Frustrated

[kellymonster23]

Hey Everyone,

I'm new to this forum and was wondering if anyone could help. I'm incredibly frustrated with my weight loss or lack there of. I started walking 2-3 miles a day about 3 weeks ago. I have really been watching what I'm eating and I have nothing to show for it - I haven't lost a pound. I'm so frustrated. I keep reading about all these great success stories and I thought that I could be one of them. I don't know what else to do. Was wondering if anyone had any suggestions?? Last week I started adding a bit of jogging into my walks. I walk on the track at the high school so I now jog the corners and walk the straightaways. I drink plenty of water and stay away from soda and juices. Once in a great while I'll have a gatorade but not often at all. If anyone has any ideas, let me know.

TIA, Kelly

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Welcome to WISH Kelly!

It is difficult to answer what might be going on with your system with the info you’ve provided. You are right with the thought of the activity should allow for you to see changes. Perhaps if you are not losing your changes are in trading fat for muscle. That’s a good thing.

The basic equation is calories in must be less than calories out in order to get weight loss no matter what you are doing. However, I would approach that with caution. If you are “starving” your body, i.e skipping meals or eating too few calories, it will think indeed it really is being starved and increase its storage with increased fat cells. There are some great web sites that offer a way to track those calories fitday. com and sparkpeople. com are two that come to mind. Try that.

Don’t get too discouraged. Continue making healthy food choices, exercise as you are, continue drinking plenty of water, record what you eat and give it some time. Never give up on trying to be a healthy you.

Let us know how you are doing. Keep on keepin’ on!

 

[mcco5543]

Do you keep a food diary, sometimes writing down what you eat for a few days shows a "culprit" ..maybe something you missed?

 

[kellymonster23]

Thanks for your replies. I haven't kept a food diary but i eat just about the same thing everyday. I'll give it a try though. I have a slim-fast shake for breakfast, a salad for lunch, and usually chicken and some veggies for dessert. I drink lots of water (5-7 bottles a day). Don't snack much, if i do it's usually carrots and fat free ranch dressing. I haven't started any type of strength training yet. Maybe that's the secret, I don't know. I'm just frustrated. But thanks again for the replies and motivation.

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Thanks for your replies. I haven't kept a food diary but i eat just about the same thing everyday. I'll give it a try though. I have a slim-fast shake for breakfast, a salad for lunch, and usually chicken and some veggies for dessert. I drink lots of water (5-7 bottles a day). Don't snack much, if i do it's usually carrots and fat free ranch dressing. I haven't started any type of strength training yet. Maybe that's the secret, I don't know. I'm just frustrated. But thanks again for the replies and motivation.

You need to make sure that you are eating enough food, and getting a balanced diet. Too few calories and you will NOT lose weight. Lean proteins, whole grains, GOOD fats (whole almonds for example), lots of fresh fruits & veg. Don't short change yourself - if it's not a food intake plan (ie. "diet") that you can live with long-term then it may backfire on you.

I'd suggest that you keep a journal for several days to start - really look at portion sizes and write everything down. Then add up the total calories. (If you don't know the nutrition info on any given food www.foodcount.com is a great resource for looking things up) You then should be able to get a good idea of what you've been eating. There are websites that can help you to determine your bodies basic calorie needs based on your gender, height, weight, age & activity level to see if you are even in your correct ball park! (try http://www.calorie-count.com/calories/calories-burned.php )

You've already made healthy changes with your exercise - now perhaps just simple "tweaks" to your food will make a world of difference for you!