4 weeks of no measurement loss or weight loss? what do I do? loss of motivation ='s splurging!!

FemmeAndi
FemmeAndi Posts: 107 Member
edited November 20 in Motivation and Support
Just finished week 12 of Shaun T's Focus 25, I'm in Gamma now.
For the last 4 weeks my measurements have stayed the same and I've actually gained a couple pounds. I feel tired & the harder I try it seems the further it sets me back. I tried eating the calories MFP set me, eating back exercise calories but I was too hungry to sleep at night. So I adjusted them higher by selecting to lose only 0.5 pounds and still this isn't working. Feels like I can't find that place of progress anymore and starting to think that my body wasn't built to get fit. lol (That's the sound of defeat). And i hate to admit this, but I'm starting to say like... "meh who cares, I'm tired, I've been doing this for 3 months so i'm going have a pig out" (happens maybe once every week now, like i have to do it cause im tired n hungry and just want to sleep good) and I don't even feel guilty about it the next day. Takes me the whole week to repair the damage done. What's going on and how can I get Focused again???

Replies

  • mausbop
    mausbop Posts: 554 Member
    I'm kinda in the same situation like you and I guess no one can have the right advice dear.
    The only thing we can do is bite our stupid tongue and go on like we did before. Find some NEW and fresh motivation, watch some videos, read some stories, maybe find a new buddy to go through this journey?
    I don't know anything about Shaun T's Focus 25 , but I'm sure you are not the only one following it!
    Don't give up, because it's worth to keep going and you know how much you'd regret it in few months if you'd quit now.
    Check if you can fix some details in what you are doing, if you are hungry before sleeping, maybe your dinner was not suitable for you? Can't say much on this but I'm sure someone can give you more specific advises on that.

    Wish you all the luck!
  • Faithful_Chosen
    Faithful_Chosen Posts: 401 Member
    Unless there is a medical condition preventing you from losing weight, I can 100% guarantee you eat either on or more calories than you burn every day. From looking at your diary, I would also suggest more accurate measurements (weight everything in grams with a digital scale) and not eating back all your exersize calories as it is easy to overestimate those. You are very close to zero on your calories most days and in general, people eat more calories than they think they are and burn less than they actually do. So weigh your food accurately, maintain a deficit, and you will loose weight.
  • MamaBirdBoss
    MamaBirdBoss Posts: 1,516 Member
    Quit cheating. Drop the Focus 25 to every other day to give yourself time to recover.
  • Horrorfox
    Horrorfox Posts: 204 Member
    @Faithful_Chosen is correct. You're consuming more than you think. Like she said, buy a food scale and track to the gram.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    edited July 2015
    If your period is due anytime soon, it could explain why you haven't been losing.

    Also, yeah, you're not weighing your food, so you're probably eating more than you think as well.
  • skinnyinnotime
    skinnyinnotime Posts: 4,078 Member
    What's going on is that your weekly splurges = no progress.

    Stop splurging to get results
  • MamaBirdBoss
    MamaBirdBoss Posts: 1,516 Member
    If you're over-training, NO AMOUNT OF CALORIES WILL HELP. All of us have different rates at which we can exercise. I have a paradoxical muscle condition that makes me both weirdly strong and weirdly long to recover from whatever my muscles perceive to be "hard," so I'm more aware of it than most. :) You current exercise routine is just too intense. Step it back. There is NO shame in that!
  • FemmeAndi
    FemmeAndi Posts: 107 Member
    I'm weighing the food that I can, I do have a food scale. I'm just so hungry at nights that I can't sleep most of the week, even when I do eat back my exercise calories. I'm just so hungry it keeps me awake (like i get this anxious feeling, like my adrenaline is up or something, i've read it could be stress from low cal diet) and then I take a sleeping aid to get me to sleep and then those just make me feel like crap. It's a vicious cycle. :(
    Francl27 wrote: »
    If your period is due anytime soon, it could explain why you haven't been losing.

    Also, yeah, you're not weighing your food, so you're probably eating more than you think as well.
    Yep, its coming in a few days, i think thats why last night I was having a real bad craving for carbs
  • MicheleStitches
    MicheleStitches Posts: 306 Member
    Are you watching your carbs? I find the MFP recommended carb numbers are high. Are you keeping tabs on your sugar intake...that can sabotage your weight and your energy levels. Also, are you eating plenty of good fats? Personally, I have much more energy when I am getting plenty of fats from healthy sources like avocado and coconut oil (and even butter!)

    Also, are your goals realistic? Do you NEED to lose weight? Sometimes we have an "ideal" number in our head that really isn't a realistic place for our body to be.

    Lastly, try to find something different from the number on the scale to focus on for a while. I find strength & fitness goals encouraging when the numbers aren't responding. Things like the number of pushups you can do, or how long can you hold a wall-sit, or how fast you can run, or how much weight you can lift. Anything that you can measure to prove to yourself you are getting stronger and fitter...because really, isn't that the ultimate goal?

    Whatever you do...DON'T GIVE UP!!! You are worth taking care of yourself. Every good choice you make about what you eat and exercise is doing something good for your body and your future self!
  • LessofPenny
    LessofPenny Posts: 53 Member
    I agree with a ALL of the above. I was there for 6 weeks and just found my motivation this week. Try a cleanse. I didn't think that I was constipated, but I was apparently. I once heard the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.....change everything up a little bit. A friend that you follow close to that will help you be committed. The every other day on the work out is great, but do something on the off day...even if it is 30 min of walking. Do not skip meals. Your taste buds have to change so that when you splurge it is on a healthier choice. I wish you well....we are all fighting the same battle that only a person who has been there can understand. I want to see you move in the direction that you want to go. It does come off slower as we get older, but you don't want to give up and then just get bigger so at least stay on target to remain where you are.
    If you friend me.....I will prompt you from time to time.....
  • rumijs
    rumijs Posts: 218 Member
    If you're hungry fill up with extra veggies. I won't say those calories won't count as much for fear of the henchmen on here, but the fiber is worth the little extra calories. If you're eating within the correct range, and still feel starving, then some proportion of the diet is off and it's likely because too many grain carbs are taking the place of veggie carbs and fiber.
  • Faithful_Chosen
    Faithful_Chosen Posts: 401 Member
    edited July 2015
    FemmeAndi wrote: »
    I'm weighing the food that I can, I do have a food scale. I'm just so hungry at nights that I can't sleep most of the week, even when I do eat back my exercise calories. I'm just so hungry it keeps me awake (like i get this anxious feeling, like my adrenaline is up or something, i've read it could be stress from low cal diet) and then I take a sleeping aid to get me to sleep and then those just make me feel like crap. It's a vicious cycle. :(
    Francl27 wrote: »
    If your period is due anytime soon, it could explain why you haven't been losing.

    Also, yeah, you're not weighing your food, so you're probably eating more than you think as well.
    Yep, its coming in a few days, i think thats why last night I was having a real bad craving for carbs

    Okay, this is going to sound a bit harsh maybe, but taking another look at your diary, you squander up to 300 - 400 calories a day on sugary drinks or foods. Flavoured coffees, ice-cream, cakes... Not saying you shouldn't splurge a bit but I promise you if you use at least a portion of those calories for meats, veggies, fruits, beans, or nuts, you will have a very hard time going to bed hungry.
  • MamaBirdBoss
    MamaBirdBoss Posts: 1,516 Member
    And why are you eating all the protein bars and shakes if you're HUNGRY? They're specifically for people who feel too full to eat all the calories they need for the exercise they're doing!!!!
  • Faithful_Chosen
    Faithful_Chosen Posts: 401 Member
    MamaBirdBoss wrote: »
    And why are you eating all the protein bars and shakes if you're HUNGRY? They're specifically for people who feel too full to eat all the calories they need for the exercise they're doing!!!!

    That was going to be my second point :wink:
  • JudithNYC
    JudithNYC Posts: 80 Member
    Second the suggestion for more veggies and balanced nutrition. I have tried losing weight sooooo many times and always gave up a few weeks in because I would be crazy with hunger. This time I am eating lots of big salads with emphasis on dark leafy greens and the hunger is gone! I even eat sprouts with breakfast. Whatever it takes because this time I am going to reach my goal. :)

    Also make sure you are eating enough good quality lean protein.
  • FemmeAndi
    FemmeAndi Posts: 107 Member
    Faithful_Chosen wrote: »
    MamaBirdBoss wrote: »
    And why are you eating all the protein bars and shakes if you're HUNGRY? They're specifically for people who feel too full to eat all the calories they need for the exercise they're doing!!!!

    That was going to be my second point :wink:

    I thought protein was a hunger cruncher lol.... i thought that eating more protein would make me less hungry and make sure I don't lose muscles from low calorie diet.. hence the protein shakes and protein bars. (Because it seems even though I work out hard, i use 10lbs weights now, as opposed to the 4 lbs I started off with, my muscles, I can't see them getting defined and they feel like they are getting weaker now, so i started taking bcaas and eating protein bars and shakes)
    MicheleStitches wrote: »
    Are you watching your carbs? I find the MFP recommended carb numbers are high. Are you keeping tabs on your sugar intake...that can sabotage your weight and your energy levels. Also, are you eating plenty of good fats? Personally, I have much more energy when I am getting plenty of fats from healthy sources like avocado and coconut oil (and even butter!)

    Also, are your goals realistic? Do you NEED to lose weight? Sometimes we have an "ideal" number in our head that really isn't a realistic place for our body to be.

    Lastly, try to find something different from the number on the scale to focus on for a while. I find strength & fitness goals encouraging when the numbers aren't responding. Things like the number of pushups you can do, or how long can you hold a wall-sit, or how fast you can run, or how much weight you can lift. Anything that you can measure to prove to yourself you are getting stronger and fitter...because really, isn't that the ultimate goal?

    Whatever you do...DON'T GIVE UP!!! You are worth taking care of yourself. Every good choice you make about what you eat and exercise is doing something good for your body and your future self!

    thank you! After reading this I think where I've fallen into the same eating pattern (eating foods that I already know calorie content for so I don't have to wiegh and search) has gotten to me. I eat like chicken waldorf salad every day of the week for dinner. lol I'm going to try changing up my recipes and do a little more variety and see if this works.

    Thanks for all the tips! I'll take these and push forward.
  • KInez54
    KInez54 Posts: 11 Member
    I agree with MicheleStitches. Too many carbs and I am hungry all the time. MFP carb recommendation is too high for me. Honestly, when my carbs per meal are it the right place for me, I am rarely "hungry" and I do make progress. When the carbs per meal are too many, I make no progress even though I am within my recommended calorie allotment. Most likely this is a sign of impaired metabolism, in my case, but I suspect changing this 1 thing will help you, too.
  • FemmeAndi
    FemmeAndi Posts: 107 Member
    KInez54 wrote: »
    I agree with MicheleStitches. Too many carbs and I am hungry all the time. MFP carb recommendation is too high for me. Honestly, when my carbs per meal are it the right place for me, I am rarely "hungry" and I do make progress. When the carbs per meal are too many, I make no progress even though I am within my recommended calorie allotment. Most likely this is a sign of impaired metabolism, in my case, but I suspect changing this 1 thing will help you, too.

    Ok so I'll bring down my carb percent by 5% in my range and see how that goes too .. This week, starting Monday will be a new week :) for me
  • FemmeAndi
    FemmeAndi Posts: 107 Member
    MamaBirdBoss wrote: »
    And why are you eating all the protein bars and shakes if you're HUNGRY? They're specifically for people who feel too full to eat all the calories they need for the exercise they're doing!!!!
    Faithful_Chosen wrote: »
    MamaBirdBoss wrote: »
    And why are you eating all the protein bars and shakes if you're HUNGRY? They're specifically for people who feel too full to eat all the calories they need for the exercise they're doing!!!!

    That was going to be my second point :wink:
    KInez54 wrote: »
    I agree with MicheleStitches. Too many carbs and I am hungry all the time. MFP carb recommendation is too high for me. Honestly, when my carbs per meal are it the right place for me, I am rarely "hungry" and I do make progress. When the carbs per meal are too many, I make no progress even though I am within my recommended calorie allotment. Most likely this is a sign of impaired metabolism, in my case, but I suspect changing this 1 thing will help you, too.
    rumijs wrote: »
    If you're hungry fill up with extra veggies. I won't say those calories won't count as much for fear of the henchmen on here, but the fiber is worth the little extra calories. If you're eating within the correct range, and still feel starving, then some proportion of the diet is off and it's likely because too many grain carbs are taking the place of veggie carbs and fiber.
    MicheleStitches wrote: »
    Are you watching your carbs? I find the MFP recommended carb numbers are high. Are you keeping tabs on your sugar intake...that can sabotage your weight and your energy levels. Also, are you eating plenty of good fats? Personally, I have much more energy when I am getting plenty of fats from healthy sources like avocado and coconut oil (and even butter!)

    Also, are your goals realistic? Do you NEED to lose weight? Sometimes we have an "ideal" number in our head that really isn't a realistic place for our body to be.

    Lastly, try to find something different from the number on the scale to focus on for a while. I find strength & fitness goals encouraging when the numbers aren't responding. Things like the number of pushups you can do, or how long can you hold a wall-sit, or how fast you can run, or how much weight you can lift. Anything that you can measure to prove to yourself you are getting stronger and fitter...because really, isn't that the ultimate goal?

    Whatever you do...DON'T GIVE UP!!! You are worth taking care of yourself. Every good choice you make about what you eat and exercise is doing something good for your body and your future self!

    I`m just quoting you all just to say THANK YOU! I didn`t realize my mistakes before! About the protein shakes, and the carb levels. I am starting to feel a little less hungry at night just with a few changes! So THANK YOU! My week has started off with a renewed motivation! :smiley: (just don`t beat me up over my homemade banana oatmeal raisin muffin my momma baked me.. I can`t just throw them out, they were made with love lol)
  • Faithful_Chosen
    Faithful_Chosen Posts: 401 Member
    FemmeAndi wrote: »
    I`m just quoting you all just to say THANK YOU! I didn`t realize my mistakes before! About the protein shakes, and the carb levels. I am starting to feel a little less hungry at night just with a few changes! So THANK YOU! My week has started off with a renewed motivation! :smiley: (just don`t beat me up over my homemade banana oatmeal raisin muffin my momma baked me.. I can`t just throw them out, they were made with love lol)

    :+1: Go you! See, you'll make it :smiley:
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