I am finally bucking down, working out 6 days a week, eating mostly in control and got down to 129 from 133/134.
On my 5' 4" frame, I see a difference. I like myself better @ <125 but find it to be too hard to maintain.
I always over indulge on weekends and ruin my 5 day work weeks hard work.

In the same boat here--working out 6 days/week, try to stay with in 1200 but seem to occasionally blow it out of the water with evening snacking, events with drinks and eating out. I'd be up for a challenge if it started in a few weeks. I would like to see how I do over the next month first.

Taleatia wrote: »

Hi all! I'm new to this group and am really frustrated right now.

I'm 5'4", 134 lbs. and about 24.5% body fat wanting to get down to 124 lbs. or around 20% body fat...which ever happens first or feels good really.

I've been around my current weight for 2 to 3 years and have tried to shed the last bit of weight to reach my goal physique probably a dozen times now. Since I don't look terrible, it's been really hard to stay motivated. I exercise 4 to 6 days per week year round and have gotten consistently stronger and more fit, but it doesn't seem to change my physique that much.

I know my problem is diet but I just can't sustain a good calorie deficit for long enough to reach my goal. Since it's no longer a matter of health, I tend to overeat on weekends, at special events and during times of stress. The rest of the time my diet is very healthy and calorie-controlled.

For those of you in similar situations, what are you doing to stay motivated and keep on track?
I'd also love some buddies who would like to trade updates/messages once or twice a week if anyone is interested!

The last few lbs are the toughest for sure. I'm 69 yrs old, 5'6" and 162lbs. I do Masters Crossfit 3 days per wk and watch calories and nutrition. Building muscle and trying to loose weight is a pain...a good thing though.
I find having partners in crime, if you will, helps tremendously.
Hang in there. Find a buddy to help you on those occasions when you are prone to giving yourself too much latitude. "Cheating" can sometimes negate the new eating regime and make it seem temporary instead of a new life style, be careful.
Barb

LittlePinkShotgun wrote: »

Here is a link to the challenge I was talking about. We could make some changes to the challenge to make it specific to the "Last 10 Pounds"...

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10120155/april-june-get-ready-for-summer-2015-challenge-guidelines#Item_47

Would there be any interest in that?

If so I'm happy to help coordinate teams and weigh ins

Sure.
Barb

5'4", 125 (started this round of loss at 135)....I've been doing around 1400-1500 calories a day, which is really really slow, but the only way I can keep it up.

I stay motivated by logging everything, even the bad days. Even the summer days where I go to a bbq and just eat a bunch and then have to sit for half an hour and remember what the hell I ate.

I'm just coming off a 10-day break and in 10 days of not logging, I can tell a difference. So, logging and slogging it out is my strategy...for weeks and weeks and weeks...sigh.

OMG, I gained a pound. Now I have 11 pounds to lose! I have my first meeting with a personal trainer tomorrow. I also start a running challenge, biggest loser challenge, and game of thrones challenge. Hoping that with all this motivation, the scale will once again be in my favor.

Increasing my calories seems to be the best way forward. Lost 2 lbs since last post...have 6 more to lose...currently eating around 1500 to 1600 cals per day and exercising 5-6 days a week, 3 days of running and 3 days of dumbbell training. I seem to have lost around 1 % body fat this month.
Hope everyone else is having success.

Taleatia wrote: »

Hi all! I'm new to this group and am really frustrated right now.

I'm 5'4", 134 lbs. and about 24.5% body fat wanting to get down to 124 lbs. or around 20% body fat...which ever happens first or feels good really.

I've been around my current weight for 2 to 3 years and have tried to shed the last bit of weight to reach my goal physique probably a dozen times now. Since I don't look terrible, it's been really hard to stay motivated. I exercise 4 to 6 days per week year round and have gotten consistently stronger and more fit, but it doesn't seem to change my physique that much.

I know my problem is diet but I just can't sustain a good calorie deficit for long enough to reach my goal. Since it's no longer a matter of health, I tend to overeat on weekends, at special events and during times of stress. The rest of the time my diet is very healthy and calorie-controlled.

For those of you in similar situations, what are you doing to stay motivated and keep on track?
I'd also love some buddies who would like to trade updates/messages once or twice a week if anyone is interested!

Sounds like you're my twin! I am trying to lose about 10# and I want to tone up. I usually eat healthy at work but with my family and on weekends I eat whatever I want (just keeping portions in check and avoid those rolls and desserts). I am having trouble getting back into the yoga routine I had last year (it was so great! even helped with my anxiety) and I am a big slacker here. I am hoping more friends will help me stay accountable and also help with some healthy recipes and tips on exercise!

For what it's worth, here's what has worked for me. Just turned 54 last week. For last 17 years, I've weighed 133 which crept up to 141 in last 5 years. Belly fat I just couldn't shake. I was vegan 90% of the time. Which totally worked for me from ages 18 to 35! Weighed 123 -128. Then a few months ago I was diagnosed pre-diabetic. WHAT?! You don't have to have a weight problem for your body to stop metabolizing carbs well, owning to insulin issues. Anyway, I figured what the heck? Clearly what I've been doing has not been working! Let's shake it up!

So, I researched like crazy and decided for me (and each person is soooo unique!) that I'd try high healthy fat and low carb. I remember thinking, "Yeah, right, me give up bread? popcorn? Never!" However, I cut waaay down on carbs and on Saturday, I do let myself have whatever carbs I want. For the first time in 17 years, ab fat is gone. Lost from 140.5 on June 29 to 132 as of Aug 10. I realize it's not an epic change, but it's sustainable, and I eat 1500 cals each day, except Saturday, when I eat whatever I want. By the way this is not a binge until I'm unconscious day! Just a day I know I'll get any treats I want. Keeps me on track, and weight loss slow, steady and sustainable.

And, NO MORE cravings, and I'm not even hungry between meals. Nirvana, ladies. Absolute, dietary Nirvana.

Taleatia wrote: »

I'm 5'4", 134 lbs. and about 24.5% body fat wanting to get down to 124 lbs. or around 20% body fat...which ever happens first or feels good really.

That was me in my early 30s! What finally motivated me was working on a project in which I was rehearsing dances 12 hours a day, barely having time for 3 meals a day, and seeing how I looked when I suddenly turned up about ten pounds lighter. I think I never really believed it was physically possible for me to weight less than 130 pounds and be perfectly healthy before that. I decided to continue eating less, and being more active. I love it that no one ever says I'm big boned anymore.

The best thing for me is to make a list of things that need done and stay busy. I clean house on the weekend, and build stuff because that sort of thing keeps me moving around. I've converted most of my work surfaces to standing up, like my desk and my painting easel. Getting out of the house entirely is good too. I don't snack much when I'm out, even if I'm not exercising, but I'm also usually walking around if I go shopping, or to a gallery.

I'm 5'6" and 142 presently, struggling to take off last 10 pounds. Last month, before vacation I got online macro coach who set me up on carb cycling. It was really effective, lose 6 pounds in 4 weeks. I'm training at gym 3-4 x per week, bit of cardio. I think what really helped me was accountability of reporting progress every week.