I was losing successfully. I also find myself going over my 1200 calorie limit every few days.

I realize the reason my weight isn't coming off anymore is because I've gotten lazy, but I've gotten lazy because I wasn't motivated by a loss in the first place.

Anyone have any motivational tips to keep me going? I really want to get out of this cycle and back on track

Replies

  • chandramiller68
    chandramiller68 Posts: 189 Member
    Hi @ajocec I was sitting here thinking the same thing. I've been logging for about 30 days and losing weight and inches. Here lately I've felt so overwhelmed with life and responsibilities. I was exercising good and then my leg started hurting and I've missed a few days. Then family drama happened and that has thrown me out of the cycle. What seems to help me is just get moving. I may not be up to a hard workout, but just a nice, peaceful walk helps. Reading motivational articles from trainers and health gurus I respect also help me. I hope you feel better soon. We can do this; mind over matter. :)
  • Ajwtech
    Ajwtech Posts: 1 Member
    edited April 2015
    Sounds like you plateaued. This is meant to be more practical than motivational. I'm not here to motivate you. That's your job. I'm here to help you understand what happened.

    So as you lose weight, your metabolism declines, causing you to burn fewer calories than you did at your heavier weight. Your slower metabolism will slow your weight loss, even if you eat the same number of calories that helped you lose weight. When the calories you burn equal the calories you eat, you reach a plateau.

    After you read this post. Read this:http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/weight-loss-plateau/art-20044615

    Now you've given enough information to say that you should not be cutting more calories and you are most likely female. 1200 is less than any normal male should consume. There are three very simple things you can do once you get back up and decide to stop being frustrated. (Also these three things will actually reduce your frustration.)

    Your muscle gain and weight loss have caused this to happen. But it is good. Add 10 to 30 minutes to your exercise routine AND make it more intense AND switch it up.

    Do this routine until you start to plateau again. Meaning if you go a week and you are seeing a decline or stop in weight loss. Change things up again. Do this until the change actually causes weight gain. At that point weighing yourself no longer reflects your efforts or you looking overweight. Look at your body not your weight. Measure your body. Plan your changes and target what you want to look like. Good luck.
  • HealthierWithAge
    HealthierWithAge Posts: 5 Member
    Here is what helps me. Find other benefits to exercising and eating healthy, besides weight loss, that make it worth it even when the scale doesn't change. For me, I am stronger, my digestive issues are now under control, and I have he energy to play with my kids. When I am discouraged about the scale, I focus on those things. Those are still good reasons to keep at it. The scale will move again. There will be periods where the progress is slower for all of us. Just keep at it:)
  • melanie899
    melanie899 Posts: 33 Member
    Ajwtech wrote: »
    After you read this post. Read this:http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/weight-loss-plateau/art-20044615

    ^ Thanks for the article. Not sure if it helped the OP, but it helped me :)

    It's absolutely true what they say about it being 80% mental (or however the saying goes). Just keep your head in the game and push forward.
  • gle8442
    gle8442 Posts: 126 Member
    For most people, eating at a 1200 cal/day diet is tough. It is very hard to stay motivated to stick to so few calories unless you are getting constant positive feedback from the scale. But the scale will not give you positive feedback every day, or even every week or every two weeks, because the scale is evil! You have to able to able to roll with occasional plateaus (and not get overly excited about sudden drops) because these are going to be with you for as long as you trry to lose weight.

    Personally, I don't think motivation is just about willpower: it is also about calories. Weight loss takes time, so you have to find a deficit that is sustainable for you, which means being at a place where you still have self-control. If 1200 calories/day has you constantly cheating, binging, and on the verge of giving up, then that's not sustainable for you. Try out smaller deficit, and see how you feel: maybe your willpower will miraculously return! Yes, you'll be losing more slowly, but that's a lot better than nothing, which is what will happen if you throw in the towel completely.


  • sengalissa
    sengalissa Posts: 253 Member
    ajocec wrote: »
    I have been doing great since February. Dropping 1-2 lbs a week, working out almost every day and was really happy with my results.

    The past 2 weeks i saw the scale go up or stay the same. Have had no weight loss, even though I was still eating at defecit and working out .

    I got so frustrated I had a binge day last week, and since then am finding myself eating foods I would not have in the time I was losing successfully. I also find myself going over my 1200 calorie limit every few days.

    I realize the reason my weight isn't coming off anymore is because I've gotten lazy, but I've gotten lazy because I wasn't motivated by a loss in the first place.

    Anyone have any motivational tips to keep me going? I really want to get out of this cycle and back on track
    That cycle sounds familiar.
    But - if you give and, you'll gain weight back. Is that what you want?
  • Cortneyrenee04
    Cortneyrenee04 Posts: 1,117 Member
    I know exactly how you feel. I used to feel like that all the time.

    I had to realize that binging because I hadn't lost weight didn't really make a ton of sense... I took out my frustration on a good workout instead.

    I still find myself in the kitchen about to binge and I remind myself of my goals. 1200 is really tough. I would definitely make sure that goal is right for you. I lasted about 5 weeks and lost beautifully, but I was stressed and hungry! After upping to 1400, I felt better. Just my experience :)

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