no weight lost so far

Lots of good advice here! For me, the single most important thing I do is track my food DAILY. After I eat breakfast, I put in what I plan to eat for the rest of the day and tweak it to hit the target ranges of the measures I am tracking beyond protein, fat, etc. (I also track fiber, sodium, cholesterol, and calcium.) It's really a great tool for me, and using it daily keeps me on track. Sometimes I don't know what I'm having for dinner, but I try to plan my meals in advance.

Joining teams and posting on the site is another great way to stay connected to your goals. When you start posting, you will be amazed at how much you learn from your fellow SP and how much you'll be motivated.

Don't give up!



Edited by: PATTK1220 at: 7/1/2009 (12:59)

Good ideas, Kate. I am glad you have got that down. I just need to go buy some lean cuisine or ww frozen meals and call that good, but the DH isn't ready for that yet.

Yeah, I'm not excited to pack my lunches every day either. But, I have additional incentive there. It usually only adds up to $1 or $2 for my sack lunch versus $6 to $8 to eat out. That's a lot of savings and I'm pinching pennies everywhere to make ends meet. We didn't have to take furlows or get laid off. But we had to forgo our bonsus's and raises this year. So, I strive to make my lunches cheap and good for me. Not so hard to do. We have a microwave at work. I freeze most of my lunches (stir-frys, meat and sweet potatoe fries, crunchy rice with diced chicken breast) and let them defrost on my desk until lunchtime when they get nuked. I'm good to go there.
I also don't get to go eat out much. Just can't afford it. We used to eat out at McDonalds for breakfast once a month and now we don't even do that.

We need to stick together and encourage each other. I have been playing with 3 or 4 lbs for months now. I have been working out more this last week. It's the portion control and eating out. I just am not excited to pack my lunches. So lets all keep working at it a little at a time.

I appreciate all this feedback. Thanks everyone! I posted because of the stat that says those who post tend to stick with this longer. And look at all the motivation & help! I can see why. You are right on the portion sizes... I should go back to weighing & measuring my food!

Kateryn I couldn't have said it better myself! Although I feel so great now and full of energy. I have no desire to sit on the couch for hours watching tv. I take walks during both my breaks and my lunch hour. I walk alongside my six year old in the evenings while she rides her bike. I went shopping the other day and I'm down a size! Celebrate your accomplishments and think about how you will look and feel when all is said and done and that alone will keep you going. P.s. I too overindulged on veggies and fruits in the beginning. I was shocked at how much a true serving is. My digestive system is a whole lot better now that I follow the actual serving sizes and include more whole grains in my diet.

Kateryn you are so right. This is a lifestyle change for us, not a race. I have loved the fact that I can bend over to pick something off the ground and not need oxygen afterwards. The exercise, in just small doses at a time, have made me feel so good. Logging in my food choices has really been an eye opener. (was that one dunkin muchkin really worth all those calories and fat?) We can all do it! One day at a time!

All good points! I was plesantly surprised to see that despite the fact that my weight hasn't changed at all in over 2 weeks now that I HAVE lost over 3 inches overall! So I AM making progress :) YAY!!!

And KATERYN, you are so right! It's about changing my lifestyle, steering away from the junk and towards the better choices! Thanks for reminding us all of that :)

Okay, here are my thoughts on this. I'm going thru a life-style change here. Becoming more active is my number one priority. Measuring my foods and making better choices is my number two priority. Weighing and measuring myself are my number three priority. So, I don't weigh in every week.

I am so much more than a number on a scale - You are also.

I am not allowing that one thing to define how well I am doing in making my lifestyle changes into a new life-long habit. Because its the way my clothes are starting to fit. It's being able to go upstairs without being out of breath. It's the energy that I have when I get home from work. Its the happy endorphins I am accumulating from working out regularly.

A number on the scale is so not me - as a result I only weigh in once every couple of weeks (or so.) Because its only one measure of how well I am doing. Not the only one or even the most important one.

So, redirect your efforts to measuring your foods, logging everything you eat - even that spoonful you were test-tasting.

And make sure you get out there and move. Cuz those happy endorphins are what will continue to motivate you to do more and more.

Edited by: KATERYN at: 6/15/2009 (09:36)

It is discouraging, but don't give up. Just because the numbers aren't going down, doesn't mean you're not succeeding. Every day that you move forward is a step toward success. Just tell yourself that you can do this. We all can. Some days are harder than others. If we move just one step at a time, we will reach our goal.

It can be very discouraging not to lose anything. Make sure that the portions are correct. I was surprised when I actually started weighing and measuring things. Some were more than I thought and others were less.
I find that doing more exercise than I even thought I could do worked wonders.
My downfall is getting enough protein without going over my fats.
We are all pulling for each other here so don't forget to check in during the week...
Barbara

I'm finding it is really easy to get discouraged, and really difficult to stay motivated... esp. as you point out, when making those individual decisions. But those decisions are what "lifestyle change" is all about.

Got to look at the glass as half full and give yourself credit for any positive changes you have been making. You're sticking to the exercise? That's wonderful!! You're eating healthier foods (fruits, veggies)? That's a great thing too!

Maybe try to keep things in perspective. You aren't going to morph into "perfection" overnight. Are you doing healthier things overall than before you started? Then you're still on the right path. You just need to keep progressing at your own pace. Keep kicking your own butt, but don't forget to pat yourself on the back. It might seem like small stuff, but it's all part of the big picture. Keep going!

stick with the healthy foods and use portion control!

We can all do it! Just stick together and ask when you need support! :)

I've also been pretty frustrated. I lost a couple of pounds, then gained them back, and am now half way back to the weight I'd lost. I stick to the calorie recommendations... for the most part ... and I do all my workouts. So why am I not dropping pounds like crazy?

I just figure I have to stick with it and eventually I will see the results.

~

I haven't lost any either and what you say rings true for me too. I need to kick my own butt (if only I could reach it) and get into gear.
Steph

Well so far I haven't lost any weight. I've been doing well at exercising (strength and cardio). But I've not been doing well at eating. I do eat healthy foods (salad greens every day w/balsalmic & olive oil, whole grains, fruits & veggies) but I sometimes overeat the healthy things, and also give in to sweets several times per week.

So I try to analyze why. I really want to lose weight, but when the individual decisions present themselves, I find myself losing sight of the overall goal.

Jen