Struggling to stay motivated...
Find a Conversation
| Wed, 05-19-2004 - 1:31pm |
I lost 2 lbs. in the first week - well below that I had envisioned and hoped for. I'm now on day 10 and struggling to keep going. I'm not a weeney-whiner, but having been dieting for this length of time overall, not meeting the goals set forth by the other program, knowing I've stayed tried and true to that plan as well as Phase I, I'm struggling to not get totally discouraged.
I intend to meet my goal somehow - just now sure when this plan may kick-in. Any suggestions? I'm getting tired of "dieting" and sacrificing. I'm well aware of the lifestyle changes that need to be made to be successful and I'm truly not looking at this as a "diet", but using that terminology only for purpoes of explaining myself. Believe me, I know that I got myself where I am weight-wise and know that I didn't gain it all in 10 mos., but I suppose I just need to see a jump downward on the scale to know that I'm doing right and to know that it will work given more time.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Debbie

Hi Debbie,
Welcome!
I'll try to keep the faith for now, keep the intensified workouts going and try to see that light at the end of my weight loss tunnel.
Thanks...
Debbie
Karen
I hear what you're saying. About 6 weeks ago I added strength training along with my cardio thinking that would jumpstart me, but continued to be stalled. I talked with the trainer at the gym and he suggested I return to cardio, but kick it up and intensify the workouts and eliminate the strength training until I'm closer to my goal weight. That's what I did. He said the cardio would give me more benefit for weight loss at this point.
I truly don't know which way to go right now. I do 40 min. on the bike (really working hard) - varying the programs for intensity and then add 20 min. on the treadmill at 4 mph. (My knees can't take running.) I tried the eliptical machine, but found I didn't have the stamina for a long period of time to get a real benefit, so I went back to the bike for cardio. The gym I attend doesn't offer classes to mix up my cardio otherwise. Going to the gym at 6 a.m. before work is the best way I've found to get my exercise in.
I'm open to suggestions - just hoping to get the loss moving again. Got a big anniversary (25th) trip in early July and had hoped to hit my goal by then. (According to LA Weight Loss I should have, but obviously I won't).
I am much improved being now 57.5 lbs. lighter, just disappointed I'm not close to the 100 lbs. lost I've been working towards. Is there such a thing as trying too hard? :)
Debbie
P.S. Congrats on your loss - I know what an achievement it is!
Hi Debbie, welcome to the board!
Thanks again,
Debbie
Have you tried mixing up the foods you eat?? I have always found that when I get to a plateau of some sort, if I start making everything at home I'll start losing again, or if I start changing the types of recipes I'm eating instead of the same thing all the time. Also, is it possible you aren't eating enough?? That would do it too, especially with how hard you're working in the gym. Another way, which sounds really weird, is to allow yourself one evening or day (evening is probably better though) where you can eat as much of whatever your heart desires. I know that when I was doing Weight Watchers, if I had a cheat night once a week, I lost more weight than if I didn't and just stuck to the plan. Worth a shot, eh? Also, maybe instead of doing say 1/2 hour on the bike, and 1/2 on something else, you should try doing say a 15-18 minute circuit, so you're doing about 3 minutes of really hard work on a few different machines. Or one thing I used to do is, go really hard on the bike for 3 minutes, then get off and do steps for 1 minute, then bike for 3 minutes, and steps for 1 minute, etc... If you shock your body into doing something it doesn't normally do, it will soon wake up (hopefully anyways).
Anyway, good luck to you. I know you'll get there, it just might take a smidgen longer than you had hoped for. Keep up the awesome work!
Liisa
Debbie, I started this journey with about 68 lbs. to lose.