Frustration.

[OhMakeMeOver]

Lately I've felt very frustrated. I'm losing weight, and I'm definitely happy about that. But I have so much weight to lose that somedays I just wonder if there's even a point to trying. I know there is, but I'm just tired of waking up every morning and still having fat everywhere. I'm not complaining about the speed of weight loss on Atkins, I know it's faster than any other "diet" I could be doing. It's just that somedays it's hard to focus on the end result instead of the here and now. Sometimes it just feels like I'm already too far gone. And I know I'm not. No one is really.

I don't need reasons to stay with Atkins, I just needed to vent.

[not2late]

Re: Frustration.

Have you tried the mini-goal reward system? That might help you feel better about your weight loss along the way.

Just pick a goal like every dress size lost or every 10 pounds lost you give yourself a non-food reward. I like to reward myself with jewelry. Sometimes I reward myself by calling in sick to work for the "Day for Megs" celebration where I treat myself to something like a day trip or a day at a spa or something like that (don't tell my bosses!) Your reward can be anything (non-food) that you like. It could be even something as simple as a hot soak in a nice warm bath tub.

I also have a "Big Reward" fund jar. My "big reward" is a bicycle. So everytime I avoid a temptation, I toss a dollar into my "reward" jar.

These little milestone-goals help to break the monotony and will give you something to celebrate before the Really Big Goal.

[Sd1136]

Re: Frustration.

HI
I can relate to your feelings, I have so much to lose and its not going off that fast ether. But having over 100 pounds to lose is hard on me to think of. make little goals, and when you reach them, its a sucess. Come to this board and talk and vent. I find it really keeps me going. Hang in there it will happen
sandi

[sombersusie]

Re: Frustration.

each new day is a day closer to the new you. When you're feeling down think about the positives. "My pants are looser." "I'm not craving food all the time anymore."
Keep track of inches lost, excersise done in a notebook. It's very cool to look back and see how far you've come!
And hey we're here if you need us, 24/7!!!

[crystal4l]

Re: Frustration.

Hang in there. I know exactly where you are coming from. But I look at my weight in 10 lb increments that way it doesn't seem like it is forever away. I made a 10 lb chart and check off every 10 lbs lost. I can't wait till it is completely checked off!

[Kate113]

Re: Frustration.

I hear you. I woke up this morning feeling the same way. I trudge on because I have so much left to lose and I don't want to gain more back again and start all over.

I may borrow that chart idea, Crystal. It's a good one.

[OhMakeMeOver]

Re: Frustration.

not2late: I do set mini goals, and they do help. I don't feel this frustrated everyday, I just get in "hopeless mode" sometimes. I only posted here because I can't really talk to anyone I know about it because they can't relate. Thank you for the advice.
crystal:I really like your chart idea, and I'll definitely try it.

Thank you all of you for the advice and encouragement.

I was afraid someone would misinterpret my venting and think I was contemplating going back to eating the way I used to. I'm glad at least so far everyone understands that I just needed to vent, and maybe find people to relate with.

[iyamamaschke]

Re: Frustration.

You can di it when you first Start it will feel like it's gunna take forever, I have been there and I felt like I was going nowhere fast so many times But I stuck it out and HERE I am 100 Pounds lighter 1 year and 3 months Later. You can do it, take it one day at a time One week at a time one Month at a time one pound at a time, you will surely begin to see what you wanna see and feel really good about you. It took a while for me to start to see my Body changing and it's exhilarating to see the change keep it up you will feel this way too. If you ever need a Buddt or anything PM me and I will be there for you. It's hard to see yourself thin But, you WILL get there and you WILL be successful it's IN YOU!!!

Sarah

[Analog6]

Re: Frustration.

Oh, I feel for you. I started with about 150 lbs to lose and that was more than half my weight. I had to lose a whole, fairly large, person! And I wanted to do it in 12 months.
But here I am, week 23 just ending and I have lost 57lb! So even though it has slowed right down, my average is 2 lbs per week.
It WILL happen. How long did it take to get fat? How much improvement can you see?
For me, it was 11 years, and lots. My face is not a plump cushion any more, I can fit into 4 sizes smaller pants and tops. Yes, I still have rolls of fat, but they ARE getting smaller. I am starting to accept it is going to take longer than 12 months. If the loss rate remains the same, it will take about 65-70 weeks (or 50 or so to go). Well, it is hard to accept but better than still being fat.

BE POSITIVE. BANISH THE NEGATIVE THOUGHT. BE STRONG - you CAN do it nd we are all here to support you.

[Heidi3]

Re: Frustration.

I pretty much think you would not be here if there was no point in trying

[ciaobella]

Re: Frustration.

hang in there! i know you can do it!!!

[not2late]

Re: Frustration.

not2late: I do set mini goals, and they do help. I don't feel this frustrated everyday, I just get in "hopeless mode" sometimes. I only posted here because I can't really talk to anyone I know about it because they can't relate. Thank you for the advice.

I can totally relate to that hopeless mode. I lose slowly, so I don't see the "dramatic changes" immediately and I need a "reality check" that I am losing weight and all this is worth it.

I kept a blouse and a pair of pants from my pre-Atkins days. Every so often, I try them on to see how they fit. It eases my mind that I can fit my entire lower body into 1 leg of those pants. Recently, I helped my mom clean out her attic and I found my gym clothes from High School. On a whim I tried on the shorts to see if I fit. Well, they aren't loose, but I can fit into them without busting the seams.

So, I guess my advice is to monitor your progress from time to time. When I was a newbie, we had a mod who used to encourage us to "chart" our progress by taking photos of ourselves, so we could 'see' our progress. Many of us (myself included) look in the mirror and see our larger pre-Atkins selves staring back eventhough we are smaller people. Fat goggles, they call them.