Clothes still not fitting better after almost a month :-(

staceykoz
staceykoz Posts: 31 Member
edited October 7 in Motivation and Support
I'm 33, and my ENTIRE life, I have never really worked out consistently like I have for almost a month. When I was younger, I was thinner and working out might be walking, dancing - just not sitting on my butt. In the past, I had success just dieting without exercise, but this time I thought I would try to do both together. Do it RIGHT this time. Try to make this a lifestyle change. Admittedly, the holidays fell in the middle of all this, so the diet had it's ups and downs but for the majority of days I've been under or around my 1200 calorie goal.

Adding exercise along with eating better, I figured I'd see better results than ever before. I expected after a month, my pants would start fitting better around the waste. It's making me pretty depressed every morning to struggle to button my pants each morning. :-(

I've been doing the 30 day shred 4 days a week and Jillian's Burn Fat, Boost Metabolism the other 3. I also make sure I walk anywhere from 1-4 miles each day. It may not seem like a ton of exercise, but for me it's a lot.

Yes, I definitely FEEL better. I have a ton more energy, but losing weight and inches is what I'm aiming. So far I've only lost 3 pounds since the start and pants are still tight. I even found some NEW stretch marks! Like my old ones weren't enough.

I really wish I knew what I was doing wrong. Or maybe I'm just being way too hard on myself? Is my body rebelling or something and eventually has to give in? But when? I want to make this a lifestyle change, but why do all this hard work for no results? :-(

Would love to get some advice and support from you all. Reading all of your stories has been very inspirational to me. I cannot wait for the day I'm able to share my story and be proud of my achievements...
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Replies

  • takehimaway
    takehimaway Posts: 499 Member
    You didn't become fat in one day, so remember easy does it.
  • missyfus
    missyfus Posts: 9
    And here I'm pissed because my clothes don't fit better after 5 days!!! ( :
    Did you let MyFitnessPal calculate the amount of calories you should have each day? 1200 is not very much. It is possible that you are eating too few calories, and your body is resisting losing anything because it's in "starvation mode" as they call it.
  • MommaFuhrer
    MommaFuhrer Posts: 214 Member
    I think 3lbs in a month is great! :happy:
  • missle30
    missle30 Posts: 40 Member
    You may not be eating enough calories. If you don't, your body will go into starvation mode and will shut down your metabolism, causing you to hold on to everything that you eat. You HAVE to eat at least the 1200 calories every day. And, with the amount of exercise that you are doing, you may need even more than that.
  • SherryR1971
    SherryR1971 Posts: 1,170 Member
    I'm going to wait to hear some answers, because I just mentioned to a girl at work mine are the same way...I would have expected to see some give in my jeans by now :( I am losing weight, but it's not showing in the way my jeans are fitting...I am waiting until a full month after I measured to measure again though
  • Amanda421
    Amanda421 Posts: 261 Member
    Dont loose hope. Give it another few weeks and keep up the great work. I would guess that one day soon you will wake up and your pants will be loose.
  • Abells
    Abells Posts: 756 Member
    eat back your exercise calories
  • hnsaunde
    hnsaunde Posts: 757 Member
    If you've never really worked out hard before, and I know those Jillian workouts are hard because I do them too, it may just be taking longer for your body to adjust to working out again. Remember, your metabolism is probably slower than what it was when you were in your early 20s, so it's going to take longer to see results initially. Just keep at it. Also, how much protein are you eating? I would suggest upping your protein a little bit and see what that does for you. The "easy does it" comment from weeping willow is right on!
  • downsizinghoss
    downsizinghoss Posts: 1,035 Member
    Your body adjusts at different rates. The body reactions are delayed. As you lose weight, once it realizes this might be the new norm, THEN it will adjust. But if you aren't eating enough, it might be holding on to everything it can.
  • slayerdan
    slayerdan Posts: 193
    Quit looking for the immediate gains----thats what led you to be overweight. I lost 50 lbs---50!!!--before I really noticed a change and before anyone else really noticed. Patience....this is a long haul, not a trip around the corner.

    SD
  • vjrose
    vjrose Posts: 809 Member
    You are doing fine, however, if you are working out that hard, are you eating enough? Your body will hang on to the input to try to use it for the workouts. Also, working out that hard can cause a lot of water weight, are you taking even one rest day per week? Might want to read up a bit on exercise during calorie deficit and how to balance the two. MFP gives you a built in deficit then if you are creating huge ones (look at your Net calories) I always try to get at least 1500 net. Clothes are fitting way better, not to much on the scale, lol. I can be patient, need to get fit first.
  • CharlieBarleyMom
    CharlieBarleyMom Posts: 727 Member
    You can not (unfortunately) tell your body from which spot to reduce the fat. So just because your pants are still tight in the waist does not mean that you are not making progress. You've lost 4 pounds, which is an excellent job... If you take measurements you'd have a better idea of where the reduction IS happening on your body.

    For me it's been all over... even my fingers! I don't believe my ears have shrunk, but it's entirely possible too! Yes, we all get a bit frustrated when our clothes are too tight... right now I'm frustrated because my clothes are too big and the new clothes that I bought on sale for future wear are not quite ready to be worn by this body!

    Hang in there. Keep doing what you're doing and you will see a difference!
  • marciawalkerswalkin
    marciawalkerswalkin Posts: 6
    Your doing great but dont get to down on yourself yet. It took me to get down about 18 pounds and 2 months before I had to go out and buy new jeans. Yes I agree you didnt put it on overnight, It will take a while to see results but keep at it and you will see them. Before you know it you will be in a lower size but it takes some time. Keep up the good work.
  • n_unocero
    n_unocero Posts: 445 Member
    1) if you've never worked out before chances are your muscles are retaining water to help them recover since they are not used to doing so much work.
    2) you're not eating enough.

    but honestly at your weight you should only be losing 3-4 lbs a month if you are doing it safely and in a healthy way.
  • ncparkins
    ncparkins Posts: 2
    Try sticking to less processed foods such as a baked potato, natural fruits etc. I found that works better than consuming too many processed carbs like bread, quick snacks etc. Protein such as tuna and chicken are excellent as well. Good luck!!:flowerforyou:
  • cPT_Helice
    cPT_Helice Posts: 403
    It's really hard for anyone to do anymore than say keep with it to you if you have your diary private. Not saying you should change it, but if there is an issue with what you're eating, we can't see it.
    I will say to make sure you get in at least 8 glasses of water - very important! Also, its not merely calories in verses calories out. That's the simplified version. It does have to do with WHAT you eat, as well. Load up on power foods like raw fruits and veggies and stay away from processed as much as possible.
  • ammiehill79
    ammiehill79 Posts: 31 Member
    I was in the same boat after having my second child. Then I realized I needed to get all the gunk out that was living in my system. I did the Advocare 24 day challenge, which consists of a 10 day gentle cleanse and a 14 day max phase...replenshing vitamins and energy! I was astounded by my results. I lost 7.6 lbs, 6 inches and 2 dress sizes in 24 days!!! Not too mention the amount of energy I GAINED!!!!

    I would love to share more with you if you are interested. This company and its products are truly changing my life!!!

    Message me for detals!
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    If you open up your diary people can give you a better idea of what to change to get better results. As far as working out if you are spending 30 minutes walking on a treadmill then you won't see results as fast as if you are lifting weights, doing circuit training or doing intervals. Took me a few months to lose enough that my clothes fit different.
  • fitaliciag
    fitaliciag Posts: 373
    i didn't have much results after a month either. it's slow at first, and if you are feeling better, that is what matters. stick with it and you will see it work.
  • kate2004rock
    kate2004rock Posts: 223 Member
    We are right about the same current weight with the same goal. It just takes time....the pounds are super slow to come off, ESPECIALLY when you're well under 200 to begin with. Keep at it----the results will come when you least expect it!
  • loftus2005
    loftus2005 Posts: 61
    I can kind of relate. I have been doing this since the end of August. I thought the samething. I lost 17 lbs and Im now at a plateau. And my old jeans still JUST fit. I don't really get it either. But I can say other people have told me that I look thinner and I feel better than I have in a long time! So keep going your body might just be adjusting and one day you will notice and feel it!! Sometimes I feel like Im concentrating too hard on the clothes and getting skinny and all of that when really it is a lifestyle change and its going to take time!! Dont give up!! You CAN do this!!! :)
  • tamiesue2
    tamiesue2 Posts: 149 Member
    Another thing is what you eat. If you have alot of sodium in your diet you could be retaining water. There are soo many different factors that could influence. Muscle is denser than fat and as you are doing Jillian Michaels you are building muscle under your fat, you may want to check your diet and increase proteins and cut back in some other areas. Also, the three pounds can come from anywhere on your body, not just your jean area!! Keep at it and dont get discouraged!!!
  • agally
    agally Posts: 14
    Keep your chin up! its not an easy challenge especially over the holidays. are you drinking lots of water? if your not your body will be storing it and that weight wont fall off. just feeling better is a huge sucess and having the ambition to keep at it also helps... try going to the health food and supp shop and ask for some advice... Good luck.
  • rockrosie
    rockrosie Posts: 59 Member
    Let me just say that 2 years ago I lost 40 lbs. I didn't really need new clothes until I lost about 20 lbs, and that was after 2 months. I eventually went down to a 14 from a size 20, and am in the process of going down again.

    The other day I saw a motivational quote that said...

    Fitness is 70% in the kitchen and 30% in the gym

    As someone who has worked out intensely 2 hours a day, 3 days a week (plus walking/crunches/extra that I don't really count) I can tell you that quote is true. I don't see a lot of changes unless I'm eating right + exercising AND taking care of myself, which means not depriving myself and getting enough sleep.
  • staceykoz
    staceykoz Posts: 31 Member
    Thanks all for your motivation and support!!!!!!
    Hi!! Hang in there- you are obviously really motivated and that is the hard part. You are making progress, and it will show, but you may be able assist the process with your nutritional habits. Tough to address without a look at your diary. But i'll start with two simple questions. (1) What is your height/weight, and (2) Are you netting 1200 cals or just eating 1200 cals?

    I started Nutrisystem right around the same time I started this journey so I've been following their meal plans. They have me eating a ton of veggies, but eventually I'm just full from the extra veggies and can't eat anymore, so often I am under the 1200 calories that my fitness planner did calculate as what I should try to eat. Should I eat even if I'm not hungry?

    I'm also always confused as to what to do about factoring in the calories burned from exercise. Should I be eating a ton of extra food when I burn a lot of calories to try to get to the 1200 calories?

    My weight right now is 160 and I'm 5'4".
  • ReverendJim
    ReverendJim Posts: 260 Member
    It's like the stock market - you gotta be in it for the long haul. Don't watch the kettle boil or it will seem like it never will. Keep up your good work. Soon, you'll see the results you are looking for and you'll have positive momentum to carry you forward. :)
  • foolinme
    foolinme Posts: 21 Member
    I have been here for about 90 days or so and in that time I have lost about 12 lbs. I am basically on par with how much you are losing. Some of my friends on MFP, who don't go to the gym as much as I do, have lost more weight but I am not going to let that get me down and neither should you! You are right, this is a lifestyle change, and in the long run, you will be better off for it. I firmly believe it will happen, we will see the weight and inches start to melt away soon. Stick with it and feel free to add me as a friend if you like!
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Dont loose hope. Give it another few weeks and keep up the great work. I would guess that one day soon you will wake up and your pants will be loose.

    Yes, I agree with this. It took at least 3 weeks for me to see any difference. But once it started the weight came off consistently. Just stick with it and you'll get there.
  • annabellj
    annabellj Posts: 1,337 Member
    hi sweetie, i know it is hard when you are just starting, give it another month. yes i know it is hard to wait. but if you tweak your diet just a little bit more and watch sodium, it will help. idk what your diet looks like, but with exercise for me 1200 wasnt enough food. i am eating around 1500 and the first month was tough. then went back and dropped the sugar and upped my exercise and then i lost like 10 lbs the second month, 3 and 1/2 inches off my waist! so give it some more time. be patient, stick with what you are doing, and look at others diaries if that helps. i tried to eat more in the morning this wk and that is helping me also. you can add me if you like. and i am back into my skinny jeans also! dont worry about the scale, measure yourself!
  • sarasashas
    sarasashas Posts: 11 Member
    3 pounds in a month is still really good so don't be too hard on yourself!

    I doubt that 1200 a day is enough to put your body into starvation mode but the most important thing is to make sure your calories comes from healthy sources. This is where calorie counting can be deceptive, try to make most of it come from protein rather than carbs and don't be put off if you're coming over the limit with things like fruit or veg
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