Feeling lost and stuck

Katie_Y89
Katie_Y89 Posts: 330 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I legit don't know what to do. I don't think I'm losing fat, only water and I legit can't take it anymore. A 0.8lb fluctuation in 2 days?!?! Wtf?!
I try very hard on my diet, we can't afford a personal trainer, we can't afford a gym membership and I am LUCKY if I get maybe 30 min workout dvd in with my 11 month old before she flips out.
I don't know what else to do and I absolutely hate this.

Replies

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited November 2015
    This content has been removed.
  • WBB55
    WBB55 Posts: 4,131 Member
    Exercise isn't required to lose weight. Just a calorie deficit. How many calories per day are you aiming to eat?
  • zenaxe
    zenaxe Posts: 203 Member
    Stay on a deficit and focus on fat loss rather than weight loss. Weight fluctuates because of fluids ie sodium intake, etc....there are times when you see little drop in the scale then a solid lb or more....don't sweat the scale too much, it's only one way to check. Measurements help. If your clothes feel better or you drop in size etc..that trumps the scale. But to lose fat means to drop 3500 calories....deficits overall will cause you to lose body fat but by mindful you don't lose lean body mass so keep your protein intake up plus do strength training..blah blah blah...the bottom line is don't sweat the fluctuations and keep focused on the long term.
  • Nickle526
    Nickle526 Posts: 239 Member
    How long have you been at it? Sorry you are feeling frustrated. Good for you for reaching out. This place is great for support and information.

    A 0.8lb fluctuation in 2 days is actually not unusual. This is why I am switching to weighing only once a month, because frequent fluctuations drive me bonkers.

    I would echo the above poster in regards to a food scale. I like digital ones the best. I have read many times over that weight loss is 90% food, 10% exercise as well.

    Weight loss is a learning process, so take it easy on yourself. Everyone has to experiment until they find what works for them and their lifestyle. Hang in there!
  • MorganMoreaux
    MorganMoreaux Posts: 691 Member
    Log your food. Invest in a food scale that at least does grams and ounces, and U.S. A tare (zero) function. Weigh your food before you log it. Choose the verified entries when logging your food (ie usda). Only use cups, spoon measures for liquids. A good food scale only costs $10 - $15. Exercise is not necessary for weight loss, only eating at a deficit. You have to burn more calories than you consume. Good luck!
  • Maxematics
    Maxematics Posts: 2,287 Member
    .8 pounds is nothing. Every time I finish peeing I go down by .5 to 1.2 pounds on the scale. Fluctuations are common and normal. You can easily fluctuate 5 pounds in one day.
  • Katie_Y89
    Katie_Y89 Posts: 330 Member
    I use a food scale. I weigh everything I eat that according to the label except fluids, fluids I measure.
    My diet basically never really changes. I eat almost the same thing everyday except at dinner. I have been following a website called "skinnymom" with recipes and go from that.
    I am to eat about 1290 a day, but tend to go over and end up at about 1500. I don't add my exercises until the end of the day so I don't eat back too much of what I "burned" but sometimes so it anyways.
    Yesterday and some of Friday were off days for me with diet definitely and I barely drank ANY water yesterday (like maybe a half a bottle) then had a high Na dinner. I understand that could have led to this massive fluctuation but it is still extremely nerve-wracking at the same time.
  • VisofSer
    VisofSer Posts: 130 Member
    Ignore daily fluctuations. Weight daily but only compare weekly averages.

    If you are a woman, mark the weeks by number or letter and compare weeks on a month to month basis. Your cycle can make water retention a big, confusing issue if you are checking daily and expecting a consistent, even reduction.

    There is a phenomenon where you can be consistent for 2 to 4 weeks and see no change at all, then wake up the next day several pounds lighter and visibly slimmer. Fat cells seem to retain water in them as they empty of other content and only when that water goes as well does the weight/fat loss seem to happen.

    As zenaxe said, use additional means to track your body changes. Add a tape measure and the feel of a specific piece of clothing to get a more rounded idea of if changes are happening. Try to remain patient and keep in mind that gross weight loss is less valuable than recomposition. Less fat, more muscle, better distribution and tone is fantastic even at the same weight.
  • riffraff2112
    riffraff2112 Posts: 1,756 Member
    Nickle526 wrote: »
    How long have you been at it? Sorry you are feeling frustrated. Good for you for reaching out. This place is great for support and information.

    Really need to know this. If it has been 2 days...relax, totally not unusual. If it has been months then there is definitely something in your diet that needs to be cleaned up

    A 0.8lb fluctuation in 2 days is actually not unusual. This is why I am switching to weighing only once a month, because frequent fluctuations drive me bonkers.

    Agree with this if it drives you nuts. Personally when I was losing, I wanted to know everything that happened, why. How my body responded to working out, overeating etc. information was good for me......might not be good for you

    I would echo the above poster in regards to a food scale. I like digital ones the best. I have read many times over that weight loss is 90% food, 10% exercise as well.

    If you are stalled, check this out. I never used one but hear great things.

    Weight loss is a learning process, so take it easy on yourself. Everyone has to experiment until they find what works for them and their lifestyle. Hang in there!

    so true, good luck, keep asking.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    0.8 lb in 2 days? I fluctuate more than that between getting up and lunchtime. 5 lb fluctuations over 2 days are common. Relax.
  • Katie_Y89
    Katie_Y89 Posts: 330 Member
    Thank you all for the feedback. On edge with the fluctuation because I weigh-in Monday mornings and every 10 days (because I am doing 30 ds and weigh in after each level completion). Just really want this weight off anf to see progress and then a fluctuation and think of it as regression can get to you.
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