feeling discouraged :(

[unhappyang]

i'm prolly getting on everyone's nerves by now posting so much and asking so many questions... but i have to tell you, today i am feeling VERY discouraged.

I know you are not supposed to "compare" yourself to others, but seeing that some have lost 20-40 pounds in just 4-6 weeks is making me feel like the weakest loser.

Tomorrow will make 3 weeks of induction for me. When i started i was 184.5 pounds, and i've now beein hovering around 170-168 for a couple of days. One morning i'll be 169.5 and then days like today i'm 168 even. I completely cut out my diet pop and crystal light as i was told of aspartme, i eat my 2 cups of salad greens, and 1 cup of other veggies. I drink the water. I have 2 young kids, so i cant get out much, but i do exercise what i can. I do crunches at night until its burning, i do leg lifts, the side leg lifts.

The discouraging part is that i hear everyone say "Count inches!! not the scale!!" well, i measure my calfs, thighs, hips, waist, bust line, under my boobs, arms, even my neck. and ive ONLY lost 2 inches in my hips and an inch in my waist.

Ughhhhh :*(

[Grant]

Re: feeling discouraged

Hi unhappyang, I read what you said you've lost and I see no reason why you should feel discouraged.

In your 3 weeks of induction you've lost at least 14.5 pounds, and inch off your waist and 2 inches off your hips! That is really great. Go to the store and pick up 14.5 pounds of butter and see just how much that is. It's phenomenal!

You already know you shouldn't compare yourself to other people but if you do please also compare your age, sex, total weight loss needed, and medications (if any) when looking at how much weight they have lost compared to you. All these things and more are factors that cause some people to lose more then others so if you don't look at those things then you are gettign an even MORE unrealistic comparison.

I really feel like you are just suffering from unrealistic expectations. Regardless of whether billy jo bob lost 20 pounds in three weeks you have to realize that your progress is great, you are well on your way to reaching your goal, you are getting healthier every day, and if you keep at it you WILL reach the weight you want to be.

THAT is what's important, not how fast you reach your goal and especially not how fast you reach your goal compared to other people.

Good eating!

[unhappyang]

Re: feeling discouraged

you're right, i would just feel much better if i myself could SEE some sort of difference, you know? ive seen some on here who have lost around the same amount of me and i can totally see a change, but myself, i dont. I guess i'm rushing myself, no hurry i guess, right?

BTW, i'm only 20 yrs old
i'm 5'4
starting weight was 184.5
my mini goal is 150
long-term is 135-140

[misplaced southerner]

Re: feeling discouraged

honey....by my math you have lost about 14 pounds in 3 weeks. that is 7 pounds a week!!! OMG! when have you ever had results like that! you are doing fine. be patient. my good friend jess always told me "do the plan and the plan will work for you." i empathize as i have zero patience but trust and believe that this will all work for you! hang in there!!! stay in touch with us and do not EVER feel bad about asking any and all questions...that is why we are ALL here! keeping my fingers crossed for you!

[Jerzaka]

Re: feeling discouraged

Hang in there! It's tough to see the difference when you're looking at yourself everyday.

When I started last year (prepregnancy) I lost just over 40 pounds and only two people noticed. That's it!!! I know how frustrating it is - I really do!

Just hang tight - inches will melt away and you'll be able to "see" the difference soon.

[apple]

Re: feeling discouraged

Well, first of all...congratulations on losing almost 15 pounds in 3 weeks. Dr. A's tells us that most people can lose up to 5-10% of their weight loss in the first 2 weeks depending on how much over all weight loss they have to lose. You, my friend, have done so well!

I'm sure you'll get some wonderful feed back on focusing on the over all experience on your journey. I just want to support you in encouraging your walk to keep going and focus on how well you're taking care of you, and remind you this is a way of eating for life. Weight is so funny. It didn't come on over night and, unfortunately it won't disappear that way either.

Best wishes! You're doing great!

[conqueso]

Re: feeling discouraged

Don't worry about it! I started off at 152 pounds, and then after induction I was at 145. I have been on this WOE for about 2 months now, and I'm at 140 pounds. Slow loss, but I know that it is permanent weight loss! I work out 5 days a week, and I know I have gained some lean muscle too. Don't make yourself by giving yourself a timeline! Just continue eating fresh veggies, protein, and good fats! I want to get down to 130, and I would love to have done it within two months, but I'm fine with my weight now! I feel so much better about what I eat, my appetite is under control, and I feel so good! You will get there! Ignore your scale!!!! Look at yourself and see how much you have already accomplished! The weight will come off!

Good luck!!!

[unhappyang]

Re: feeling discouraged

thank you guys so much for your encouragement. Without you, i prolly wouldn't have made it this far!!

I've been really sick the past couple of days. I barely got anything down at all yesterday except a couple bottles of water, even then, it wasn't much. My throat was just so swollen and sore. Everytime i did eat, i'd throw up. Ugh. I feel a little better today. I was really upset thinking i'd wake up and not see the scale move, but yesterday i was 169, and today it said 167!! ANDDDD not only that, but i lost another inch in my hips and waist!!! (retaining water in my hips and thighs is a hereditary thing in the women in my family. Lucky me!!!) But i I guess waking up to inches gone is the "whoosie" fairy? None the less, the INCHES is what matters to me, NOT the numbers. Although when i hit 165 i'll be a very happy camper. And once i hit 159, i'll be even MORE happy because then i'll only be about 20 pounds from my goal

I love you guys =)

Here are my starting stats
Just so u know, i measure almost everything haha

May 5th (start day)
Weight= 184.5
Unfortunately, not many measurements
Thighs= 24
arms= 14.5

May 19th
Weight =172.5
Neck=12
Arms = 13
Waist= 33
Hips= 43
Left thigh= 24
Right thigh= 23
Calves= 15
Bust=36

May 26th
Weight= 167
Waist= 31
Hips= 40.5
Arms= 12
Thighs= 22
Neck= 11.5
Right calf= still 15
Left calf= 14
Bust= 36 (at least i haven't lost any boob yet haha =)

[sallyseachange]

Re: feeling discouraged

Glad you're feeling more positive now unhappyang. Kudos to you for sticking with it through your "low" and then getting a nice little whooshie. You're right... inches are way more important than the scales, though it does feel good when you get results from both!
Looking forward to your posting of further successes.

[SandyL2002]

Re: feeling discouraged

I want to say you are doing a great job..you sound just like I did about 2 weeks ago.. I think its just hormones..lol The most important thing is to remember how much better you feel..and how if you are hungry you can eat.... Keep it up!

[RIMedusa]

Racing for Weight Watchers

Hi unhappyang --

My mouth always drops when people get discouraged about not seeing inches, when the scale shows a loss -- and yours is a BIG loss.

It's been more than six weeks for me, and I'm bouncing up and down in the same five-pound range. Six weeks. Five pounds.

The inches are coming off quite noticeably, but I feel like racing for the nearest Weight Watchers to get the pounds off.

For the first time in my life I am incredibly motivated, as in, I am DONE with being fat, and for the first time in my life, no budge on the scale.

Isn't it ironic, as Alanis would say...

[ourlittlejack]

Re: feeling discouraged

RIMedusa, I could've written your post word for word...except for me it's 6 weeks and 4lbs. It's frustrating, eh?

So Ang, stick with it. You're doing great!