Too slow for a "big girl"

savithny · February 2019

"I chose the plan I thought would have the best long-term results. I'm getting exactly the results I expect from the plan I chose."

RelCanonical · February 2019

People are too used to "Biggest Loser"-type diets and exercise plans when losing weight. Yeah, they lose weight quickly, but those plans are torturous and probably a reason why people thing losing weight is unattainable. Healthy weight loss is slow and steady and allows you to have a LIFE while you do it, along with teaching good habits that you can then bring into maintenance because all you need to do is adjust your calories up a little bit rather than figure out what to do all over again.

jean133mjg · February 2019

Just tell them, "thank you for your concern, and I'll let my doctor know he may want to adjust his plan at your next visit, since he's obviously missing something." Then smile and more on to the next conversation.

seltzermint555 · February 2019

Don't listen to them!! I lost about 90 lb in my first year on MFP and that was never more than 8 lb per month even at the start. Some of my friends have expressed disappointment in losing 4 or 5 lb per month (which is totally great and reasonable) and I think it's because they have seen too many of those weight loss tv shows where people are losing 8 lb in a week.

Better to lose slowly and keep it off forever, than to lose super fast and then bounce up or down again & again. I know for some people this is an annoying thought, but I honestly felt like even if I just lost 20 or 30 lb in my first year here that would be FINE with me. Still way ahead of where I started!

The smaller you get, the harder it is to lose pounds, that much is true...but you are doing wonderfully as others have said!

nowine4me · February 2019

Keep doing exactly what you’re doing!

GemimaFitzTed · February 2019

Bedazzled35 wrote: »

I decided in the new year to sort my weight out once and for all.
My SW was 240 and I'm 5'7. GW is 150. I put my stats into MFP with a 2lb a week loss and lightly active. I got 1500 calories. I've been trying to make sensible food choices with the odd treat. After reading some of the posts on here I've purchased a food scale and log everything accurately.
I'm not body confident enough for the gym but have been walking more and using an exercise bike at home. I eat back half the calories in case I'm over estimating.
I'm currently 228 and starting to see small changes.
My issue is that family and friends say I must be doing something wrong as weight "should be dropping off a big girl like you".
I'm in no great rush and recognise that the changes I make need to be forever this time. Should I smile sweetly and ignore them or do they have a point?

Congratulation on your great loss! You have the right attitude, tools and thinking toward your weightloss journey. You have been educating yourself on what works and what doesn't - I can bet all my wordly possessions that your friends and family haven't been and are basing their beliefs on celebrities, The Biggest Loser and others so-called "experts".

For what it's worth, my SW was 254, CW is 241 - I've lost 13lb in 6.5 weeks. My height is 5'6", net cals are 1600 (never below 1300) and I would not want anymore than a 2lb loss per week. It's not sustainable and I enjoy life/food far too much!

Ignore those comments. Just smile and tell them you're doing this journey your way.

jryepin93 · February 2019

Ignore!!! I can totally sympathize. When I first started losing weight my mom would ALWAYS make comments about how slowly I was losing weight. I told her I only wanted to lose .5 to 1 lb per week and she told me that "I could lose at least 2 to 3 lbs per week..." uh NO, that's not how that works! lol So I've learned to just ignore her and focus on achieving my own goals at my own rate. Keep doing what you're doing!

OneRatGirl · February 2019

Despite starting at over 300lbs, I've only gone for a 1lb/500cal a week defecit. I'm allowing myself to come in as much as another 500 cals under (net, not gross), right now my weekly calories seems to be coming in at what should equal a 1.5lb loss.

In the past I've started with a bigger defecit, over restricted to come in under it, lost 10-14lbs very quickly (mostly water) , and then gave up. Most of my attempts I've given up in about a week, maybe 2. Regained quickly.

Better to lose over a longer, safer period, and keep it off, and actually learn how to eat in a way you can sustain. In a few years you'll be very glad you did something you could stick with!

SarahMorganP · February 2019

I would honestly 100% tell them to f#%k off. How rude! You are doing fantastic!

ahoy_m8 · February 2019

jgnatca wrote: »

You are so very smart! This is a long term project so the less said about it the better.

Have some witty comebacks at the ready for the nosy people and remember you owe no-one an explanation.

I would smile sweetly “bless your heart” and change the subject such as, whether they have done their taxes yet?

As a Texan, reading a “bless your heart” from a Canadian warms mine. :drinker:

caindove11 · February 2019

Congrats on your weight loss thus far! Just keep focused, stay positive and take it one day at a time. You will get there.

jlynnm70 · February 2019

Slow and steady wins the race....do it at your pace and what's best for you to stick with! I think you are doing great!

witchaywoman81 · February 2019

It sounds like you have the right attitude. Be proud of yourself! I definitely empathize with how you feel. I seem to be surrounded by people who are either doing fad diets or who don’t think I’m losing fast enough. Keep doing what you’re doing, and the rest will fall into place.

lorrpb · February 2019

Your friends and family have no idea what they're talking about. I would encourage you to not discuss your weight loss efforts with them. Just sayin.

atgnat1 · February 2019

3500 calories is a pound of body fat. So 2lbs per week is a 1000 calorie deficit every single day. Any more than that is insane and unsustainable.

I'd say ask anyone making comments where they're getting their numbers from, but really the best thing to do is just ignore them. You've discovered exactly the reason I learned to keep my lifestyle changes to myself, though. Some people are supportive, yes, but some are anything but and even if you can rule out deliberate negativity or resentfulness there is a LOT of misinformation out there that even the most well meaning get suckered into.

You're doing great, keep doing what you're doing. Remember, none of us exactly gained the weight overnight and so it'll take some time to get rid of it too. But the reason I love CICO is that even when it's slow going or if I regain a couple pounds, it's still all just math, there's nothing to second guess at there. Stick to it and you'll get results that nobody can deny.

Too slow for a "big girl"

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