Why not me?? (discouraged)

AngelaG2006
AngelaG2006 Posts: 30
in Health and Weight Loss
I see everyone else's great weight loss each week and wonder, why not ME??! I started eating better, staying under my calories (minus a day or two here and there where I went over by a teeny bit, not much though), exercising 30-60 minutes each day (these two workouts get my sweat pouring!) So, how come I went from 184.5-184.8??? Why am I not losing on the scale???! I have been eating more fruits and veggies and even drinking 7-8 cups of water per day! I feel so down right now and wish I knew what else to do.
I started the 30 Day Shred program and after a week of it, I had to stop due to shin splints and very sore knees. So I gave it a week and started over. Now I am taking it more slowly but still completing the workout and only doing it every other day when I am sore in the shins and knees. I also bought an elliptical over a week ago and started doing it every day for 30 minutes. (I started at 15 minutes and have uped it 5 minutes each day and now at 30) I only do the weight loss program on it because I seem to sweat more on it.
I am at a loss here and feeling really down. Last week I burned over twice as many calories as my goal (which is set for losing 1.5 pounds per week). So, even with going over a couple days on my calories, I more than made up for it, right? I just wish I knew what I was doing wrong since everyone else seems to have it figured out and losing weight each week! :((

Any suggestions and support are welcome.

Replies

  • lizard053
    lizard053 Posts: 2,344 Member
    Are you eating back exercise calories? At least some of them? Not getting enough food can cause a lack of weight loss.

    Perhaps drinking more water might help? Unless you've got health issues that prevent it, aiming for an ounce of water per every 2 pounds of body weight could help with weight loss. Certainly couldn't hurt! Plus it helps reduce water weight and bloating around TOM!

    Some people lose weight faster than others. It's not fair, but that's life, right? I'm aiming for 2 pounds a week, and averaging far lower. I've lost 13 pounds since Dec. 30. And I work out HOURS a day, on average. I eat nothing but what my doctor wants, and I still lose slower than her plan usually results. But over the years, I've learned that I'm going to have slow weight loss. No other choice!
  • tackemup
    tackemup Posts: 3
    Don't give up! Is it possible that you might have some health related issues that slow down your metabolism or carb processing? It's worth a visit to your doc. Is your weight goal realistic. For many of us, 1/2 a lb/week is a much more realistic goal. Lowering your carb intake after 4pm might be helpful as well as getting enuf' sleep. Stop your preoccupation with this....keep doing the right things, have some fun...,it will happen.
  • Lkilgore2012
    Lkilgore2012 Posts: 2 Member
    Hang in there girl!! Sometimes you can overdo your workouts as well. I agree, drink more water and that may help as well. Are you watching your sodium and sugar intake? Make sure that you also watch out for saturated fats. Be careful not to eat back too many of your calories because although you burn those calories, remember that if you are on a 1500 calorie diet and you take in 2000 calories, even if you exercise, you are still eating 500 calories more. I only know this because my nutritionist and trainers pound this into my head! Keep your head up!!
  • twogirlsmama
    twogirlsmama Posts: 45 Member
    Don't give up! We all have days that can be rough. I would start with seeing your doctor and having blood work done. There could be some underlying issues with anything from your thyroid to glucose. I started with that as a stepping stone. Once you have the okay then talk to your doctor about what you want and what you are willing to do to attain that goal. Take pictures and measurements! I have only lost 10 pounds since January. But I have lost 18.25 inches as of Friday. That makes me feel good even though the scale is not my friend. :blushing:
  • prism6
    prism6 Posts: 484 Member
    keep at it. you are doing your body a great service by caring for it. Eventually it will pay you back!!!!
  • stephyy4632
    stephyy4632 Posts: 947 Member
    when you start a new workout your body will hold onto some water weight for alittle while then all of a sudden it will start to show on the scale in loss give it somemore time
  • YuffieKisaragi
    YuffieKisaragi Posts: 13 Member
    What kind of exercise are you doing? If you are working out that much you could just be gaining muscle weight. When I first started pole dancing, before I even was on a diet, my weight was staying the same but I could feel my pants getting looser. You can't always rely on the scale as an indicator of success. :)
  • susannamarie
    susannamarie Posts: 2,148 Member
    Are you sure your food counts have been correct? Have you been using a scale/measuring cups to be sure? Have you been forgetting things like butter on the bread, a bit of dressing on a salad, milk on cereal, a nibble of ham while making a sandwich, etc? This is a common source of error, and is one of the first places I'd look.
  • Jostring73
    Jostring73 Posts: 18 Member
    Im the same I have lost no weight but I have lost inches. You may find you are the same, especially if you are working out every day. Your body is probably toning for now, then the weight will go.
    Well thats what Im hoping anyway. Dont give up.
    :happy:
  • momma3sweetgirls
    momma3sweetgirls Posts: 743 Member
    Consider opening your diary so others can see what you're eating. I'd love to help, but can't offer much advice without seeing your diary.
  • lina1131
    lina1131 Posts: 2,246 Member
    I think that sometimes it just takes time for our bodies to adjust to the new lifestyle. I had a gain before I started losing (the ticker says 10 pounds, but before I got pregnant I had lost 50 - had the baby - and now i've lost 10 pounds). Just give it some time, don't give up, and eventually you will start losing!
  • talysshade
    talysshade Posts: 273 Member
    Did you start working out a lot more than before? All these workouts and pain in the muscles may also cause your muscles to retain more water, resulting in more weight! The weight you lost in fat may be back for now in water or even in muscle.

    Don't get discouraged, this IS the way to do it. But true as it is, make sure you don't eat too few calories either. Try and eat back the calories that you lose by exercising. I know this seems counter intuitive, but it works for a lot of people. That way you have your set calorie deficit each day, and the exercise will boost your endurance, overall condition and help you tone up.

    It may take a while for your body to realize the new path.. it will catch up, give it some time.
  • carriem73
    carriem73 Posts: 333 Member
    Have you had your body fat percetgae tested? If you are building mu8scle, you may not see the scale move much, but your body fat % will!!!


    are your clothes fitting any different??

    Don't get discouraged- you are on the right track!
  • FIT_Goat
    FIT_Goat Posts: 4,224 Member
    Stay consistent and give it time. One weigh in (one week) is not enough to conclude you're failing. I weigh myself every day, record it here once a week, and can tell you that weight can swing by several pounds. Just stay consistent and you'll see it soon enough.
  • littlewitch1973
    littlewitch1973 Posts: 139
    Have you taken your measurements? Take them when you first start an exercise regimen, and take them once a week. Sometimes, when we dont lose weight, we lose inches - For example, over the last month, I havent lost a single pound. Not one. BUT - I HAVE lost eleven inches from my body, and went down a clothing size.

    Track your measurements - either on here, an Excel spreadsheet, or another forum (like obesityhelp.com) and see where it goes!!

    Dont get discouraged - you didnt gain weight every week over the last several years either - it takes time for it to come off too... slow and steady tends to keep it off longer.

    Good luck!!
  • w2bab
    w2bab Posts: 353 Member
    Take your measurements, if you haven't already. My first month (January) I gained 2 lbs, and then lost 4 over almost 5 weeks, BUT I lost 17.5". The scale may not be moving yet, but if you have changed your diet and activity level that much I would bet your body is changing. Hang in there.
  • brianz72
    brianz72 Posts: 17
    It can take a good 1-2 weeks before any weight loss happens. The idea that a 500 calorie deficit equals one pound per week is a rough estimate and is also an average. In the three times in my life where I've seriously dieted, I weighed the same for the first 10 days. Then I'd lose 3-4 pounds in the space of 2-3 days! Then I'd stay the same for 7-10 days. And so on. Your body will fight to maintain the fat, then burn a ton of it, then maintain, etc. It's a step-function, not a smooth line. Just keep that calorie deficit going and it's guaranteed to happen.
  • healthycurves2012
    healthycurves2012 Posts: 51
    You need to make sure you're eating enough and that you're not going under 1200 for your net calories each day. Weight loss can stall or stop completely if you're not fueling your body correctly.
  • sparkyjo
    sparkyjo Posts: 5 Member
    dont be discouraged maybe you should buy a body measuring tape my girlfriend has the same problem but i measured her about 2 months ago and she wasn't noticing anything on the scales but she has dropped inches everywere and now after 2 months the scales has started to move for her

    but make sure you are not eating to little with the exercise your doing maybe try to increase you calorie in take a small bit each week and as long as your not over doing it and lasing on weight

    i wish you the best i hope you keep going
  • JudyZ
    JudyZ Posts: 23
    I see two gorgeous little ones in your picture. Are you getting enough good, quality sleep? I know that can be tough with little ones, but the more you do to ensure that everyone gets a good night's sleep, the better. That can include teaching the kids how to sooth themselves so that they can get back to sleep without calling for Mommy or Daddy.

    Just one more thing to think about! Whatever you do....keep at it! You are doing all the right things. Give it time and continually look for things that may help! I just did a pretty easy 3 day cleanse last week that kickstarted my weight loss. I had been stuck on the same number for quite a while. I know that I'm gaining muscle through my workouts, but it's been a few months, so the weight loss should have been there too. I THINK I got it rolling again! Not only by doing that cleanse, but being consistent logging my food into here too!
  • pinthin87
    pinthin87 Posts: 296 Member
    If you are doing any lifting that could be why the scale is moving up not down. If you are gaining any muscle it weighs more than fat. Don't give up...keep at it and it sounds counter-intuitive but you should eat back most of your exercise cals if not all of them. I usually try to eat back at least half. This helps stabilize your metabolism to burn even more...hang in there! :-)
  • mukamom
    mukamom Posts: 207 Member
    Are you eating enough??? Can't see your diary. If you don't have enough fuel, your weight loss slows or can stop.

    How do your clothes feel?

    Have you started strength training? More muscle means more calories burned at rest.

    Do you measure waist, hip, thigh? Inches lost means you're doing it right.

    Research and learn and experiment. Find what works for you!

    If it is any consolation, I'm stuck too, so I'm upping my cals.
  • jlafas1981
    jlafas1981 Posts: 18
    I can honestly say I have been there more days than I would like to admit.

    What I did was I mentally had to accept that some people see success in numbers (the scale) and others see it in inches (the way your clothes fit) and I totally agree it is frustrating to see friends lose in numbers and you are STILL in your range. But you have to start looking at the way your clothes fit and try to think of it this way because you dont see the scale going down doesnt mean that you are not loosing.

    Honeslty, I dont care what the evil scale reads as long as I can look sexy in a size 14.
  • schwim
    schwim Posts: 65
    definitely measure your inches and see if there is progress there. the scale isn't everything. sometimes you're exercising and eating well for weeks and the scale wont budge but you'll be getting smaller and then finally the scale catches up and moves downward. stick with a sensible plan for at least 3 weeks and only switch things up if there are no results at all (ie inches or lbs).
  • lowpro1983
    lowpro1983 Posts: 305 Member
    Don't give up!!!!! Sounds like you are doing everything that you should be doing and it will all catch up at some point. In addition to measurements, take pics of your progress. That helps me a lot!! Keep your head up ...and keep pressing forward!!!! Awesome job!
  • Phoenix59
    Phoenix59 Posts: 364 Member
    One week isn't enough time to see much of a difference, if any. Remember, you didn't gain the weight overnight, so don't expect to lose it overnight. Also, you need to make sure you're eating enough and always above your BMR. Determine your TDEE and cut down from those calories, not your BMR. A lot of people choose not to eat back their exercise calories and others do. I'm one of those who does.

    The weight gain you're seeing is most likely water. One week isn't enough time to build muscle. Step away from the scale; it is NOT your friend. Our weight fluctuates throughout the day and from day to day. If you have to get on a scale, do it once a week. Your clothes are a better indicator.

    Whatever you decide to do, keep at it and don't be discouraged by the numbers on the scale (I say just throw the damned thing out) and focus on just getting healthier. By eating right (and enough) and exercising, the weight will come off. Good luck!
  • jchrisman717
    jchrisman717 Posts: 780 Member
    I feel your pain. I've been really dedicated and even bought personal training sessions, since mid-December. I haven't been perfect but feel I've done pretty good and have not dropped a thing. You just have to stick with it - it takes time for results. Try to have fun with it and not make it stressful. I realized that I was stressing myself out and getting depressed over it because I was so focused on what I was eating everyday that ALL I thought about was eating.

    Try baby steps -- first find a fitness goal and a fun workout and focus on upping your workouts. I find eating healthy comes naturally when I work out more as I don't have the desire to eat a bunch of junk when I just worked out for an hour.

    I don't think what I do are "fad" diets - but some people might not agree. And I don't like to call them diets because I think they are more of a healthy way of eating but I find I do better with my eating habits if I find a healthy plan and go with it. I just found one in a Women's Day magazine. Its a meal plan for losing and it gives you the foods to eat. That's why I'm not logging any calories right now. I don't have to think about what I'm eating or logging everything. I make a meal plan from the example it gave me in the magazine and I go with it. Its easier for eating with my husband because I have my "plan."

    Do what ever works for you. This works for me because I'm not focusing on food all day long. Good luck and keep it up - you will notice results. A good one I did and I still think its a great program (I just like trying new things) is the Jay Robb Fat Burning Diet. I'm actually waiting for his new book to come out which is targeted specifically for women.

    Good luck!!
  • AngelaG2006
    AngelaG2006 Posts: 30
    Thank you ALL for the wonderful support and suggestions!! This has really lifted my spirits, more than you know. It helps knowing others who have had or are having the same issues and want to help me.

    As far as my calorie intake, mine is set for 1210/day before exercise. I do eat back some if not half or all of my calories burned. I am drinking WAY more water than I use to, too.

    I have not measured myself since last week, my husband is actually going to do the measuring when he gets home from work today. I am doing weigh-ins and measurements every Monday. We will see what my measurements say but I am not getting my hopes up after just a week. Last week was my first week of FULLY working out 30-60 minutes per day for 5 days in a row. I hadn't been this active all winter so I know it will take time for my body to adjust again to being active.

    I will continue watching my calories and working out hard each week and hopefully I see some change soon so it will motivate me.

    I do watch my sodium, sugars, fats, etc. I try really hard to not go over on ANY of my daily goals. The only time I really go over on sugars is when I have a day full of eating fruits and veggies. Those days, I don't care about going over my goals because I know they are good sugars, not processed.

    To answer most of you, I do have my diary open for view but only to friends. Just personal preference :)
  • Shaysuki926
    Shaysuki926 Posts: 34 Member
    Search for a website that will tell you how many calories you should be eating to lose weight. I can't remember the ones I found but if you search and do a couple different ones, you should find your number. :) Don't get down on yourself, even though it is real easy to. Just know you are aware and making the effort to make a change...it will all fall into place. :) Good luck and stay positive! :D

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