Patience...

TheresaAnn1990
TheresaAnn1990 Posts: 14 Member
in Motivation and Support
Hey I hope everyone is having an awesome day. I just wanted to mention how frustrated I've been since yesterday. I normally don't weigh until the first of the month, but yesterday I had to since I signed up with a personal trainer. I don't normally care about the number on the scale, but this time I was surprisingly upset to find out that I only lost two pounds in four weeks. The logical side of my brain was like "that's amazing!!! Keep up the consistency theresa!!" But then the neurotic side of my brain was like "only two pounds? You should be losing more than that with your current meals and excercise routine!" It is such a negative way to think, I know, but sometimes I just find myself thinking these negative thoughts. I KNOW this journey will take time, that's why it's a journey, but I've been down about my weigh in ever since it happened yesterday. I talked with my boyfriend about it and he made me feel so much better but today I find myself still lingering on the negative thought of "why is this taking so long". I know it is going to take time, so does anyone have some encouraging words for me? I know consisetency is key, but for me I am already at a healthy weight for my hieght, and so I find that those last 10 or so pounds are SUPER hard to get off. I'm currently 5'7" 147 lbs. and have lost 12 lbs since November last year.

Replies

  • L1zardQueen
    L1zardQueen Posts: 8,753 Member
    10 pounds of fat will be slow. It took me 6 months to lose the last 20 pounds. Patience, sweetie.
  • RunnerGrl1982
    RunnerGrl1982 Posts: 412 Member
    You've literally plucked the thoughts right out of my own brain.

    I feel this very similarly. I'm 5'5 and 146 and I haven't lost a single pound in the 3 weeks I've started running and tracking my food. I know it is working though, because I've backed up into an old pair of pants, but the number on the scale keeps mocking me.

    Positive thoughts! You got this, it just takes times as most have said. It's easy to say, but you know you're doing all the right things in the end. Don't let those negative thoughts creep in and provide doubt. You're seeing results, so don't frustrate yourself. In the end, hopefully you'll look back and know it was worth all it and those nagging thoughts will be gone for good!

  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    Did you weigh on the same scale and in the same circumstances as you normally would (similar time of day, same routine, same clothing or lack of etc?)

    If you signed up with a personal trainer that suggests to me that you might have weighed at the gym, perhaps later in the day than normal?
  • 88olds
    88olds Posts: 4,534 Member
    Never use “only” and “lost” in the same sentence.
  • TheresaAnn1990
    TheresaAnn1990 Posts: 14 Member
    L1zardQueen wrote: »
    10 pounds of fat will be slow. It took me 6 months to lose the last 20 pounds. Patience, sweetie.
    Thank you♥️.

  • TheresaAnn1990
    TheresaAnn1990 Posts: 14 Member
    RunnerGrl1982 wrote: »
    You've literally plucked the thoughts right out of my own brain.

    I feel this very similarly. I'm 5'5 and 146 and I haven't lost a single pound in the 3 weeks I've started running and tracking my food. I know it is working though, because I've backed up into an old pair of pants, but the number on the scale keeps mocking me.

    Positive thoughts! You got this, it just takes times as most have said. It's easy to say, but you know you're doing all the right things in the end. Don't let those negative thoughts creep in and provide doubt. You're seeing results, so don't frustrate yourself. In the end, hopefully you'll look back and know it was worth all it and those nagging thoughts will be gone for good!

    I'm glad you mentioned that because I, too, have tried on an old pair of jeans which aren't nearly as tight on me as they were before. And what's also great is that I do feel way better and I can see slight changes in my body. So I'm glad you brought up clothes fitting better and stuff like that. I seriously appreciate your words they have made me feel way more encouraged and they have reminded me that I'm not alone. I sometimes feel like I'm he only one who feels these negative things. At the end of the day, you're right, I am seeing results. This is definitely an emotional journey as much as a physical one, that's for sure!!
  • TheresaAnn1990
    TheresaAnn1990 Posts: 14 Member
    livingleanlivingclean wrote: »
    Did you weigh on the same scale and in the same circumstances as you normally would (similar time of day, same routine, same clothing or lack of etc?)

    If you signed up with a personal trainer that suggests to me that you might have weighed at the gym, perhaps later in the day than normal?

    The only thing that remains the same is the scale. I don't always have the same clothing on so that is a good point, perhaps all these variables should be in alignment. I don't own a scale and just use the one at my gym, but I think you bring up good points when it comes to weighing in! Yeah I weighed in at around 1pm and, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it's best to make sure all variables are similar each time you weigh in and that you do it first thing in the morning after using the restroom. I should probably also note that I am aware that, especially as a female, body weight can fluctuate throughout the day.
  • TheresaAnn1990
    TheresaAnn1990 Posts: 14 Member
    88olds wrote: »
    Never use “only” and “lost” in the same sentence.

    This is honestly a very good point. Thank you ♥️
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    TheresaAnn1990 wrote: »
    livingleanlivingclean wrote: »
    Did you weigh on the same scale and in the same circumstances as you normally would (similar time of day, same routine, same clothing or lack of etc?)

    If you signed up with a personal trainer that suggests to me that you might have weighed at the gym, perhaps later in the day than normal?

    The only thing that remains the same is the scale. I don't always have the same clothing on so that is a good point, perhaps all these variables should be in alignment. I don't own a scale and just use the one at my gym, but I think you bring up good points when it comes to weighing in! Yeah I weighed in at around 1pm and, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it's best to make sure all variables are similar each time you weigh in and that you do it first thing in the morning after using the restroom. I should probably also note that I am aware that, especially as a female, body weight can fluctuate throughout the day.

    Weighing later in the day is always going to fluctuate more than if you were able to weigh consistently in the morning in the same conditions. Eating and drinking before weighing are going to add extra variables that you wouldn't have if you could weigh first thing in the morning...
  • Wendyanneroberts
    Wendyanneroberts Posts: 270 Member
    As you mentioned consistency is key, especially when it's the last few pounds as the deficit becomes smaller. Plus as your already close to your target weight, a 0.5lb a week loss is recommended and you hit that, with 2lbs in 4 weeks, so right on a healthy target! Well done.

    But I would just like to add that weight loss isn't linear. I've just switched to maintenance but until recently my target was 0.5lb a week. A few weeks passed and no weight loss reflected on the scales. I wondered if I was no at maintenance at that calorie intake. Although I did notice the difference with clothes fitting better etc, so I carried on with my routine consistently.

    At 10 weeks (since last weight loss & weekly weigh ins), I weighed in and had lost 5lb that week. I was so surprised & yet happy. So continued on track & then went 10 weeks again with no change on the scales, then dropped another 5lb in just over a week! So I'm glad I stayed the course and didn't give in to the negative thoughts. As I did hit my target, 10lb loss in 20 weeks = 0.5lb a week. It just didn't show on the scales as expected.
  • Tic78
    Tic78 Posts: 232 Member
    First you are doing fantastic, so well done. Second when you weigh so infrequently you run the risk of stepping on the scale on a bad day, when your weight has fluctuated due to water/exercise/tom.

    If you use a daily tracking app such as happy scale if you have an iPhone, or Libra (I think) for Android it would show you what these fluctuations really are. If you do try these apps then go with your weekly average loss.

    If you have been tracking all your food intake properly and have genuinely been staying in a deficit you have nothing to worry about.

    It can be so demoralising when you have busted you’re kitten all week/month and for something like that to happen. Previous something similar happened to me when I was 2lb away from the goal I had set myself. I was so demoralised that it led to a 17lb gain.

    This time I’m back to where I was, I realise it’s just normal fluctuations that happen to everyone. That I use a daily tracker which gives me my average weight and it really helps.

    For example this week I have tracked my calories and workouts enough to have lost 1lb. Friday and Saturday night I eat some more calories but stay under my maintenance level. Because the food I am eating on these days has far more carbs than what I take in the rest of the week my water level retention has changed. So despite being on target to lose 1lb this week this morning my weight has increased by 1.8lbs. This is fictitious water weight, it will go again and I will get my lose for the week but until you know your body these little blips can cause you to get demoralised, especially when you have worked so hard.

    You need to see them for what they are, fluctuations. We all get them, we’re in this for the long game.

    Anyway I have went on enough. You have done great and I wish you well in this journey B)
  • williamwj2017
    williamwj2017 Posts: 79 Member
    The number on the scale really messes with your head. It happened to me the other day also. That number lies to you. Take pictures of yourself and see your progress that way. The scale is good initially but long term it becomes very unhealthy. Just observe your body and also learn to feel it.
  • TheresaAnn1990
    TheresaAnn1990 Posts: 14 Member
    Thank you to all of you who have added comments! It means a lot to me and I feel way more at ease. Everyone is right, this is a Journey and the journey is the reward. If I haven't already mentioned it, I want to say that this is the best experience I have had with weight loss in a decade. And that is because I have been focused on the long haul (except for this recent funk). I know that the weight loss is slow because I'm actually eating well and not doing some crazy restrictive dealio where I'm starving myself or something. That is why I believe I have been so successful so far: I've actually been eating and I've been eating whole foods that nourish me. So I am happy to hear all of Hess encouraging words because like I said in my initial post, I have two voices in my head. One that is logical and one that is neurotic and is trying to hold me back. I definitely thrive when I listen to the logical one. The one that tells me "Theresa, this is a lifestyle. This will take time and that is okay".
  • williamwj2017
    williamwj2017 Posts: 79 Member
    Yeah we all have that neurotic voice hahaha your posts also helps others including myself. Goodluck, were all going to make it.
  • TheresaAnn1990
    TheresaAnn1990 Posts: 14 Member
    williamwj2017 wrote: »
    Yeah we all have that neurotic voice hahaha your posts also helps others including myself. Goodluck, were all going to make it.

    Indeed! Good luck to you too, we got this!♥️🙌🏻

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