No change?

So I'm 5'7, 16 years old, and 174 pounds. I've lost 18.5 pounds from my starting weight, 192.5 pounds. However, I see very little change. I have an account on youtube where I subscribe to other people's videos who post their weight loss journeys. Weekly, they lose around 1-3 pounds. And yet I see more change in them from week to week than I see in myself for my entire journey!

I figured that the first few pounds of my weight loss must have all been water weight, because I did lose it very quickly. But I can't STILL be losing water weight, can I? I am an athlete, so I do have a lot of muscle. Is it possible that I'm ONLY losing muscle and just not losing any fat? I truly hope not, and I do not see how that is possible when I'm working out. I may not be doing any weight lifting, but I do cardio for 80 minutes every other day and a body circuit 3 times through on the off days. And yet, though the numbers on the scale keep going down, I barely see any change in the mirror, which is most important to me. And it is very discouraging to say the least -_-

I don't know how accurate this is or whatnot, or how helpful it will be for you, but I'm giving you my experience and/or thoughts. So...

You may not have seen a difference when looking in the mirror, not because there isn't one (you've lost almost 20 lbs...there is sure to be some difference!), but likely because of your body image. Your idea of what you look like is probably still set as what you looked like at 192.5 lbs. It may just take you awhile to actually realize and recognize the weight that you have lost, to notice it when you look in the mirror. I know this is what it is like for me, anyway. From my highest weight to my current weight, I've lost around 50 lbs. and yet when I look in the mirror I don't see the weight that I am. I see myself at least 10 maybe 20 lbs heavier -- prior to the start of some complicated stuff.

But really, in the end, I'm guessing your lack of seeing a difference is just you needing more time to recognize it. Do you kind of get what I'm saying?

Watchmeshrink, I know exactly how you feel, and yet you have to remember that you see yourself EVERY day, and are not as likely to notice the change as someone else is.

Stop comparing yourself to others, and compare yourself TO yourself.  How are your clothes fitting?  Looser? 

I wish that was it...Me just not being able to see a difference. But I also post videos on youtube. So I'm not only comparing what I remember looking like to what I see in the mirror, but I'm comparing actual pictures of myself, wearing the same thing every time. Here's my channel if you want to check it out for yourself...

http://www.youtube.com/user/WatchMeShrink2009

Perhaps there is a slight difference, but not something I would expect after nearly a 20 pound loss! And I suppose my clothes feel a little looser...But I have not even gone down any sizes yet so...I don't know...I really hope I see a change soon. Maybe once I get into the 160s?

My clothes fit ever so slightly better as I approach a loss of 20 lbs, but not much, and no where close to a size.

However, I've gone down a ring size and my shoes are looser. That's right, I lost hand and foot fat (2 areas of my body I had no problem with)

You can't pick where it comes from or how obvious it is. I refer to is as my 'stupid fat' As in, as soon as all my stupid fat is gone, my clothes size will start dropping : )

Keep it up, it will happen. Many people have what seem like specific points where the loss becomes obvious. For instance, they lose 20 lbs and no one can tell, they lose 25, and no one will stop talking about it.

Thank you so much for that! I honestly feel so much better. I just thought I was the only one...that something was wrong with my diet, or SOMETHING. But your reply has restored my hope and motivation, so I'm very thankful for it! :) I can't wait until I start seeing a difference!

Hiya

Just watched your You Tube Videos (which are fab by the way) and I can see a definite difference on your stomach, hips and waist. The other thing to think about is measuring yourself - more often than not if your not seeing any direct difference if you look at the total inches / cm's loss it can show a real difference especially if your weightloss is slowing down.

Becs

Thanks Becs! I just started measuring myself last week, and I am kicking myself for not having thought of that sooner xP I will start recording measurements once a week, and hopefully I will see a change soon! :)