What to do when you feel like giving up?

are you logging your food intake? what are you doing exactly?

I am staring up again really slowly. If I go too fast I will burn out and quit. Also, if I push too hard with exercising then my back will act up and I'll be derailed again.

In the first two weeks, I wouldn't expect too much. You are starting to exercise while also dieting. So you are most likely converting fat to muscle. Have you noticed your back is stronger? What about your butt or thighs?

I feel like I am losing back fat and my butt feels tighter, but when I look in the mirror I look the same. . So I won't be looking in the mirror for a while. My freaking period will bloat me out in a week or so and then I'm going to be really really frumpy.

I tell myself:
Scale movement takes time... but that time will pass anyway, so might as well keep going.
Nothing will change unless I make it change.. giving up = no change, and I don't want to live like that anymore.

Remember that you've been there once before.. you KNOW you can do it.. you know HOW to do it... now you just have to do it.

tiffany_yy wrote: »

Right now I'm running 4 days a week and resistance training 2-3 times a week. As far as food I'm focusing on portion as its one of my biggest problems. I log my foods but I'm also not eating that often bc I'm so conscious. Rather than scale I'm hoping to have more noticeable changes which I understand will take time especially since I have gained a lot. I just wish I wouldn't get so discouraged and be able to be positive you know?

No everyone has to log their food to find success. A couple things it does for you however it give you peace of mind knowing that the amount you are consuming is the right amount to reach your goals. its kind of heading out on a trip to a place you've not been and not using a GPS and going by a general sense of direction...you may get there using road signs and good navigation skills, but you may not or it may take you far longer and you've expended effort and didn't achieve your result. that bugs me personally.

this MFP app is designed to give you a calorie goal to hit based upon your body make up and your desired amount of weight loss per week. many times for people the decision to log accurately is the hardest hurdle to over come because they dig their heals in and just don't want to do it. its too hard..takes effort and is a pain in the *kitten*. That is not the case in reality and it gets easier as time goes on.

One alarming thing you said is your not eating the often...which is fine..eat once a day if you want, but do eat in the proper quantities so you don't burn out, get tired and give up. people eat so little at the start and they can't sustain that for long periods so they starting eating way to much later. Just some things to think about.

It's quite possible that you do gain weight the day after a workout. Your muscles will retain water.

I stay positive because I believe in what I'm doing. It works for me. I depend on habit and, when tested, determination. I don't wait for motivation, it's not dependable.

You can't change the past. In fact, it no longer exists. All that's left are your ideas about the past. So now you know you can't take weight loss success for granted. Valuable information.

You need to believe in what you are doing. You have a cardio program and a strength training program. Good. You need to find a way to eat that supports your training that gives you a modest, livable calorie deficit. Keep making small adjustments until you get it. The only way to fail is to quit.

You need one more thing- time. It takes time to work. Nobody wants to allow for time. Don't let your own brain wreck your efforts.

I've been feeling like giving up a lot recently. But I've done that in the past and just felt worse because when you don't try, you bring your chances of success to zero. I tell myself that even if I have bad days and binges and weight gains, as long as I try and never give up, there is hope and an opportunity for success.

I also ask myself what I would tell a friend. If they tried to do something (lose weight, quit cigs, etc.) and slipped up, would I tell them to not even bother trying because they made a mistake? Never. So why be so mean to myself?

Last but not least, patience. I struggle with that one big-time BUT when I get frustrated about not seeing results, I remind myself that it does take time, that weight loss isn't linear (gains are inevitable sometimes and that's okay) and that patience and determination to not give up are absolutely crucial to success.

Sorry you're feeling crappy but you are NOT alone in that feeling. I'd bet almost everyone who has lost weight has had days of disappointment and self-doubt. It's okay!

Giving up means quitting. And quitting NEVER resolves meeting your goals.

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

I remember why I started, I think about consequences if I give up, I remind myself that change takes time and to take things one day at a time.

I lost 70# in 2014 and gained it all back within a year. I've now lost 75#. The second time, I took it slow and really took the time to educate myself on nutrition. I'm feeling significantly more confident that I can maintain using all my new skills and tools.

Don't give up!

@tiffany_yy PS: Add me as a friend, if you'd like. We are all here to help each other! Michelle