Hi everyone!

So I'm definitely not new to dieting or trying to change my lifestyle for the better. In 2018 at age 18 I weighed myself and found that I had hit 270 and was devastated. I made it a mission to lose the weight because I was overweight my entire life, (even as a kid!) It was extremely hard but I stuck by it like I had never done before and saw progress, eventually hitting 220 which was the lowest I've ever been. Due to life problems and mental health, I had gained 20 more pounds, pulled myself together and tried dieting and exercise again. Eventually I got down to 190! Unfortunately looking back at my food log I was // TW: restriction & calories: I was restricting way too much and barely eating 1k a day and doing 2 hrs of exercise to try and get to my goal. Unfortunately life and other problems snuck up on me again and I ended up gaining 20 pounds in one month.


Now... I decided to get back on the ball this January and have been exercising and dieting every single day up until today. Albeit it was extremely rocky in the beginning trying to undo the bad habits I fell into again. Eventually I started going back to my old ways but decided I was not going to starve myself to get to my goal, I was going to take the slow way there. Allowing myself to actually eat and enjoy life without feeling miserable and deprived of energy. HOWEVER, the scale has not moved AT ALL. I've been yo-yoing between 208-210 for the past 8 months, no progress whatsoever. I've tried modifying my food intake, my exercise routine, drinking a gallon of water, weight lifting, getting rid of all non-healthy snacks. I have no known health conditions and I eat about 1300-1700 all week, work out 5/6 days a week for 1+ hr (never 2) but I see no movement whatsoever. What is actually happening? I'm actually at my wits end and I want to give up so badly, please help!!

Hi BritneyTheKing,

I just read your post with a lot of concern and empathy because I understand the struggle too, which is why I am here too. I just want to say bravo!! for having the courage to not just own up and articulate your situation but share it with all of us. There is power in community and sometimes all we need is another human being to resonate our experience and feelings to confirm to us that we are not alone, it is not special to us what we are experiencing but common to others. I find it easier to walk with others than alone, even exercising is more enjoyable and easier when I have others to hold me accountable and I to feel a little push to not disappoint others. However you are wired, I encourage you to not give up no matter what, keep taking the positive steps however little, stick with them then increase them more and more and before you know it you will see some results beginning to trickle in. I have hit some kind of plateau where all I seem to do is add weight no matter how hard I diet and exercise. I think I need to get my hormones checked because I am middle aged but non the less, I have my share of frustration from a body which seems to do what it wants no matter my cajouling. I try to stay positive and avoid unnecessary unneeded stress because for me this is a danger zone. I snack like my life depends on it when I am stressed, so you may want to also check the other aspects of your health that could be affecting your diet or habits. Finally, love yourself, love your body where you are dont postpone your celebration, life is to be lived today, tomorrow may never come. Dont get stuck in the rut of loosing weight, let me one thing that you do but enjoy the other aspects of being a live and being you and all the beauty that that is. All the best, I will check on you later. Cheers.