8 MONTHS AND ONLY 29LBS LOST...SERIOUSLY??

Same problem here. I'm ten months in, I've lost about 15 pounds. Needless to say, I'm not impressed. After 8 months, and those same 15#, it got bad enough (frustration-wise) that I spent two months just not giving a flying rat's *kitten*. Trying to get back into it is... difficult, at best. If my weight stayed the same over those 2 months, and it stayed the same logging every bite and every step... What's the point, right?

I wish I had something constructive to offer, but all I've got is "I'm there, too. Good luck to you!"

A positive attitude is everything and can make all the difference in the world. Everyone loses at different rates and those that stick to it every single day faithfully and workout hard are the most successful now and during maintenance.

Simply the truth of the matter.

Plus I'm not sure I understand your comment of "What's the Point".......wha??? To get a healthy body, mind and stay alive maybe? :flowerforyou:

*blinkblink* Well, when I saw this on the board, the smilies didn't display. Puts a whole different spin on the last line.

I was positive. Very much so. Then... nothing happened. I dropped those 15 pounds in the first four months, then had no change at all for four months before I got so discouraged. And that, sadly, is not healthy for my mind. Plus, despite my size, I'm an incredibly healthy person. I can't tell you how many times I've been sent in for bloodwork to see "how bad" things are, and have the doctor reading the results be thoroughly surprised and bewildered at how completely healthy they are. The only things 'off' are my iron counts (pregnancy and breastfeeding will do that) and my knees (I inherited a trick knee that's been bad since I was little, and got worse once I started losing weight). Truthfully, I was a lot happier at my starting weight not trying to lose weight than I was at 15# down and not losing weight despite working my butt off every day.

Obviously, since I'm here, I'm getting my butt back in gear and trying to get back on track. Hope and optimism apparently spring eternal and all. But the point remains, when you're looking at all the people who have been here less time than you and have lost six or more times what you have... It is very easy to fall into the trap of "it doesn't matter anyway - nothing changes no matter how hard I try..." And from there? All you can do is try your best to break out of the cycle. I'm not recommending anyone give up, I'm just saying I've hit the bottom, and if I can claw my way back up, then I strongly suspect others can as well.

My guess? The latter half of the point didn't go through as I'd hoped. Downside of text communications. x.x;; Anyhow, thank you for the heads up that my point got lost, and thank you for the chance to try to sort out what I actually meant. ^_^

Congratulations on your 29 LBS lost! I just started using the diary yesterday, and I am shocked how many calories I have been eating. You should not beat yourself up, and try to celebrate your success. You probably heard the saying, " The weight didn't come on overnight....it won't come off overnight". Try eating a little different...switch up your exercising routine. The body can sometimes get into a rut and needs a jumpstart.

29lbs is great! I switch up my workouts about every 3 months, I started losing inches again with zumba, piloxing, and spin class. Try some high intensity cardio and this should rev up your metabolism, btw , what is PSOC?

PCOS is polycystic ovarian syndrome, it causes your hormone balance to be off, and it can make weight loss very slow. You can check out more on google if you choose.

Oh ok I was just curious what it was. I have heard of it just not the abbreviation

I know slow and steady is the key and I am fine with that, however, that is not a huge loss. I could have lost 50lbs and that still would of been considered a slow weight loss. I switch up my workouts, and I have not given up and I haven't gained any weight either. I have 69lbs to go, its just sometimes frustrating. You work hard and see little results, I do have PCOS so that might be the cause, I don't have any thyroid problems. GEEZ, I said I would give myself a year and that will be in February 2012.

You are moving in the right direction, you should be patting yourself on the back, 29 lbs IS NOT LITTLE RESULTS.
You will get there!

Hi! I'll guess that you've been at this for about 34 weeks, so 29 lbs is just barely under 1 lb per week! I've lost 1.2 lbs per week, and I consider that to be GREAT! I can see why you'd be a little bummed that it's less than 1 lb per week, but it is really close! I would guess that the PCOS is slowing you a tad. I'll tell you what i do but you might do more. i do 40-60 minutes per day of exercise and I eat around my BMR. I always lose way slower than my 5 week guess from MFP good luck!

I believe that only other women with PCOS have an idea about the uphill battle you're fighting. The chemistry of PCOS is NOT a typical model, and typical approaches don't work as well as those that are customized to what you're dealing with. I say this from the perspective of having lived with a PCOS diagnosis for over a decade, and having gone undiagnosed for many years with that insidious symptom of "unexplained weight gain" dogging me.

What you have accomplished so far is fantastic. Can you make changes to optimize your loss? Absolutely. I'm sure you know that low-carb diets are the best approach for PCOS. If you haven't already been tested for Insulin Resistance, you should have a fasting Insulin Level test done. If you are Insulin Resistant, (or diabetic) there are dietary changes you can make to lower the levels, as well as supplements that can improve it. Many women with PCOS find that a prescription for Metformin makes a huge difference in their ability to lose weight as well. If you aren't taking Metformin, it might be something to discuss with your doctor. PCOS is one of the medical conditions outside of diabetes that Metformin is indicated for.

I think what you need to know today is that there is hope. This syndrome is difficult, but not impossible to deal with. The more weight you lose, it is likely that your symptoms will improve, so keep working at it.

Discouragement is something we all go through - don't let it defeat you. Keep at it. You CAN do it.

I was going to mention the low carb approach, too. I have never been diagnosed with PCOS, and doubt I have it, but over the past 8.5 months and lots of playing with my macronutrients, I've discovered that I have to keep my carbs low to lose weight. Between April and August I gained and lost the same 5 pounds over and over again on a low fat, high carb, high fiber diet. Since mid-August, after cutting my carbs to 90 grams per day or less, I've lost almost 10 pounds and I'm still losing.

You might try giving this same approach a chance. Cut out white, processed carbs (white bread, white rice and sugar) and focus on whole grains, lean meats, lots of veggies and low sugar fruits like berries. I'm betting you'll see a difference in your weight loss.

GIIIIIIRRRRRRLLLLLLLL I FEEL YOUR PAIN!

9 MOS 28.5 LBS!

I get very frustrated. However on the other hand, it's 28.5 less than I had. In total I'm down 76 lbs.


You've got to look at the nsvs and embrace them. I smile when I put my clothes on now. I take the stairs up multiple floors. I have energy. My insomnia is a thing of the past. I'm content and relaxed. I've learned so much about food and my body. OK so I've still got 70+ lbs to go, but I wouldn't trade these last 9 months for nothing in the world!

Count the cost. Would you rather lose 60 lbs this year and gain it all back next? Or lose 30 and keep it off a lifetime???

I can totally relate. I started gaining 10 pounds a year when I was 13 (hello hormones!) and I never knew why. I did every diet under the sun, joined a gym, played soccer, did weightlifting. Always 10 pounds. Every year. I finally learned when I was 21 that anti-depressants kill your metabolism so I went off of them and stopped gaining weight. Then when I was 23 I learned I have PCOS, high blood pressure, a fatty liver and diabetes. Who gets diabetes at 23?? So I cut down on calories and exercised 5 days a week. I managed to lose 20 pounds over 3 months and get back to pre-diabetic but no more weight loss. It was so frustrating. I gave up a little after a while and gained 7 pounds back. I just started a new program that has me on no carb/high protein and I have lost 23 pounds in 3 weeks. While some will say this is unhealthy, when you were 116 pounds overweight it isn't. And I feel SO much better. My daily headaches are gone, I have more energy, I sleep better and my workouts are easier. Just had blood work done - Cholesterol was 120 and Blood Pressure was 130/82, Fast Glucose was 92.

Our bodies cannot process carbs because PCOS causes insulin resistance. Cut them out to less than 30 grams a day (and this should only be from veggies or low-glycemic fruits) and you will see a big difference. By the way, the first week is the hardest. Expect withdrawal symptoms. Look up "Induction Flu".

Are you on any type of medication for your PCOS? I am insulin resistant and I take Metformin for that. Maybe you should see an endo and go from there. Also, it is recommended for ladies with PCOS to keep their carbs at 40% or below --- have you tried this? I'd see a nutritionist while you are scheduling that endo appt.

I'm losing slowly too. Since March of this year Ive lost 29.8 pounds but I'm sooo happy!! Its not a race its a journey. Enjoy it and Congrats on your success so far:flowerforyou:

Oh yeah I gained 1 pound this week BUT I'm still happy and I will "keep on keeping on":laugh: because I know that as long as I don't give up I will reach my goal.