Hello Ladies,

I am 25 years old and can't remember the last time I was under 200 pounds. I am currently in a weight loss program that is essentially low carb/no carb. I go ounce a week and weigh in. I started my weight loss journey in January 2012 at 256 lbs I was doing very well and lost 30 lbs in about 5 months. Due to my work (as a chef) it is extra hard to loss weight...I fell off the wagon in May and got back on in November. I am stuck at 230 lbs. I am so frustrated and discouraged.

I joined the gym 3 weeks ago....I gained 1 pound since joining. It makes me want to cry.

I am looking to have a buddy in this journey. I need to try and refocus and think thin!

Any support would be greatly appreciated.

Wahoo!!! 30 pounds! That's awesome!

About the 'gaining' the pound after going to the gym---and I know everyone will say this but that just means it's true: You are probably building muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat so you've probably lost fat and gained muscle. It sucks to see the numbers on the scale move the wrong way but more muscle means that you can burn more fat.

Keep up the good work, if you are doing the right thing then the weight will eventually fall off. I wish taking the weight off was as easy as it was for me to put it on. :-)

Hi Fe2493

Awesome job losing 30lbs! Ok, am I reading right that you stopped dieting for about 5 months and only gained 4 lbs back? Ummm, that's great!

So, the low carb program works for you but you need help staying motivated?

What type of chef or what type of food are you making for you job?

You are very brave joining the gym! I'm not that brave. LOL
Wishing you tons of success!

Thank you for your kind words!

Kaitie- I keep trying to remind myself that I am gaining muscle and losing body fat. It is just extremely hard to not see the scale move...It looks like you are on a roll with your weight loss.. How are you doing it?

Veggiedawg- Thank you for your positive reinforcement! I am on my last legs with this weight loss thing..some days I feel like I should except my body the at it is and just focus on maintaining my weight, but then I snap out of it. Did you just start working on losing?
I cook causal costal style food..I have a very simple rustic style. I love food and that makes this process all the more difficult.

Welcome and good luck on your journey!!

I can imagine it's hard to 'diet' when you are around food all the time. I love some of the shows on the food network and The Chew.

Yes, I'm just starting my weight loss journey. With my kids and hubby's schedule it's hard to focus on me. We moved to a more rural area last summer and I'm not walking the same as I did. I used to be walking to the grocery store, the park, the library or just around the block for fun....now I have to drive. (I miss sidewalks! LOL) So, of course, my weight has jumped and it has made me depressed. And my diet hasn't been great either--ok, I admit it!

Do you have a goal weight that you'd like to be?
What is your favorite thing to do at the gym?

Have a great day!

Good for you for joining a gym! Regardless if the scale moved or not, be proud that you're taking steps (literally lol) towards a healthier life!

Welcome - I'm new too. We're all in it together!

Hi
I'm 64 years old -- I have TRULY gained and lost more than 1200 lbs. in my lifetime -- losing 100 lbs. 3 times, gained in backi; lost 200 lbs. twice gained in back- from 1987 Dec to March 1989 I lost 290 lbs. and then 20 more pounds after that -- had to have 8 major skin removal surgeries and one doctor almost took my life in the OR because of his incometence; kept the weight off 5 1/2 years -- gained back 160 pounds (since 1996 I haven't gone up anymore)
I cry all the time-- everything is all stretched out --I went to Overeaters Anonymous -- that doesn't work for me -- I AM A COMPULSIVE OVEREATER and I need support from people who are living with the same problem I have -- not some chick who came to OA because she gained 10 lbs. after quitting drugs and drinking!@@!
CAN ANYONE GIVE ME ENCOURAGEMENT -- I remember back in '87 -- I was so determined to do it one day at a time and I didn't tell anyone....the first 60 lbs. I lost looked like about 10 lbs. because I was so big.
Soooooooooooooooo You are 25 yrsl old and can arrest this thing while your young

Thank you for all of your support! It is encouraging to know that I am not on this journey alone.

Welcome and good luck!!

Oh Feb2493, just think....you are 30 pounds less than you were a year ago....what if you were another 30 pounds down next year at this time, so 60 pounds total. 60 pounds is a lot! Keep going, even if it doesn't seem like you're making a dent. (I read this back and think, "i need to follow this mentality too.")
I agree that it's SUPER discouraging when you put forth the effort (like working out) and don't see the results you had hoped (let alone GAINING), but I'm sure that as long as your calorie deficit (and exercise definitely helps with this) is really there, that you WILL reap the rewards in the near future.

Hi Fe2493. I'm new here as well and I wanted to throw a bit of encouragement your way. Something a lot of trainers don't tell those just starting a workout program is that your muscles will retain water in the beginning. It's a stress/defensive reaction but as you continue, your body will relax into it .

I am actually just starting the low carb, high protein, high fat diet that I read about in Gary Taubes book. I must admit that it kind of blows up my ideology of calories in/calories out but I thought a month on it should give me a good idea on it's approach.

Good luck

Hey! Great job on the 30 lbs lost!! I have had the same problem as you do regarding going to the gym and gaining instead of losing. One thing that might help you is to take your measurements! I started the IP diet 2 weeks ago and these were my results : 5 lbs lost (which is great) and 6.5in in total!!! I have to say that it's better to see the inches go down then the lbs! You can really picture the inches which I think motivates you better. Heck, I lost half a sub!!!