How do you all stay patient during this process? I'm finding it increasingly difficult to stay patient with weight loss. I've already lost over 50 lbs (from 210-160ish), but in pictures, I feel like I haven't lost at all. It is painfully depressing to feel like you look one way, then have that reality shattered as it was today. I have been EXTREMELY good the past 4 weeks (working out, eating 12-1300 calories of good food and low carb), and all I keep thinking is "why am I not wasting away yet!?". I'm still very chubby, when others looks great at my weight, and it's really taking the wind out of my sails.
It's a shame you feel that way. You have lost a lot, you should try to give yourself credit for that!!! I wish I had some advice specifically, but it sounds like your head hasn't caught up with your body yet. Chances are that you aren't accurately seeing yourself exactly the way you are, even in pictures.
The way I hang on with the patience is by setting lots of mini goals, and non scale goals as to give me something to focus on besides the big picture. This time around I have been working really hard on not being negative to myself. I've found that trying to build myself up has helped a lot!
Stunzorz, I bet you look fabulous! Consider taking a look at yourself thru a before picture and one taken now, to remind yourself how far you've come. Then you'll see the difference! 50 lbs is awesome! Don't give up!!
Thank you guys. There is NO way I am giving up on this, I will reach 145 if it kills me! (Okay, not really...but I'm NOT giving up!) I know I look MUCH better, but still not "good" and it's just bumming me out how much more I have to go (especially since I am short at 5'1"). I will hang in there, though. One day at a time.
Do you have any before and after photos you can compare side-by-side? I know that my mind hasn't caught up quite yet and everytime I look in the mirror, I expect to see myself far heavier than I am.
Also, if you have measurements taken at the start, compare those! With 50lbs lost, you'll have obviously lost quite a lot of inches!
This is a little bit draconian, but try cropping your head off any pictures. Minds sometimes play really nasty tricks with perception, and you might find that after you disengage the "you" from it, the differences will become radically clearer.
You and I have similar starting and goal weights and it took me about 14 months to get to goal. At first it seemed like a long time, but when I think about how long I was overweight for, it actually isn't any time at all that it took me to get thin.
You have done an amazing job. 50lb is HUGE! Be proud of that!
The last 10 or so lb are the hardest to lose. But don't give up. Keep going!
i think what others have said about the way WE see ourselves is so true--its hard to wrap our heads around such a big difference--not just looking at pix that show weight change but to mentally KNOW that the weight is gone and you DO look different-better!!
I think that it depends on where we lose and what body parts we tend to notice. Like, for instance, my extraneous body parts (chest, upper shoulders etc) lose faster than my lower stomach and thighs, so going down clothing sizes is slow for me and in clothes, I don't look much different. I am sure that you look different, and to many people you look great-its just too bad we can't pick and choose what body parts lose the fastest!
I have found that the muscles I build through weight lifting in my arms and legs are more noticeable to me than the pounds I've lost. Like someone else suggested, maybe start lifting weights now.
How do you all stay patient during this process? I'm finding it increasingly difficult to stay patient with weight loss. I've already lost over 50 lbs (from 210-160ish), but in pictures, I feel like I haven't lost at all. It is painfully depressing to feel like you look one way, then have that reality shattered as it was today. I have been EXTREMELY good the past 4 weeks (working out, eating 12-1300 calories of good food and low carb), and all I keep thinking is "why am I not wasting away yet!?". I'm still very chubby, when others looks great at my weight, and it's really taking the wind out of my sails.
oh my God i feel ike i just read a story about me. im in the same boat with you! i started at 255 and am now at 200. I have been between 200-202 since the end of January. and i feel horrible most days. I feel like Im just not willing to do this anymore. but im not willing to give up either. I do good 4 3-5days then i screw up for 2-3days and im just like so down. i feel like i havent lost anything. but ive lost 55lbs. i feel so down on myself. i also feel like i cant eat anything and im hungry all the time. but im at 1480 cals and eat pretty healthy so eat alot. i just dont know what to do. and i dont know how to motivate myself. ive kind of said screw the gym the last few weeks to.
Stunzorz how I wish I could lose that many pounds. I applaud you for all your accomplishments and I really wish I could do half of what you already lost...Keep it up...
I understand. I have lost 40. Sometimes I see the difference and sometimes I don't.
Congrats on your weight loss. Such an accomplishment. Try to savor your progress, even though you are not at goal yet. It can be challenging. One thing that could help is tighter clothes. Have you started to buy any new inexpensive pieces? I find it helps plus using belts to accentuate my waist, showing a little cleavage or whatever makes me feel sexy and accomplished.
Patience...
It's a shame you feel that way. You have lost a lot, you should try to give yourself credit for that!!! I wish I had some advice specifically, but it sounds like your head hasn't caught up with your body yet. Chances are that you aren't accurately seeing yourself exactly the way you are, even in pictures.
