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Yesterday was a bit of a downer because of a temporary physical glitch that reduced my exercising. But I did track my calories and exercise on SparkPeople, and got a “Good for you! You did it!” e-mail at the end of the day acknowledging that I did a good job (despite my disappointment with my exercising glitch). So yesterday was a success.
Today is off to a good start--how can you miss when you have soy milk, frosted mini wheats, and freshly cut watermelon for breakfast!
So I’m chugging along with exercise, working within my goal calorie range, etc. with SparkPeople, but I’m just not seeing results. I know I have to be patient, but here it is DAY 39 of my 100 days of exercise challenge. This means 39 days of tracking my food, and exercising, but the scale that moved down, keeps moving within that five pound range of 22-27, with no major breakthrough. At some point I’m bound to see some change on the scale, right? I know that I am healthier for what I’ve been doing, but “healthier” is so abstract--with the exception of my major cholesterol breakthrough this past month. I WANT TO SEE IT ON THE SCALE! Is this too much to ask?
I have been
1) exercising
2) eating right
3) drinking water
Do I need to start doubling up on workouts to get the scale moving in the right direction? I have that goal of losing 25 pounds by September 9th. If I’m going to make that goal, I need to see some movement on the scale.
Trust me, I’m not giving up, but I am feeling frustrated.
Help, please.
Kristen
Kris: Plateaus happen. We all know that. So many things enter into this. And they can last a long time.
You need to look at Spark People and REALLY analyze. Maybe see a pattern.
Make sure you’re being TOTALLY honest with the calorie count. Look for any what I call “invisible extras” ... Maybe things that are sneaking in there that aren’t quite enough to count, but you have them. Not saying it’s going on, but look. i.e. tastes of food while cooking, a little extra milk or sugar in your coffee, glass of wine, bottle of beer, maybe having one weekend day where you’re a tad-teeny-tiny-bit not as gooder as badder- but not quite enough to really count as going off, stuff like that. Stick totally to the 12 hour diet concept. Maybe cut out the cheese if you’re eating that in your daily program. Cheese seems to prohibit me from dropping sometimes. Remember, the difference between maintenance and gaining can be as small as ONE cookie!!! (Yes! 100 calories can make a difference)......
Mix your food up for a week or two. And see what happens. THen you need to determine if what you did got you off your plateau or if it was time for your body to come off it! Keep at it. Results will come. This is a lifetime endeavor. Always remember that.
And your body is still going through the healing process. Time, everything takes time. And you must be patient. Doesn’t happen overnight.
Soooooooo can you direct me to this post if I ever start losing, hear the click, and hit a plateau?
I can understand a bit how you feel. I am just getting past a plateau myself. I started in January and the first 10 lbs came off quickly and the next 15 steadily - but the last 5 took forever!! (I’m now down a total of 30 - yah). But I can see the reasons for the last 5 being hard to get off. I decreased my training for May and most of June because I was taking a course ... then I got frustrated and sabatoged my diet a bit for another week. My weight fluctuated back up for a few weeks, but once I rededicated myself I started to see the scale move again in the right direction. It took a bit of time to see the results though - it doesn’t show the day after, it takes a few. Be patient as you are healing from a serious injury - it will take time. You are doing what you can and that is the important thing - no matter what results you see you are certainly going to be a lot farther ahead than if you weren’t moving!!
No matter what results you see you are certainly going to be a lot farther ahead than if you weren’t moving!!
This is what I keep telling myself. It’s difficult to see past the failed attempts in the past and to recognize that THIS TIME IS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT.
We went out to eat and I learned that ordering a special restaurant salad isn’t always the best choice. We went to a Chili’s chain and I ordered the “Quesadilla Explosion Salad.” Grilled chicken, mango vinagrette dressing, walnuts, tortilla strips, shredded cheese. Sounded wonderful, until I ate it and came home and checked my calories on SparkPeople. I should have gotten the sirloin and vegetables (520 calories) instead of the QES (970 calories!!!) The salad took me over my calorie goal for the day, and seriously dampened my “didn’t I do great by ordering a salad instead of something more fattening” spirit. But the important thing is to reflect and to learn, and I’ve done both. That won’t happen to me again.
My husband asked me yesterday “on a scale of 1-10, how committed (am I) that this time will be the time that changes my life for good.” I told him that absolutely I would be changing my life this time--definitely a 10. He asked me how I was going to keep from getting frustrated and giving up as I have been in the past. I told him that I have started moving and that I ‘m going to stay moving...forever, until I get what I want, and beyond. Although he didn’t say so, I can tell that he is hopeful, but skeptical. If he had a nickel for all the times I was “determined” before, he would be able to retire at age 50.
I am so determined. I just have to keep looking forward. The potential is there, and my destiny is mine for the making. So tomorrow will begin another week of moving and moving and moving.
Determination will take you a long way. Just remember WHY you are doing this and HOW you want to feel. I can see your frustration right now, but don’t look at your past efforts as failures - they are part of the learning process. Consider each new day as a fresh start, but remember this is a journey and you have already taken the first steps and are well on your way in the right direction. Keep up the good work!!
Thanks, Catherine. The fact that I’ve been sticking with it the past 43 days despite not seeing results is a sure fire indication of my determination. In the past I would have given up LONG before this.
Today I did see a bit of movement on the scale, which was good to see--it gives me hope. I added strength training to my workout today, and I am hoping that if I build some muscle that will help to boost my metabolism.
My husband has joined me in this quest. He is now an MTM premium member, working out every day, and watching his eating. Who knows, maybe in a year we will only be shadows of our present selves.
Reading your posts makes me glad I don’t own scales. My parents have some, and when I’m over there I get on them every morning. It’s no big deal for me as long as I’m under a certain number and I know I will stay there, but my mom gets really frustrated with it. To paint you a picture, she was always healthy enough, but she really started exercising 2 years ago and you can really see it on her thighs and arms. HOWEVER (that’s a fancy but :D) there’s been no difference in her weight the entire time, because she never had any muscles, and now she’s lost all this fat but gained it in muscle mass! Obviously that’s fantastic, but to her it’s like she’s getting nowhere.
So - as my mom won’t listen to me - let me tell you that, whether you notice it or not, the progress is definitely being made, you just have to find a way to see it!
Thanks, Nienke. You make a good point. I think I do really notice it...I’m feeling healthier and more fit. I am proud that I have made 45 days and that I am moving full speed ahead. I’ve lived by the scale for my whole life, and one big indicator of my success will be when I am down to my healthy weight, and continuing these great habits that I’ve been developing in the past 45 days. It will be like completing another dissertation, and then continuing to write it for the rest of my life, since I will never stop moving forward! So thank for your words of wisdom--I am definitely making progress...the scale will follow sometime, I should rest assured!
Just had to write, although it is late. I just got back from rehearsal (I’m a musician--French horn player) and I noticed a significant change in my fitness. The path to the parking lot from the rehearsal hall is a long hill- probably a 3-4 incline on a treadmill. Anyway, last year at this time I remember noticing how terribly out of breath I was when I got to my car--carrying my weight, and the weight of my horn. Tonight was a different story. I got to my car, tossed my horn into the back of the car and noticed--hey! I’m not out of breath!!! This was quite a change for me, and a significant one. So although it may not be showing on the scale yet, I’m definitely improving my fitness.
Congratulations!! Do you feel like a super hero now? Like you could take on any challenge out there? I bet you do! It is so awesome to feel yourself getting stronger, isn’t it?
Congratulations Kris! Those are the types of things that really show your progression, not a stupid number on a scale.
I remember my first moment like yours. I was in my basement doing laundry and had to run upstairs to answer the phone. It wasn’t until after I hung up that I realized I wasn’t breathing heavy or didn’t have to stop and catch my breath before I answered the phone. Just a month before, I got winded just walking up the stairs.
It’s true, I do feel more fit. And I do have better breath control with my horn playing, Catherine. And with better breath control comes greater accuracy, which is always a good thing. My clothes are fitting better--not baggy or anything, but there is room and I feel like I don’t look too bad!
I just got off the treadmill following my workout. I worked hard and it felt good. I’m watching that scale...it showed a smidge of a move this morning...in the right direction!b
Keep at it. Results will come. This is a lifetime endeavor. Always remember that.
It is so awesome to feel yourself getting stronger, isn’t it?
Congratulations Kris! Those are the types of things that really show your progression, not a stupid number on a scale.
