I give up :(

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Replies

  • JustMissTracy
    JustMissTracy Posts: 6,338 Member
    Two weeks? I've been at it for two YEARS, quitting should NOT be an option!! What happens if you give up? You get fatter. But if you keep at it, stay consistent and keep your goal in sight? Success. Literally. Your body can't help but react OVER TIME....nothing happens fast. If you cruise these boards, you'll quickly find out that most of us have been at it for a LONG time...be patient xo
  • TheVogonVegan
    TheVogonVegan Posts: 75 Member
    srv524 wrote: »
    Your weight fluctuates 3-5 lbs a day depending on water and food still sitting in your stomach. Weight yourself at the same time, same day, 1x a week. Give it at least 3 months. Overestimate the calories you've eaten, underestimate the calories you've burned. You'll get there but don't give up.

    ^^^^^^This. If you weigh enough times to see the massive fluctuations in two weeks time you're weighing too much. I do it once or twice a week and that's plenty. You'll see a more steady loss that way and not get discouraged by water weight, full stomach, or bloat. Better not to deceive yourself that you're gaining when you really aren't. Ad far as meals go, learn to weigh food, learn to cook or hell, just make yourself sandwiches or buy a bag of undressed salad. I don't cook much either, but I don't let my husband cook me nothing but pizzas either. PB&J goes a long way. If you want to give up, nothing will stop you from doing it because only you can decide when it is time to change your life. If you are serious about this though, there is always a way.
  • JustMissTracy
    JustMissTracy Posts: 6,338 Member
    rankinsect wrote: »
    I don't know what a food scale is and most of the time I don't know how many calories of food I'm eating. Like the spaghetti I just ate, how I'm I supposed to know how many calories that it has?

    A food scale is a scale to weigh food. It's how you know how many calories the spaghetti is - you weigh it and log it by weight.

    At some point you're going to need to know more about what you're eating. Being overweight and not knowing how many calories you consume is like being in debt and not tracking how much you spend - tracking is a major tool to get things under control.

    There are tools to help you get weight under control but you have to willing to use them.

    Perfectly stated!
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    There is a ton of good information tucked into the pinned topics at the top of each forum section which would answer a lot of your questions. Have you had a chance to read through those yet? It seems like they might help.

    I second this.

    For how to know how many calories things are, read the labels and measure out how much you eat. If your husband cooks, are there some primary things he cooks and do you know the ingredients? If not, ask.

    Learning how to cook some simple things so you can bring a meal is going to be extremely helpful, but if not there are premade meals that can be decent choices, especially if you combine them with healthy additions like vegetables and nuts or a greek yogurt or hard boiled egg some such -- it's going to depend on what you like.

    Planning and preparation helps a lot. You might want to start just by logging what you eat for a week or two, and think after that about where you are struggling and how to cut down.
  • JustMissTracy
    JustMissTracy Posts: 6,338 Member
    srv524 wrote: »
    Your weight fluctuates 3-5 lbs a day depending on water and food still sitting in your stomach. Weight yourself at the same time, same day, 1x a week. Give it at least 3 months. Overestimate the calories you've eaten, underestimate the calories you've burned. You'll get there but don't give up.

    My method too!
  • sammyantics
    sammyantics Posts: 191 Member
    It's not easy to cut back on calories, maybe it is for you guys but not me

    It is never easy at first. never. not one person on MFP will say they had no problem going from eating whatever crap they wanted whenever they wanted to eating what was best for them and what was healthiest for them. Of course it's not easy to give up eating the things that you are used to eating. changing a routine is not simple, but it does work. If it's easier, start smaller. maybe focus on drinking more water every day (which will also help you feel fuller), and then work on eating smaller portions. wait 30 seconds between each bite regardless of what you're eating and then stop when you're full. put the food away. it won't kill you to not finish a bowl of spaghetti. if you really can't resist. dump it in the trash and pour soap on it or something.

    don't give up. don't assume you can't do it without having first tried. really tried.
  • JosettaC
    JosettaC Posts: 2 Member
    Being fat is all that bad. I've been that way my whole life and I wish I'd taken control of it well before I did. At my heaviest, I was at LEAST 340 pounds. (I was fatter than my scale which topped out at 330.) Trust me, it's not fun. And it's harder the older you get. I'm down more than 100 pounds, but it's easier to lose when you are fatter. You are less than half that weight. It will take you longer to lose just a few pounds. Having said that... You will have good days/bad days, good weeks/bad weeks. The trick is two-fold: find out what works for you and keep at it, even through the bad days or weeks. Perhaps you need to think of this less as "I'm trying to lose weight" and more as "I'm trying to get/stay healthy". For me, weighing myself often is a motivator and I eat less when I don't. That doesn't seem to be the case for you. You obsess over the number. You can't "give up" after two weeks. This is a life-long project. Even if you lost 20 pounds in two months (which you won't and shouldn't at your weight), you'd just gain it back and it will be that much harder to get back to where you were. Focus on the long term and focus on the health aspect. I know I'll never be "thin". I've never cared about that and I don't now. But the older I get (I'm 52 now), as my family and friends are starting to die off and my diabetes diagnosis gave me a wake up call that said, "get healthy or don't, but these are the consequences", I decided to try to be more healthy. I hope you will decide that, too.
  • sarab260
    sarab260 Posts: 122 Member
    Hi! Looks like a lot of people are giving really valuable advice, but I just want to pitch in one non-scientific / CICO thing related to the motivation / feeling hopeless:
    Push through it!!! Do not quit!
    I've been at this for a few months now, and have had my fair share of (literal) ups & downs, and this morning on the way to the gym I started crying and told my mom I just can't do it anymore. I said, I'm not seeing the changes that I want, and I feel like I'm working too hard for nothing to be happening. My motivation is waning. But we went anyway.
    A little while later while we were on our respective machines (she treadmills, I elliptical), she sent me a message telling me that on the news they were saying it's something called, "Blue Monday, the most depressing day of the year." I pushed through my workout, and stopped wallowing and feeling sorry for myself. I just have to work harder, even when I feel the most like quitting!
    It's okay to feel sad and hopeless sometimes — but don't give up. Keep pushing, because it feels better when you do. Every day will bring a new struggle, but we can empower ourselves to be better and do better. Listen to everything that everyone has to say here, and then start fresh — every day, every hour, every minute if you need to. Just keep trying. Some days you might fall into the pitfalls spaghetti and wanting to quit, but the next day will be fruits, vegetables, and long walks. You just have to do your best, and you'll get the hang of it. Today is Blue Monday...but tomorrow will be better! :)
    Best of luck!
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  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    edited January 2016
    It's been about 2 weeks now since I started trying to actually lose weight. I am 155lbs and I'm down to 153 now but it goes up and down. I've been working out but I pulled a muscle a few days ago and now I can't work out. So now I'm trying to eat less calories than I burn. I LOVE food so this is like the hardest thing ever. I feel like I'm always starving myself. Today I ate a little bit of spaghetti and went to work, while I was at work I was starving so I ate like 3 cookies, hot chips, and Pringles. Even after all that I felt like I was starving so when I came home I got a big bowl of spaghetti and ate it all. I don't think I can do this anymore, I should just give up! Hmmm being fat isn't all that bad right.

    You don't need to give up after 2 weeks you just need to make some changes and learn more.
    What is your goal? Is it reasonable? If you have less than 50 lbs to lose then 1 lb a week is more appropriate than 2 lbs a week.

    Foods with protein, fat and fiber are going to help you feel more full than chips, cookies and more pasta. Plan your day to include plenty of protein and several servings of vegetables and fruits. Foods with protein include eggs, meat, beans, peas, dairy products, nuts, nut butters. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_foods_by_protein_content
    I find pre-logging my whole day in the morning helps me to stick to my calorie goal and get enough protein, etc.

    Log as accurately and honestly as you can everything you consume. Weigh and measure food and drink. Choose the right entry from the database. Get a food scale. Here is an example-> http://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen-Elegant/dp/B004164SRA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453133320&sr=8-1&keywords=food+scales

    Your weight will fluctuate normally from day to day or from morning to night. Weigh yourself on the same scale under the same conditions- every Friday morning after you use the bathroom but before you eat or drink anything for example. Some people weigh every day, some once a week and some longer periods. Things like very high sodium foods, your menstrual cycle, new exercise can cause your body to retain water which shows up on the scale.

    Be patient and give yourself time to figure this out.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10084670/it-is-unlikely-that-you-will-lose-weight-consistently-i-e-weight-loss-is-not-linear/p1
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10179969/weight-loss-flow-chart-2-0/p1
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10316646/but-what-did-you-really-do-to-lose-weight/p1
  • vespiquenn
    vespiquenn Posts: 1,455 Member
    I don't eat sweets like that. It was just last night, except the Pringles though. I work overnight so I don't know when it's a good time to eat, and umm I don't really know how to cook so I just eat what my husband cooks. It's usually not healthy food, or I just eat out.
    It's not easy to cut back on calories, maybe it is for you guys but not me

    All I have seen is excuses. I actually stopped reading the thread because of it. Do you honestly think it was easy for any of us to start? We all had to start somewhere, with a lot of set backs. I will repeat the sentiments of others. You have two choices: stay fat, or stop making excuses and take responsibility over yourself. Until you do that, there will be no change.

  • Mexicanbigfoot
    Mexicanbigfoot Posts: 520 Member
    OP, I'm not trying to be harsh or disrespectful, but I'm not really sure what you are looking for posting this thread.

    If you are looking for someone to tell you that you're right, I think you're in the wrong place.

    I have been at this on and off for many years. I have lost 77 pounds and I still have 110 to go. I weigh ALL my food with a food scale (which you can get at most stores for under $20), I log everything I eat, I work out with a personal trainer 3 times a week and I do cardio on my own 5-6 days a week. I educated myself about the food I eat.

    I cook once a week and pre-pack all my breakfast and lunches for the week. I pre log everyday.

    Honestly, this has been the hardest thing I've done, and there have been times where I wanted to give up. I didn't because I am the only person that can change me.

    I wish you luck in whatever you decide.
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    I don't eat sweets like that. It was just last night, except the Pringles though. I work overnight so I don't know when it's a good time to eat, and umm I don't really know how to cook so I just eat what my husband cooks. It's usually not healthy food, or I just eat out.
    It's not easy to cut back on calories, maybe it is for you guys but not me

    It's not easy for anybody. Those of us who have succeeded have been determined to overcome obstacles and stuck with it until we figured out what worked.
  • TheLittleRedHairedGirl
    TheLittleRedHairedGirl Posts: 154 Member
    edited January 2016
    I've been at this for 10 days. I log every thing, the good and the bad. I see where I can make adjustments and where I've done good. Don't give up on yourself. It takes about 21 days to form a habit (and break one). Give yourself at least that long, but fully commit to it. If at the end you still want to quit, then so be it, but I think you'll feel so much better. Eat protein, bulk up on veggies, have some dairy like ff greek yogurt or an ounce of cheese, even incorporate some snacky foods if you want, just log them and see where your calories and nutrition fall. Oh, and don't forget to drink water!

    When I crave sweets, and I have a HUGE sweet tooth, I suck on sugar free candies or have about 5 MikeandIkes. I've found that what I'm really craving is the flavor of foods and not the foods themselves. I have a hard time late in the afternoon and after dinner with wanting to snack. I crave crunchy things before dinner and sweet things after dinner. Peperidge farm makes a wheat cracker that is (according to MFP) 47 calories for 5 crackers. So I incorporate that. After dinner I have a sugar free pudding and some candies or 1 small square of fudge (left overs from holiday baking).

    I guess to sum up what I'm trying to say is, don't give up on you, not this soon. You're worth the effort. Just find a way to make it work for you, because it can. I have 119 lbs to go and I've lost 13. Feel free to add me as I try to give support and motivation where I can and you sound like you could use a friend. Either way, good luck to you on your journey.

    One more thing to add... Since when did weighing 155lbs become 'fat'?
  • Grimmerick
    Grimmerick Posts: 3,342 Member
    Here are some tips that could help.
    Pre prepare- example I make egg muffin cups, I scramble eggs put all the veggies and a little cheese I like in them and bake them in a muffin tin. BOOM breakfast all week, and you can even freeze them,this also makes it easier to log initially. Take the time to find things that you can easily make ahead. Start with small changes. If there is a food you love to snack on, like pizza find a healthier way to make it, I just made zuchinni crust pizza loaded with my favorite veggies, anyone can follow instructions so saying you can't cook isn't an excuse and it gets easier as you go. I eat as much as I like because I don't eat junk food, just healthy versions of it, so I don't feel too cheated. Your palate will change and eventually you will be even more satisfied with healthier things. DON"T eat healthy things you hate, that's torture and sending yourself the wrong message. Also for me I can control myself better during the day I am a night snacker, so I save the bulk of my calories until the end of the day, I eat light lunches. Eating regularly is a topic up for debate but you have to do what works for you, there are a million paths to get to your destination. Just take time get to know yourself, you are making a lifestyle change it will be an uphill battle, but a lot of people do it everyday, so can you. Most importantly STOP making excuses, figure out how to make things work and be accountable, you have a bad day, so what it happens, what makes the difference is how fast you jump back up on the wagon, minimize the damage. Good Luck!
  • sault_girl
    sault_girl Posts: 219 Member
    OP, let's break this down into steps. For the next week, just focus on getting a food scale and figuring out how to log everything you eat. Don't worry about how many calories you are eating, just get into the habit of measuring everything and logging everything. Don't worry about what your bathroom scale says at this point. Just take a week to get into the habit of keeping track of everything, so we can all take a look at it and help you from there.
  • debrakgoogins
    debrakgoogins Posts: 2,033 Member
    It looks like the OP has not been engaged in the thread for a while. I'm saddened. I wish it were so easy that after two weeks, there would be such a significant change as she wanted. Some day, I hope she realizes all of our comments are to help her.
  • strong_curves
    strong_curves Posts: 2,229 Member
    It looks like the OP has not been engaged in the thread for a while. I'm saddened. I wish it were so easy that after two weeks, there would be such a significant change as she wanted. Some day, I hope she realizes all of our comments are to help her.

    That usually happens here especially when sensible advice is given.
  • VeryCarrie6969
    VeryCarrie6969 Posts: 61 Member
    I don't eat sweets like that. It was just last night, except the Pringles though. I work overnight so I don't know when it's a good time to eat, and umm I don't really know how to cook so I just eat what my husband cooks. It's usually not healthy food, or I just eat out.
    It's not easy to cut back on calories, maybe it is for you guys but not me

    It's not easy for us either! Who do you think is on here? Ordinary people, that's who! We have jobs, kids, grandkids, and homes to tend. If you're ready to commit, we can give you encouragement but you'll need to give yourself that daily kick in the *kitten* to keep going. Join us when you're ready; we'll be here working our butts off!
  • camdoyle8906
    camdoyle8906 Posts: 19 Member
    I have also heard that things containing high amounts of saturated fat can make you more hungry quickly. Substituting some of those items for apples or carrots can go a long way. I've found that drinking more water helps fight the cravings too. Carrying a water bottle works for me
  • ldowdesw
    ldowdesw Posts: 222 Member
    Google some low calorie recipes and try to cook them! If hubby dosnt like them, let him cook his own, he's an adult! If you give up you'll be like kicking yourself in 4 weeks knowing that if you'd stuck with it, you could of lost 8lbs!!!! Give up? you will probably be +8lbs in a few weeks.. Keep going, I dare you ;)
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    okay.

    if youd rather be fat and unhappy and have possible health problems.... thats your choice.

    the rest of us have put in years of work, and dedication, and patience, and achieved some pretty amazing results.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    When you give up giving up and are ready to try properly do come back and read the stickies

    Nobody said it was easy

    Maybe being overweight is easier for you

    But finally at the other side of that equation I have to say, categorically, it isn't better
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    When you give up giving up and are ready to try properly do come back and read the stickies

    Nobody said it was easy

    Maybe being overweight is easier for you

    But finally at the other side of that equation I have to say, categorically, it isn't better

    you are always so much nicer than i am LOLOLOLOL :P
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Not always ;)
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    Not always ;)

    well, okay. fair enough. LOL :P
  • ahoy_m8
    ahoy_m8 Posts: 3,053 Member
    Some people say, "Pick your hard." They mean weight loss is hard. Being fat is hard. Pick which you would rather deal with.
  • cross2bear
    cross2bear Posts: 1,106 Member
    Look - you dont have to exercise to lose weight. I am living breathing walking proof. I was told back in October that I needed to lose weight before knee surgery, so up to now, I have lost 45 lbs, just doing EXACTLY what you have been told to do - plan your meals, shop appropriately, cook for yourself, weigh accurately, count calories etc. Intake must be less than output to make a difference. I know you are only human. We all are. And I bet every single one of us here has had good days and bad days. You wouldnt throw in the towel on your marriage for one lousy day, yet you are ready to throw it in on your LIFE after one lousy day? nonononono....thats not a good plan.

    The truth is either you take some advice and get your poop in a group or you dont - its entirely up to you. But I guarantee that if you dont, you will end up hating yourself for it, feel worthless and pathetic, and will gain more weight. AND complain that you tried "but nothing works".

    But if you DO pull it together, you have all these great folks cheering you on, and a great tool with MFP with the calorie info, the daily logs etc - most everything you need to be successful. You will feel SO great!! And proud of yourself!!

    It really is all in your hands now - good luck!!
  • scolaris
    scolaris Posts: 2,145 Member
    Wow! Two whole weeks!
    Cmon... get back on that horse & cowgirl up hon.
  • BuddhaB0y
    BuddhaB0y Posts: 199 Member
    This is just a sooky poor me give me attention post. Looks like it succeeded