Harder than I thought... is this normal?

Another thing worth looking into is zigzag dieting. By the end of the week (for example) you would consume the same amount of calories as you are allowed now but your daily intake varies. It creates the opportunity to have guilt and stress free treats. Some feel it is better for the metabolism than a strict low cal diet. Some feel it's better for the soul

Sweetie_1103 wrote: »

I'm new to fitness pal. I'm just a week into it. and I've been really motivated. Counting calories hasn't really been a thing for me but with this program it seemed that I was finally doing something right this week and was looking forward to keeping it up. It was actually fun.

This morning, I allowed myself to eat a slice of cake and when I saw how many calories it ate up and what I was going to have to give up because of that piece of cake, it's like everything that had motivated me this week became everything that got me to feel so depressed and down on myself. I can't seem to stop the tears from falling and I'm wondering if I should just give up and go back to the way it was... but then I think of how much I hate my body right now and that I shoudn't give up. Is it normal that this feels so intense? Hopefully I won't have many days like today... I'm emotionally drained.

Looking forward to hearing from others about this.

Honestly, it's nothing to get upset over. I go over my calories all the time, but it usually evens out over the week, and I still end up losing weight, but maybe 0.1-0.2 lbs less than I had planned. Sometimes, I still lose the amount I wanted to. And don't worry about immediate weight gains after overeating. They are mostly water and food weight, and will be gone within a couple of days!

This is a long slow journey. You will get used to the calorie counting, at first it is shocking to realize how many calories are packed into just a tiny amount of food. After awhile you will figure out how to spend your calories wisely. Nutrient dense foods are best and they can taste really yummy. The occasional slip will not undo your progress, you will just accept it and keep on moving. Other people will always be around to cheer you on! You can do it, don't look back because you are not going that way.

I also have bad days. For example if I see cookies on the counter I may eat 6. Not 1 like a normal person and then say "crap I shouldnt have done that". But its done count it and move on. At least it was 1 slice not 1/2 the cake. However when I do that I make sure to fit in a little extra physical activity. That will also hep to balance things out Hope this helps and good luck

You log it and you move on ...we've all been there done that. I pre-log treats and then make a decision if still to go ahead and eat it, sometimes I just savour half a portion, or if I have the calories to spare I enjoy every mouthful, no guilt allowed
Just keep on going, this is a slow process but its totally worth it

And my remembering at those times is that we are in this for the long haul... Real changes over time and not just a quick fix for the short run. If you are willing to spend years getting healthy and feeling better about yourself, then messing up once in a while doesn't really seem like a mess up... Instead, it's life... Because how good would life be without that occasional piece of cake?

It's fine. Keep going.

In the future, pre-log. No nasty surprises. You can also save calories for the end of the day!

Sweetie_1103 wrote: »

Thanks everone... I know all this of course.. and I realize I might have overreacted... it's just that weight has always been a sore subject for me... I did pre-log the rest of my day and it turned out fine... but even if it didn't it's not the end of the world. I think I just felt overwhelmed at the huge change in my lifestyle. I will try and pre-log as much as I can from now on and leave myself some wiggle room for treats... After all, eliminating everything delicious is not the point here right? Moderation.

I absolutely agree! I saw someone write recently about fighting cravings. They termed it as choosing the pain of self discipline vs the pain of regret. That's some incredibly negative language. I don't think we need to martyr ourselves. There is a rational, positive (and dare I say, enjoyable) approach and it sounds like you're taking it. Good for you because the less bound up in negativity this journey is, the more sustainable (and therefore effective) it will be.

For the first three months of a very strict diet/exercise plan, I found that I would cry several times a day for no apparent reason. I think there is truth to the idea that your fat acts as a shield for your pain, and that losing your shield releases some of the pain. I stuck with my plan through it, and now the crying has levelled off and I have lost 65 pounds. Feeling pretty good about that. I say stick with your plan, feelings come and go, but losing the weight is worth it!

I agree that it's pretty depressing at times, but it's not undoable. I mean, you probably won't eat a piece of cake every day anyway (let's be honest though... I eat cake maybe once a month, if that. I've pretty much switched to ice cream as dessert as it's easier to fit in 120-200 calories than 400).

The important thing is to stick to a REASONABLE deficit, so you don't have to deprive yourself completely. If you're set to lose 2 pounds a week, switch to 1 pound a week. It will still be better than giving up. And eat half your exercise calories too. I've lost 80 pounds and never had to eat less than 1650 calories.

Then think about what you REALLY want to eat. And make it fit. I might forego the bun on a burger or hotdog so I can have a serving of ice cream, for example. Or if I really want a burger, I'll have broccoli on the side instead of fries, and I'll go light on the toppings, or even better, I'll make it myself at home with a smaller 90% patty. And if I really want lasagna for dinner, I'll try to just have grilled chicken and veggies for lunch, etc.

I have a major sweet tooth so I completely get it though! Sometimes I crave some dessert for weeks before I eventually have the spare calories to give in (I'm maintaining but I'm way hungrier now than when I was losing). And sometimes I just don't bother because in the end I just don't want it enough to waste a ton of calories on it. But when I finally give in and it fits my calories, I REALLY enjoy it.