Need to vent (feeling sorry for myself)

[ryleesmom]

I usually just lurk around these boards but today I am feeling sorry for myself and need to vent. One year ago I had my daughter and only gained 25 pounds through the pregnancy. I was really concerned the whole time about losing the weight and everyone said the weight will come off. Well guess what, it has been a year and I can't get the weight off. Am about 10 pounds over my pre-pregancy weight and no matter what I do it will not come off. I have started to exercise 5 days a week but the scale actually says I'm gaining weight. As I type this I am in tears. I try everything from not eating all day to eating smallers meals with snacks and nothing works. Everyone says I am not overweight, but I can not stand the way I look. Sorry for the long post, just needed a shoulder to cry on.

 

[wtpclc]

Have you measured yourself? When you start exercising it's not uncommon that you actually gain weight (muscle weighs more than the fat that it replaces). You should start to lose after a while, but give it a couple months.

Also, do not stop eating, this will only slow down your metabolism and make it harder to lose weight.

I'd try checking your inches (bust, waist, abdomen, hips, thighs, upper arms). That will give you a true sense of if you are losing.

Also, my guess is that your stomach is your biggest problem. That tends to be the last place that you lose the weight, so you may be losing everywhere else and just not there yet.

Keep up the exercise and eat sensibly and I'm sure that you'll start to notice something soon.

Good Luck! This board has lots of supportive people to help along the way! Keep us posted and don't give up.

 

[ohMom]

(((HUGS)))

btw -- i've vented much longer and babbled far more than you did so no apologies!

I can relate -- I had never lost the 7 lbs of PG weight and than I slowly added another 13 over the first 5 years of my youngest DD years. So -- I found myself 20lb beyond my comfort zone. Though I can accept and admit now that I wasn't obese, I felt like crap. I saw the extra weight on my hips and tummy and had to wear the largest size of jeans for me ever and I just was miserable. I tried Atkins, lost 10 lbs, gained it right back. I'd try to cut back, but I don't think I had a realistic concept of a true serving size either. The years I put on the weight I faithfully went to aerobics 3-4 times a week.

So what worked for me. I found a plan that appeared to be one I could REALLY live with. Without feeling deprived. Then I decided I WAS GOING TO LOSE THE WEIGHT. My attitidue adjustment gave me the strength to pass on the drinks or the chips when I really didn't want them and not eat b/c it's there. It helped me to rethink my orders when I ate out b/c the extra fat and calories just weren't worth it. The point counting system was fun for me at first, then i began to see the pounds coming off. slowly. It took me like 6 months to lose 15-20 lbs. (I lost 5 before joining WISH) Sticking with it gave me results. It will for you too.

First off -- start reading posts and journals and think about a way of eating you can do for life. there are lots out there -- Atkins, WW, South Beach, Portion control................. Take your time and if you try one that doesn't work, don't dwell just switch. It's a learning process.

During this time tell yourself everyday that you can lose and you will. Give your body time to readjust your metabolism. Believe it or not your postive thinking will have a HUGE impact on your success.

I'm readjusting my attitude again now too. It may be something I have to really pay attention to for a couple years. That's ok. I feel better now and am more comfortable with how I look. you CAN too and you WILL succeed.

PD to you...............

 

[Zoesmama03]

I agree muscle weighs more and will burn more fat. So keep up the good work with the exercise and you will see results just takes a little longer than a strict diet would.

Plus you are making lifestyle change by adding exercise it will stay off better and longer.

 

[stacy6552]

Also go join Curves. Its a great quick work out, but the real advantage for you is the weigh and measuring they do monthly. They will track total pounds as well as fat pounds and take all the measurements.

I lost those last 10 hard too loose pounds in (what it been?) 4 months or so, but my body is really starting to be sculpted. Infact im sure my husband's comment at WDW that I was getting hard, was what lead to my over confidence over eating, so now im back trying to shed some of those pounds.....

 

[FreshTressa]

One thing I have learned is not every diet works for every body!!

What have you tried? Have you tried WW or South Beach?? Do you Journal? Do you take vitamins (things like anemia or calcium deficiancy can hamper weight loss)? Have you had your thyroid checked or talked to your docter? Are you still nursing? I know they say nursing helps weight loss, but with some women, it does the opposite.

I know for me, I can exercise until I turn purple...two hours a day and 7 days a week and the scale won't budge. I have finally, after 8 years, figured out what works for me. (Cutting out sugar)

Anyway, we all hear your pain and have been there!! Those 10lbs can be the absolute hardest to deal with, especially with a baby around. Good luck and keep us posted of your progress.

 

[clarabelle]

In addition to all the great things already said....

I have two children -9 and 5 and I look back at the toddler years as tough for me. I think you need to cut yourself a break. I honestly believe that for some people it takes a long time to adjust to having a baby and all the changes physical and emotional it has on you. I would second the ideal of checking with your doctore and making sure it is not thyroid or hormonal.

Have you tried measuring your portions? That really helped me.
I had tried to loose weight by just exercising a lot in the past and that didn't do it for me. I was eating out often- and I think that was the part that was really hurting me.
Your stomach will probably be the last thing to go.
I am still working on mine- even though I am at my goal weight.
Other things that have helped me
Splenda! I always hated artifcial sweeteners- but I love splenda -I buy the blue bunny ice cream bars sweetened with splenda.
Measuring cereal- I was eating a huge bowl of cereal that was probably 500 calories- sometimes for a snack!
Working out with weights 3 times a week.
Treadmilling- I record shows I like and I only allow myself to watch them when I am on the treadmill
Sugar free Jello with lite coolwhip- a 25 calorie snack!
I hope this helps a little
I know lots of people here do www.fitday.com to journal their eating habits.
Good luck!

 

[danicaw]

I am going through the same type of thing. All these suggestions are really helpful.
I gained a whopping 50lbs while preg. with my DS. His 1st birthday is on Tuesday and I am still 40lbs heavier than I want to be. The challenge here on the WISH is helping to keep me motivated, but the last 2 weeks have been horrible for my outlook and my motivation.
We have had family in town for my nieces birth and my sons party (which is tomorrow) and with all the prep and getting together we have eaten out a lot and worked out a very little.
And yesterday I noticed my Sis-in-law in her pre-preg. jeans....3 weeks later! Ugh.
I need to take measurements. I am bad at that...I tend to step on the scale 3 times a week and just go by that and how my pants fit.
We are going on a 14 day DCL Panama Canal cruise next May so I have about a year. At a pound a week I am there. So, thats my big goal...to be a size 10 (or less ) on the Cruise and be comfortable in my swim suit.

I came online today for encouragement. Thanks everyone for being so supportive. Sometimes you just need to know your goals are reachable.