I am so unbelievably frustrated! I have been working out and watching what I eat since February. Yes I will admit that I have not worked as hard as I could have or stay on target the whole time.  I am trying to change my life style instead of counting on will power. So I have changed my diet slowly and incorporated exercising. By now I have eliminated fast-food, HFCS, juices and pops, eating after 10 and started eating breakfast. I usually stay within a 800 calorie deficit. I also ride my bike for 45 minutes at least 4 times a week and move more in daily life.  I thought I was doing really well since I have lost 20 lbs.  The scale shows it but my pants don’t.  In February I was a size 18, I had a couple pairs of 16 that I could squeeze into.  Today I tried on a pair of 16 trousers. And I still couldn’t snap them! I feel like I am changing my life for no reason! What is the point if after 22 weeks my pants size isn’t getting smaller! I’m about to say F%*# it! And go have a big bowl of ice cream!!!!!!

Go have some ice cream :)

skinny cow stuff... :)

but hey, I think if you eat some filling, healthful foods over the next few days your body will feel better, especially if you drink lots too.

sit back take a breath and think about it, i am sure you feel much healthier now as opposed to where you were before, so the pants size hasn't come down yet at least you can say you have your health and i am sure if you change up your exercise routine a little you will reach your goal. so it isn't happening as fast as you want it to ,if you keep doing the same thing you're doing eventually it will happen for you.

A loss of twenty pounds is brilliant! well done first of all. Secondly, I know how you're feeling in regards to the pants issue. When I was at my heaviest it took me a long time to see the results in my body shape and I did get disheartened - but don't give up! you may not see the weight coming off but it is happening...

I agree with the above poster, perhaps you should re-evaluate your exercise  routine and see what works best for you. Sometimes just changing say from a bike four times a week to half aerobics and half bike (or whatever is best for you) can make all the difference.

You will get there, just stay positive and whatever you do don't give into the feelings of failure - you've done a good job and you're probably a lot healthier as a result of regular exercise and good diet.

P.S - you can have the ice-cream, just make sure it is a smallish bowl and you don't go way over the calorie limits for the day - you're doing well, keep going forwards and never look back! 

 

 

I know that it can be totally frustrating seeing the number on the pant size not change.  Trying on clothes can be disappointing when you've been working so hard to achieve your goals, but keep in mind that you've lost 20 lbs and are getting healthy.  Your body will totally catch up with your weight loss. Keep up the great work, have the ice cream and get going again!  You will do this!  You will succeed! And those pants will look great at whatever size they are!

Were these 16s in a store or ones you have had?  Remember that sizes in different stores vary greatly.  A 16 in one store is a 18 in another one and maybe a 20 in some places.  You really can't go by sizes.  What you should be looking at is how the clothes you have now fit?  Have they gotten big?  Perhaps you should start measuring yourself.  Measure your progress against something consistent.

I have been going to the gym 10 times a month since August, 2007. My weight has not changed but the percentage that is body fat has decreased. I have toned my muscles and even see a cut to some of them. I am over 50 and my fat stays around my waist.  I hated the way I looked in Aug. I haven't lost any waist inches either. However, I am very happy about the way  my shoulders, arms, chest, and legs are looking. So the weight lifting is helping to change the perspective I have on the proportion of my middle to the rest of my body.

Congratulations on the weight loss. I hope you will keep up the good work. I am going to lose some lbs now that I am logging everything I eat.

 

I am about to join you on saying ,"screw it"  . It does get frustrating and tiresome but you have done a good job so far.   Congratulations on the weight you have lost and  am wishing you the best of luck.

Have you tried old fashioned walking? I know it worked for me in the beginning and I still do it along with other exercises now.  I have read and heard from others that it is one of the best exercises. Don't give up. You will probably see a big loss soon! BTW...Congratulations of your 20 pound loss!

I said "screw it" a while back.  Well, not really, but I just started backsliding big time and paying no attention to what I was doing.  I was frustrated too.  I had joined in January and lost 15 lbs relatively quickly in about 6-8 weeks or so...  Then I got frustrated because no one was noticing my weight loss and my perceived smaller belly, etc.  I did not go down a size but I felt like things were fitting better, so I was frustrated that no one else could see.

Well long story short, I stopped coming here, started bingeing again, started back to my old bad habits and voila, I gained back 13 of the 15 lbs.  Surprisingly, it took a good two months to put it on. 

But i'm back.  And I'm glad.  So its okay to say that you are frustrated and its okay to have a little ice cream.  I think it is fantastic all those lifestyle changes that you listed out.  Really awesome!!

1lbsatatime, I'm in the same boat as you!  I've lost 20lbs and can't get into 18's...I'm stuck in 20's that are too big but wearing a belt...everything looks sloppy on me.  It's so disheartening.   I went shopping  and  18's  fit my legs, hips and thighs but not my middle.  All I wanted to do was get one outfit that showed off my hard work and I left the mall so depressed! 

But the honest truth is that although I walk at least 45 minutes 3x a week, I don't exercise nearly enough and I don't concentrate on exercised that can "whittle my middle".  So I broke down and looked at the weight lifting for beginners on CC and I'm trying to incorporate them into my routine.  You should check them out.  They're pretty basic even thought it's not easy to add something else, just one more NEW habit to learn to love, but toning what is left may help you too. 

Oh yes some of us hear your cry loud and clear!  I know EXACTLY how you feel because I went from September until June working out 3 times a week (45 min of cardio and 30 minutes of weights) and NOTHING changed!  Or so I thought.  My clothes still fit the same.  The number on the scale wouldn't drop from 191.  My size 16's were tight at the start and those size 12's hanging in my closet for motivation were not any closer to being worn.  So I went and got my blood checked.  Thinking something has to be wrong.  NOPE  blood sugar, thyroid, sodium, cholesterol ect  is all in the normal range.   

I did give up in the middle of June.  Until a post on here got me back on track with some challenges.   

In 10 months the only thing that changes were my measurements.  My arms and calves dropped about 3/4 of an inch.  And my stomach grew about 1/4 of an inch.      &nbs p; I don't know if I will ever lose the weight.  But I'm not going to give up.  I will make an effort all the time.  And I know I will fall off the wagon... but if I want to lose the weight... I'm the only one that can make it happen and if I give up for good... I'll get bigger.   That in its self is enough to make me keep coming here for motivation.    So here is my question to you...

Do you want to give up and gain?  Or keep on with the struggle and hope for some more changes?    What's the worst that can happen.... you'll stay the same size?   That's a heck of a lot better than gaining isnt it? 

If you are up for some challenges... drop me a line!  I am always looking for motivation!!  :)  

Hi, I understand where you are coming from. Just don't toss in the towel. Hang in there.. Maybe you need to join the right group to push you.. I got a Challenege group I'm with right now, and not only that.. I got the 30's thread to go too. Maybe you need a good support system... Good old fashion walking is a good idea, but maybe you need to start using some type of leg weights on your bike or move the level of resistance if you have an resistance level on your bike..  Just change your program a little, and see if you don't start droppin weight again.

20 pounds.. That's great... I would be dancing around the room. Look at what you have done.. 20 pounds... Do you think just screw it would have gotten you that... :) Be proud of yourself, and get back on the wagon, and do your best. Do your best in your own time and fashion. Don't look at it as.. I should be here by down.. I was doing that a week ago.. I'm thankful to be where I am at right now..  We have to start off slow. We can't take off running. 20 pounds! That's a good thing.. 0 pounds... Then I would be like.. Okay.. (F) this... But 20 pounds.. Girl, go in your bed room dance around in the nude and call it a damn day... Enjoy what you have done right now....

Get that skinny cow in your life... LOL....  That's some good Ice Creme :)   

Congrats on your weight loss :)

pant sizes dont tell all

at some stores, i fit into size 3 pants and at other stores, i can barely pull them over my butt :|

so...20 pounds later, you ARE thinner! keep on going! it will show eventually, and by the time those trouser fits, at some stores, i bet some 14's will fit :P

thanks for everyone support and comfort! Sometimes frustration gets the better of you. I'm going to step up my workout routine and not focus so much on the pants size.  you're all right, they change by store, brand and type.  I did end up having a bowl of ice cream but i realized half way in that it wasn't what i wanted and threw the rest away and went for a walk.  I guess if nothing else the last 22 weeks have taught me that food doesn't solve problems they just create them.

 

thanks again

kate

I love this thread! I have been falling off the wagon a lot lately. Fortunately, I have enough flubber that I bounce right back on!

Be very proud of that 20lbs - it is a great accomplishment!! Be proud, also, that you realized 1/2 way through the ice cream that it isn't what you wanted. It is sooo very easy to just keep eating it now that it's out. I need to learn that trick!

Finally, the pants. I don't know about you, but my biggest pants were VERY tight on me when I started CC. I should have been wearing a size larger. Perhaps you were in 18's, but very tight? Then it takes twice as long to loose a pants size!

Best of luck to you - you are so on the right track!