Discouraged

Did you take a before and after photo? Or some measurements? If not take some now and keep going. There absolutely will be changes but if you are like me, you find them hard to see in yourself. 30 pounds is a great effort!

You did not lose 30 lbs and look the same. You may not see the change, but the world does. The only thing that apparently hasn't changed is the 6 inches between you ears.

I've lost 105 lbs on my way to -150. There were definitely changes at 30 pounds, but I might not have noticed them if it weren't for having a before pic and 3 mo progress pics. If you haven't taken pics yet, start now! Also take measurements. Also check your clothes. After 30 lbs they should be looser and you prob need a smaller size of jeans.

Also, you might want to find other ways to measure your success than how things look or clothes fit (or even numbers on the scale). I find that making improvements in my fitness really helps with that for me. So when my fat loss stalled, if I was hiking/walking more miles that week or increasing my lifts, I had something that was still easily quantifiable to show progress and I could celebrate.

I think many of us go through a period, especially in the beginning, when we're somewhat embarrassed or discouraged by how we've allowed ourselves to have gained as much weight as we have -- have that moment when we go, "how did I let it get this bad?" That's okay. It's just a part of taking stock of our reality -- which is necessary if we want to change it. So just look at this discouragement as a natural part of the process and keep on plodding forward and taking encouragement from other successes.

It is very hard to see changes in yourself when looking in the mirror. W are so focused on the negative things, we don't see the positive. That being said, I started with about 115 pounds to lose and I didn't see a difference until sometime after 40 pounds, but, others did.

Like someone else said, focus on performance instead of your looks. As your performance inproves, so, will your body. Inproved performance builds confidence which in turn will help you view your body in a more positive light.

Regardless of the incorrect messages your brain is sending you, your ARE making tremendous progress.

It takes a long time for our minds to catch up mentally to the physical differences that come with weight loss.....sometimes too it is hard to spot those changes when you have quite an amount to lose overall but as another poster has pointed out you have lost 22% of your goal and that IS fantastic.

You will lose weight often in weird areas and certainly there is often no ryhme or reason to where the weight goes from first......patience and persistence will get you there and keep you going.

Don't lose heart Honey....you are doing great. I too had similar feelings of discouragement through my time of losing from 278 lbs down to 110 lbs....breaking it up into smaller goals and steps can help sort out the daunting task ahead and I totally agree that you should keep up with regular measuring and taking progress shots. I didn't till sometime after starting and I regret it.

Keep up the good work. Congrats too.

All the best.

I couldn't see much change when I'd lost 30lbs either. I took regular photos and I could only sometimes see the changes by comparing them side-by-side. I always saw changes in the photos before I saw them in the mirror though. My measurements also usually moved in fits and starts, it took ages for my clothing size to start moving downwards. I started at 329lbs, needing to lose half my body weight. I've lost over 150lbs and I can assure you that I can see the changes now! Just keep going, changes are happening even if you can't notice them yet.

Give yourself a break - 30lbs is an incredible amount, you've done so well.

As human's (and women - especially) we are our own worst critics. Traditionally (and unfortunately) we are more likely to look at a body part and find flaws than to look at it and see the good. I've lost a total of 30 lbs too and I too am guilty of looking in the mirror and saying "My ARMS are still too wobbly" or "Ugh, my tummy STILL isn't flat". Instead I SHOULD be saying "Wow, I can fit in to clothes I couldn't 5 months ago" and "Look how much healthier I look".

You'll get there - you will. Sometimes it takes the mind a bit longer to catch up - especially after being so used to 'looking a certain way'. Congratulations and keep up the great work

It's hard to see changes in ourselves, because we see ourselves all the time! Can you take some current pictures, and look at them compared to older pics? I am sure you'll see a difference. Plus you must FEEL a difference in your clothes by now! Don't get discouraged! Yes, it's a long way to go. I have been there. I try now to focus on a day or week at a time, so I don't get discouraged myself. You can do it!

don't judge by yoga pants. they are stretchy.

iceicebebe wrote: »

I really needed these comments. My crazy hormonal self is totally crying. Thanks, everyone.
I'm not stopping. No way. I just get sad when I look in the mirror or refuse to change in front of my husband. I make him leave the room and I lock the door when I shower
I can't wait until I'm happy with what I see..and feel comfortable enough to be a normal wife who doesn't hide from her hubs.

I'd like to point out that you're in an emotional situation, and that level of discomfort with your body might not change just because your weight does. Taking care of yourself is important, and understanding that body size and self-esteem are not necessarily inversely proportionate. You can lose 135 pounds and still find things about your body you're not comfortable with.

Like, if the only thing you don't like is your size, then maybe you'll be fine. But if it's other changes in your body (such as from having a baby), I think you'll find that those insecurities can persist at any size. Loving yourself is important at all sizes, not just the ideal ones.

TL;DR: I think you ought to consider very seriously what it is that makes you hide out when you're naked. And if it's more than just your weight, it may be worth talking to someone about it. Addressing body image issues is *kitten*, unpleasant, and emotional work, but extremely valuable in the long run.

Also, yeah, it's hard at the beginnings when you're losing from a lot. I started at nearly 300 pounds, and for the first 60 pounds or so I basically latched to anything that indicated I'd lost weight -- weird new dimples, the smallest measurement changes, etc. At 95 pounds down, I'm finally starting to actually see that I look different, but I've also been at this weight for about a year now. It was hard to see any difference for a really long time.

I agree. Stretchy pants will feel the same. I also had a tendancy to wear (squeeze into) my largest size of pants past when I should have stopped wearing them. Consequently it took a long time before they finally became too small. I'm down 30 lbs, and there is one pair that fits wel still. LOL

It will come, and probably all at once. I was in your situation. I didn't see it, and nobody else seemingly did either. I didn't even need to buy new pants until I hit 40 lbs lost. But then, it all hit at once. I noticed. I needed new pants. I received comments, questions, or compliments from 3 people on the same day, and 5 more that week, after not hearing a thing for the months prior.

It will come.