Have to VENT!!!!

Wfortner
Wfortner Posts: 77 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I know that I shouldn't be frustrated or "down in the dumps" about this, because I had made progress. I have lost 25lbs. I usually wake up in January and say I want to lose 50lbs....especially before vacation....lol... Seriously though, its about way more than that...I want to be fit and healthy...for me, my husband, my kids....I want to be around for a long time with them....to be active...hike, run, swim, etc.....

I knew the holidays would be hard! I didnt lose but I maintained (you've probably hear that part a hundred times from me already...sorry)....The scale has been stuck betwwen 167-168.6......I want to be in the 150s. SO, with new determination this week I decided to "amp up" my exercise routines...change them a little, get back into it. They had been a little slack....I have worked out hard this week...doing some strength, cardio...started something new...Kettlebells....got in some running/jogging(thats my love)....I was feeling GREAT...

....UNTIL...


I got on that HATEFUL scale in my bathroom floor...oh, no, its not stuck between 167-168.6 this morning...NO, that would be nice of it....its showing a number I never wanted to see again....a 7!!!!!! .....like in....170......WHY??????????????? I dont understand it....I dont....I logged every bit that went into my mouth this week. I didnt miss a day....I didnt go crazy with sodium...??

So upset at this moment....I know I will feel better in a little while, and I will keep working and moving forward, but for the moment, just a brief moment...I am frustrated and wanna say "I give up!!"....

Dont worry, all my mfp buddies, Im not giving up for real, I just wanna scream that for right now...just one time...lol....

Ok....I'm going to do it....scream that it is...just in case you can hear it from where you are...dont be alarmed.....LOL....Ok.....whew......feels much better having gotten that out of my system!!

I am not going to let this get me down....I am going to do this !!!!!! I have come too far.......I am 1/2 way to my goal....Any suggestions from anyone would be appreciated...?????

Today is a new day....off to go eat a healthy breakfast :) Thanks for listening.....

Replies

  • jamielynn1981
    jamielynn1981 Posts: 232 Member
    I know how you feel, but hang in there and it will start moving again!!!

    Here is what works for me, if I really stick with it....
    I customize my goals to 40% carb/ 30% protein/ 30% fat
    Which means a diet higher in protein, lower in carbs than what you are used to. Also try to eliminate any prepackaged foods, try to eat cleaner. Make sure you spread your protein throughout the day. I always try to plan my meals out the day before starting with what I will have for dinner, lunch, try to make it my goal to reach my protein goal, then fill in the rest.

    Just an idea, what works for some people doesn't work for others, and so on.... GOOD LUCK!!
  • Wfortner
    Wfortner Posts: 77 Member
    I do try and avoid all prepackaged foods...except lunch meats (turkey, roast beef). I do this for myself and because my husband has battle with high blood pressure for the last few years. I dont keep very many boxed/canned foods anymore. I have started canning/freezing veggies harvested during the "garden" season to help eat more "clean"....I use them to make my own sauces and soups so they wont be full of sodium. Helps him and I know its better for my whole family...all around, you know?! I will take a look at my old diaries and the ratios, like you said in your email, and see how they are typically running...THANKS so much!!! I'm not giving up on this!!! I have tried to lose this 50 many times before....and never suceeded...THIS TIME I WILL!!!!!
  • Molly_Pitcher
    Molly_Pitcher Posts: 84 Member
    First off... 25 lbs lost!! GO YOU!!!!
    Next it could be a couple things, water retention, or maybe you added muscle with the extra working out. But those muscles will help you burn more later! Plateaus SUCK. That's it, they just suck, not two ways about it. But, the only way through a plateau is to buckle down and go through it. hang in there, you'll get this! And in the meantime vent away! You've got a great attitude about it, I ahve no doubt you'll be successful!
  • tlccwill
    tlccwill Posts: 6
    it is possible that it is time for a cleanse....to clean the system and start over with a clean slate....jump start that metabolism
  • d2footballJRC
    d2footballJRC Posts: 2,684 Member
    If you open up your diary it might help. Also a run down of what you do for exercise. I just re-read it and saw what you said. At that small of gain it could be something as simple as your muscles taking on more water to repair them. Especially since you started weights like kettlebells. Your body takes on water to repair muscles.
  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
    Do you have a basement or area in the house that can be made into a fitness area?


    Solution: 1) Invest in a heavy bag. 2) Place scale in close proximity to heavy bag. 3) ??? 4) Profit.
  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
    it is possible that it is time for a cleanse....to clean the system and start over with a clean slate....jump start that metabolism

    There's also a bridge I'd like to sell you
  • JustMichelleB
    JustMichelleB Posts: 290
    I'm really noticing the scale is probably the worst indicator of fitness and weight loss (fat). It's frustrating for sure! My weight fluctuates by 3lbs a week (I'm only 5'3" so 3lb is not insignificant). I'm doing a strength program (Chalean extreme), cardio (Turbo Fire and running once a week) and I thought the scale would "reward" me with huge losses (i'm in wk 6 of the program). Not so much, BUT I put on a pair of work pants this mroning that fit perfectly 2wks ago and now they are a bit loose (waist and hips). That means so much more to me than the number on the scale (although I won't lie, I really want that # to go down!!).

    SO, long story short, focus on how you look and feel - do you take measurements? How are your clothes fitting? You jsut changed up your exercise routine and throwing your body a loop - which is a GOOD thing. Keep at it!!
  • FitN50s
    FitN50s Posts: 179 Member
    At that small of gain it could be something as simple as your muscles taking on more water to repair them. Especially since you started weights like kettlebells. Your body takes on water to repair muscles.

    It's not uncommon to see a gain when you amp up your workout. Muscles will retain water for a bit. Don't get stressed, it will come off as quickly as it went on. You are doing great to have lost 25 lbs.! I also recommend a lower carb, higher protein diet, but that's just because it works best for me. Everyone's body is different and you have to find what works best for you.
  • dlaplume2
    dlaplume2 Posts: 1,658 Member
    I know it is really, really hard, but dont' let it get to you. When you start a new routine and you use more mucsles, your muscles start to retain water in order to help them heal. I am suspecting the kettlebell, helping you build muscle and causing them to retain water.

    It will get better
  • Wfortner
    Wfortner Posts: 77 Member
    Thanks so much for the replies.....I didnt know about the possibility of water retention due to "amping up" my workouts...?? Hmmm...I will keep that in mind. I am also going to see about changing ratios carbs/proteins in my daily diet......IM NOT GIVING UP!!!
  • noelandy
    noelandy Posts: 6 Member
    It amazes me how looking down at those numbers, can make feel me feel bad. I just did my first weigh in this AM, after doing this for 2 weeks, and was disappointed. Let me say though, before I got on that scale, I have not felt this good in almost 8 months. I put on 30 lbs over the last year. Started MFP, and finally felt like I was coming back to myself again.

    So, I get on the scale today thinking (hoping) for like a 5lb. loss, seeing as how its my first 2 weeks. I have always lost around that when I start paying attention to my food.

    2 lbs. Thats it.

    2 weeks, watching every cal. exercise almost every day. MAN!

    All I can say is, I know I feel better. And until I got on that scale, I was in a very good place with this.

    I guess my point is, if you and I keep doing the right thing, and maybe see those numbers as just that......numbers. Those numbers can not take away how good I have felt in these last 2 weeks.

    Keep moving forward..........dont look down.........look up.
  • littlemsmuffet
    littlemsmuffet Posts: 84
    I'm really sorry for you about the plateau - it really sucks when you work so hard and, yeah you make progress, but you are on to a new goal and it's so frustrating! I spent the last 2 weeks working harder and gaining so I totally understand :( This is kinda long, so sorry for that, but it's what I would do (am doing, actually) to get past a plateau or gain. If you try it, I hope it helps!

    (1) Reduce carbs for a week or two. It could be as low as 20 grams, as high as 100-150 grams, or even just cutting out one starch/wheat/fruit each day. The initial loss of excess water weight should give you a boost. You will definitely feel groggy...probably too groggy to exercise unless you center your carbs around your workout (so, ~25 grams for a bowl of oatmeal pre-workout and ~15 grams for a protein shake with milk post-workout). Don't forget water, sodium, and potassium!

    (2) Reduce calories. If I were you, I would reduce calories from carbs.

    (3) Check protein - you might be getting too much, actually. If your urine (TMI) is "strong" in color or odor, you might be excreting too many amino acids. Too much dietary protein is toxic (duh) but it if you are working out and consuming too much, you might be gaining muscle and excreting the excess. That would contribute to water weight and scale weight.

    (4) Check your dietary fat. I am taking medical endocrinology this semester and the most interesting thing I have learned so far is that fat tissue and fat cells serve a hormone function just like insulin, estrogen, epinephrine, and all the rest (wow, who knew? Intellectual face-palm). Everyone has a different amount of fat their tissue "wants". While I don't have the mechanics worked out on this one, it is my understanding that hormone-like messages are secreted by fat tissue when there is a good/bad supply of fat. In the same way water is conserved when you are dehydrated, fat may be conserved when there is not enough fat supplied. To reduce water weight, drink water. To reduce fat weight, try eating more fat.


    If you go the higher-fat, lower-carb, moderate-protein route, make sure you are counting calories too! As intense as it sounds, I always count calories and carbs at the same time (I never agreed with the "stop counting calories, just count carbs" approach. It didn't seem sustainable to me). I hope you get to losing again! You're working very hard - don't let this beat you! You can win!
  • mchotiner
    mchotiner Posts: 13 Member
    Hi - I've never done a "cleanse" Can you expand - some of the cleanse options you've tried, benefits /challenges to each, etc?

    Thanks!
    Melissa

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