Back to square one!

lilo589
lilo589 Posts: 5
in Motivation and Support
Hey guys,
I used to weigh 160, then went down to 140. After about 8 months, I'm back to 150. I feel hopeless, disgusting, and it really interferes with my general happiness throughout the day. I started working out again and eating less and less every day. But I can't help but dwell on the fact that I screwed myself by not keeping up my weight loss, and now it's harder than ever because I'm angry that I'm even in this situation in the first place!

I worked out EXTRA hard 2 days ago and my body is sooo sore but I gained 3lbs!! How the hell did that happen? I lost a lb last week, and I'm eating better every day. I eat what I want, but in much much smaller portions and I drink a lot of water. What the hell!?!?

Can someone please explain this to me!? I'm freaking out

Thanks

Replies

  • jameyjam
    jameyjam Posts: 14 Member
    I'm in a similar situation. I started working out with a personal trainer a few years ago, lost a bunch of weight and was finally starting to become happy with myself...then I went on vacation and when I came back my trainer was no longer with my gym and at that point I just completely gave up. I have since gained it all back and am totally miserable. I started working out again a few weeks ago and just want to see results already! I swear I haven't lost an ounce even though I'm working out extra hard and eating as clean as possible. It's so frustrating but I just wanted to let you know that you're definitely not alone. Whatever you do, just keep up with it. I figure if we quit now what's the point of all the hard work we've put in so far? We will likely end up kicking ourselves for not continuing with it. Results will come. Good luck!!
  • RealWomenLovePitbulls
    RealWomenLovePitbulls Posts: 729 Member
    give it time, keep working out, but don't overdo it and work on eating healthy
  • basslinewild
    basslinewild Posts: 294 Member
    I would lose the scale for awhile. Take measurements and photos!
  • keepitcroosh
    keepitcroosh Posts: 301 Member
    I am struggling as well. I went from being 140 to almost 200lbs in less than a year, and then i was back down to 140ish. Now im at 148 and i can tell its really creeping up. Although i do try and eat healthy most of the time. Can you give me an example of what you would eat in a day? Portion control is a must . But personally i feel that it depends on what you eat anyway.
  • DaniKenmir
    DaniKenmir Posts: 387 Member
    I find I get more done when I'm angry, do something that will help you vent, like try a karate class, I went to one a few weeks ago and hurt SO much the next day and it helped me calm down.
  • mattsdad1961
    mattsdad1961 Posts: 65 Member
    I've been there...on my 3rd attempt..but as my workout buddy says..."your not dead yet, so might as well get healthy". Just take a few breats...figure out the lesson you needed to learn and keep moving forward. Best of luck for your future success!!
  • thepyro395
    thepyro395 Posts: 14 Member
    I started at 430lbs then lost down to 415. After about 6 months of doing the same things I was doing to lose weight I started to gain again. Now I'm up to 461 and I feel the same way. Feel like a failure that I gained more back that I had started at. I'm starting over tomorrow morning and Going to try this again.
  • Whoppi
    Whoppi Posts: 3
    I hear yah! Muscle weighs more, so when you worked out extra hard the other day your body gained muscle & then soon there after, you gained 3LBS. The body will 'level' off soon. Be patient. Forget the slip ups. At the end of the day, don't beat yourself up. Tomorrow is a new, so start a new, Write down all of your BLTS thruout the day. (smile here, It is Bite, Licks and Tastes) Keep telling yourself " I can do it"
    All the best, Whoppi
  • DoOrDoNotThereIsNoTry1
    DoOrDoNotThereIsNoTry1 Posts: 149 Member
    The more you stress about set backs the worse your body will react. Stress can play a major role in weight gain. It is my personal demon. First and foremost, don't stress. Drink plenty of water. Water helps you stay hydrated, and increases your metabolism. Protein is your friend. Watch carbs and sugars. Fruit is great but it plays havoc with you're blood sugar levels. If to much insulin is produced, it gets stored as fat. Log your good daily and exercise. But must of all, this has to be a Liddle change. Diets don't work, changing unhealthy habits to good ones do Don't stress, do your best and forget the rest.
  • Vonwarr
    Vonwarr Posts: 390 Member
    I worked out EXTRA hard 2 days ago and my body is sooo sore but I gained 3lbs!! How the hell did that happen? I lost a lb last week, and I'm eating better every day. I eat what I want, but in much much smaller portions and I drink a lot of water. What the hell!?!?

    Can someone please explain this to me!? I'm freaking out

    You gained 3 lbs because when your muscle are sore from working out - they retain water. It's quite common when starting a new workout routine to gain a few pounds. Keep at it - as you get less sore, they'll drop away again. You should also take measurements - they can be changing even when the scale is not. I have dropped a full clothing size without changing my weight at all. Pound for pound, muscle is smaller than fat.

    FYI - Your weight can fluctuate several pounds a day due to water weight. There are several other reasons that you may retain water, such as high sodium intake, if it's extra hot where you live, you're not drinking enough water, that time of the month, and more.

    Edit - don't feel hopeless. Feel empowered. YOU are doing something about it. What has happened in the past no longer matters. What matters is what you can do from this day forward. Each day is a step towards good health. \m/
  • georgie_lou
    georgie_lou Posts: 225 Member
    You definitely aren't back to square one!! You're still lighter than you were when you started. Treat each day as a new day and get back up on that horse!! You can do it...we don't often succeed first time round and if weight loss were easy EVERYONE would be doing it. You're obviously strong and want this so go out and get it!
  • lvpthemvp
    lvpthemvp Posts: 266 Member
    It's based on logic. Not emotion. As soon as we start applying what we feel. . . we cave. the people on here that seem to be the most successful have changed their lifestyle. So regardless of how they feel - they make more good decisions than bad each and every meal. I wish you peace, happiness and consistency.
  • lilo589
    lilo589 Posts: 5
    okay since i'm new to MFP I don't know how to individually reply to people... or like, message board etiquette... so I hope I dont offend anyone if I didn't respond to each one...

    someone asked about my food diary...
    it's mostly fruits, some whole wheat carbs, and cereals like golean crunch or special k. Im working on getting more veggies cuz i noticed i dont eat much of it anymore.

    thank you for all of your advice and support, everyone.
  • carmie12345
    carmie12345 Posts: 30
    When I was what I like to call my "normal size" I would fluctuate between 140 and 150. It is natural for your body to fluctuate due to stress, season change, overall health, muscle vs. fatty mass. Like others have said you should try focusing on body measurements rather then scale.

    Your whole life you will never consistently be one weight. You just have to be able to identify when the weight is starting to come back and know that you have the tools and commitment to be able to take it off again.
  • WarriorCupcakeBlydnsr
    WarriorCupcakeBlydnsr Posts: 2,150 Member
    Hey guys,
    I used to weigh 160, then went down to 140. After about 8 months, I'm back to 150. I feel hopeless, disgusting, and it really interferes with my general happiness throughout the day. I started working out again and eating less and less every day. But I can't help but dwell on the fact that I screwed myself by not keeping up my weight loss, and now it's harder than ever because I'm angry that I'm even in this situation in the first place!

    I worked out EXTRA hard 2 days ago and my body is sooo sore but I gained 3lbs!! How the hell did that happen? I lost a lb last week, and I'm eating better every day. I eat what I want, but in much much smaller portions and I drink a lot of water. What the hell!?!?

    Can someone please explain this to me!? I'm freaking out

    Thanks
    I'm right there with you, I lost 40lbs, gained back 7 and plateaued for 6 months I hit a month and a half that I wasn't working out at all and slipped on my food toom then two weeks ago I was up 3 lbs, I started back on my workouts (still working to get my food back on track) and just got on a scale yesterday and was up another 3 (I am giving myself a break on these 3 only because, like you, I've been working out more and I know that they are probably the muscle stress lbs from working out) So give yourself a break on these 3lbs because it is part of the adjustment to the working out. Keep up the good work on getting better on the food every day and the working out and it will balance out in the end.
  • mrsdamr
    mrsdamr Posts: 54 Member
    I'm on the same train as well. I started out in the high 200's, got as low as 159 and now I"m back up. I'm still 70lbs down, but it is so frustrating that I let this happen. I know I got restricted with exercise (slipped spine, bursitis), but i should have watched better and did the exercises I could. I lied to myself for 2 long telling myself, my clothes still fit... but in reality, they are tight and I hate it. I am now back on board, working hard - although not getting in the cardio I like (restricted TIME - and the trainer says put the weights 1st), but in the long run it should pay off.

    We are called repeat offenders - but we are the only ones who have the power to change it!!!! We are here for each other for support. Keep going - we know the end result is worth it (unfortunately when we get there - we don't always see ourselves for who we are and what we look like - we still see the past!!!)

    Good Luck.
  • ShreddedTweet
    ShreddedTweet Posts: 1,326 Member
    If you've started working out again and are eating at least 1200 then what you've gained is just your muscles retaining water. Stick with it, try not to be disheartened, you're doing the right thing, on the right path. You just need to get excited about it again!

Categories