I Just Want To Give Up...........

[wiskband]

Hi all, I am posting today because, I just can;t get a handle on things. I have been on this plateau for so long and can;t get past it! I put the scale away last week, and vowed not to get back on it and I just got it out and after a semi good week, it hasn;t budged!

Although, i was not able to get to the gym last week due to child care issues, i did do my WATP tape 5 times and stuck to my LC plan with the exception of friday night and minor mishaps here and there ( nothing major) Over all, just feeling like this is not working and I am not sure exactly what to do! Of course the intelligent part of me is saying that " no I am not willing to give up , I know this because I am taking the time to writ this" but, Ultimately, I just feel like poo and I need a good kick in the a$$ or something!
I hate when I get like this because 99 % of the time I am so positive and I am the one writing to others about staying strong and keep on keepin on! So for me to get in this funk.........its just hard to handle.
What do you all do for motivation? I have been the same weight for about 2 1/2 months...........this is one long plateau......and its driving me nuts!!!!!!!!!


HELP WISHERS PLEASE.............

renee

 

[R_Judy]

DON'T GIVE UP! That said, maybe you need to reevaluate your overall plan. I can't remember which diet you're on, however, both WW and Atkins have kick start plans. Maybe you can fall back on one of these for a few weeks. How about changing your exercise plan. Go out and buy a different kind of exercise tape. How about TaBoe? (sp) I'm sure many others here will have some good ideas too. Just pick one and go for it. But remember, DON'T GIVE UP!

 

[tlgoblue]

Hey Renee!

I second what Judy said. Also, be really happy that you are maintaining! After all, once we lose our weight, isn't our ultimate goal the maintenance of a healthy life? You are maintaining! That is great.
But, are you giving up way too many things just to maintain? That is a motivation buster for sure! But if you have been (honesty here ) havihg little cheats here and there and you are maintaining, WOW!!!! What else could you ask for? Do a self eval, find out what is going on, and make the adjustments!

You are so motivating to us! Cheer up and you will get through this. Hey, even if you continue at this pace, once the sky brightens, and you can get out and about more, your motivation will return and you'll get right back on track. Don't get down on yourself. You are on a journey. Sometimes we get detoured, and it's usually for a good reason!

Take care!
Tracy

 

[Nancy]

So have you measured yourself? You might be losing inches but not weight...and remeber if you are exercising you are probably building muscle and muscle weighs more then fat.

I've been holding steady for a while now too and it gets really discouraging. The scale crept up a bit this week and it made me so nervous that I am doing the WW fast track to see if I can kick start the loss again.

 

[wiskband]

HI thanks you guys......... I have not lost any inches. I went to the gym this evening and was measured and weighed and nothing, I gained 2 pounds! I spoke with the girl there who is in charge of the diet class at the gym and she actually told me to gain 3 pounds and then start again!

One of you mentioned a kick start plan. I am just doing low carb,,,,, anyone know of a kick start plan for me? I think this is perhaps what she means about eating whatever I want gain a few pounds and then start again. COuld this be right?

SOMEONE TELL ME! lol
If I had to follow one kick start pan it would be atkins......so anyone how to do it?
thanks again
renee

 

[helenk]

If you are doing low carb, for a week or two go no carb and that will give you a kick start.
I realized too that I need to kick up my exercise a bit, lately with walking outside at lunch and then doing my tape at night the scale is moving a bit more in the downward direction.
Don't give up, there are a lot of people here who have gone through the same situation so you should get some really good advice.

 

[Otto's Doll]

Do a search for KISS. It is the Atkins kick start plan. Katholyn or Jody (WovenWonder) can probably give you more info.

I started Induction again today to try to get past this tough point, you could try that if you think it would help. I know that I was very discouraged, I kept slipping just a bit, nothing major, but found that the little slips here and there really added up (to 3 pounds!) and I finally got a handle on myself (lots to hold on too! ) and am back on track. I have walked the last few days as well, and it has helped me get motivated again. Maybe trying a different type of exercise might help?
Anyway, here is a , hope you feel better soon! Whatever you do, DON'T give up!

 

[tiggereyore]

Renee
Hang in there. I started (sort of) back on my tapes made 2 of 4 days The boys like to do them now so that makes it easier. Like you said in my Post "I always feel good afterwards" Have you tried doing it at different times of the day (that restarted me once before) and some one else at work said that she found getting 2-3 night of 8hrs of sleep helped her get remotivated and outside waking with her kids.
If nothing else works and you do KISS hang in there I remeber well when Tracy(luvinit) and kagman (i think) did it. get your self a buddy.
Good luck

 

[septbride2002]

Hi Renee,
On Atkins I think Induction is the kick start plan. Have you tried going back down into Induction?

Also I've been hearing about this Fat Blast thing on a low carb board but now I can't seem to find the information. I'll post it if I do. Otherwise - DON'T GIVE UP!!!


~Amanda

 

[maryliz]

First, here's a I totally hear you, my friend. I got my 35lb clippie back in October. The only weight I've lost in the past 4 months is taking off the lbs I "accidently" put back on I have not been drinking as much water as I should be. I actually exercise more, what with my 1/2 marathon training, but the darned old scale is not doing what I want it to.

So, this weeks goal is getting back to my water. I think trying something to "kickstart" is a great idea. Or maybe try a different plan altogether ???

And remember, this winter has everyone in a bit of a funk because we have a desperate need to see sunshine, blue skies, and warmer temps. My 6 mile walk on Sunday made me feel so great because it was not a traditional Feb day. I know that my motivation will increase once I am able to shed the boots, heavy coat, etc.

You have come way too far, and you will not give up Your friends here care way too much about you to allow that. Go for a walk, and think of nothing except the wonderful achievements of the past little while, and how good you feel about yourself because you're getting healthy. And don't ever forget that maintaining, while frustrating for us, is still a great achievement. It took me 11 years to put this weight on, so if it takes me a couple of years to take it all off, I'm OK with that.

Take care sweetie ... these frustrations will eventually pass, for us both

Mary Liz

 

[summersfam4]

Renee,

To help you get motivated. Spring does it all for me, but I totally understand you getting discouraged. I haven't done Atkins, SBD, or low carb, I'm just a sensible eater, but I had some thoughts to share. First of all are you counting you calories as well as you carbs, sometimes I am allowing myself what I think is just a "little slip", then I sign on to fitday and OH MY GOSH I just ate a days worth of my extra calories (that I leave myself for a little snack in two bites) It's really easy to do with Fitday's website and free too so if you haven't done it already you might want to check it out, even if you don't want to count up everything that you do sometimes it's fun to just stop in and get a feel for exactly what it is that you are consuming! Second, it sounds like a good time to change up your fitness routine! Sometimes our bodies become used to what we do regularly, and they fall into a pattern and stop losing and start maintaining. Now is the time to add just a little change to jump start your body. Do a different exercise than what is your regular one a couple of times a week, change is good I have read that adding in something different (even something small) can make our metabolism really rev. up! If you like walking, try speeding up for a couple of minutes and powerwalking every 5-10 minutes, ride a bike, jump rope in your house, add in some floor exercises everytime you finish walking, Spring is coming and there are so many "little extras" that you can add. Also take a good look at what you are eating. Are you eating the same old thing day after day? Maybe it's time for a change here too. I know that myself (being cheap as I usually am with myself) will get stuck in an eating rut (because I find something cheap and low-cal, low-fat, healthy, and I dont' mind eating the same thing day after day, I don't always eat to enjoy food I just have an oral fixation). This allows my body to get used to exactly what I am taking in and allows it to get stuck in a maintaining rut too (which will be great when I get to my goal but not now thank you)! So I try to do something different each day to trick my metabolism to thinking it just might have to work a bit harder today. That said I am sure you will get some different ideas for all the other WISHer's but most important of all DON'T GIVE UP! Remember that this is something that you have decided to do for you! For your health, your happiness, and your well-being! You are beautiful inside and out and you are powerful enough to overcome ALL of the hurdles put in your way. Now get out there and put your heart, body, and soul into doing this for yourself! And if all else fails you can use what I use, when I am feeling dumpy and don't want to eat right or exercise, I just borrow Nike's slogan and "just do it" because it may not feel good right now, but it will feel better tomorrow!! Major PD coming your way!

Kelly (sorry it's long, did I ever tell you all that I am long winded, or did you just figure it out!)

 

[MelanieC]

Renee,
Hugs!

Plateau's really suck! I was stuck since November, and I know that nothing I say will make you feel better.

You are doing such a terrific job at maintaining. Sometimes your body needs to get used to a specific weight before it will let you loose more. The closer you get to your goal weight the more it wants to hold on.

Stick with it, don't give up. Try some new things to get your body guessing. Maybe try that KISS program they are talking about. Try something new on the exercise front.

Hang in there, we are here for you! You are doing great at your healthy lifestlye! Keep up the great work.

 

[mowsie dreamer]

I don't have any advice, Renee, but I do have a great big for you. Plateaus are so tough, but I agree with Melanie, sometimes your body just needs to rest a bit. And even though the scales aren't moving right now, you are doing so much to improve your health by eating right and exercising.

Hang in there!!

 

[nancyj_pa]

Hi Renee,
I, too, have been stuck on my plateau for over 6 weeks. I think winter does this to some of us, just like bears hibernating. In a few weeks when spring comes, things will change. I know there are many of us who have been just maintaining for quite a while.

Hang in there and keep low carbing and drinking your water. On nice days, try to go for a long walk. That's what I'm going to do. Try to fool my body into thinking spring is here and it's time to wake up from the long winter's nap.

NancyJ

 

[perfectmatch300]

First of all, know that you are not alone on that plateau! I've been stuck there for about 8 wks myself, so I know exactly how you feel. I talked to my DR about it, he told me that it's perfectly normal for the body to need a rest once in a while from losing weight. He also said that because I'm exercising, I am building muscle, which does weigh more than fat. I wanted to quit, too, but I have continued to hang in there & FINALLY this week I'm down 1 lb. after 2 months of nothing but bouncing up & struggling to get back down to where I was at the start of the year. I'm hoping that my downward trend will continue, but even if I'm stuck again I am not going to give up because I know the weight will come off eventually. Hang in there, you will lose those lbs!

 

[AKASnowWhite]

I can TOTALLY sympathize with you!

6 years ago, I lost 45 pounds over the course of 2 1/2 years by following the Weight Watchers plan. The first 25 came off relatively easily (of course I exercised religously and watched every morsel that touched my lips ) but then...nothing. Complete halt. (now here's the BAD news....) for a YEAR!

The first 25 pounds came off so quickly that I think my body went into "panic" mode and tried to keep its fat stores. I honestly believe that my body needed to have time to adjust to the "new" weight and "re-set" my metabolism before it would "let go" of the remaining fat that it was so desparately holding on to.

Frustrating? YOU BET!


The other thing to keep in mind is if you aren't eating enough calories, your body will adjust to that as well, and slow your metabolism down - "starvation mode" is what it's called. It's natures way of protecting you from famine. That's why people in the poverty stricken areas can survive on minimal amounts of rice. Their bodies simply don't process the food as fast. One good indicator of whether or not you are eating enough is how you feel. If you are tired and sluggish in the afternoon (assuming you had sufficient sleep) you probably aren't getting quite enough fuel in your body. This whole concept can be very difficult to accept, but the truth is, (in some cases!) you may need to eat MORE to lose weight. If you are depriving your body of essential nutrients it needs to function properly it will hold on to those reserves for dear life.

Most people hold firm to the idea that to lose weight, you must exercise more and eat less. That can be very true....but it's VERY easy to take that too far....where you aren't fueling your body enough to keep up with your activities.

My suggestion is to carefully evaluate WHAT you're eating, HOW MUCH exercise/daily physical activity you're getting and just how you feel...and consider eating a little bit MORE....your body may need that fuel (and don't hate me now....) most especially a few more of the carbs and fats that you may have taken away from it.

 

[Mama Twinkles]

Sorry to hear about your frustrating and discouraging circumstances. You certainly have remarkable stick-to-it-iveness. May I suggest that you read the book Eat to Live by Joel Fuhrman? It's not a book I've seen mentioned on these boards, but it offers the most remarkable education in nutrition and weight loss. I think it could very easily (and deliciously, and with abundant food, and most of all healthfully) help you past your plateau. His diet plan helps people get downright thin while eating voluminous quantities (no hunger here whatsoever) of the RIGHT foods. Check out his Web site, drfuhrman.com, to learn a little about potential drawbacks of WW. But the book is really the best.

Fuhrman's diet boils down to a high-fiber, low-fat regimen that is so full of nutrients that you have no hunger and greatly reduce the odds of cancer and heart disease. At the risk of raising the ire of the South Beach and Zone and Atkins fans here, I have to add that he carefully explains why all the research points to the ill health effects of those plans.

I hope my 2 cents will genuinely help someone here. His is NOT a fad diet, but an reputable and respected initiative based on thousands of research projects.

Good luck to you. I admire you for not giving up!

Mama T.

 

[ohMom]

you have already gotten some excellent advice from just a few of your WISH family members that love you! chin up my friend, this too will pass

{{{{HUGS}}}} -- i'm there with you. I'm still up 5 lbs from my lowest (2 lbs from goal) that I hit last november. We will do this!!

PD and virtual strength and postive thoughts!! Keep us posted!

 

[wiskband]

Hi all......... yes thanks so much for all the advice, although, I am sorry that many of you are experiencing the same thing, it's nice to know, I am not the only one! I really binged today (trustme you donlt even want to hear) but once I got one this evening and saw all the advice and support, I am definitely ready for tomorrow. I am looking into getting a treadmill and possibley into another gym. Although, I do love curves, I dont think it is enough for me anymore. I like my WATP tape but have to try and fit it in. Curves is hard to get to as far as time, never know when hubby wil be working and other gyms haveing baby sitting options. As far as eating plans. I really do need to stop picking so much, I pick all day long, a chip here a cookie there! I know deep dwn inside, it adds up!
Mornings are OK, when the kids are in school and I am home with the 2 little ones. I can do alright, kinda like a routine I have. Its the afternoons and evenings that kill me. I think that perhaps next week starting monday I will start this KISS. I dont have much planned, if I just hibernate in my home and just go to the gym I could do it. I shop every 2 weeks at sams, so by next week most of the snacks I have will be gone and I will just have to start shopping healthier for th whole family!

I'll tell ya, my friend brought this to my attention but I have 4 kids and she said all she hears in my house all day is the kids one at a time saying"mom , could I have snack:, its become the quote around here. I am realizing that I am setting abad example for them and they are just getting into bad habits. I think this may be the core of my problem! I have it all here in the house!

Anyway. thanks again for all the great advice and mama I will defintiely check out that site.

thanks again
all
renee