Obesity Discussion Forums

[basketballbelly]

I've outlined it all in my blog basketballbelly bouncing along, please come in and give me suggestions, I don't know what to do at this point.

bbb

[Obesity Discussion]

I'm a little confused....you just started up again on weight watchers, you're following it to the letter, you haven't lost a lot of weight yet, but it's only been 3 weeks. Am I right on this? Weight fluctuates all the time, and sometimes for no apparent reason. I think you're giving up too soon personally. Have you incorporated exercise into your new eating plan?

While I'm not a big fan of diets, it doesn't seem like you've even given this one enough time to make a decision on whether or not it's working.

The one surefire way to lose weight is to eat fewer calories than your body burns, plain and simple. Counting calories is the most accurate way to make sure you're doing that. I believe WW is a round about way to get there with their point system.

[Rue]

I agree.

For years I was trying to loose weight 'properly' and it wasn't working. I cut back the calories I was eating at meals, was trying to cut back on the snacking and trying to be more active. And I gained weight (slowly - and over years - but it kept creeping up regardless).

Finally, my doctor told me: 1200 calories a day. Reduce carbs to 1-2 slices a bread a day, and up your activity.

And I did...3 meals a day, 2-3 snacks...more activity...and the weight is coming off. It was a big change to my overall lifestyle...obviously I was eating way too much before, despite the illusion that I was trying hard.

I'm not a fanatic about it. For the first few weeks I wrote down everything I ate/drank to make sure I wasn't 'cheating'. Once I had an idea of portions, I didn't need to keep the daily food journal anymore - but it is a HUGE help at the start. And, some days I eat a bit more, have an extra helping of carbs in some form...but I don't stray far or often, so the weight is still coming off.

And some weeks I only loose 1/2 lbs instead of the 2 lbs I'm aiming for. That's okay too...

I am not starving either. 1200 calories is enough to keep me happy and going.

My downfall is comfort-eating. so I've replaced my calorie-laden snacks with fruit, diet-pop (not too much), coffee (with milk) and herbal teas...so I am dealing with that 'oral' need - to be eating/drinking something when I get stressed...a water bottle also helps - if I carry it around with me I drink more water...

[basketballbelly]

Originally Posted by Obesity Discussion

I'm a little confused....you just started up again on weight watchers, you're following it to the letter, you haven't lost a lot of weight yet, but it's only been 3 weeks. Am I right on this? Weight fluctuates all the time, and sometimes for no apparent reason. I think you're giving up too soon personally. Have you incorporated exercise into your new eating plan?

While I'm not a big fan of diets, it doesn't seem like you've even given this one enough time to make a decision on whether or not it's working.

The one surefire way to lose weight is to eat fewer calories than your body burns, plain and simple. Counting calories is the most accurate way to make sure you're doing that. I believe WW is a round about way to get there with their point system.

Actually I've been doing WW seriously since October and have been bouncing back and forth between the same 7-10lbs since. I started WW again over the summer (was not serious and gained about 30lbs). Since starting here I've consciously made a point of redirecting my efforts, trying even harder than I have been...but I've been serious since October...I lost a great deal of weight last week (at least for me...) and then to see it all right back again this week after the way my weight has been fluxing over the past four or so months was (is) really hard. I thought it was working when I saw the loss, now I'm not so sure. We are talking about 4lbs not 1/2lb.

Like I stated in my blog, I am going to count calories for the next couple of weeks, keeping it between 1200 and 1500 (1200 is the goal) to see if that works better, if I go under my 32 points on WW I am fine with it...

I'm not giving up, just feeling very defeated...again

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by basketballbelly

Actually I've been doing WW seriously since October and have been bouncing back and forth between the same 7-10lbs since. I started WW again over the summer (was not serious and gained about 30lbs). Since starting here I've consciously made a point of redirecting my efforts, trying even harder than I have been...but I've been serious since October...I lost a great deal of weight last week (at least for me...) and then to see it all right back again this week after the way my weight has been fluxing over the past four or so months was (is) really hard. I thought it was working when I saw the loss, now I'm not so sure. We are talking about 4lbs not 1/2lb.

Like I stated in my blog, I am going to count calories for the next couple of weeks, keeping it between 1200 and 1500 (1200 is the goal) to see if that works better, if I go under my 32 points on WW I am fine with it...

I'm not giving up, just feeling very defeated...again

Something seems a bit off with WW......try the calorie counting, be sure you're counting all the sauces, oils, dressings, toppings, etc that can add up to big calories really quick!

Give it at least a month and see where it gets you. At 1200-1500 calories you should absolutely lose weight. You may want to start off at 1500 calories first just to get a feel for things, and if you don't feel like you're starving, move it down a bit lower. Have you considered incorporating exercise as well?

[basketballbelly]

OD, thank you for your suggestions and reply, they are greatly appreciated. I am planning on purchasing a good treadmill within the next couple of weeks, I lost mine in our housefire in October, once I have that inhouse again, I will be up at the crack of dawn getting in those five miles...I'll start off with less because I've really not exercised on a regular basis since last summer (the perfect storm).

Ok, one entire month with no complaints...I have to learn how to allow a plan to work without getting frustrated...I keep falling back into that, "I have to get this weight off yesterday" mindset which has defeated me for 8 years now...you are very right, I have to be more patient, I'm not sure how, but I have to find that in me. I've resigned myself on some level to giving myself one year to get this weight off...I keep reminding myself that I have to give my body enough time to actually lose, then I see a gain and it is like taking 100 steps backwards.

Again, thank you

bbb

[Rue]

You have to want to do the work. It doesn't matter what plan you're on, if you're not ready to put in the work, all the desire in the world won't make it happen without doing the actual work...

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by basketballbelly

OD, thank you for your suggestions and reply, they are greatly appreciated. I am planning on purchasing a good treadmill within the next couple of weeks, I lost mine in our housefire in October, once I have that inhouse again, I will be up at the crack of dawn getting in those five miles...I'll start off with less because I've really not exercised on a regular basis since last summer (the perfect storm).

Ok, one entire month with no complaints...I have to learn how to allow a plan to work without getting frustrated...I keep falling back into that, "I have to get this weight off yesterday" mindset which has defeated me for 8 years now...you are very right, I have to be more patient, I'm not sure how, but I have to find that in me. I've resigned myself on some level to giving myself one year to get this weight off...I keep reminding myself that I have to give my body enough time to actually lose, then I see a gain and it is like taking 100 steps backwards.

Again, thank you

bbb

Any time.

Something we recommend is that people set small mini-goals, like losing 10lbs to start. It's very obtainable, doesn't seem nearly as daunting, and makes you feel like you're close to accomplishing a goal. Remember, this isn't a race.....it's a long term journey towards a better you.

[johnita36]

I agree with what OD has said, I think it's great to set mini goals, it's a great motivator. I know it really helped me to think about the small goals rather then the long term goal. If I had started out really thinking about losing 100 pounds it would have seemed so overwhelming I'm afraid I might have given up. But my first goal was getting out of the 240's then the 230's and so on and my first big goal was getting under 200 pounds. Right now my goal is to hit what I thought would be my final weight of 150 but I have since decided to try to get to 140 but I still want to see myself hit that 150 mark it's my next "big" goal.

Just don't be too hard on yourself, you're doing good it just takes time for all your hard work to pay off. I know what you mean by seeing your weight go up and down, the month of December, I lost the same 5 pounds it seems like over and over and over again. I think sometimes it just really fluctuates a lot.

Keep up the good work and know we're all behind you cheering you on.



Johnita

[matt007]

Don't get discouraged too quickly, sometimes things just go slow. I'm sitting on the same weight I started the year at but I'm not too worried about it. Are you checking measurements/clothing fit? My experience usually is that even when my weight stops moving my size continues downward.