Losing weight but frustrated

[_Kayla_]

Okay so here is the deal. I started out using fitbit 4 weeks ago with a goal weight of 140 (which for me is over a 100 lb loss). The first week I simply set my calorie deficit to 1000 so I would lose about 2 lbs a week. The seond week I started jogging on top of having the 1000 calorie deficit. So far I have lost 13 lbs. Seeing as my goal is 2 lbs a week I know that that is good but I am getting frustrated. I'm seeing the numbers on the scale drop and feeling less bloated but I am not to the point where I see a difference when I look in the mirror. I know it is going to take time but it's so frustrating!

[betpchem]

Kayla, don't lose heart. What you are doing is clearly working. Keep going and you will be able to see those changes in the mirror. If it is discouraging you, don't look. Find something positive to look at, like those scale numbers. How about your clothes? Do they feel looser? Whatever will keep you motivated, keep your mind on that. It will come. 

[Kibbles314]

I posted something similar when I started (though I have 10 lbs left to lose, so I know it's different) and was told to calm down and keep going. Always remember you are unique. Just because some website or forum or book says you should lose x amount in x amount of time doesn't mean you will. Perhaps you'll lose more, perhaps less. I'm try to remind myself that the number isn't as important as my health. If your diet is healthy, and works for you, and if you've found a way to exercise or increase your activity that you enjoy, then you will lose the weight. I frequently feel frustrated that I'm not making the progress that I want, or annoyed that I've hit a plateau, or guilty that I've eaten a "bad food". Trust me, the more you focus on the bad, the harder it is to stick with it. Think about how accomplished you must have felt when you stopped on the scale and saw that you'd lost 13 lbs. Focus on how good your food tastes when you make it yourself, and how different you feel as you progress. If you want, take a couple of pics as you are now, appreciate what you like, don't worry about what you don't, then put them away. Replicate them in a few weeks or months, and I promise you will see the change. Stick with it, and keep us posted. You've got this!

[Heybales]

Are you doing any strength training to help retain muscle mass?

Otherwise probably 15-20% of what you are losing in weight is muscle, and that doesn't show up so fast because it's so dense, takes up little space. And since it's least used muscle that is gone first, might not be where you'd look either.

Are you really holding to 1000 deficit from what you burn daily?

Don't view it as starting at bottom eating level, start from the top down. Setting your daily burn goal to 2500 would probably be much more comfortable.

Because if eating 1000 already, have you played this out as you lose weight? Because as you lose weight and move around less mass - you burn less calories in everything. So to keep losing weight, you must eat less.

And if already eating 1000, where do you think you'll be when you have dropped 40 lbs, how much less can you eat and still have a healthy body that is going to keep losing weight?

And fat is going to leave wherever it wants to, just as you can't spot reduce, you can't spot measure and see results sometimes, and you can't look at spots and see them going down either.

Find that tight shirt and pants, don't wash it to shrink it, and try that on every 2 weeks. Weekly is too fast.

How long did it take to gain it?

[ter50]

I've got more than 100 pounds to lose and figure since I'm 5'8" tall (and from past experience), it takes about 30 pounds to see a difference and fit in the next smaller size of jeans. I started the last week of May and have lost 27 pounds. I'm still wearing the same size clothes, though they're looser.

Take your measurements every week. I had a couple of weeks where I didn't lose any weight, but did log smaller measurements in a couple of places, which is welcome. Everything's going the right direction - down.

You're doing GREAT! Keep on exercising and watching what you eat. Take it day by day!

[_Kayla_]

Thanks for all the responses. I know it is going to take time, it's just frustrating. I guess I just need a little encouragement to know I will move past this phase. Unfortunately of my friends, there is only one I feel comfortable being completely open with about all of this and she is terrible support. She is a god friend but when it comes to my trying to lose weight she just doesn't get it (she is under my goal weight and still complains about being fat and when we are together she encourages me to eat junk!). Having people who understand what it is like to have to lose so much weight and are going through it themselves or have already done it is helpful.

As far as my diet goes I have been drinking only water (8-12 cups a day) and skim milk. Occasionally I may have some juice or a flavored drink but no soda. I have not changed my diet a ton at this point, mostly just eating small meals or snacks every few hours. I have added some fruits and things but I have learned from the past if I change my diet too quickly it doesn't work and I go back to eating junk. I am always over 1200 calories, usually never more than 2000. I make sure that I am always within my goal range for calories (1000 cal deficit) or just under it.

When it comes to workouts I am just doing walking/jogging at this point. Before I started using the fitbit I was pretty much sedentary most of the day (maybe .5 to 1 mile distance per day). I started increasing my steps and distance in general and try to go to the track 3-4 days a week (usually have a day in between except for Sunday and Monday). I started out only being able to jog a half mile (very slowly) and am now up to at least a mile (yesterday I actually did 1.5) in just a few weeks. I posted in the other section about looking for workout routines for women as far as strength training goes. I want to start adding this into my schedule come September (next week) but m not sure where to start.

[Maxit]

I think you are totally on the right track, Kayla!  I know you have a "destination" in mind (goal weight) and so moving toward that can feel so slow - especially in our "I don't have all minute!!" culture (enhanced by Biggest Loser type shows).  However, you are building new healthy habits that will pay off in terms of life-after-goal.  It is huge that you have gone from being so sedentery to jogging 1.5 miles!  

[me1962]

Kayla,

One of the best ways to avoid frustration, is to set small goals. Instead of a 100 lb. goal, set a 5 or 10lb. goal. This way, you won't feel overwhelmed and you'll feel a sense of achievement much quicker. Jogging can be murder on the joints. Invest in a mini trampoline/rebounder. You'll be able to bounce your way to each week's goal in the privacy of your home. As far as diet is concerned, try a 3-5 day challenge diet. This is how I lost my weight: For 1 week I cut out all processed sugar and carbs and ate only salads and fish or chicken. If you struggle with sugar cravings, try some of those diet snack bars. Lots of water is important. Your body can't flush out anything without adequate water. Because I was a notorious midnight snacker, I made sure all the foods that would tempt me were not available. I know it's not easy, but if I can do it, so can you.