Should be making Progress.... - 3 Fat Chicks on a Diet Weight Loss Community

Angela0806 · 05-30-2007, 09:27 PM

Ok I hate to complain on my 2nd topic but man, I am eating very healthy and walking my tail off and I am not seeing what I think I should be seeing. As big as I am shouldn't such a drastic diet change alone be making the pounds come off? I was eating SOOOO awful before, I mean fast foods a couple times a day, pizza,sodas...you name it I ate it DAILY. Now I have low calorie, small portions, 3 meals a day and 1-2 light (fruit) snacks. I am walking anywhere from 2.5-3 miles a day. No it is not a ton of exercise but my body isn't used to this yet, lol. I keep hearing "well, you walking now, so the muscles are building in your legs, this could take up the weight right now" Is this what could be causing the scale to not move for almost a week now? I am trying sooo hard and it is frustrating not seeing a number difference. UGH

Heather · 05-30-2007, 09:49 PM

Angela --

Weight loss is complicated in some ways -- let's dissect it.

First, it's normal not to see changes regularly. How long has it been? A week? Remember that the scale weighs ALL of you: bone, skin, muscle, fat, hair AND water. You could have lost a pound of fat but be retaining a pound of water and you will not know. So, you need patience, because the scale will not always be your friend...

Second, I don't think 2.5 - 3 miles is a "little" walking -- that's excellent! You know, you should take a look at our June exercise thread -- we track the number of minutes we exercise each month and as a group are trying to reach 200,000 minutes for the year -- we could use your minutes and it would help keep you accountable!

But I got off topic there, didn't I? First, building muscle takes a while and I don't know how long you've been walking. However, walking is not necessarily going to build muscle as quickly as weight training would. I doubt it's playing much of a role.

Finally, are you tracking calories? Are you sure you're writing down everything you eat AND drink when you consider your calculations?? It can make a big difference if you take a day "off" or forget to include your daily mochachino...

You're doing great. Remember this is a MARATHON, not a sprint. Keep doing what you're doing, and try to be patient... tough as that is!

Angela0806 · 05-30-2007, 10:37 PM

Yeah, I think I am just expecting it to fall off fast, which I really don't want. I jumped the gun complaining I suppose lol. It is easy to get frustrated in the beginning I think.
I think my impatience comes from I weighed 288 lbs 6 yrs ago and lost 58 lbs without even trying in like 3 months! So, now that I am trying I am just annoyed I think. I am not giving up by no means.
No, I am not to good on the calorie counting yet. I only drink water right now to give my taste buds a shock. I do count calories on things that it is easier for me to count them with. I bought a food scale tonight to help me now! So thats an even better start. I have been mainly eating Chicken Breast, salads, with no cheese and the spray dressing. Smart start cereal and things like that. Yes I eat apples and pears as snacks and other foods. But, I will get the hang of this stuff before long. I just needed to vent I suppose! THANK U FOR YOUR RESPONSE!!

Heather · 05-30-2007, 11:12 PM

Angela -- Oh goodness, if you can't vent here, where can you???

You will get the hang of it, and this is a great place to come and ask questions and also poke around and learn a lot!

luja · 05-31-2007, 08:42 PM

You are doing great - just keep plugging away. It'll come off. If you haven't done it yet, take measurements and keep track of those along the way. It can be encouraging for those times when the scale doesn't budge or swings up and down (which it does) because you can see progress!!!

Vortex_VVV · 05-31-2007, 09:07 PM

Yes, Angela, you're doing great--hang in there!

I would just add that before my period each month I retain between 2 and 5 pounds of water, which come off as soon as TOM goes away. So if I happened to lose a pound, I definitely wouldn't know it right away.

Torister · 06-01-2007, 09:54 AM

Its OK to be frustrated when you are doing everything RIGHT. I highly recommend taking measurements! I do. I measure once a month and track it along with my weekly weight on an Excel spreadsheet. Its nice to see the inches and pounds coming off.

I also recommend using one of the online food diaries. They really have helped me. You want to make sure that you are getting enough to eat...seriously! If you don't, that can hinder your weight loss as well.

Hang in there!!

NotTheCheat · 06-01-2007, 10:02 AM

Just chiming in to say not to worry too much about it. The body can be WERID. You might not lose anything for one week and then - whoosh - 5 pounds the next. Water retention both because of TOM and sodium intake can play a big role.

Torister · 06-01-2007, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotTheCheat

Just chiming in to say not to worry too much about it. The body can be WERID. You might not lose anything for one week and then - whoosh - 5 pounds the next. Water retention both because of TOM and sodium intake can play a big role.

ABSOLUTELY!!!

I also find in the hot weather I retain water as well...as if TOM wasn't bad enough..yikes!