1 week into MFP...some encouragement please!

I feel your pain about being tired, but you'll have to exercise for this to work. Some people on here seem to have limitless time for exercise. Most don't I work 45 hours and have 3 kids (6 and under), and my husband works 70 hours a week, so he isn't there much to help. You will need to find a way to squeeze in at least 30 minutes a day. If you are a morning person, do it before work. If you are a night person, do it when you get home. You'll feel less tired after you do it. You don't have to join a gym. Go for a quick run or do DVDs at home.

Don't give up. Get more committed. You can do it! Read through the success story threads for inspiration!

I added exercise 1 month into my dieting, just so it wasn't overwhelming because I do that and quit. I started doing Leslie Sansone walk at home and it helps so much, 3 kids do it with me and love it (12,3,6). We do it in the evenings 30 min and wears them out! 10 bucks at Walmart! You can do it!

I have a goal of about 10 lbs. , close to yours and I understand your frustration. A week into using MFP I tred the whole scale thing and I just wasn't happy with it...so I probably only weigh myself once every could of weeks. I've been using MFP for a little over a month and have lost 3 llbs so far...it will take time, but you will see progress if you stick with it If ever you're feeling down or like you need motivation, just post something on MFP or on your profile and I'm sure your friends will help you out you can add me if you like and I know I will

You are lucky that you only have to loose such a small amount of weight!! BUT you do have to exercise! You have to make it work with your schedule and once you start and get into a routine it will become habit and then you will love it and you will do it!

Good luck!

Just give it a little time. You can do it! The key is to track everything you put in your mouth. You dont have to exercise as long as your intake is less than what you burn.

I started MFP about a month ago, and I don't workout... YET.. but as long as you track EVERYTHING you eat, and stay within your limits the weight will come off, slowly but surely. I've already lost 9 pounds since i started. I plan to start working out and measuring myself. I heard that some weeks you'll lose inches but the scale won't move. and remember to take it one day at a time, and i don't weigh myself weekly, i only weigh myself every two weeks, because weight fluctuates so if i "gain" back a pound i lost i don't want to get discouraged, so maybe you shouldn't weight yourself so frequently.

I know it is hard but try not to weigh everyday. It get's addicting when you first start. You just want to weigh and find that those 5lbs misterically disapeared. I weigh every monday morning before work. This helps me to see my results better and also gives me more motivation.

I guess the first two or three weeks are the hardest. I started this on my last vacation. My sister and brother-in-law use MFP for a long time and I thought I could use it to check my diet. Now I'm totally addicted! I check the nutrients table of the food I'm buying and even choose those according to my diet.
I didn't exercise for the first two months and I lost 6lbs. I simply logged all my meals and kept on the calorie goal. After a while, you know what you can eat and what you shouldn't to keep going.
I know it's hard to find time to work out. I'm a morning person, so I go to the gym early in the morning. When I can't do that, I work out at home (I have wii fit plus).
I weight everyday and sometimes it is discouraging. One thing that helps me is to read the progress of my MFP friends, specially the work outs. It really helps!

Keep going! And count on your MFP friends to help you

Oh one other thing i weigh myselft every day because with so little weight to lose it is hard to measure weighing only weekly. I dont get discouraged if i flucuate 1/4 lb up or down but if i've gone up 3/4 t 1 lb from one day to the next i relfect on what i did or didnt do the day before and adjust . step up exericse or eat less or both and then level out. it is a game really. always changing strategies.

I agree with the above statement. I only have 11.8 lbs to lose and I'm almost there. I have always thought I should only weigh myself once a week but NOT anymore. Now I was myself 3 times a week. This has helped out so much!!

Oh one other thing i weigh myselft every day because with so little weight to lose it is hard to measure weighing only weekly. I dont get discouraged if i flucuate 1/4 lb up or down but if i've gone up 3/4 t 1 lb from one day to the next i relfect on what i did or didnt do the day before and adjust . step up exericse or eat less or both and then level out. it is a game really. always changing strategies.

I agree with the above statement. I only have 11.8 lbs to lose and I'm almost there. I have always thought I should only weigh myself once a week but NOT anymore. Now I was myself 3 times a week. This has helped out so much!!

Your weight fluctuates by 1-2 pounds daily depending on sodium intake and water loss/retention. That's why you shouldn't weigh daily. The best thing to do is take your measurements. That's where the truth of weight loss lies...

Hi, I just had to chime in on this because I feel your pain. However, you have to move. I was in the same predicament but I had to ask myself, how bad do you want this. I'm 51 years old and it is hell trying to get this weight off after you enter menopause. I have been stalking MFP since I started this journey and all of these stories have inspired me to keep going. I hate exercising but I know that if I want to loose this fat I have to keep moving. I suggest you start out with small goals. That is what I did. I started getting to work a half hour early and started walking the parking lot before everyone gets there. I put that Ipod on and I walk to the music. Once I started that I was walking on my break and lunch break too. The pounds started melting away. I put every item I put in my mouth into my food diary. I was utterly shocked at how many calories where in three small slices of frozen pizza, so that won't be on my list anymore, at least until I reach my goal. Also, watch your sodium levels. I had lost 15 pounds then gained back 3 and just couldn't figure out why that happened. After I went over my food diary I saw how much sodium was in that pizza. Once I changed a few food items, I lost them back. Now I have other co-workers walking with me early in the morning. You can do this. This journey is not easy. It is not about how high the mountain is but how you get to the top. Take it one day at a time before you know it you will be into a month. You can do this!! Don't give up and stop beating yourself up, you deserve success.

I could use some encouragement as well! I am 1 week in and just weighed myself and it is exactly the same - ARGH! I am 5'3" and 125lbs, eat a healthy diet, work out regularly and just I want to lose 5 to 8lbs to get back into my 'comfort zone'. I do find it helpful to track all my calories and have identified some surprises and areas of improvement - right now I am at a net of 1200 calories or a tad bit less, depending on how much I exercise. Stick with it a while longer - I am going to keep giving it a go!

Hi there! I just completed my first week as well. Looks like we have some of the same goals (to lose 21 lbs and I also take in around 1200 calories a day) I know it is hard and you're tired, but once you start working out, you will become addicted to it. The feeling I get after a workout is so great and I feel healthier and closer to my goal with every work out. Even if it's just a 30 minute walk. Hang in there, it takes time.