Hi All,
I have stumbled onto this site with the hopes of finding the support, motivation, and hopefully new ideas that will help me through this journey. I have been lurking for a couple of weeks and have seen that there is a lot of support, and interaction which I think I need.
I have been doing South Beach for about almost 3 months now seriously and for those efforts have lost 15 pounds. And I have gone down a dress size. So I should be excited, and proud of my efforts right? For the last couple of weeks, I find that I have been sabotaging my efforts, bringing back a sweet/or a starch that I know doesn't sit well with my body, and I think it started when I joined this weightloss challenge. There I walked into the place thinking that their scale would read similar to mine, well that wasn't the case. It read close to the old number, which has put me in somewhat a spiral of doubt that maybe my scale is incorrect.
I am questioning whether I should quit going to this weigh in thing because it isn't helping me.. if anything it is giving me a complex.
I am trying to be happy of the advances I am making. The scale isn't moving and I have atleast 100 pounds to get rid of.
I guess I am rambling but I am desperate for help, insight, encouragement..whatever.
Thanks for listening
Cari
Cari, Welcome!! This IS a very supportive place -- please feel free to jump into our weekly threads!
You've lost 15 pounds and that's great! You can't compare scales -- my scale at the gym and doctor's office weigh more than my home scale. I just stick with ONE to follow my progress!!
Why do you think you're sabotaging yourself, any ideas?
I believe that when I start seeing improvement, then I get out of the my safety net of where I have been for so long- heavy and unhealthy. I think I just set myself up to fail because that is what has happened in the past.
I'm with Heather, use one set of scales. You're down 15 pounds from your own scale, so use that. And yes, be proud of your efforts. If you're going to stick with South Beach, consider going back to the initial diet format for a couple of weeks (not sure if they call it induction). It may help you get back to the basics with it. However, it's a good time to decide if South Beach is what you want to do for the rest of your weight loss. From what I remember of it, the basic ideals are actually a pretty good way to live your life. For me, it just didn't work so well. I prefer straight calorie counting (with a minimum protein level) as it lets me work something in if I really want it, and I don't have to feel guilty that it's not 'on plan'.
Hi Cari. I understand what you're going through. Sometimes i feel as if I am sabotaging myself and I can't explain why. First, as others have stated, stick to one scale. I've been weighed on three different scales and they all came out differently but if you stick to the same one all the time, it will be the most accurate.
You've lost 15 pounds so far. That is a great start and a great accomplishment. Build from that and perhaps try to figure out a way to battle that part of you that wants to give up.
I know - easier said than done. I've been there myself. But I read these posts and see how well others have done, and how supportive everyone is and it inspires me. I hope it'll inspire you too.
Dani
Last edited by Dani052566; 05-17-2009 at 05:58 PM.
Well done on losing 15lb As everyone else has said stick with the same set of scales. I've sabotaged my own weight loss attempts so many times because I've used a different set of scales or felt the scales haven't been going down enough - if I'd just stuck with it I'd of probably been slim by now even if I had of lost very very slowly. Just go off one pair of scales - you've still lost 15lb whatever different scales say. Stick with it - it is worth it and you can do it. I still have about 100lb to go too and it does feel like a very very long way to go but we can do it
I'm with Heather, use one set of scales. You're down 15 pounds from your own scale, so use that. And yes, be proud of your efforts.
I found this interesting as when I started to lose weight, I had this crappy scale. It showed a weight loss of around 30 pounds, now I weighed above 340, but I wasn't sure what the exact number was at the time. So, my scale would show me lower than what I really was. It would blink at me that I was below 300 at the time and I would get excited. I started to get suspicious of my scale and got a new one. It said i was a lot higher, BUT one thing that my boyfriend said was "it doesn't matter what it says, you still lost 30 pounds and a few dress sizes" and he was right. The numbers were just off, but the weight loss was still there.
I'll always remember that and so I adjusted to my new scale and never looked back. I use one scale and stick with it and I actually ban myself from weighing when I know I'm obsessive about it. Right now I am, so BANNED lol.
Welcome to the group! Everyone here is a big support. So jump onto our weekly thread and join us. I USE to be one of those ALL or nothing people. I would look at something like weightloss and think OMG I have to loose 177 lbs..I will never get this done. NOW i don't do that. I have lost 29 lbs since Christmas,,with little effort. THAT is a great accomplishiment! You loosing 15 pounds is awesome! If I only have one sodapop that day instead of 3 ..accomplishment. If I park my car 20 spaces out and walk into the store without passing out..accomplishment! Try setting smaller goals... if sweets are your problem..try one day with out one..then if ya have one the next..its ok. For me, I can't eliminate sugars and pop...then i want it even more. So instead I have done the I will ahve in moderation. Sometimes it works well other times not.
Loosing weight is physical, but I swear it is more mental!! I know it is something I will struggle with my whole life, even if I reach my goal.
I also don't weight myself like I use too. I have noticed even though I have lost weight..I can feel it more. One thing I really want to do is take my measurements. You might try that instead of the scale. The scale can be evil.lol Although I have lost 29 lbs, everyone I am around all the time can't tell. BUT hubby can when he puts his arms around me. He says I can tell you have lost weight.
So take the time...enjoy the journey...and love yourself.
I STILL work against myself sometimes (I don't use the word sabotage anymore). In the past, I was always convinced that this was proof that I couldn't succeed - that wasn't the truth, but it's what I thought was the truth. I was wrong (or rather, I allowed it to become truth, because I didn't know it didn't have to be). It wasn't the goofs that kept me from losing weight, it was deciding that those goofs meant something sinister.
Weight loss can be difficult, just like a lot of difficult things we eventually master in life. When I was a kid, and learning to play the organ, sometimes I didn't want to practice, and sometimes I chose not to, and sort of like weight loss, it was often after my music teacher praised me the most, that I'd go through a bit of not wanting to practice - maybe a little arrogantly thinking I was so good, I didn't have to - I'm not really sure, but what I do know is that it didn't mean I would never learn to play, it meant that I was choosing the short-term easy way over long term rewards. That's human nature, but it can be overcome, and when it happens it doesn't "mean" that success is impossible.
I chose as my mantra this time, "I don't have to be perfect, I just have to be better." Mistakes do happen, it's how you react to them that counts in the end. Are you able to recognize it as a mistake, and move on quickly back into healthier habits? Practicing getting back on track quickly, is a skill that helps a lot. That, and telling yourself when you're being irrational - saying to yourself, what you would tell your best friend in your situation. Would you shout, "you're never going to lose weight, you big fat loser," or would you tell her it would be ok, and that you KNEW she could do this?
Learning not to be my own worst enemy has been the hardest part of this journey, and I realized it isn't because I hate myself or don't want to be thinner (which I was taught to believe "must" be the reason"), it's because behaviors once they become habits, are difficult to break. It is partially that the unknown is frequently a bit scary, but I think the bigger issue is just "autopilot." When you're not being vigilant, you act on autopilot, returning to the familiar, not for any dark, psychological reason generally, but just because the familiar is your autopilot. Have you ever been driving and found that you stopped thinking about where you were going and found yourself taking a wrong turn because it was a familiiar route, maybe driving rowards work on a Saturday, or driving towards your "old" house instead of your new one? I'm not sure that returning to old food habits is any more sinister as that (so long as you catch yourself and make a course correction, quickly).
Being "ok" with mistakes has really helped me alot. It's not that I am happy that I'm making mistakes, but I am able to make the course corrections much more quickly than ever before (and quicker each time. I'm also getting better at avoiding having to make course corrections in the first place).
Sometimes a mistake overshadows progress. Don't be so focused on a mistake that you can't see your successes.
Thank you all to those who responded. I took your advice to heart and stopped getting tripped up by the other scale incidents because it was truly screwing up my psyche about what I had already accomplished.
I am forever a work in progress, and have found that I need more accountability in my eating so I am going back to keeping a food journal. It keeps me honest, shows me what I am doing correct and what needs work, and also it is a visual aid to show me the path of accomplishment.
Thanks for asking.. I am feeling okay but this week has been a doozy with appointments for my daughter to try to get a handle on what is going on at school. Needless to say, emotional eating sucks. I have been trying to keep myself from not undoing all I have accomplished so far but am realizing I really need to focus on writing everything down to keep me above water. I am hoping to work up the nerve to go to a water aerobics class on Monday.
Welcome the the club. It's a wonderful supportive and friendly place to be. Regardless of the scales, you have lost a very good amount of weight. You're fitting into smaller clothes and I'm sure you are feeling fitter.
I don't know the diet you are referring to. I use plain old fashioned calories - they're on the back of every packet, bottle or tin. That makes it a lot easier.
Fresh fruit and veg are a key aspect for weight loss, I think, but be mindful of portions. A calorie counter and a good set of kitchen scales are must haves for success.
Anyway, I hope you are feeling a bit better in yourself. You have achieved - be happy. Sometimes your body will go out of whack - fluid retention and the like. May be lessen the amount of weigh ins but stay on the right track.
When you feel like doing your efforts a damage - look at the money involved. A chocolate bar might be $2.00 but the damage might mean an hour's walk. Maybe put the $2.00 in a jar and save for a goal. 10lb or two months of hard work = a cd or a ticket to the movies or something. Reward yourself for being good. Bribery works with kids, it can also work on our selves.
Remember, motivation will get you there and as you get closer, you will feel so much better - both mentally and physically.
Overwhelmed and losing motivation
For the last couple of weeks, I find that I have been sabotaging my efforts, bringing back a sweet/or a starch that I know doesn't sit well with my body, and I think it started when I joined this weightloss challenge. There I walked into the place thinking that their scale would read similar to mine, well that wasn't the case. It read close to the old number, which has put me in somewhat a spiral of doubt that maybe my scale is incorrect. 
and
I use one scale and stick with it and I actually ban myself from weighing when I know I'm obsessive about it. Right now I am, so BANNED lol.
