For those who have lost a lot of weight.......

tbullucks2006 · July 2016

Hi Everyone. I need some one to tell me this is normal. That it will be ok. I started this journey in January and I am 40 lbs down but over the last month or so I have really been struggling to keep losing. I was actually 47 lbs down but have gained 7 back. I take one step forward and then 2 steps back. Many a stressful day, cookouts, a work trip where the meals were decided and provided for me and my birthday (a lot of cake and booze a couple of times) are things that have contributed to this.
Don't get me wrong. I HAVE NOT GIVEN UP. However, I've had too many days recently where I've had the F*it today attitude. Pardon my french. I'll do good for a few days and then mess up. I'm really starting to freak out that I'm not going to start losing again. However, I recently saw a girl on a weight loss motivation Instagram account and it too her 4 years to lose 100 lbs and it had me wondering if maybe it's because she dealt with what I am and it took longer. Is this how weight loss is? Is it normal to struggle this much? I want to get until 200 lbs because I haven't been in 17 years and it's so close but feels so far away. Can anyone shed light on this for me? Any feedback will be really appreciated. Thank you!

RainaProske · July 2016

Well, I am not sure that what I have to write will be helpful, but since you wrote, "Any feedback will be really appreciated . . . ."

When I started my weight loss journey 7 years ago, it never occurred to me to worry about how long it took to lost the @ 100s I needed to lose. It just didn't matter. And although I weighed daily to track any progress, it didn't matter when I didn't see a loss, because I knew I was doing the right things, and that was enough for m

I was surprised when I lost 50 pounds exactly on the first year and exactly 50 through the second year. The losses were notable, because I'd started on my birthday. I thought I'd lost enough; I was happy with the loss and quit considering weight loss, but over the next couple years, I lost 23 more pounds. I guess what I am saying is this: perhaps if you let the weight loss go -- didn't worry about that so much -- and just relaxed into a new way of eating, you would not see reaching an ending weight as so stressful?

nowolga · July 2016

I have only lost 10 pounds on my journey so far. About 2 years ago I lost 30 pounds then, like you, life hit me. I spend 2 years waiting for the "right time" to get back on my diet. It seemed there was always something... holidays, birthdays with cake, promotions, new jobs, looking for jobs... I realize now that life will never have a "right time" to loose weight. There are always going to be reason to celebrate with cake and ice cream as well as times to feel like life is getting the best of you. I have also realized I shouldn't have let life keep me from reaching my goals because I could've been at my goal weight right now. I do see people as well who have taken years to reach their goals and I do believe it is due to life. All we can do is keep going no matter what life throws at us. I, personally, am not trying to look at the time line because I know regardless if it is 1 year or 2 years there will be a day I wake up at my goal weight. Take this time as a learning experience so that next birthday you can perhaps drinking less booze and next work trip you can eat half a plate instead of the whole.

I hope this helps. Best of luck to you girl.

ponycyndi · July 2016

I was overweight since puberty. I started when I was in my 30's. It took a long time to lose 35 lbs because I would get burnt out, tired, bored, and hungry.

So instead of getting caught in a vicious cycle of beating myself up, starving, eating too much, etc. I started taking "breaks" where I would still track at maintenance, and still workout.

Then I would ease back into a small deficit, losing a little bit at a time. The time is going to pass anyway, so I might as well lose a little, or even be the same weight, instead of beating myself up and being heavier to boot.

shadow2soul · July 2016

Are you being really restrictive with your diet? What your describing sounds exactly like what happens to me if I either over restrict my food choices or if I try to have to large of a deficit. I would look for a reason as to why you end up saying *kitten* it for the day.

In 2012, I overly restricted to the point I was eating salads with dried fruit, chicken breast, or salad with chicken. That was pretty much all I ate. Occasionally I would make pancakes, but it was like a once every 6 weeks kind of thing. Anyway, I was able to stick with it for 6-7 months and then I just couldn't handle the restrictions anymore. I did maintain my weight loss for another couple months till the holidays hit. Over the holidays and into early 2013 I did end up gaining about 20 lbs back. That was before I started using MFP.

More recently, I tried switching to recomp and failed. I gained a few lbs. I have been trying to lose them, but can't stick to my calorie goal for more then a couple days to a week. Well, I re-ran my numbers through " Just my TDEE and Deficit Please" spreadsheet that was created by @heybales . What I came up with was that I was trying to have to large of a deficit and I think that is why I was struggling with sticking to it for more than a few days to a week. I have adjusted my MFP goals and I am hoping things go smoother now.

littleworm23 · July 2016

I yo-yo dieted for years before I finally hit the "It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle" area. I think changing my mindset was huge! Whenever I thought of food as bad for me or off limits I wanted it more and would end up binging on it and that would usually be followed by the "F**k it!" attitude. Now I let myself have whatever I want but in moderation. The funny thing is that knowing I can have things if I want them seems to make it a lot easier to pass them up. I also used to think of exercise as a means to an end, if I worked out more I could eat more. Now I work out almost daily because I love the way it makes me feel. I feel strong and more self confident than ever. I still have areas of me that need work but they seem way less important to me than they used to. This might also have to do with the fact that I'm almost 40 and know there are more important things than my stretch marks.

Just keep going know matter how slow it feels at times. I promise that all the little things add up and you will get there. Feel free to add me as a friend if you would like to.

STEVE142142 · July 2016

What you have to remember is this process takes a while and you're going to have your ups and downs. You didn't gain the weight all at once and you're not going to lose it all at once. It's just a matter of going back and looking at your food logs and seeing what you did when you were successful and reestablishing that pattern. If you already established the successful pattern it's just a matter of getting back to that pattern

My other suggestion to you is you have to find a why. This why has to be totally selfish it can't be about your significant other it can't be about the kids. It has to be totally about you. By it being totally about you it will take care of all your other whys and it will get you through rough times.

You have to set a long-term goal and that goal is what's going to carry you. Yes I have my f it days but I have made a personal commitment to myself that I will succeed and I did succeed.

nowine4me · July 2016

It's completely normal. That's why it can't be a diet, it truly has to be a lifestyle change (as much as I despise that phrase). Being on a diet has a start and an end. Being fit and healthy does not. Don't try to change everything at once, make small changes that are sustainable. It sucks being miserable, so you need to find ways to eat/exercise that will fit in your life -- forever. Don't worry about a drink or piece of cake, just keep moving.

Am I the voice of experience? Yes. I lost 75 pounds on MFP, once my "diet" ended, I gained it all back. It would have been so much easier (not to mention healthy) to stay where I was. So now I'm down 60 again, but I'm not doing anything that I can't do for the rest of my life. It takes time.

Congrats on your 40 pounds. FIGHT to save that and you are already winning!!

LillysMomma09 · July 2016

I'm right there with you! 2 steps forward, one step back. But you know what?? That's still one step forward!
I'm living my life while on this journey. I may not do the greatest everyday but I get right back at it and keep moving forward.
Monday through Thursday is very easy due to work, it's very scheduled and no surprises. Weekends are hard! I usually move my goal down to 1 or even .5 pound per week on the weekends just to allow a little extra. Then move it right back up to 2 on Monday morning. When I'm able to at least maintain on weekends I feel that is a score for me!!
The biggest part is just don't give up. Even if you have bad weekends, parties, etc.. If you give up, what then?? You'll go right back where you were to begin with. I don't want to start all over, do you?

BABetter1 · July 2016

A few years ago, I lost 42 pounds. And then I got stuck. I plateaued for 6 months with no change. Seriously, no change for 6 months, no inches lost, no clothing size lost, no difference in pictures, etc. And, the whole time I was logging every bite in MFP, exercising almost daily, and trying different combinations of higher calories and lower calories with nothing to show for it. I got so frustrated, I developed the Eff it attitude you describe. And, I decided to take 2 weeks off of logging, exercising, etc. Guess what. 2 weeks turned into 2 years, and a regain of about 30 of those 42 pounds.

My biggest regret is that I let my frustration get the best of me. Because, even if I had stayed the same weight for the next 2 or 3 years, it would still have been better than regaining it and starting over like I have now. My take away from that experience is to never give up, no matter how useless my efforts might seem in the moment. I know that is easier said than done when you get to feeling like all your hard work is for naught, or that a few days of not logging will be a nice "mental health break". But, just keep in mind that there is a worse scenario, ending up back where you started or even heavier.

ETA: I also lost those first 42 pounds in about 6 months. Maybe that was why it was so frustrating to me to then not lose anything for the next 6.

ericaconti · July 2016

I've lost about 140lbs. It took me about a year and a half to lose the vast majority of my weight. When I started I weighed about 275. At that point, there was no thought in my mind that I could ever lose 140lbs. My first goal was 5 pounds. When the scale showed 270, based on my reaction, you would have thought I won the lotto. My next goal was to get to 250. Again, I didn't think I'd be able to do it. With that mind set, I refused to cut anything out of my diet; I just ate less off everything. I bought smaller plates to trick my mind into thinking I was still eating a lot. I found myself down to 200 for the first time since middle school. Then I set my "final" goal at 180. I crushed that goal like it was nothing. There were most definitely times I said screw it and ate like a pig; however, I felt bloated and miserable the next day. I'm now maintaining at 133. I log everything. There are days I over eat, but I'm conscious of it and get back on the wagon the next day. I still eat cake, cookies, chocolate, etc. I never thought of myself as being on a diet or "having to" eat a certain way. I'll go on vacation and gain 10 pounds, but then I'll get it back under control. Having setbacks and/or weeks of no weight loss was totally normal for me.

Notaphase · July 2016

tbullucks2006 wrote: »

I was actually 47 lbs down but have gained 7 back. I take one step forward and then 2 steps back.

Correction: you took 47 steps forward and 7 steps back. You are now 40 steps ahead and that's a huge deal! Yes it's going to take longer than you think but that's no excuse to ignore all the hard work you did.

tbullucks2006 · July 2016

[quote=Correction: you took 47 steps forward and 7 steps back. You are now 40 steps ahead and that's a huge deal! Yes it's going to take longer than you think but that's no excuse to ignore all the hard work you did.[/quote]
OMG I love this outlook!!!

tbullucks2006 · July 2016

tbullucks2006 wrote: »

[quote=Correction: you took 47 steps forward and 7 steps back. You are now 40 steps ahead and that's a huge deal! Yes it's going to take longer than you think but that's no excuse to ignore all the hard work you did. OMG I love this outlook!!!

Anita_jane · July 2016

Wow you are an inspirational lot!
I am just starting out and was devastated to have only lost 2lbs in 5 weeks, but you are all correct, slow and steady wins the race, just keep on- it may take me a long time to lose my 100lbs but that is much better than the alternative if I just caved and gave up.
Btw any friend to journey with would be very welcome

huntersmom2016 · July 2016

Notaphase wrote: »

tbullucks2006 wrote: »

I was actually 47 lbs down but have gained 7 back. I take one step forward and then 2 steps back.

Correction: you took 47 steps forward and 7 steps back. You are now 40 steps ahead and that's a huge deal! Yes it's going to take longer than you think but that's no excuse to ignore all the hard work you did.

That's an AWESOME way to look at it!!!! Love it!!

Timmyswifey30 · July 2016

I'm an overweight health nut and have done A LOT of research on this because I HATE regaining what I've lost!! It's called a plateau and sometimes it can start to reverse the changes you've been seeing!! Change workout and diet plan, for example start doing more cardio rather than strength training or vis versa. And you've probably been sticking to a strict diet and then fall off the wagon every few days, change that by adding a "cheat" snack, like 10 Doritos, don't do the suggested serving size because that's where more calories and fat come in, but try doing a half or quarter serving size. Then you feel like your still getting the desired effect of eating what you want without feeling guilty. Oh and at this cookouts, bday parties, etc. Choose the healthier option ie one hot dog without the bun and a table spoon sized portion of potato salad!

Here4Ponies · July 2016

I started at 222lbs about 10 years ago. Weighed in at 170.2 this morning. I haven't always been trying to lose weight but I have been making healthier choices. EVERYTHING has changed: food, drink, friends, family, jobs, hobbies... even what I consider relaxing is different (horseback riding instead of watching TV). These changes are HUGE. I have a long ways to go still but I'm no longer drinking a 3-4 beers every night. Give yourself credit and take whatever time you need to get where you want to be.

rwhyte12 · July 2016

tbullucks2006 wrote: »

Hi Everyone. I need some one to tell me this is normal. That it will be ok. I started this journey in January and I am 40 lbs down but over the last month or so I have really been struggling to keep losing. I was actually 47 lbs down but have gained 7 back. I take one step forward and then 2 steps back. Many a stressful day, cookouts, a work trip where the meals were decided and provided for me and my birthday (a lot of cake and booze a couple of times) are things that have contributed to this.
Don't get me wrong. I HAVE NOT GIVEN UP. However, I've had too many days recently where I've had the F*it today attitude. Pardon my french. I'll do good for a few days and then mess up. I'm really starting to freak out that I'm not going to start losing again. However, I recently saw a girl on a weight loss motivation Instagram account and it too her 4 years to lose 100 lbs and it had me wondering if maybe it's because she dealt with what I am and it took longer. Is this how weight loss is? Is it normal to struggle this much? I want to get until 200 lbs because I haven't been in 17 years and it's so close but feels so far away. Can anyone shed light on this for me? Any feedback will be really appreciated. Thank you!

I think it is just raw determination that gets people there. Last summer, I lost around 21 lbs and worked all year to keep it off. The summer is when I have lots of time due to my job being over in June each year and I am trying to exercise about two hours a day. I have already budged about 7 pounds and hope to maybe get to the 20 mark by the end of August and then just maintain.

Just keep it up. The thinner you get, the more you will be able to do and the more motivated you will be to get out and do things.

fbcallicoat · July 2016

First, congrats! You're changing yourself and your life.

I understand the frustration -- we've all plateaued at some point. I was 262 lbs. last Halloween and ended up in the hospital for stress related infection due to diabetes. When I got out, I started daily exercise and a ketogenic diet. I eat very few carbs and lots of fat and some protein.

Today I weighed in at 167.6 lbs which is great, but for the past month or so I've been bouncing between about 167 and 174 lbs. Right now I seem to be on the downward swing, but I try not to put too much stock into a day or two and take a longer view.

During these past 9 months I've genuinely changed my lifestyle and my diet to the point that I don't even think of it as depriving myself or "being on a diet" -- it's just part of me. I don't eat too many carbs and I am an exercise fanatic.

So although I get a little discouraged at not hitting the 160-165 milestone, I try to put that out of my head and just keep going, knowing that I am SO much better off than I ever could have imagined on 10/31/15.

Today, for example, I stopped in at a clothing store and spent about an hour trying on new clothes. I could never have imagined having a size 30-32 waist in a million years. (I was a size 44 waist this time last year.) I didn't buy anything, but it gave me such a boost just to see how much progress I've made.

Guess I'm saying: don't pay too much attention to the scale. Just keep doing the things that have gotten you this far and don't worry -- the rest will come off in time.

CoachJen71 · July 2016

tbullucks2006 wrote: »

Hi Everyone. I need some one to tell me this is normal. That it will be ok. I started this journey in January and I am 40 lbs down but over the last month or so I have really been struggling to keep losing. I was actually 47 lbs down but have gained 7 back. I take one step forward and then 2 steps back. Many a stressful day, cookouts, a work trip where the meals were decided and provided for me and my birthday (a lot of cake and booze a couple of times) are things that have contributed to this.
Don't get me wrong. I HAVE NOT GIVEN UP. However, I've had too many days recently where I've had the F*it today attitude. Pardon my french. I'll do good for a few days and then mess up. I'm really starting to freak out that I'm not going to start losing again. However, I recently saw a girl on a weight loss motivation Instagram account and it too her 4 years to lose 100 lbs and it had me wondering if maybe it's because she dealt with what I am and it took longer. Is this how weight loss is? Is it normal to struggle this much? I want to get until 200 lbs because I haven't been in 17 years and it's so close but feels so far away. Can anyone shed light on this for me? Any feedback will be really appreciated. Thank you!

It's been normal for me to struggle like that, but I am a compulsive eater so I might do well for a while then go off the rails and have to deal with the fallout. You can look at my weight loss graphs in this post to see what I mean.

For those who have lost a lot of weight.......

Replies

Categories