Should I give up?

fitgal411
fitgal411 Posts: 668
edited September 19 in Health and Weight Loss
I really don't want to do this, but it seems that I just can't follow through with my normal eating and exercise habits. Since I've started this, which was in April, I have lost only 10 pounds. And actually I probably gained some back because I haven't weighed myself in a week or so. I know what they say . . . going slowly is better than nothing at all, but I don't think I can wait that long! I don't have as much time for exercise as I used to, and my eating habits have gotten worse. My motivation has gone down the drain, and I never log anything anymore. Should I just give up?
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Replies

  • AmandaJ
    AmandaJ Posts: 1,950 Member
    I would not give up and here is why... I decided to lose weight at the beginning of the year and I did awesome for 4 months and then like you I lost my motivation. My unhealthy eating habits came back and I quit exercising. Now I am starting again and it is harder this time and I look at where I was three months ago and it makes me sad to know I did this to myself.

    The going get tough but hang in there, make time for this and for you, because you are worth it!
  • rwalden628
    rwalden628 Posts: 54
    NO! Don't give up! It has taken me a year to lose 20lbs! You're going to have bad days... just own it and move on! Do better the next day.

    You said you don't think you can "wait that long"... I'd ask for what? If you 1/2 way do your diet & exercise you'll be making more progress than stopping all together.

    Join a gym... or a running group. Working out with others makes it more fun for sure. Get a buddy. Use this site!

    Just don't give up! It CAN be done!

    <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"><img border="0" src="http://tickers.myfitnesspal.com/ticker/show/8/6075/86075.png&quot; /></a><p style="text-align:center;width:420px;"><small>Created by MyFitnessPal - <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com">Nutrition Facts</a> For Foods</small></p>
  • jennbarrette
    jennbarrette Posts: 409 Member
    It doesn't have to be all or nothing. Try and keep up as much of the healthy changes as you can, and slowly get yourself back into it. Just small choices everyday can make a big difference. Don't give up!
  • smelmel
    smelmel Posts: 98 Member
    dont give up. you WILL get there and it does'nt matter how long it takes. just pick yourself up and start again, it's hard when your stuck in a rut but sometimes just forcing yourself to get back on track and before you know it your feeling great again. i hope you stick with it. goodluck!
  • injuneer81
    injuneer81 Posts: 122 Member
    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • alapointe
    alapointe Posts: 369 Member
    FItgal don't give up, you can do this, and if you can't wait to get to your goal, what will happen if you stop all together? You will only get farther and farther from that goal and it will be so much harder to get there again.

    My moto has been to take one day, one meal at a time. We all have set backs, but it is making the decision to get past those bad times and keep plugging forward. So you can't excercise, diet is 97% of loosing weight anyway. You need to take one meal and snack at a time and ask yourself if it is worth it.

    You CAN do this!!!!! :drinker: :flowerforyou:
  • barbiecat
    barbiecat Posts: 17,202 Member
    :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

    Never, never, never give up

    unless you want to end up fat for the rest of your life :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
  • gemiwing
    gemiwing Posts: 1,525 Member
    Don't give up.

    Read this- it helps me everytime I read it. :flowerforyou:

    http://www.johnbingham.com/cc_00_01_r_we.html
  • heather0mc
    heather0mc Posts: 4,656 Member
    I would not give up and here is why... I decided to lose weight at the beginning of the year and I did awesome for 4 months and then like you I lost my motivation. My unhealthy eating habits came back and I quit exercising. Now I am starting again and it is harder this time and I look at where I was three months ago and it makes me sad to know I did this to myself.

    The going get tough but hang in there, make time for this and for you, because you are worth it!

    exact same story here. but getting back into it, i am losing again and feeling great. it took a fitness bootcamp and the possibilty of a beach vacation to move me back on track.

    its not about how fast will i be smaller, its learning to live better and feel better with being smaller as the result of your commitment. i learned this the hard way but i refuse to go back.
  • jb_sweet_99
    jb_sweet_99 Posts: 856 Member
    Don't quit fitgal, I've only lost 11 pounds since April. I've also lost and gained the same 5 pounds 4 times, lol. Try to think of it as a lifestyle change, not a part time change and you may have a better time adjusting. Someone else said if you can't exercise at least watch what you eat and I agree. It's hard to find time in the summer, it's warm and very busy, but things will slow down and you will get into a pace where you can figure it out. You can do it, I know u can, let that nagging Wii become your best friend again :wink:
  • skywalker
    skywalker Posts: 1,533
    You need to read what you've included in your own signature...

    "I know I can . . . I know I can . . ."


    exercise.png
  • Mikey777
    Mikey777 Posts: 9
    Never give up! Think of it this way...even small adjustments make an impact over time. Even if you lose only 1/2 of a pound per week that is still 26 pounds in a year!
  • judybinfo
    judybinfo Posts: 2
    :flowerforyou: I got motivated to try this calorie logging by 2 things - a friend who lost nearly 100lbs doing it, and reading a really important book by Dr Kessler, called "The End of Overeating". (Actually, I listened to it on ipod). I haven't lost much yet - just started about 10 days ago - but I have been following Dr Kessler's advice and staying away from stuff that triggers my appetite for several weeks, with the bonus of getting back at our out-of-control food industry. (The book is about how "they" go about triggering us to want more rather than helping us become satisfied; layering fat upon sweet upon fat, etc).

    If you are having a hard time staying motivated, read his book. I got so angry at how "they" have been manipulating me (and most Americans), I started eating healthier, and discovered I was less hungry all the time! Then I decided to try my friend's method, only to realize that by gosh I had been eating a lot of calories before the change! One by-product of eating mostly whole, unprocessed foods is that it is not only healthier but easier to track!

    I feel so in control and am not driven by hunger like all my prior diets! So don't give up - try something like this book to get yourself over the doldrums....
  • biochemnrd
    biochemnrd Posts: 33
    "There's only one thing that can guarantee failure, and that's if we quit"

    NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER SURRENDER!! :glasses:
  • junkgypsy
    junkgypsy Posts: 217
    I don't even know what this thread was about.

    I didn't read past the topic line, asking 'should I quit?'


    ...No.
  • madmama
    madmama Posts: 123 Member
    Giving up means that the goal you have set will not be attained. I look at your ticker, I see a person who has made it half way to their goal. DO NOT GIVE UP!!!! Everyone here has hit a plateau and get frustrated, stick with it you will make it.

    You mention that your time for exercise is at a premium so try the little things like taking the stairs whenever you can, going for a walk at lunch, if you take public transit get off a stop early to walk the extra distance.

    Take time to pack a healthy lunch with snacks like fruit, vegies and nuts.

    These are just some small changes that can lead to big changes. Whatever you do, don't give up, it is harder the second time around.
  • LivyJo
    LivyJo Posts: 355 Member
    I really don't want to do this, but it seems that I just can't follow through with my normal eating and exercise habits. Since I've started this, which was in April, I have lost only 10 pounds. And actually I probably gained some back because I haven't weighed myself in a week or so. I know what they say . . . going slowly is better than nothing at all, but I don't think I can wait that long! I don't have as much time for exercise as I used to, and my eating habits have gotten worse. My motivation has gone down the drain, and I never log anything anymore. Should I just give up?

    What exactly are you "waiting" for? I think that could be where the issue is. Don't look at it as if your life starts when your weight loss is a success. This is your training wheels for the rest of your life! Live it now, and enjoy it now. If you do this right, its a lifestyle change, not a "diet". No one wants to yo yo their whole life and have a war with food. learn to live at peace with food, and respect it instead of fearing it or avoiding or indulging in it. And "healthy" food can be soooooo yummy! (try the Eating for Life cookbook..YUM!)

    I am talking to myself too when i write this. I struggle just like everyone else. But this time (and I mean the weight i have lost over the past 1.5 years) i am eating in moderation, what I want, but healthy foods. I eat my "earned" calories if I am hungry for them. I just recently decided to take the next level in my weight loss and i have lost 6 lbs since July 4th. I'm working my butt of, doing P90X and hardly keeping up, but i try! and i eat yummy food while i'm doing it. nothing in me feels like i am on a diet, i feel great. You can too!
  • thumper44
    thumper44 Posts: 1,464 Member
    What exactly are you "waiting" for? I think that could be where the issue is. Don't look at it as if your life starts when your weight loss is a success. This is your training wheels for the rest of your life! Live it now, and enjoy it now. If you do this right, its a lifestyle change, not a "diet". No one wants to yo yo their whole life and have a war with food. learn to live at peace with food, and respect it instead of fearing it or avoiding or indulging in it. And "healthy" food can be soooooo yummy! (try the Eating for Life cookbook..YUM!)

    I agree, what are you waiting for?
    It can be waiting to see yourself in that awesome dress, in that special outfit. There's no time limit, and you should not put a time limit on becoming healthy.

    We didn't get like this over a month of bad eating, This took years for most people.

    Every day or every other day when I look in the mirror. I say to myself, good work, but a long way to go still. I don't care if it takes 6 months (5 mths now), or if it takes 1-2 years.

    It's a HEALTHY lifestyle change, we all deserve to treat our body the best we can for our future.
  • czewwhat
    czewwhat Posts: 8,715
    Sometimes I read posts like this one and think to myself, why did you even start if you did not want it?
    If you quit you are not quitting MFP, you are quitting on yourself! We will go on with our lives and journeys, and forget you, but you will never forget! If you do not love yourself, then who will? Don't quit, make time for yourself! I hate exercise, I hate to sweat, and I love the delicacies I know how to cook, but I love me more than I love all the food in the world! Start loving yourself a little bit more! If you can lose 10 pounds then you can lose all that you need to to reach your goal! The biggest loser would be you! do not let that happen.
  • Valtishia
    Valtishia Posts: 811 Member
    I wouldn't give up. My suggestion to you would be to have a workout partner. Mine is actually on this site as well and we work out together all the time. It kinda helps keep you in check cause even when you don't feel like going they are there to say "lets go!" and vice versa when they are are in those kinda moods.
  • Jax67
    Jax67 Posts: 323 Member
    No.

    Don't you dare!

    You have done so well to lose what you have, it's not easy, nobody ever said that it would be. BUT, it is so worth it.... YOU are worth it :flowerforyou:

    Baby steps, just small changes, if you're struggling, that's all you need to do for now. I know it's overwhelming when we look and see how far some of us have to go - but just set yourself small goals. The joy you get from reaching them is wonderful.

    Don't beat yourself up, be kind to yourself.

    Sorry for rambling, but i think you get the gist of what i'm trying to say :happy:
  • skywalker
    skywalker Posts: 1,533
    I just noticed you only have 8 lbs to go. How can you give up when you're so close? I have 34 lbs to go and I refuse to stop until I get there.

    exercise.png
  • fitgal411
    fitgal411 Posts: 668
    I just noticed you only have 8 lbs to go. How can you give up when you're so close? I have 34 lbs to go and I refuse to stop until I get there.

    exercise.png

    If you look on my profile page, that is actually only my 1st goal. I have a lot more pounds to lose!
  • skywalker
    skywalker Posts: 1,533
    I just noticed you only have 8 lbs to go. How can you give up when you're so close? I have 34 lbs to go and I refuse to stop until I get there.

    exercise.png

    If you look on my profile page, that is actually only my 1st goal. I have a lot more pounds to lose!
    I just took a look. Don't give up. When I start to lose motivation I try to look ahead to a year from now. Do I still want to be wearing this size? Do I want to be saying, "Man, I wish I stuck to the plan. I could've reached my goal by now." No, I don't. Do you? Ultimately, you're the only one who can make this decision. I hope you'll decide to live a healthy life . Don't you think you're worth it?
    :flowerforyou: :drinker: :flowerforyou:

    exercise.png
  • fitgal411
    fitgal411 Posts: 668
    I just read through every one of the posts. Some of them really opened my eyes. They made me realize that I don't want this to be "just another diet". Since I came to this site, I have made more progress than anywhere else I went. It all started when i got back from vacation, where I exercised very little. Then I just didn't feel like exercising anymore and I got so busy I almost forgot everything I learned from here. And then I looked at myself in the middle of eating a big bowl of ice cream and said, "I don't want to go back to this!" and I tossed the leftover ice cream in the sink.:bigsmile: I have decided that I WILL NOT give up until I reach my goal, and even then I'll still have healthy habits because I want to be healthy for the rest of my life.

    Thanks!:flowerforyou:
  • skywalker
    skywalker Posts: 1,533
    Good for you!!! :flowerforyou: :drinker: :flowerforyou:

    exercise.png
  • Poison5119
    Poison5119 Posts: 1,460 Member
    You are 18 years old. If you stop now, chances are 95% that you will put all that weight back on and then some. And years from now - could be 1 year, 4, or 7 years, and perhaps a few babies from now, you will be even more challenged than you are now. Sound like fun? Do you want to go through years of self loathing?

    Don't be a pain-slut. This isn't an instant cure. There's no magic pill or wand that's going to do this for you. If you choose to do this now, and make your goals, you prove (to yourself most importantly) that you are willing to teach yourself something that a lot of 18-year-olds these days don't have - self-discipline and motivation. You're ten pounds in, that's significant. You've already seen success, and you're rejecting it?? Why? :angry:

    If you think it's just too hard, by all means go on back out to the rotten eating habits that got you into this mess, and maybe this time it'll be different and by eating crappy, you'll magically lose weight rather than gain. When that works, you can email me the before and after pix.:noway:

    I just finished reading your last post on this thread, after all I said above, and I want to edit some of it, but then, NO, you need all the reinforcing you can handle. YOU have the rest of your life. You can learn things now that other women your age will not learn for another 20 or more years. You will have an edge they don't have, and you will not struggle; PLUS, you'll be healthier than they are - you will be ready when it's time to fit into a wedding gown, when it's time to have a baby, and when life challenges you the most (and trust me, it's all coming, no one is spared) you will be readier than most.
    Welcome back and hang in there!!! :flowerforyou:

    edit: it has taken me 13 months to lose 27 lbs. I don't feel like it's not enough, or that I have not hit the mark at the right time. I felt successful at 10lbs lost, 15, and I feel successful now.
  • chickylet
    chickylet Posts: 76
    I really don't want to do this, but it seems that I just can't follow through with my normal eating and exercise habits. Since I've started this, which was in April, I have lost only 10 pounds. And actually I probably gained some back because I haven't weighed myself in a week or so. I know what they say . . . going slowly is better than nothing at all, but I don't think I can wait that long! I don't have as much time for exercise as I used to, and my eating habits have gotten worse. My motivation has gone down the drain, and I never log anything anymore. Should I just give up?

    You don't want to give up. I have been doing this for a few months now and I haven't lost any weight at all according to the scale, but I can see the difference in my clothes. The clothes I couldn't wear comfortably last summer are now too big. I have gone from wearing a 9/10 to a 7/8 that are too loose, so something is working. As for you not having as much time to workout, well, there are solutions for that. The 10min Trainers by Tony Horton would be great for you. They are stacked routines so you are working everything in one workout. If you have 30 mins a day, you do 3 workouts. If you have only 10 mins, you do one, there really isn't any excuse for not doing a workout once a day. I have been doing the P90X workouts for the last 3 months and they are over an hour long but I make the time to do them and I feel great. The next workout after my 90 days is going to be the Chalene Extreme workouts. Can't wait.

    Keep it up, don't give up and it's time to stop getting down on yourself because you have only lost 10lbs. That's a great number to start and please look into the 10 min workout ideas. There are also the Knockout Body 10 min workouts too and they are also great.

    Good luck to you.
    Chickylet
  • mccullah
    mccullah Posts: 4
    Just remember that tomorrow is going to come whether you are sticking to your diet or not. So you might as well stick to it, that way when you do start losing the weight you can look back and say "I am proud of myself for setting a goal and working towards it, I have accomplished something". I was motivated by a friend that took her 9 months to lose 16 pounds. She had a goal, and she didn't give her life up to meet it. She took little steps and that is why it took so long. I asked her one day "Doesn't it disappoint you to only have lost so little" when she was half way to her goal, she just replied "no, tomorrow is going to come whether I have lost a little or a lot, but at least I am losing". That was motivation enough for me. I have lost 62 pounds and I am still going....some days it is sooooo hard not to give up, but even when I cheat I keep her words in my head. I haven't given up, you shouldn't either.....have a wonderful day.
  • chickylet
    chickylet Posts: 76
    I just read through every one of the posts. Some of them really opened my eyes. They made me realize that I don't want this to be "just another diet". Since I came to this site, I have made more progress than anywhere else I went. It all started when i got back from vacation, where I exercised very little. Then I just didn't feel like exercising anymore and I got so busy I almost forgot everything I learned from here. And then I looked at myself in the middle of eating a big bowl of ice cream and said, "I don't want to go back to this!" and I tossed the leftover ice cream in the sink.:bigsmile: I have decided that I WILL NOT give up until I reach my goal, and even then I'll still have healthy habits because I want to be healthy for the rest of my life.

    Thanks!:flowerforyou:

    Good for you. We all have bad days. My weakness is the French Vanilla Cappacino from Tim Hortons. (I live in Alberta, Canada) They are full of cals and sugar and fat but taste so damn good. I will usually allow myself one a week. You don't have to completely cut out the bad, you just have to watch how much of it you eat. Glad to hear you aren't giving up.
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