I started my weight loss journey with passion and enthusiasm, but lately I haven't lost any more weight and my previous zest for weight loss has somehow vanished.
I've already developed healthy habits. I practice portion control and I eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. I slip up every now and then, but I never claimed to be the perfect weight loss example. I stay far away from things like ice cream, donuts, chips, and fried things. I only eat white rice, white potatoes, white pasta, and white bread sparingly. I exercise frequently (if I go one single day without it, I freak out!). I've turned down yummy free food, let people raise their eyebrows at me for not getting seconds at food-centric gatherings, and have even genuinely lost my appetite for most of the junk I used to love.
I'm at a healthy weight and I'm constantly getting complimented on how great I look. People around me are now telling me that I really don't need to lose any more weight. I'm honestly somewhat comfortable at my current size, but I'm not satisfied.
You get the picture.
I just don't know what to do next. I'm definitely not happy with myself, just content. Losing weight after this just seems to be SO HARD, because my body LOVES being in the 138-140 zone. I once had the eye of the tiger, but now I just feel like I'm TIRED! I ALREADY eat healthily! I ALREADY work out like a fiend! I KNOW I need to create a deficit, logically, but: A) I already have one! and B) I do NOT feel like BEING HUNGRY! Being HUNGRY was EASIER when I was FAT, because I knew I had to make sacrifices to get the body I wanted. I guess I'm sick of sacrifices. I wish the rest of this stupid weight would just COME OFF NOW.
I'm sorry... I just wanted to get my frustration off my chest to a group of people who all understand. I hope that's alright.
Aww I'm sorry you're feeling so frustrated. I definitely look to you as an inspiration though since we're about the same age. I definitely understand being hungry right now. My body isn't used to me only doing 1500 calories right now so I'm going through what you're saying you went through. I can't yet say I understand about not wanting to do that again though. I'll probably feel the same way though when I get stuck. One suggestion though.. what type of exercising do you do? Do you mix it up? That might help. Me I have to mix it up otherwise I get bored.
Well, you look pretty darned terrific! You have worked hard and managed to be patient long enough to get this far, so I think you will make it to your desired goal. I know you already know that you either have to become "happy" at the weight your are now, or loose some more, and you already know how to do that, too.
All that aside, I feel your frustration - I know it sucks, but you'll be fine!
This may not be what you want to hear but I'm going to say it anyway . . . a long, loooooong time ago, when I was your age (and dinosaurs still roamed the earth) my body was content to weigh 125 but I always wanted it to weigh 110. I looked pretty good, I was pretty health at 125; but I wasn't satisfied. I was always making myself (and everybody around me) miserable because I was always trying to get those 15 pound off. Guess my point is that 'everything is relative'. Boy oh boy, that 125 was a magnificent place to be when I look back at it at it now.
Just try to be happy. Keep on keeping on with a maintenance regimen and one day you just might find out that you either magically just lose the rest of the weight or, equally magically, you are suddenly quite satisfied to be at 138.
Whichever way it works out . . . you will be the best you there is in this world.
I know how you feel Shane...I feel like that too, that's why I'm taking a break. I'm going to maintain at my current weight for a while and see if I get my motivation back. I am so close to my pre-pregnancy figure, but I too am tired of sacrificing when I'm so close to goal. I'm just going to take a break, still eat healthy, still workout, but I'm not going to EXPECT a weight loss.
Yes. It's hard. And it just wears a person down. You've been losing for awhile now.
This is the reason I took a break from weight loss this summer. I knew I'd be moving, and I knew my body and mind were tired, just really tired, of the effort.
That said, after 3 months' break and maintaining my weight right where I left off, I'm back on the losing track again.
Maybe you should take a break for awhile--do maintenance at 138--learn how to keep your weight steady when you eat more... And then go at it again! You've got, what, 3 more pounds to go? That shouldn't take too long once you get back to it. A month, most likely.
I also echo - focus on maintenance for awhile and pick a non weight related goal. Run farther, run faster, lift more , try new sport. something fitness related. Let the weight goal be secondary and focus on something else.
SHANE ~ I certainly understand your frustration; cuz I hit a long plateau after losing 70+ lbs last year. I think my body chose to rest for a while, cuz that's a lot of weight to lose; but now I am starting to go down again, albeit ever so slowly ...
Your pics look the same, except that I did notice that you look more muscular now than you did before. Is it possible that you weigh more becuz of your new muscle mass? I agree that you should try maintaining for a short period, then go at it again, changing things up a bit, like suggested; and maybe those last few pounds will come off.
Someone mentioned that sodium (salt) might cause some water weight, which in turn may result in plateaus; I do have a problem with that. Your plan sounds great and I know that you ride your bike all over (again, you must have pretty muscular legs from that). You may have to accept that your new muscular physique weighs a few pounds heavier.
Many moons ago, when I was your weight; I belonged to a gym and I gained 10 lbs over the year in muscle mass even though I was much slimmer than when I started (129 up to 139), which I maintained for over three years. But after an insult or two, I went down to 128 and felt like I was starving and fell back into binging, putting back on a lot of weight (and the roller coaster started all over again).
I just want you to be careful; going too low could cause your body/brain to panic; I think maintenance might help offset this. I think ENNAY's ideas might help too. These are just my thoughts; and I may well be all wet, but do I agree ~ just keep on, keep'in on ... ROSEBUD
Last edited by Justwant2Bhealthy; 10-31-2007 at 08:45 PM.
Aww Shane, I'm sorry to hear you've hit a rough patch.
But gosh, you have done an amazing job and your hard work HAS already paid off - big time. You're health is no doubt GREATLY improved. You're look pretty darn wonderful and you must be feeling loads better. Don't forget that. But yeah, it CAN get to be a grind some times, can't it? I hear ya all right. Loud and clear.
I'd have to agree with Jay and ennay. Maybe it's time to switch to maintenance mode for a bit. Keep on eating those healthy foods and resisting the other stuff like you've been, keep on exercising, but actually be happy to just maintain. You're certainly at a healthy weight. There's nothing wrong with STAYING there for a while. Nothing at all. If you feel that in a few months time you want to go all out again and try to lose, well then fine. In the meantime, why not enjoy your new body? Chill a bit.
Shane~ I feel for you, it's hard when one loses their motivation,all I can say is you look great and you along with many other have inspired me so much in the short time I've been on 3fc. We talked about plateaus this week at ww and one woman went 16 weeks with just up and down a pound, but if you know your doing everything right it will catch up sooner or later. Hang in there and remember how far you have come, good luck
First, your weight is fine. You're 5'6/5'7 and you weight 138? That's absolutely in the thin range. If you're wanting to look anorexic, there are places you can go to learn the ropes, but do you want to look like a human stick insect? If you do, then perhaps you should look into hiring a personal trainer. They'll get you to up your protein, reduce your carbs, and have your body doing things you never wanted to do. My office mate is using one and getting results she never got on her own or in group classes.
I took several breaks while losing. I've kinda been on a long break since getting back close to my goal after my son was born...and he's 2 now. LOL I'm happy to just maintain for awhile. I believe I also stopped around 170 or 175 for awhile and just maintained a bit. I just waited for the enthusiam to hit again. It does, eventually. Just give it time and keep maintaining.
...lose these last three pounds, then go into maintenance mode. I'm not going to worry about my "ultimate goal" - if I get there, I get there, and if I don't... well, it's just a number, anyway! As Justwant2BHealthy pointed out, I may weigh more now than I did in my "thin" days simply because I have more muscle mass.
Strangely enough, I wear near the same pants size right now as I did at 125, but I looked so much tinier because I didn't have the muscle mass that I currently have. I'm solid, sturdy, and built now - before, I was just thin. I didn't really work out back then, outside of pilates and walking everywhere.
I have a big non-scale-related goal, Ennay: abs. As long as I have those, it doesn't matter what I weigh!
blondebritbrat17 - you are right, I could switch up the exercise a little more. Four days out of the week, I work 10 hours, so I'm pretty much exhausted by the time I get home from work. Because of this, I ride my bike to work (a little over 9 miles each way, so 18.something total) and then go for a 15-30 minute jog every day during break. I run 3-5 miles 3 times a week (as well as jogging in place at home while watching TV and stuff) and do the stadium stairs on the weekends. I do a little weight training every day. But that's it. My exercise routine revolves mostly around biking and running and I think my body is used to it. I know I should go to the gym more often; I'm just lazy I guess. Do you have any fun suggestions?
gailr42 - yup, you are right. you know, you've come quite a ways yourself. I saw you posted about no one noticing your loss, but 182 vs. 147 is a HUGE difference and I'm sure you've shrunk nicely
meowee - "Mahvellous Darlink"? Awww thank you you know, your younger self and I are in the same boat, then, considering I want to get rid of almost 15 pounds myself and my body just doesn't seem to be too pleased about it! You know what's even CRAZIER, though? When I DID weigh 125, I STILL thought I could stand to lose a few pounds! I wanted to weigh 110-115, but I didn't feel *too* pressed about getting there because everyone constantly told me how "slim and perfect" I was.
Jay - "I knew my body and mind were tired, just really tired, of the effort. " -- this sums it up perfectly! I'm now making an attempt to cut myself some slack. I've always been like a drill sergeant when it comes to my own progress.
smilely771 - I'm glad I can be an inspiration. That means a lot. And you are right... any extra weight I have will eventually come off if I keep doing the things I'm doing. I should just sit back and watch it happen.
AutumnBorn - hey, I hate liver, too! I'm not going for the anorexic stick insect look, honestly... just fit, healthy, and very lean. I'm actually taking classes now to get certified as a personal trainer and nutritional consultant and feel that my body must be in optimal condition for me to be successful at this.
almostheaven - good to know that the enthusiasm DOES, indeed, strike again, if I plan to lose any more weight after these three pounds. I find knowing this to be inspirational, even if I don't decide to lose 10 more aftr 135.
i8diets - you've made a lot of progress just in the 16 pounds you've lost and you look wonderful. I think you look like you've already met goal
I'm having the same problem right now, I used to be so incredibly diligent and did not go off plan a single time in nearly 8 months. Right now I'm certainly not happy with where I am, but it's so much better than where I was that I've developed some complacency, and it's causing me to struggle. I still eat healthy and exercise the majority of the time, but I keep giving myself treat meals (last month, a treat week...) and obviously this isn't helping me get to goal.
I have found that focusing on non-scale related goals each day has helped me stay on plan a bit better (i.e. amount of exercise/water, make a healthy choice whenever possible, etc.).
I think you look fantastic at 138, but good luck in finding a place with your weight where you'll be comfortable and healthy (and not a stick insect ).
Losing motivation
And then go at it again! You've got, what, 3 more pounds to go? That shouldn't take too long once you get back to it. A month, most likely.
ROSEBUD 
you know, your younger self and I are in the same boat, then, considering I want to get rid of almost 15 pounds myself and my body just doesn't seem to be too pleased about it! You know what's even CRAZIER, though? When I DID weigh 125, I STILL thought I could stand to lose a few pounds! I wanted to weigh 110-115, but I didn't feel *too* pressed about getting there because everyone constantly told me how "slim and perfect" I was. 
hey, I hate liver, too! I'm not going for the anorexic stick insect look, honestly... just fit, healthy, and very lean. I'm actually taking classes now to get certified as a personal trainer and nutritional consultant and feel that my body must be in optimal condition for me to be successful at this. 
