Feeling defeated after a month

[foxycurl]

Started Weight loss Journey December 26th. I stick to 1200-1300 calories per day. 72oz water or more. Heart Pumping Exercise for 30-45 3-4 times per week. Food constist of Turkey, Chicken, Fish, Salads, Egg beaters, Green Veggies, Protein Bars. Scale has only move 5lbs in a month. Some days it goes up a pound and I have to lose it again! Feeling defeated and frustrated. Am I doing something wrong? Is the calories burned accurate? Any suggestions are appreciated. I have drastically changed my lifesytle and not seeing much results.

[foxycurl]

Started weight lose journey Dec 26th. Calories per day are between 1200-1300, 30-45 Heart pumping exercise 3-4 times per week. Drink 74oz water or more per day. Scale has moved 5 lbs in a month. Feeling defeated. What am I doing wrong? Breakfast consist of 2 piece turkey bacon, and one Whole Grain Kashi Waffle (No syrup, just spray butter) Lunch is 300 calories or less. Dinner is Grilled Chickin or Fish with Green veggies seasoned with Ms Dash. I snack on Natural Almonds once per day or 100 Calorie Popcorn. Help!! Am I doing something wrong? I follow what fitbit tells me. Is the Calories burned per day correct?

[carl669]

first off, 5 lb loss in a month is pretty good.  

second, "Some days it goes up and pound and I have to lose it again!".  not true at all.  you're not gaining a pound in one day.  your weight can flucuate as much as 4 lbs from day to day due to water retention, what's in your system, etc.  even more so for women.  it's better to aim for a target weight range rather than a specific number.  you'll drive yourself nuts trying to maintain one particular number.

so, it actually sounds like you're doing pretty well.  keep it up!

[gcj40]

you arent doing anything wrong, I think that a 5 lb loss in a month is very good, it isnt fast but it is healthy.  hang in there and keep doing what you are doing, at the very least I bet you are feeling better overall.

[larrypo09]

Typical health weight loss is 1 to 2 lbs per week, so your 5 lbs is not out of line. That being said, I also believe there is a correlation with how much you need to lose as to whether you are on the high/ow end of the spectrum. 

I am new to Fitbit, but have used other diet/excercise tracking site to keep track of calories, I don't believe they can accurately identify the exact calories that I burned or ate. So, instead, I just use it to benchmark my typcial behavior and use it to track improvements. Others may disagree, but I would not solely take what Fitbit says I am allowed to eat on a specific day to heart.

While you might be disappointed in the results from the scale, are you feeling better....more energy, clothes fitting different, or maybe sleeping better? Just remember, the scale isn't always the best indicator of the changes our body is going through. 

Good luck and stick with it!

[SunsetRunner]

@foxycurl I have merged your posts so it is easier for people to follow and offer assistance. Please do not post the same issue in multiple threads.  

And 5 pounds a month is a healthy approach. 🙂

[Tammy67]

I find it is better to only weigh myself once a week then I am not beating myself up if it appears I have gained. I weigh myself the say day of the week each week and try for the AM.

Also I am loosely following Weight Watchers points system with the app "pts plus diary" on my phone and Kindle. Even if I'm "bad" I get back on it the next meal.

Most of all don't get discouraged we didn't put our weight on overnight so it won't leave that way. Any weight loss is good!

Keep up the good work!

[foxycurl]

thank you,  I tried to delete the first one seeing I posted it in the wrong spot but couldn't figure out how to delete it. Thank you! First timer!!! 

[blakeatwork]

Unless you were grotesquely overweight to begin with, losing 5 pounds in the first month isn't bad. Add some legumes to your diet, and don't obsess over the calories (unless your physician requires it for health reasons). 

I found weight loss easiest when I didn't concern myself with the minutiae and instead simply lived my life. 

[PaleoCrossfit]

I know everyone is telling you the same thing, but be proud of that five pounds lost!!

[GoldaT]

@foxycurl: I'm prettymuch in the same boat.  After several months of stepping and calorie watching, I've managed to put on almost 3 pounds instead of losing.  Today was the first day that I've stepped onto the scale in several months since I first started seriously watching my diet ---- except for indulging in Jamoca Almond Fudge cake every once in a while.  I'm feeling rather disappointed in myself as well but trying to convince myself that I can do it.  Let's keep at it and try our best to lose that weight.  Good luck to both of us.

[barb1204]

I was thinking the same thing as Blake. I don't know your weight loss goal, but I'd be proud of 5 pounds and getting yourself in shape. I am still working on diligence with my food journal before I worry it's not coming off as fast as I'd like, but I'm enjoying the added incentive to make my Fitbit "happy"... sounds like you are working hard and doing well!!! 

[Tcup]

How many times a week do you weigh yourself? Definitely do it more than once a week, the same time everyday and then it will give you a better sense of your average weight. Fluctuations of 1-2 lbs of definitely normal also it it not even a month yet so 5 lbs is great!

[blakeatwork]

One thing I neglected to mention; if you're concerned about "seeing results" track your measurements. You may simply be increasing your muscle mass, which would explain why you wouldn't be seeing a large degree of weight loss. By tracking your body measurements (waist, hips, arms, thighs etc), you'll be able to more accurately track your body's transformation. Lastly, don't bunch up your exercise if you work in a sedentary job; spread out the time you're active and you will see more consistent results.

[Rahski]

Congratulations on losing 5 lbs!  I think that is great!!!  I am going to add my two sense of what I have gone through in the past and what I am currently going through.   After four kids I feel like I cannot base my goals on weight alone.  When I can walk into my closet and put on my "small" sized clothes and have anything and everything fit me...I know I have achieved success.  I can try on an outfit and feel good and feel like I look good as well.  I feel confident and ready to conquer the world.  When I walk into my closet and I have to try on a million different outfits to feel good or look good I know that I have gained the unwanted weight.  As I have gotten older (celebrated the big 4-0 this past fall) I have also placed the importance on "health" rather that weight.  If you are eating healthy and excercising on a regular basis after one month then you have created a "habbit".  Just stick with it and you will see your health increase positively!  Eating healthy might seem cut and dry, but I have also noticed that certain healthy foods may not be healthy for my body.  I have experimented and really the only thing that has helped me lose weight is by tons of fruit and vegies, lean protein, but I have to cut out all gluten and dairy.  I was excercising and eating right, but the scale and pants size were not budging.  I cut out gluten, dairy and peanuts/peanut butter and the changes started happening.  My favorite magazine for healthy eating is Clean Eating (http://www.cleaneatingmag.com).  Not only do they have great recipes, but they also have awesome articles that really will make a difference in your life. 

[Dominique]

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@foxycurl wrote:

Scale has moved 5 lbs in a month. Feeling defeated.

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Sorry if I'm stating the obvious, but 5 lbs in a month is 60 lbs in a year. Wouldn't you sign up for a 60 lbs weight loss by next Christmas?