New member and Introduction...
 

Hi!

I have been looking for a place to come to for motivation, venting and getting to know others with a bit of weight to lose.

My name is Mel, I am a 34 year old SAHM to my son Aidan, 16 months. We currently live in Northern Scotland (Very rural area) while my husband is on assignment here.

I am 5’8 and my goal weight is 135, this is the weight I have been forever and feel most comfortable with. I haven’t made it back to that weight since my son was born. Up until this Christmas I was pretty steady at 140 and noticed some major changes in my body and my metabolism since my son’s birth. We went back to the states at Christmas I gained 12 pounds in 3 weeks. YIKES! I have never had a problem with my weight, I have never actively dieted before, I was active, but not a gym rat…I don’t know what happened! So, 5 weeks ago I signed up for an online personal training program (we have a very small gym here, with like 5 pieces of equipment) so I work out at home with free weights and various forms of cardio (weights 3 days a week with cardio 5-6) and since I started the program a month ago I have lost 5 pounds. I am discouraged. I have been working so hard and I just don’t feel like I am seeing the results. Of course, I can tell that I am losing fat in places and that makes me happy but I have a sick obsession with the scale since Aidan was born. I weigh everyday…several times a day. I can feel completely good about a workout…how I did with my diet that day and get on the scale and just feel like a failure.

Logically I know it doesn’t make sense, I am putting on muscle, which weighs more than fat and I am comfortable with my body even at this weight (I look WAY more toned than I did at 140) but just not where I want to be.

Sorry, this wasn’t meant to be a novel, just an introduction! Looking for a group that I can gain support and strength and in turn provide as much as I can as well.

I know I can do this. I just don’t know how!

Thanks for listening and I look forward to joining your group!

-Mel

Hi, I've been a member of 3FC for years now but just discovered the Featherweights group. I don't know how I missed them!

When I entered my 40s in 1995 I weighed about 180 lbs. Several years later, I had lost more than 50 pounds by following Susan Powter's "Stop the Insanity." I managed to keep most of the weight off for years, but eventually some of the pounds have found their way back onto my body. I am now 53 and really struggle to get my weight down.

I never had a problem with my weight, ever, until I had children.

Hi embee,

Welcome! I am relatively new to 3FC, but have found it a great place for support, tips, and inspiration, especially in the Featherweights. Everyone has been great.

Sounds like you would do well to limit your weigh-ins to once per week, so you can see your progress. Throughout the day, our weight varies so much. Weight fluctuates even on consecutive days. You will best see your progress with weekly weight ins, and will be less likely to get discouraged when you're doing great!

You are ahead of me on the exercise front. Good for you! I plan on adding this in at some point, but I haven't gotten around to it.

Anyway, I wish you success and progress. See you around featherweights!

Numbers vs how you look
 

:welcome2: Mel!

I too obsessed about the number on the scale for quite awhile. I now weigh myself once a week and find the number remains remarkably constant when I'm maintaining and the weight loss is very gradual when I'm dieting.

With the small amount of weight you have to lose your progress can be frustrating. And since you are putting on muscle you might even gain a bit and the BMI index will put you at the higher end. All quite discouraging if you go strictly by numbers. How about considering how your clothes fit and how your body looks as well?

Are you sure your goal weight is realistic for how your body is now? I thought 125 was realistic for me (and I'm 4 inches shorter than you) but my body really likes 131. I can stay at that weight with not a whole lot of effort, while trying to "break" 130 is really tough.

I wish you success and happiness with what you are already achieving!

Dagmar :dance:

Thanks for the welcome guys! I am going to remove the scale from the bathroom and weigh in once a week! I have seen a change in my body in the past month thanks to the weight lifting and cardio. My clothes are still snug, but I am definately firmer and have actual definition in my shoulders and arms. That is my most improved area so I focus there! I committed myself to 12 weeks and then will most likely back off to cardio and weights 3 days a week to help maintain my weight. I would be happy honestly at 138, knowing I can go up a couple or down a couple, but work on being fit and toned...and in better shape all around. I do love to workout, and want to make it part of my life from here on out. My body does well at that weight, but it is trying to break into the 135 and below that it fights me! Guess I need to accept I am a woman now...not a teenage girl anymore.

I am going to try the calorie shifting I think. I don't know really how many calories I should be eating each day but I hover around 1200...I am thinking with working out I should be closer to 1400 though. Maybe I am not eating enough??

We are planning a trip to sunny Egypt in April and I want to be bikini ready by then...

It is great to see all of your progress and know that it can be done. It is not easy nor fast especially at this point for all of us.

-Mel

1200 calories is the basic you should eat just to survive. So, when you exercise you should eat more. I know it is difficult to believe but it is true. Try to eat around 1500 calories each day for a week and you will see a big difference in your weight.