What to do when your opinions on your progress roller coaster?

jadey_lady
jadey_lady Posts: 32 Member
edited November 19 in Motivation and Support
Lately I've been having a lot of issues in keeping a steady, positive frame of mind through this journey.

I've lost about 50lbs overall (40lbs when MFP got involved) and I know I look much better than I used to. I started just north of 300lbs and am down to 265ish (lowest was 249lbs in May 2014 but I gained a lot back due to working 80 hours a week). I have started lifting a good amount of weights starting in Feb with 30-60min of cardio and I know that muscle will make you gain some weight but also trim you down...but I am so damn fixated on that number 249lbs that I saw six months ago that I feel conflicted and feel sometimes that progress isn't happening. The rational part of me knows things are looking good but my feelings are conflicted.

I didn't think to do measurements when I started this whole journey and now I feel like it's pointless because now I am stuck at a plateau for the past month or so. I know it's not pointless but I feel like it is. (does that make any sense?)

Does anyone else feels this way?

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Gym photo from two weeks ago...
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Replies

  • griffinca2
    griffinca2 Posts: 672 Member
    I think you are looking great!! You might want to cut back on the cardio a little bit and up the weight training. Granted, you burn more calories with the cardio but the weight training will help with replacing the fat w/muscle (which takes up less space). You might want to ensure you are changing up your workout--if you keep doing the same exercises w/same rep, set, and weight your body will plateau. Another problem may be what (not necessarily how much) you are eating. Make sure you are getting enough protein and above all watch the sugar (it's actually worse than a little to much fat). Take care and "keep on truckin"
  • CoachJen71
    CoachJen71 Posts: 1,200 Member
    Definitely not pointless! You have made super progress. *hugs* I go through those emotional roller coaster too. I just keep putting one foot in front of the other and continue working on my good health habits as best I can. It helps me to not fixate on the scale or appearance. I am using how I feel and my functional fitness levels as a metric, because those are more stable than weight loss, which stalls and whooshes.

    If you still don't see progress in another month, maybe then you might reevaluate your food intake and energy output, and make sure they are in line with your weight loss goals? Just don't give up! Slowing down and stalling are no reason to undo all your hard work, or give up the better quality life you have started to build.
  • jadey_lady
    jadey_lady Posts: 32 Member
    I used to do the stationary bike but I have recently switched to brisk walking/running on the treadmill, which I am hoping will help kick the plateau phase.
  • CoachJen71
    CoachJen71 Posts: 1,200 Member
    I have heard that switching up exercise is a good idea. Hope it does the trick!
  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,741 Member
    Looking great! Take measurements today! It's not pointless. The scale is just one, albeit inaccurate at times, form of measurement. If that one number is creating negative thoughts then it's time to start using other methods of tracking: measurements, how your clothes fit, how you feel, etc.

    Switching up your exercise program helps, but the biggest key is to push yourself harder. You don't need to do longer cardio sessions, just more intense ones. Stick with it - you look great!
  • jadey_lady
    jadey_lady Posts: 32 Member
    edited May 2015
    That's why I'm doing the walking/running now. I figure I can keep pushing myself into less walking, more running, which is way harder than what I think the bike is. I think the bike encourages less all-over movement...maybe engaging more of my arms will help.
  • hoyalawya2003
    hoyalawya2003 Posts: 631 Member
    I saw your first two pics, and thought, good progress. Then I scrolled down to the third and thought, dang! You are doing great! It sometimes helps to just stop and remember where you were, and how far you have come.
  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,741 Member
    jadey_lady wrote: »
    That's why I'm doing the walking/running now. I figure I can keep pushing myself into less walking, more running, which is way harder than what I think the bike is. I think the bike encourages less all-over movement...maybe engaging more of my arms will help.

    True, but solely running can be hard on your knees and joints, so I'd alternate days of running/walking with walking steep inclines on the treadmill. Those are very effective as well. I don't run at all. I prefer the incline intervals myself.
  • strong_curves
    strong_curves Posts: 2,229 Member
    OMG you've done great work so far! Ignore that stupid scale, get yourself a measuring tape and start tracking inches! Also pictures, lots of pictures. Sometimes when we look in the mirror we don't see a change, pictures are so much better at seeing progress, especially when you post them side by side with a pre-weight loss pic!

    I don't know if you're doing this or not, but you should look into getting a food scale and start weighing the foods you eat.

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