Why must it feel like it's taking forever

jdelijah
jdelijah Posts: 2 Member
edited December 2024 in Motivation and Support
I started this lifestyle change at the end of March. I'm down almost 25 lbs.. I hate that it feels like it's taking forever to drop weight. But I'm thankful for dropping the differences I see! I can't wait to reach my goal of losing 80+ lbs. And to be toned. I workout 3-5 days a week. Usually 5 days. I do 45-60 minutes of cardio. And strength training for an hour+. I believe I will be where I want to be by this time next year. I turn 30 in December and hope to be down about 50lbs..

It can be done!

Replies

  • ladyj22
    ladyj22 Posts: 146 Member
    You got this!!
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    edited June 2016
    Why a lifestyle change feels like it's taking forever?

    Because it is?

    Losing the weight takes a few months, or a couple of years if you're morbidly obese. Then the work begins - keeping it off. And it doesn't stop - you need to be vigilant for the rest of your life.
  • lizzelspark
    lizzelspark Posts: 178 Member
    Wow your doing great !! Keep it up !
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    25lbs in 3 mos is not taking forever! That is great progress:) If anything, it should keep you motivated. Good luck on your journey.
  • onix2814
    onix2814 Posts: 31 Member
    Way to go!!
    The determination is the key.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,077 Member
    It's your state of mind. Doing something (exercise and dieting) you likely don't want to do, can seem like forever. Going on a vacation for a week, seems too short a time. Being pregnant for 9 months may seem like a year or more to some, but seeing your child turn 5 years old makes you think "where did the time go?"

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,820 Member
    jdelijah wrote: »
    I started this lifestyle change at the end of March. I'm down almost 25 lbs.. I hate that it feels like it's taking forever to drop weight. But I'm thankful for dropping the differences I see! I can't wait to reach my goal of losing 80+ lbs. And to be toned. I workout 3-5 days a week. Usually 5 days. I do 45-60 minutes of cardio. And strength training for an hour+. I believe I will be where I want to be by this time next year. I turn 30 in December and hope to be down about 50lbs..

    It can be done!

    You've dropped 25 lbs in 2 months ... and you think it's taking forever??

    Let's assume that's 11 weeks. 25 lbs in 11 weeks is 2.3 lbs/week ... slightly faster than the recommended amount of 1-2 lbs/week. That's not a slow loss.

    Keep up the diet. Keep up the exercise. And focus on something else. Take an evening class. Get a part-time job. Volunteer somewhere. Start a project.
  • jdelijah
    jdelijah Posts: 2 Member
    Thanks for the input guys. It's funny because I think it's taking forever but this is really a lifestyle change for me. I plan on working out and eating healthy for the rest of my life! I will keep it up.
  • 2snakeswoman
    2snakeswoman Posts: 655 Member
    It's taking forever for me because I keep slipping up.
  • dragon_girl26
    dragon_girl26 Posts: 2,187 Member
    edited June 2016
    Do you have a lot to lose, OP? Maybe it will help to look at it in terms of smaller goals. If you have, for example, 70 lbs to lose, it could feel like it's going to take a long time. If you break it up and say, okay, I'll only focus on the next ten pounds..then ten pounds doesn't seem quite as long to get to. Once you get there, focus on the next ten. It's a matter of perspective.
    The other thing you can do is set goals outside of the scale. Maybe you want to run a 5K, or lift a certain weight, or walk a mile in X minutes. Its another way of gauging your success. It also splits your focus so it's not solely on the scale, because there will be times when the scale isn't going to move that fast, especially as you get close to your goal weight.
    The time passes anyway..and before long you'll look and think, "Wow, here I am..where did the time go?"

    ETA: Just noticed the 80+ lbs bit in your OP..sorry about that!
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    If it's a lifestyle change then it's going to take your entire life. Taking forever is actually one of the perks because you have your whole life to get it right and no need to rush. I've been at it for more than 3 years losing, then having prolonged maintenance breaks, then losing again. Takes the stress out for me to think of it as if I'm already at my goal weight and just living my life.
  • FionaPlum
    FionaPlum Posts: 37 Member
    You're doing fabulously, well done! Like others have said you're doing it quite quickly if anything so you're well equipped to see it through to the end result. Small goal increments along the way will break it up and you'll have the sense of accomplishment boost each time you achieve a new one. This will undoubtedly help to spur you on to the final hurdle. 80 lbs understandably wil feel like a lengthy time, but 5 or 10 at a time won't. Keep it up, you can do this!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories