Hi Everybody
My name is Torie and I am 24. I have always been overweight. I have a little over 100lbs to lose. I have tried many many many different diets and exercise routines and nothing has worked. I think in the past I would sabotage myself. My weght has always been a type of protection for me. I have finally become fed up with my weight and the aches and pains it has caused. So for the first time in my life I have stuck to a diet and exercise plan for the past month. I have noticed my pants being a little looser, but I have not yet lost any weight. I am trying to not get discouraged. So any advice you can offer would be a great help. Thanks
Torie
I have always been overweight too. I think I've done the same thing, used my weight as a kind of protection. What kind of plan are you following? For myself, I am counting calories and exercising...just your plain old "Eat less, move more". Don't worry about the scale not moving, I would definitely suggest taking measurements! When the scale isn't your friend, seeing inches lost can make a huge difference on your outlook. If you stick to it, you WILL see the lbs drop off. Looking forward to getting to know you!
Yep, take measurements! I sure wish I had from the very beginning!!! It's very encouraging to see the inches go down even if the scales aren't budging.
Hi Torie. Welcome to 3FC and the 100 lb. club. It's a great place for support, advice and encouragement.
It is fantastic that you have kept to your new plan for a month. That's a great start. Just wondering, are you using the same scale every time? Are you weighing at the same time of day and in the same clothing. All those things can make a big difference. If you have been doing those things and if you haven't lost any weight at all in a month it might be a sign to change things up a bit in your plan. Why don't you tell us what you've been doing and we'll see if we can help you tweak things a bit so that you see some more movement in the scale department.
Thank you.
I am also counting calorie's and exercising. I am trying to stick around 1400 calories and I am trying to do cardio for atleast 30 min. a day for 5 or 6 days a week. I am also doing the toning tables at Tan & Tone for about 45 min. 5 days a week during my luch hour. That way if I really don't feel like working out after work then I've atleast I've done something.
Sticking to 1400 calories a day for an entire month really should have produced some kind of weightloss. As should 5 days of exercise. The only thing that stands out to me, since you asked for input, is the word "trying". You wrote it twice, once in talking about your calories and then again with the exercise. Maybe perhaps you are exceeding 1400 calories. Those pesky little calories have a way of sneaking up on us. When I first started this and started tracking my calories I was shocked at what 1 cup of cereal looked like, 4 oz. of chicken breast, 1/2 cup of milk and so on and so on. It was very eye opening indeed. I was underestimating my calories - by alot. May I suggest that you really, really track your calories for a week or so, which means measuring amounts of food and then keeping a diary of it, either in a little notebook or one of the many online caloire counters, such as Fitday.com. Maybe, just maybe you're eating more calories then you think. It's a little tedious at first, but at least you will get an accurate idea of what you're really ingesting.
I also find for me in my experience it not only matters how MANY calories I am eating, but unfortunately it also matters what KIND of calories I'm eating. Again, I'm not sure what KIND of foods you are eating. Perhaps that is stalling your weightloss as well.
Exercise has been vital to my weightloss program as well. Even a brisk walk for 20- 30 minutes most days will help greatly.
Hi Torie!! (One of my old friends has your name too.. cool!) Robin has, as always, given some great advice. I agree wholeheartedly with being honest about calories/serving sizes. I wasn't losing for awhile and one day I decided to measure out my food and be extremely conservative about portion sizes and calorie intake. Turns out I was STARVING when I really ate 1200 calories (which I had "been doing" before), I'd been sneaking in bites of this and that and it really, really added up. Journaling and using fitday has helped me IMMENSELY.
I have lost 7 ¾ inches from different parts of my body. My doctor wonders why I haven’t lost any weight either. I have had my thyroid tested and at the moment it is normal. He says that sometimes you just need to catch it when it is acting up. I am the only woman in my family without a thyroid problem. I just went to fitday and entered in a normal days eating. I came up with 1463 calories. I usually have a protein bar or shake for breakfast. For lunch I have a lean pocket or I bring a salad. My salads consist of lettuce, a lean meat, a few nuts, a fruit, and homemade vinaigrette dressing. Dinner is usually chicken and veggies. I drink tons of water. My cup at work holds 48oz. and I go though at least 2 or 3 a day. I drink more when I am at home. I don’t like sweets and I am limiting my salty snacks.
I had the same problem you're having now....I tried numerous diets with no result in weight loss. Not many people can understand what that is like....to try so very hard and not have the expected result. For some of us, its not as simple as calories in minus calories out. Sometimes, it can be the type of calories. My tests indicate that I am insulin resistant which is often a pre-cursor to diabetes. The nurses in my doctor's office recommended Southbeach. I'm now on Southbeach...and it works for me! Don't give up...you can lose the weight! IMHO, losing inches is a big indicator that you are doing something right!
Welcome to the "serious losers" board! (That's not exclusive to this board, but you can depend on it here, IMHO.)
It's so awful to follow directions to the letter, measure every portion, count every calorie carefully, exercise to the right amount and in the correct heartrate range, live with the hunger, for week after week, and then - nothing. It's worse when every other dieter brags about their infallible success, "whenever they don't cheat", and ask you to be more honest, or more careful, or more patient, because "obviously you've left something out". And for more than 90% of highly obese people, their comments are great advice, so those successful losers can be very persistent, and with the best intentions! If you have been very disciplined, then I can understand and empathize with the heartache that comes from such well-meaning advice. (However, this board does have its share of people in your boat, and we support and make room for each other's differences!)
If you, or any other reader, have been really dedicated and have lost inches but not pounds, chances are huge that you are carbohydrate-sensitive, and simple calorie reduction will NOT work, even with years of patience. There is a medical test for insulin sensitivity, not the same as for diabetes! But while you wait for the appt. you can usually tell for yourself by comparing your reaction to different kinds of meals. The acid test is eating high carbs/no fats vs. the same amount of calories but as low-ish fats/NO carbs. As an example, try boiled potatoes with white bread & jam and a lean protein, and at another time meat (NOT processed) with a large serving of strictly leaf veggies and HOMEMADE oil/vinegar/spice dressing (mushrooms okay too, but no grains, fruit, dairy, or other veggies). Compare your reactions after eating each meal; if you have markedly different levels of sleepiness, concentration, hunger afterwards, steadiness/shakiness, or other signs of blood sugar swings, get tested, and learn about all the low-carb diets out there! You WILL need to learn what foods your body reacts to, and several other simple strategies, in order to achieve any real weight loss.
The good news is, if you are carb-sensitive, lots is now known about it, and you can have great results with minor adjustments! South Beach does work for lots of us, although some of us have to go a little bit farther, usually by learning to live with foods that fall under a lower glycemic index number than what's considered okay by the popular low-carb diets. (But if you are that sensitive, get EXPERT nutritional advice!)
Now I'm only guessing that that might be your problem, if discipline and attention to detail have been good. There are nutritionists, dietitians, and bariatric specialists (metabolic doctors) out there to consult with, who have access to all the cutting-edge research out there, in case you need it. Maybe your answers will be very simple, and just around the corner!
Congratulations on losing those inches - already you're probably healthier, and have better habits! Good luck with future weight loss, and please post often! For sure, I want to know how your weight-loss journey goes!
I have lost 7 ¾ inches from different parts of my body. My doctor wonders why I haven’t lost any weight either. I have had my thyroid tested and at the moment it is normal. He says that sometimes you just need to catch it when it is acting up. I am the only woman in my family without a thyroid problem. I just went to fitday and entered in a normal days eating. I came up with 1463 calories. I usually have a protein bar or shake for breakfast. For lunch I have a lean pocket or I bring a salad. My salads consist of lettuce, a lean meat, a few nuts, a fruit, and homemade vinaigrette dressing. Dinner is usually chicken and veggies. I drink tons of water. My cup at work holds 48oz. and I go though at least 2 or 3 a day. I drink more when I am at home. I don’t like sweets and I am limiting my salty snacks.
Torie, it really sounds to me like you are sticking to a very sensible plan. It must be so incredibly frustrating that you haven't seen a drop in the scale. But, and this is a big one - you've lost almost 8 inches!!!! 8 inches!!!! So SOMETHING positive is happening. I am no expert here, not even close, I can only speak from my own exeperiences, since I'm the only one I've ever had to deal with. But perhaps a nutritionist or a dietician would be able to help you. They are usually equipped to deal with all sorts of people who have their own unique set of circumstances. I know many insurance policies cover this completely and fully. Maybe you want to check with your carrier and see if you would be covered.
There are lots of different plans out there. We all just have to find one that works for us. Trial and error is a time consuming and often frustrating thing, but in the end it will get you the results that you are after. Good luck and please, please hang in there. There's bound to be a plan that works for YOU.
Welcome Torie! You are making wonderful progress. Sometimes you lose weight first, sometimes you lose inches first. Just stick with it and I know you will see results!
New to the site
Hi Torie!! (One of my old friends has your name too.. cool!) Robin has, as always, given some great advice. I agree wholeheartedly with being honest about calories/serving sizes. I wasn't losing for awhile and one day I decided to measure out my food and be extremely conservative about portion sizes and calorie intake. Turns out I was STARVING when I really ate 1200 calories (which I had "been doing" before), I'd been sneaking in bites of this and that and it really, really added up. Journaling and using fitday has helped me IMMENSELY. 
You've gotten some great advice--this is a wonderfully supportive place to be.
You will most likely find this to be the best place you have ever come to for weight loss support and advice. Glad to have you join us!
