In tears, don't know what to do

[FreshTressa]

I started wishing back in march I think, and things went really really well, but then my hair started to fall out and I had two serious illnesses where I couldn't exercise and then my DH and I were going through some struggles.

I managed to maintain my weight loss through all of this, and am fairly happy at my weight of 153 since I can eat pretty normally and not gain and am in a size 10.

But I look at my body and still have lots of fat and it disgusts me. I don't know how to lose weight without Atkins...I can't seem to get started again! I try 1200 calories, but can only stick to it for a few days and I don't see results. I am so afraid to use atkin's again because of my hair, but I do not know how else to lose weight!

 

[DoeWDW]

Are you exercising? It can really jump-start your weight loss. Also when you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which are "feel-good" hormones which help elevate your mood and beat your stress.

Also, are you drinking enough water? You should be drinking at least 64 - 80 oz a day. You'd be amazed at how that one change of drinking enough water can help you!

I do hope you're feeling better soon! Best wishes!

 

[catherine]

First of all It's not all negative!! Look how well you've done. You've managed to maintain your weight loss, which in itself is a really difficult thing to do.

If you want to carry on counting calories, you might want to give yourself a bit more time, before you expect to see results! You probably won't see much of a weight loss after just a few days. Are you weighing and measuring all your food? It is really easy to have more calories than you think you're having.

Good luck to you with whatever plan you decide to do. Hope that you start to feel better soon!

 

[ohMom]

(((HUGS))) i don't think i have any more good suggestions that Doreen hasn't already given you. Trying exercising, find something you enjoy and commit to it four times a week, even if it's only 10 mins each day for starters. Pilates and yoga are excellent for firming up -- check your library for some workout DVD/VHS tapes to try. I like my QuickFix DVD pilates and yoga workout. It's 4 blocks each of 10 mins pilates and yoga. I can mix and match up to 4 at a time or just do one. They are simple to learn and very effective.

Strength training will build muscle that will speed up your metabolism and tone your muscles. Try Denise Austin's Shrink Your Femal Fat Zone (need a stability ball and small hand weights)

how about Denise Austin's 30 min workout show on Lifetime?

there are lots of things, just try until you find something you like. you'll find it becomes addictive when you realize how much better you feel, both physically and with those feel good hormones you body makes during and after exercising.

also -- when I get down on my pooch or flabby thighs i think of this -- this is my new lifestyle and as long as I continue making healthy choices in food, activity, etc there can only be a postive impact on my bod (toning, losing inches, muscle tone, etc) so though the big picture is hard to see and be patient, it WILL happen. each day you make good choices you are making a small impact on your body and those small ones add up and one day you'll be like "hey! my tummy isn't as flabby as it used to be!" I put of "dieting" because I was too impatient to let the small losses add up to a big loss. Well it did, and thanks to WISH I hung through that year and it did add up. Besides, you don't want to eat crappy anymore anyhow, it feels yucky!

hang in there!!! and every day look in the mirror and tell yourself how beautiful you are and pat yourself on the back for what you have accomplished! Probably others are not near as critical on your trouble spots than you are on yourself! I'm sure many look and you and think "WOW! she looks fabulous!" and not "jeesh, she lost all that weight and still has an extra inch or two around the middle "

 

[aliwolly]

Aw, don't cry!

First of all, you've had great success and I think you should give yourself a nice big pat on the back for that! I think it's incredible that you were able to maintain your weight loss throughout your rough patch! Good for you!!!!

My Weight Watchers leader was always a big proponant of keeping a "Victory Log". Just a little notebook or a scrapbook or whatever that you'd write in any non-scale victories. For example, you could write in that you chose a healthy food for snack instead of the candy or whatever you used to reach for. Keeping a log like that will help remind you of all of your sucesses and changes for the good when you're having trouble with your program.

As for the losing weight... I think that since you experienced hair loss when you were dieting before and since you were recently very sick, you should probably consult your doctor and ask her for suggestions for a healthy way to lose weight.

Good luck, and remember to try not to be so hard on yourself!!!

Ali

 

[geetey]

Tessa!

Please don't give up on yourself! You are worth more than tears!! I don't know if you can blame Atkins for your hair loss. I lost 55 pounds using WW and lost an alarming amount of hair. So much so my hairdresser and doctor noticed. After getting some tests done, and seeing all normal levels, my doctor mentioned that when some people lose a large percent of their body weight, they lose their hair. She said I should notice new hair growth when my weight loss slowed down.

Well, March 2004 was my 1 year anniversary on WW and WISH. My weight loss has definitely slowed down and I am seeing new hair growth. So much, in fact, that people think I have had my hair cut to have bangs (nope) and my hairdresser says I have lots of (very short) wild hairs growing in. My ponytail is still very thin but the top of my head is definitely experiencing some new growth. Now I just have to wait for everything to get the same length.

Any way, my point is... don't give up! Ask your hairdresser to start watching your hair. She will notice long before you do when your new growth is coming in. Just give your body a chance to adjust. I hope this helps!

 

[helenk]

Hey, don't give up on yourself, you have come a long way.
If you think that it was the Atkins program that caused the hair loss perhaps you might want to try the South Beach diet, it is not a restrictive as Atkins, but is low carb and pretty easy to follow. As far as the 1200 calorie counting goes. personally I hate following a calorie counting diet. I've done that before and never can stick with it, because I feel deprived, that is why I like the South Beach diet.
Whatever you decide, do not give up.