Maybe I Should Just Buy Bigger Jeans

PeachyPlum
PeachyPlum Posts: 1,243 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm here because I can't fit into my jeans. Literally. I have fifteen pairs of jeans which I could wear six months ago, and today I can barely squeeze into two of them (and I have to do that unsexy squat move to stretch them out a little so I can zip and button them).

I've been eating well, running every other day for the past ten days. This morning I got on the scale and I've gained more than two pounds since last week. I know it's likely water weight, or maybe a pending poo, but it's discouraging. Especially since my jeans are only getting tighter.

I know I'm being impatient. It's in my nature. I'm an engineer - I want to follow the formula and see the expected output. I'd be fine with a tiny bit of progress, or even no change at all, but my brain can not compute that exercise + cutting calories = weight gain.

So here's what I've been thinking. Maybe I'll just go buy a couple pairs of jeans that fit, so I don't look like a sausage and feel self conscious every time I get dressed. I'll say to hell with trying to fit in my old jeans, I won't step on a scale, and I'll focus on my training goals of running a 5k before my birthday and a 10k this fall. I'll eat smart and log what I eat, but I won't get hung up on calories.

And maybe, in the process, I'll shrink and fit into my old jeans.

Has anybody approached it this way? Did it work?

Replies

  • mygrl4meee
    mygrl4meee Posts: 943 Member
    I would say buy a couple pair of jeans so you can be comfortable and breathe. You can still work on weight loss to fit into your old jeans. Don't look at it as giving into weight gain but maybe with feeling more comfortable and being able to breathe you will feel more engertic to move.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    I was going to say "noooooooooo..." but actually, I think you've got a pretty good attitude! I know it's frustrating not fitting into clothes, but I think that with only about 10 lbs to lose, maybe forgetting about the scale and focussing on fitness goals is the way forward. Maybe stick to logging the food, but don't weigh yourself, and don't stress about the jeans. If you keep eating at a calorie deficit then the weight (and inches) will come off, but it's bound to go slowly when you're so close to your goal. The formulae do work (on the whole) but may need tweaking and may take longer than you want! Focussing on the 5k and 10k sound like a great idea! :flowerforyou:
  • PeachyPlum
    PeachyPlum Posts: 1,243 Member
    Thanks for the input! I really feel that will work better for me. I'm constantly frustrated with the lack of precision that the counting calories method presents with. I like math and certainty. Knowing that my calories burned and calories eaten are estimates at best, and that I might actually be eating a few more calories than I'm burning, or I might be buring a bunch less and going into starvation mode, has me nuts.

    I think that focusing on eating healthy foods instead of crap and trying to increase my physical strength and endurance will just work better for me. I can be certain that eating healthier = better health and going for a run = more endurance. That makes sense to me!
  • sunray11julie
    sunray11julie Posts: 27 Member
    i think its a great idea... baby steps, you got this... don't stress over the stupid scale!!! if you eat right, keep your exercise goals and get that 5k done the inches will come off. count inches not LBS!! and besides stress will cause weight gain, so try not to stress! i know its hard, but deep breathing helps.. try some yoga a few times a week :-)
  • Drastiic
    Drastiic Posts: 322 Member
    Read these:
    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/adjusting-the-diet.html
    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/not-losing-fat-at-20-deficit-what-should-i-do-qa.html
    http://body-improvements.com/resources/eat/

    Lots of good articles on those sites.
  • r1ghtpath
    r1ghtpath Posts: 701 Member
    i'd toss the scale and simply go by how your pants feel. i would buy one, MAX two, pair(s) in a larger size. that's it though!!! or, i'd switch to skirts or something in the mean time. use your pants that don't fit as your gauge. :-)
  • ashreynolds09
    ashreynolds09 Posts: 257 Member
    I have taken the exact approach you are taking! I am running my first 1/2 marathon this June and I will not step on a scale until the day after...or maybe even more! I am simply going to focus on my training and fueling my body the right way. I want to lose weight - 20 pounds to be exact - but measuring it out is more depressing and demotivating to me than not. I'd rather work out and do my thing and make sure I have a few belts! ;) sending a FR your way!
  • KayteeBear
    KayteeBear Posts: 1,040 Member
    That's where I'm at...I fit into maybe one or two pairs of my pants...most of them are are wearable but I look like a sausage and one thing being I don't have the money to buy new pants and also because I fear that if I find pants that fit I'll get too comfortable and not work as hard to lose the weight. :(

    However, I do think getting a few pants that fit will be good because if not you'll keep feeling like crap. Or at least that's how it is for me.
  • thomassd1969
    thomassd1969 Posts: 564 Member
    I would suggest switching your diary settings to include sodium and watch your intake, you will be surprised at how much weight sodium can hold onto.

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