55lbs Lost and Still Disappointed

emilyvictoria7 · November 2017

As of today I’m down 55lbs since the beginning of the year.

SW: 270lbs
CW: 215lbs
CGW: 199lbs
UGW: 150lbs-160lbs

When I look in the mirror I still see the same things and I guess I’m surprised by how little of a difference 55lbs can really make. I’m still fat, just less fat, and I still don’t feel even close to comfortable with myself or my body.

I’m the weight I was at when I was 16 and I thought that would make me happy but it doesn’t. I still see all the work that needs to happen and it feels like I’ll never get there. I’ve been at this for 337 days and I’m tired. It’s daunting to think that there’s still another 15lbs to my first goal and another 40-50lbs after that. How is that even possible??

Could use some support and motivation because I am disappointed as hell.

88olds · November 2017

Failure to recognize and credit our own successes seems to be a widespread problem in weight loss. You are doing great. Moderate sustained loss is the road to long term success.

Now take a minute to rethink your expectations. Start with the long term. When you get to goal, your day to day life won't change much. You'll still be working at diet and fitness. Because if you quit, you'll regain some, all or even more. It happens a lot. It's scary.

To change your body, you'll probably be working more at fitness.

I really don't see why at this point you think you will not get there. Solid evidence points the other way. You've demonstrated that you can work your program and do it for a sustained period. Keep going.

People are going to answer your post by suggesting a break. I won't. But redo everything. Check all your numbers. All your assumptions. Do it like its day #1. Look at every food you think you can't do without. Try a new activity.

I can tell you what you are doing is possible because I've done it. Try some new clothes. Work on improving your appeance right now today. I found clothes that fit right a great reward that renewed my motivation. You likely have a list of stuff you want to do when you get to goal. Find some things you can do, or start on now. Reap some rewards. They're there.

Now go back to work. Livable downward trend + time= goal. People wreck themselves over the time issue. Don't. Good luck.

snowflake954 · November 2017

You've done so well so far--please don't stop now. If you're tired just do maintainence for awhile. Maybe it's time to relook at your fitness goals. To get a nice body exercise really helps. There's a great thread- a sticky- "a guide to sexy pants", which is very helpful for your problem. Good luck and let us know how you do.

changeconsumeme · November 2017

Do you take regular progress pictures? Take your measurements? Notice the difference in the fit of your clothing? Sometimes I don’t “see it” in the mirror but the picture evidence is overwhelming!

Hang in there.

estherdragonbat · November 2017

I don't buy clothes very often unless something wears out. For me, it was seeing the sizes go down when I did buy. I was a 3X, just over a year ago. Now I'm somewhere around a 12-14. (My winter coat is an XL, but I wanted room to wear a couple of layers underneath). I'm fixing to buy boots this week and thinking that I won't need to go looking for the ones with wide calves.

My mirror is not like the one Snow White's stepmother had. It lies to me. Showed me I was 'slightly heavy but still okay-looking' when I was BMI 45. Shows me I'm 'a little thinner now' at 28.5. My clothes tell a very different story.

B23_Kate · November 2017

You should celebrate your achievement of losing 55 pounds! One thing I would suggest is to weight and put in bags items that total 55 pounds from around your home or your kitchen pantry, lift the bags and try walking around with this weight back on your body for a while. You have done the best thing you can ever hope to do for you and for your health! I agree with the other comments, try exercising the way you feel about your body. Also, try something new, like getting a new haircut, buying some new clothes that you could not fit in before. Give your self time to lose the weight and give yourself credit for your achievements!

PAFC84 · November 2017

You're likely seeing in the mirror, how you still perceive yourself which is why you dont see much change. I'd suggest taking pictures too-much easier to see the difference.

How are you going about losing the weight? If you're counting calories that must be quite difficult. If you can find a way of enjoying the process it would really help you to stay motivated; it takes the pressure off the outcome and you'll be more likely to stick with the process. Could be zumba, lifting weights, dance classes or whatever.

mysteps2beauty · November 2017

I agree with others. You have done the hard part for a year. And you have gotten wonderful results. Guess what, the next year you can be down another 56 lbs. this a lifestyle change not a race. You have shown yourself that can do it. Just keep going. And I would more movement. Extra calories to enjoy a treat and give your body more definition. You got this. Tell that voice in your head to back the h*ll off. Read the success stories thread often. It took some people more than one year to get the changes they wanted. You are not alone.

PAFC84 · November 2017

Just wanted to add that you need to find ways to like yourself regardless of your weight. Your body is just a vessel, its your personality that makes you who you are. Whilst it is true that people often feel better about themselves when their body looks good, I think its important to like the person you are. If you don't, why not? Find ways to build your confidence which aren't tied to your weight. Do some courses, volunteer, join a group etc

Nikion901 · November 2017

I think what you've written is a good reminder to us who are overweight that we become blind to our heaviness as the weight goes up because it does take a considerable amount to make big differences in the way our bodies look. It the same thing with the age ... we look the same for a period of time and then ... WHAM ... we look in the mirror one day and suddenly we see ourselves as 5 or 10 years older than we remember ourselves looking yesterday.

If you feel burned out by the active weight loss you have been engaged in for "337 days" ... then perhaps the thing to do is take the next 28 days and let it be a period of maintenance of your current weight instead of still striving to lose.

Just watch what and how much you eat because going maintenance does not mean you can go back to eating the way you did when you put yourself into your current situation of needing to lose a lot of weight. ... However you can relax the caloric deficit, practice keeping you weight stable within a couple of pounds up or down from now. When day 366 rolls around (337 +28 = 365, and 366 starts a new year for you) ... go back to a deficit and renew your effort to lose more weight.

Like I've heard, read, seen written ... 'you didn't get 'there' in a day, and you won't get 'back' in a day either.'

my3girlzjune9 · November 2017

WOW, you are amazing!!! 55 pounds!!! Have you thought about maybe giving yourself smaller goals? Monthly goals? I shoot for monthly goals... and "reward" myself if I reach them. This journey is a life long life style change. You will make it!!! Look how far you have come ALREADY!!!

kakaovanilya · November 2017

If you hadnt done somethig about your weight, you could have been 55 lbs heavier today but you are 55 lbs down so you should be proud. I think you should buy small size clothes and try them every other week.

lorrpb · November 2017

Would you post some progress pics so we can see if there's been a change?

corinasue1143 · November 2017

You now weigh about what I do (211-213), started about where I did (265), about the same time (November), but our attitudes are worlds apart.
When I look in the mirror, I see that all the fluff I was hiding is gone. I see a body. I see bone structure under the skin and fat. I see that I am finally in a place where it's going to really show when I lose weight. I am finally at the place where I will have to buy new clothes when I lose weight. I am finally at the place where I can think about cute clothes again, and not just what store is gonna have something big enough for me. I'm through with the sad part. I'm ready for the fun part!

1peanutandapumpkin · November 2017

I'm sure there's been a BIG change...you just can't see it for yourself. It's hard to look in the mirror and see something different from what we're used to. I had struggled for 2yrs, lost 30lbs, hit a plateau and was tired of trying, so I gave up. I gained that weight back and now I'm starting all over. Don't let yourself stop. You've come too far to give up and give in. Keep going! I remember the first thing that really showed me how far I had come. I found a pair of shorts that looked really small but were my "new" sz. I didn't think they would fit, but they did. Keep reminding yourself of how much better you feel, how stairs are easier, how clothes are smaller. I would do what the previous poster said about carrying around that extra weight just to show yourself how far you've come. You've rocked it this far, you can keep going.

corinasue1143 · November 2017

Forgot to say I weighed 150 in high school. Would love to be there again.

Jthanmyfitnesspal · November 2017

Most of us (who are not egomaniacs) are our own worst critics! What an accomplishment! You hare likely much more healthy and can do all sorts of things you couldn't before. (Carrying 55lbs is hard work!)

Now, about being happy, that's an entirely different matter that has very little to do with weight. Finding happiness requires thinking about your whole life, not just your weight. My suggestion is that you hit the self-help section of your bookstore, take some courses, do more activities, think hard about what makes you happy and what does not. It fits in well with dieting actually, you are thinking about your whole life, not just your fat layer.

Best of luck!

PS My favorite self-help book is "The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People."

whosshe · November 2017

I feel you OP. I have good days and bad days. I started at 230lbs and am now around 155. Progress pictures definitely help. Every month I'll take a a full body picture and then compare it to my heaviest. Congratulations on 55lbs down!

enyagoboom · November 2017

losing the weight doesn't shake the demons. taking a break by doing maintenance level calories and light exercise (things you find enjoyable) or finding a new hobby might help a lot. Overhauling habits is hard, but you've already proven you can do it. take care of your spirit while you're finding your way. Good luck!

becca_rup23 · November 2017

I'm in a similar boat right now! I started a couple years ago at 271 and am currently at 204, lowest was 192 this spring, it can feel really frustrating to still have a bunch to lose but I just try to focus on positive changes and working out to build muscle. I accept that I'll probably always have body image issues but I'm hoping they improve over time!

nowine4me · November 2017

Three things....
1. Some of us get proportionately smaller, so it’s harder to see progress. Keep pushing
2. It’s not going to be “over” when you hit your ideal weight — that’s really just the beginning. Keep pushing
3. You might not look exactly like your expectations at goal. I certainly don’t. But, keep pushing.

ridiculous59 · November 2017

Its hard sometimes to see your own progress. Your mind plays tricks on you. That's just the way it is.

But for me, even if I couldn't see progress in the mirror, there was no denying that I could now walk further in 30 minutes than I could before. And I was able to do more in my deep water running class than when I first started. It was those tangible signs of improvement that kept me going.

And then suddenly, I saw muscles. It was amazing! They had been hiding for so long! I walked around with my hands in my front pockets just so I could touch them lol And that was the motivation I needed to keep going down the home stretch.

You're in this for the long haul. It took me three years to lose 90 pounds. But just like a marriage, or raising kids, or having a career, or saving for a house, anything good takes time and commitment. And you are worthy of that time and commitment, just like those other things. So very very worthy.

55lbs Lost and Still Disappointed

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