AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!

I'm 33. 286 pounds. 5'2". I started my weight loss adventure on June 29, 16 days ago. Amount of weight lost: ZERO!

I complained about this on here a few days ago and was told to just hang in there. Well, I'm definitely hanging in there, counting all of my calories, keeping up my exercise, and there is nothing happening. At this point, I'd really like to see slightly less of me hanging in there.

I don't know what it is, but this is so much harder than it used to be. When I tried this in my 20s, the weight literally fell off once I went on a low calorie diet and started running every day. Now I feel like nothing is working and that I'm married to it for good.

I keep telling myself to look on the bright side: I have more energy, I feel better about myself, my asthma is completely under control, and there is no way that all of this healthy eating and daily exercise isn't doing SOME sort of good. I'd just like to start seeing something on the scale.

At what point should I go in for some professional help? Should I give it a month?

I would give it a month. I wasn't really one of those people who had fantastic results in the beginning - I'm admittedly jealous of people who drop 5-12 pounds or something like that their first week/month!

How often are you weighing? The nutritionist I saw said definitely only weigh once per week. Not that I listen, but it's a good piece of advice Also, if you majorly changed your eating and exercise habits, your body might need some time to adjust and start letting go of the fat. And not that it's fun, but I tend to lose weight strangely I think. I'll go 2 - 4 weeks losing 0.1, 0.2, 0, little tiny numbers on my scale, then all of the sudden I'll have a whoosh.

Like I said, I would give it a month before going into the dr. But if you suspect you have insulin resistance or something of that sort that can make weight loss more difficult, go now!

I plateau every 10 pounds. And I've found it's harder to lose the older I get, so you should hang in there...I'd give it about a month...if you haven't lost anything and have been faithfully counting and exercising, you may have other issues...insulin resistance, thyroid, etc. that may need a doctor's care.

Also, remember that the changes you're making are for you health as well as your weight, so you are doing so much good for your body...keep it up!

It would help us to know how many calories you are consuming and what kinds of exercises you are performing.

According to this calculator, you can consume 2200 calories / day if you exercise for 30min 3 times per week:
http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm

Cool calculator!

junco--have you had your thyroid checked? I discovered I was hypothyroid when I was on a weight loss plan that I was following 100%, but couldn't drop any weight. Just a thought...

Cheers,

J

Thanks for your support, everyone. This stinks!!!

I used to be one of those people who would drop TWENTY POUNDS during the first month!! Low calorie+running would constitute major, major weight loss for me. Now, not so much.

I had it checked just last month as part of preparing for this process. All is just fine. I DO have a cyst on my ovary and I am currently getting through the diagnosis/treatment plan. My ovary might have to be removed.

I am weighing every day (I can't help it!), but I write it all down so I can track changes. According to my chart, I've gained a pound. And no, I'm not close to my period.

A cyst on your ovary makes me think of PCOS. If you have that, then you are definitely insulin resistant.

In my 20's I was also able to lose weight by restricting calories and exercising. After taking a break from birth control pills, I learned that part of the reason I was on them was to mask the symptoms of PCOS. Now in my 30's I have to cut carbs to lose the weight. There's a PCOS board here under Dieting With Obstacles that you may want to check out.

Guess when I started tracking calories and exercising? End of March 2010.
Guess when I started actually finally noticing that I had lost weight? July 2010.

Yes, people said they could tell I lost. And I guess I could see a TINY bit of progress, maybe like a few pounds.

But I'm not kidding - it took four months before I could finally agree with everyone and see any weight loss. And even now, I feel I'm nowhere near where I want to be.

My point? Sometimes these things take time. And you may think they're not working. But in the end, if you are doing everything you should, it does work. Maybe just not in the time period you want or expect it to.

I also agree with the above posters - write down everything you eat, track your calories.

~BreathingSpace~

I suffer from this and endometriosis. I eat a LOT more protein and no simple carbs. I work out 5 days a week for an hour and stick to my calories. I am fortunate if I loose 1lb a week. I plateau every 10lbs or so for a month or so...

STAY AT IT!! Trust the process, it does finally work.

I was just going to suggest posting a few day's worth. My guess is that you may not be eating enough protein and are eating too many carbs and/or processed foods.

Although it looks like I'm just starting, I was close to goal and didn't maintain.

I would lean towards Athenacapella - I was trying to lose before and just kept packing on the pounds. I switched to a higher protein/lower fat and eliminated the processed foods and have started the scale moving again. Good luck to you!

I just got on the scale, and FIVE POUNDS have magically disappeared!

I made some changes, based on everyone's advice. See below. Plus, I changed my exercise. Instead of run/walk intervals both morning and evening, I now just do a leisurely walk (3 miles) in the mornings and then run/walk intervals (2 miles) in the evening. MUCH less stress on my body.

I think this is actually going to work!!!!

Yes, I have PCOS and am learning more about how it is impacting me. I'm on low-dose birth control to shrink the cyst on my left ovary and am also undergoing weekly acupuncture. I am being extremely careful about carbs such as breads.

Yup. I'm writing everything down and there are really no surprises. But I did curb my carbs a bit based on my food diary.

Yes, I absolutely think this was part of the problem!! I cut out processed foods weeks ago but I was definitely protein-deficient. I have cut out green smoothies and instead eat an egg scrambled with a cup of veggies for breakfast and a bean-based salad for lunch. It was absolutely what I needed.



THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR HELP!!!!!

Awesome!

So glad you are having some results...sounds like you're really working hard!