I just had a cookie and *poof* back to looking like Shrek!

Right, I'm sorry for this stupid post but I'm just really confused about this weight loss thingy, I need to lose 44 lbs by the end of March and no matter what I do my weight just keeps on coming back like one of those horror movie villains that no matter what you do they just don't die, Okay bad reference.. Anyhow I'm all ears for suggestions, I'd really appreciate it if I get any.
(.____.)

Replies

  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    edited January 2016
    Buy a food scale. Weigh and log everything you eat. See how many calories you are truly eating in a day. Once you have a good idea of your typical caloric intake, reduce it to lose weight.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    edited January 2016
    Unless you are quite obese your goal is unhealthy and likely unattainable. Is there a reason why you must meet that goal? Is your family being held hostage and at risk of bodily harm if you do not meet it?
  • strong_curves
    strong_curves Posts: 2,229 Member
    1 cookie wouldn't make anyone look like shrek.
  • juggernaut1974
    juggernaut1974 Posts: 6,212 Member
    Set a more reasonable goal.

    Stop the mindset that one cookie is going to make or break your health.

    Set a reasonable daily calorie goal.
    Measure/weigh and log everything you eat to ensure you're meeting that goal.
    Get some exercise
    Get adequate rest
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Please change your diary Sharing setting to Public: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/diary_settings so we can take a look for common issues that might be holding you back.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    You know why you're confused, the diet and fitness industry is confusing, it's what keeps people in the money ...all the new books, tips, fads etc

    Ignore it all

    Break it down

    Eat fewer calories than you burn

    How? Weigh and log everything ...if you don't have the calories don't spend them (you can average over the week)

    You can if you choose Move more to earn more calories...simply walking more is OK, find an exercise you like, follow a progressive resistance programme like weight lifting
  • _lyndseybrooke_
    _lyndseybrooke_ Posts: 2,561 Member
    Why do you "need" to lose 44 lbs by the end of March?

    Calories in vs. calories out. The only reason the weight comes back after you lose it is because you revert back to overeating.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    1 cookie wouldn't make anyone look like shrek.
    Set a more reasonable goal.

    Stop the mindset that one cookie is going to make or break your health.

    Set a reasonable daily calorie goal.
    Measure/weigh and log everything you eat to ensure you're meeting that goal.
    Get some exercise
    Get adequate rest

    These.

    One cookie is not going to make or break you.
  • errollmaclean
    errollmaclean Posts: 562 Member
    Agree with what everyone else is saying. Calories are key. Get a digital food scale so you accurately know how many calories you're taking in. Set a realistic goal, so you don't burn yourself out and give up. Read the stickies and most helpful posts that are at the top of the forums.

    Do some googling about cico and macros to get a general understanding of the basics. This basic knlowledge will be invaluable for long term success. And learn to ignore fad diets.

    If you stick around and learn the basics, you'll reach your goal, maybe not in the time frame you want, but you'll reach it in a healthy and sustainable way. :)
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    How long have you been trying to lose weight without success? How consistent are you? (are you good as gold except for a binge now and then?) How many calories do you eat per day? What is your height and weight? How much activity do you get per week? When was the last time you had a full blood panel performed? Do you have any diseases or medical conditions that affect weight? Have you spoken to your doctor about your inability to lose weight?
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Set a more reasonable goal.

    Stop the mindset that one cookie is going to make or break your health.

    Set a reasonable daily calorie goal.
    Measure/weigh and log everything you eat to ensure you're meeting that goal.
    Get some exercise
    Get adequate rest

    and be consistent
  • msymsed
    msymsed Posts: 8 Member
    It is good that you are on MyFitnessPal. One of the most important aspects to successful weight loss, in my estimation, is accountability. Keeping track of EVERYTHING that goes in your mouth makes you aware of just how much you are actually eating...not just what you THINK you are eating. I honestly hate having to keep track; but when I don't, I gain like crazy. 10 years ago next month I had gastric bypass surgery and went from 307 to 142. But I slowly started gaining. When I got back up to nearly 200 pounds I knew I was wasting the tool I was given. MFP was a godsend because suddenly I realized my concept of what I was eating and what I was actually eating were not the same. I nibbled and when I started, one cookie became three...became five...etc. Once I did start keeping track, the weight came off again. But it is NOT easy because I stress eat. I made the new year's REVOLUTION to take control of MY life. I gained about 16 pounds...and I have lost 2.3 of them. YOU CAN DO IT. But you can't beat yourself up if you fall off the food wagon. One cookie does NOT make you look like Shrek. You have to get out of that mindset or you will sabotage yourself and you will give up.

    Keep track, make MFP friends to help encourage you and keep you accountable. I do what I call "mindful cheating"...I don't deprive myself but I plan my cheats and they are not huge cheats...if I want something sweet, I have it, but I have a SMALL portion and I put it in the MFP food diary. I was eating out a lot. Now, my mindful cheat is to eat out no more than once a week and to use common sense when I do. Many places have their menus with nutritional information online. Sometimes you don't have control over what is offered to you to eat, but you have the capacity to eat a LITTLE of it or say no.

    44 pounds is a lot to lost in three months unless you are quite overweight. I don't know why you NEED to lose that amount (I had to lose a certain amount before they allowed me to have the gastric bypass), but I do suggest you break your goal into smaller goals. 44 pounds seems like a boulder to you, but 5 pounds by a set time with good eating habits and exercise is doable...and just reset the goal until you are where you need to be.

    Hang in there!
  • jennk5309
    jennk5309 Posts: 206 Member
    Unless you're morbidly obese, you're not going to lose 44 pounds in three months. Period. Unless you starve all the time, in which case be prepared to be cold, lethargic and cranky all the time. Oh and also, be prepared to gain it back once you start eating like a normal human again.