Not seeing results but loosing the pounds

[RJWhitney]

Hey guys!  I have been working super hard on ensuring I make it to the gym and eating right.  I have lost about  20 pounds but I am having a hard time seeing the loss when I look in the mirror.  I have seen a small change in my clothing.  I guess I dont know if I should be doing something else or how long it is going to take to see what I am feeling........  feeling a bit discouraged......

[josephz2va]

Before and After pics usually help people. Plus those in one of those contests hosted in gyms or when you buy a workout package from say Beachbody where you take before and after pics.

Mostly you need to tone up to lose the extra mass. Personal Training, weight lifting, and cardio in a balanced rotation. I currently utilize insanity max 30 which is cardio, strength, cardio, strength and power cardio at the end plus a yoga session called pulse. And a second dvd set called 360 abs and max abs to focus on the core.

It takes a while to see results, but one way you can definitely tell is say if you're wearing a belt on a blouse or jeans and the notches go further in until you have to replace that belt. I went through 9 belts in my time knowing my progress is working. 48 46 44 42 40 38 36 34 32 kept on going.

[SunsetRunner]

We see ourself every day, even when there's progress (lots of weight (body fat) loss, can be compensated by muscles growing stronger and weighing nearly the same but looking leaner..) even then because of the smaller changes a day, we don't see the difference that much, even your family would not notice it  that much.

Make sure that when weight is lost, that it's (mostly) from body fat, it's possible to weight less, having the same or even higher body fat percentage than before.

[Its_Me]

I don't know how heavy you were when you started your journey, but if your extra weight is pretty substantial those first 20lbs don't show up all that well. I could hardly tell when I lost my first 20, so you're not alone!! But it did come from somewhere, so whatever you're doing, it's working! Keep in mind that eating too little will put you in starvation mode and the pounds will go very slowly, so keep eating healthy foods, high protein and low fat if you are working out. My first time around I did Weight Watchers. It worked really well, but I got tired of logging on the computer and didn't have a smartphone at the time. Exercise is very important when losing weight because it helps keep everything toned and slimmer looking, as well. It's not just about shedding fat, and you dont want to lose too quickly or your skin doesn't have time to adjust. Also, don't think of it as a diet. It's a lifestyle change, and if you don't mean to make it permanent you may end up like me- a yo-yoer; down 50lbs, up 90, down 30 and up 40. Good luck!!

[SunsetRunner]

If you are going to be sucessful (a change for the rest of your life) adhere to a complex carbohydrate

diet, some animal protein (if you want it), and some "good fats" (like extra virgin ollive oil). All of the low

carbohydrate (ie: high animal source protein, high fat) will have temporary results and may have some

adverse health effects. As a guide, buy the Pritikin Promise - it is cheap in paperback on Amazon.

Stay away from the "magical potions and supplements", they are just hucksters.

[RJWhitney]

Good information.  I have been doing really well with my diet - just eating better and going to the gym  I started at 269........  I guess I feel like, dang Im going to the gym and getting in my workouts, which has been awesome on my stress, and eating great but I dont see it.  My trainer said he could see it in my face.  I know I should concentrate on the fact that I am feeling better but I would like to look better too. 

[Cate_E]

Hi

When I first lost 20 pounds I felt exactly like you and that it didn't seem to show.  It's almost as if you lose the weight but your body needs to catch up with the knowledge? I know that doesn't make sense but now I can see it (and everyone comments) while at the start I seemed to be making an effort for nothing

Best of luck with the weightloss and remember to enjoy how much better you are feeling as well

[sarah-w]

I'm going through the same thing and I get where your coming from. My fiance has been great at trying to encourage me on it but its hard. I've stopped focusing so much on looking in the mirror at my problem areas and focusing on the areas that are really coming in. it seems to be a helping so far. my legs are alot more toned, so i'm keeping that a positive when I'm bummed about not seeing the results in my midsection. you got this

[bklynite]

I suggest getting a measuring tape to show you stats of wear you are losing. An inch on both arms, 2 inches in the waist and a few on each thigh may not sound like much but it is. I have to lose 30 pounds before I drop a pants size. I have lost about 20lbs since I recommitted to weight loss and I am still in the same pants. Don't get discouraged use those non scale victories to keep you motivated.

[Heybales]

Going to the gym and getting in your workouts.

That's good.

But only certain types of exercise actually ask the body to make improvements, others just burn calories which can help you adhere to a diet because you get to eat more and still lose weight.

But if that weight is fat and muscle mass as most diets cause, then losing the fat isn't going to show off anything underneath.

So what are the workouts at the gym?

Also, can't spot reduce, can't spot measure. Gotta measure many spots, hence the good suggestion of a tight clothing setup you can compare with in pictures later.

Just don't wash it in hot water, shrinking sucks for the mental state.

[DominicJ]

269 to 249 is good, but its not obvious 

its 7.5% of your weight.

People who havent seen you for a while will probably notice, and your clothes should be looser, but to people who see you everyday, its not wildly obvious.

I've lost 40lbs and dont really think I look any different.

[josephz2va]

You might consider home fitness training as well. There's a couple programs online. Fitstar/Fitbit partnered up. I use Insanity Max:30 for cardio and body strengthening for 30 minutes a night.

[SuperStephSteph]

Make sure to take your measurments as well as weighing yourself. Measuring yourself actually gives you a way better indicator of overall loss. If you're working out, espeically lifting, you may end up in a situation where the scale isn't moving much but you lose inches because you're replacing that fat with muscle. 

Also remember it's sometimes harder for you to notice right away than for other people to see. I'm down 22lbs and my mother in law mentioned that she could tell that I'm losing, but personally I don't feel like I look any smaller. I measured myself this week and realized that I've lost 2 incehs on my waist and 1 inch in my hips! Seriously though I would have no idea that I was any smaller if I didn't measure myself! 

[HelenaFitbit]

I've been there too, so I know it feels discouraging. To correct this, I have taken before and after photos as well as keeping a measurements record; sometimes the image of ourselves in our head is different than what the numbers are showing. 

We can do this! Let's keep stepping