So I guess I'm stuck in my own head today, because I'm beginning to question my progress. I've lost about 10 lbs, but the last three weeks the scale hasn't moved. I haven't been exercising much, so I don't feel the normal adage that muscle replacing fat applies here. However, I did try on some clothes that I hadn't put on in several weeks and they did fit much better. Now I'm starting to wonder, do they? Is it all in my head? Am I trying to make something where there is nothing? Is the idea that I've lost weight, just in my head? I don't 'think' that's the case, but what if I'm wrong? Have you ever psyhed yourself out over your weight loss and made you question your progress? Or am I just crazy?
Ask yourself, "am I still on plan?" Are you tracking your calories and getting your activity in. If you are on track with your calories, you are absolutely 100% setting yourself up for a WHOOSH. It will come. I can't tell you it will be tomorrow or this week. But it WILL come.
Take measurements! Seriously, guessing if you're clothes fit better is pretty tricky. Besides, some days I have "skinny" days and some days I have "fat" days (usually if I feel bloated or whatever). I measure just about everything possible and it really gives me an idea of where I'm losing weight and helps me to see my progress.
This may just be something people say to explain something that they don't understand. I don't know. I haven't put much time in to it. I've heard it said that when people start losing fat, the fat cells empty. The cells don't like being empty, so they fill with water, and eventually, they are broken down. So while you may not be losing weight on the scale, you're still losing fat.
Oh, and my thoughts are that you're still losing inches, even if you aren't building muscle. I really don't understand that concept of inches and pounds, but it is what it is. Your clothes feel different and I'm sure it's not your imagination. I've had days where I crawl out of bed and think to myself that I actually feel lighter, and find out that I am. That's always a little bit strange.
I think sometimes the scale is such an overrated measure of progress. Two people can weigh the same and look so vastly different. Measurements count as progress. You clothes fitting better counts as progress. Comparing pictures counts as progress.
The scale is feedback, yes, but only to a certain extent. No, muscle isn't replacing fat, but you could be holding onto a lot of water or be having other things going on in your body that you cannot see.
I have the same issue sumnerfan.. How long did it take you to lose your 10 lbs? My weight loss was very very slow and when I look in the mirror I always look the same to me. Ok, there is a slight difference in photos and measurements but not as much as expected in my opinion, maybe like I lost a few pounds but not 25.. When you look at before/after photos of amazing weight loss success stories there is such a difference in posture, shape, tightness, definition..
10 pounds is great! Just because your scale is not moving as fast as you like, please do not let it give you a reason to give up.
My body has a loss/stall cycle and I stall for almost three weeks and then I will lose 2 lbs for a couple of weeks. Let me tell you during my last stall cycle I was in tears that the scale was not moving. I know it is frustrating but don't give up.
I've forgotten what it was like to be 200 lbs because it's been two years since I saw that number on a scale, so now when I weigh myself and it says 168 (for the last three weeks!) I think that I am not making any progress AT ALL.
Then, I force myself to think about where I started and that in fact, I have lost 32 lbs, and sure, maybe back in April I was at 164, but that still doesn't deny the fact that I am 32 lbs less than I was when I started this journey/plan.
And I would rather have those 32 lbs off and no pounds at all.
It takes a while for your mind to stop psyching yourself out because I think there's a little bit of a perfectionism/self-esteem/sabotaging "thing" that goes on. But as you continue to drop the lbs, seeing the clothes fit better, and the compliments you will invariably get, hopefully your brain/self-esteem will catch up.
(But, it may still happen, you just can't let it win!)
Thanks for the tips everyone. I do need to measure and take some pictures I guess. That has really helped me in the past. Everything was going along swimmingly for the first month I was losing about 2 lbs per week, then Labor Day weekend came it left me with 4 extra pounds. I did eat more than usual, but certainly not 12,000 calories more. I doubt even 2000 calories more than usual in that 3 day period. After that weekend, it took me more than a week to get back to near where I was (183.4). I've gotten close, but I haven't seen that number since. I've been eating on plan, but not really exercising (but I wasn't before that either) and my weight has hovered around 184. I haven't changed anything, so I'm a little frustrated and not sure if I need to continue as I have been or make some adjustments. I realize this is a life change and it will take time, but I feel like 3 weeks is a long time to go without seeing any change on the scale.
Am I imagining things?
