Okay, Just a general how long had you been trying to lose weight before you saw results question. I know I haven't been at it very long, so I'm trying not to get discouraged and sabotage myself, but I remember the last time I lost weight I saw results fairly quickly.
I've been portioning my food, I can't give an exact calorie count b/c when I journal it backfires on me very badly (and actually led to a 25 lb gain for me!) but I estimate that my calories are max between 1700-1800 a day, and usually lower, with the most calories being at breakfast.
I go to the gym daily and do 45 minutes of moderate to intense cardio and get about 30-40 minutes of walking in despite that at a moderate pace.
I'm starting to wonder if I'll see results at all unless I reign in my calories more.
Journaling just led me to spiral downward at the slightest infraction to my diet-I tried it for over a year and I became resentful and actually ended up sabotaging myself-it just does not work for me at all. I lose weight better when I do not journal my calories. I lost 150+ lbs previously without journaling my exact calorie intake, I'm doing what I was doing before, but not seing results as quickly. It may be that I'm lighter now than when I was before, so it was a more dramatic change previously.
Last edited by owlmonkey; 09-24-2008 at 09:53 AM.
Reason: add new info
Good question--what does seem to be the problem with that?
Unless you know exactly how much you're eating by some measure, there's no way to know how to adjust what you're doing. Most people see results within a week or two. Obviously, if you aren't losing weight, then what you're doing is not working.
I do suggest that you write down everything you eat daily--and if you don't do well by seeing the calorie counts, then wait until the end of the day or the next morning to add them all up and total them.
To answer the original question, I personally did not notice a difference for several months, although friends told me it was obvious I was losing weight.
It wasn't until a friend forced me to go to the store to buy new clothes and I put on a size 16 (from a 22/24) that I realized and "saw" my weight loss.
I noticed results the first night I started my diet. I did not wake in the middle of the night with acid reflux. In only a few days later my puffy feet looked much smaller. I must have been packing 10 pounds of fluid around my ankles from all the carbohydrates and sodium I consumed. For weeks I stared in wonder at my ankles, which I had not seen in a few years. That alone kept me motivated.
Also, someone has a quote on their siggy that I really like...it says something like this: "If you keep doing what you always did, you will keep getting what you always got".
I noticed about 3 weeks in that things were a-changing. Gosh, I'm sorry journalling doesn't work for you, it is the only thing that DOES work for me. I'm an avid food tracker and calorie counter.
I did not wake in the middle of the night with acid reflux.
Oh my gosh. I'm surprised I didn't get a letter from Rolaids asking why I wasn't buying them any more.
I used to go through a large bottle of Rolaids from Sam's club about 1 every 2 weeks. I bought them in 3packs because it was easier and cheaper. And I'd take 4 of them before bed, just as a preventative.
I can't remember the last time I had acid reflux, now.
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Last edited by PhotoChick; 09-24-2008 at 01:08 PM.
I saw results on the scale first by two weeks in my clothes were getting big. Now three months later I don't see any change on the scale but I'm losing lost of inches. A lot of the clothes i have are getting too big. I don't like things really baggy on me. I have a few shirts that I bought "too tight" that now fit perfectly.
but I estimate that my calories are max between 1700-1800 a day, and usually lower, with the most calories being at breakfast.
Just wondering how long have you been doing this for without seeing any results?
Gosh, it's so incredibly easy to underestimate calories. That's why tracking is the ONLY thing that works for me. Sure, we're all different and we need to find our own way, but I'd hate for you to be working so hard and all the while consuming more calories then you think you are.
Maybe you can just track for a few days so that you can get a totally accurate number.
As far as when I saw results, well do you mean on the scale? Or in the mirror? The scale showed it a lot quicker then the mirror - or the clothing. I pretty much saw "scale" results the first week. The mirror, being as heavy as I was, that took quite some time.
Oh and I'm another one who had acid reflux every single day of my life. Kept Mylanta in my night table. Haven't had it since Day 1 of my healthy eating plan. Day 1.
Good luck to you.
Last edited by rockinrobin; 09-24-2008 at 01:32 PM.
I don't know if you are measuring. It is really, really easy to not *see* the changes, because they happen bit by bit everyday. But the tape will tell you!
In only a few days later my puffy feet looked much smaller. I must have been packing 10 pounds of fluid around my ankles from all the carbohydrates and sodium I consumed. For weeks I stared in wonder at my ankles, which I had not seen in a few years. That alone kept me motivated.
heeheehee...I'm glad I'm not the only one!! The exact same thing happened to me. Even now I just have to look at my feet and ankles and it makes me happy!
On the scale I saw results immediately. I have been consistantly losing lbs since I began changing my eating and exercise habits. I'm another calorie counter.
In the mirror and with clothes I'm just now starting to see a difference in myself. I was a 20/22 and now my 18 "tight" jeans are getting lose. Plus I'm noticing a difference in my body when I look and am not dressed. It's starting to really feel good.
When do you see results?
