Help, I am giving up!

I have been eating healthy and exercising 5 days a week for 3 weeks now, I understand it takes awhile to loose weight but, in these 3 weeks I have GAINED 3 pounds. this disappointment puts me in a horrible mood, I feel like crying all the time, and I think I need to just settle with the fact that I will always be Overweight and FAT

:(

 I need help! 

Okay let's start with the 1st thing everyone is going to ask: your stats.  Height, weight, daily caloric intake, how much you burn at the gym?

I am 5"2, I started 136 now I weigh 139, For my hight and my age (18) I am overweight (plus, if you take one look at me you can see that easily) 

I have about 1500- 1600 calories a day (it recommends 1700) and they are healthy calories, and I drink plenty of water

I workout every weekday, running 2 miles and walking some more and crunches, I also play racquetball and Rugby

Plus, I am pretty active anyway, I don't have a car so I walk every where and everyday I walk to my classes

Why am I gaining wight???? GRR 

This is going to sound dumb but everyone is going to tell you the same thing . . . You aren't eating enough. 1700 calories is if you AREN'T active. You very clearly are so if you put moderate or very active, you need to eat between 2200 and 2500 calories a day! You're starving your body so it's holding on to everything it has, ya know? I know, it sounds dumb & you're not going to want to do it because you're afraid you'll just gain more (I know the feeling!) but I would try slowly adding a few hundred calories & see how that goes. Maybe add 100-200 for the next few days, then a little more, etc. Just my suggestion!

If you want to give up...go read this:

http://caloriecount.about.com/forums/post/825 31.html ;

Duke has a lot more to lose and has lost a lot more than you certainly can fathom...but he's very versed and has been at this for a long time.  He (as well others here) are going to tell you the same thing...you are not eating enough..  

So...when you think thoughts of being "FAT" and giving up...think about him.  PLUS...it' says you've been on here for 12 days.  12 Days!!!  I didn't see anything for 2-3 weeks.....be patient.  The body is not a machine, everyone is different.

To me, the fact that I should eat more sounds crazy because ever since I found out I gained more weight these past couple of days I have been focusing on eating less! But, y'all sound like you know what your talking about so I'll try it! I just don't want to feel bad about myself anymore (considering that I am constantly surrounded by all my friends that are a size 4 or smaller, and don't understand why I care about my weight. Its just really frustrating when they are the size of one of my thighs and then they are always like "Stop complaining about your weight" but, they don't get it. and it sucks when they are talking and saying that they are so "fat" and I'm like, thanks guys what does that make me? HUGE??)

 

sorry, Kind of having a mental breakdown! Thanks for the advice!  

I agree, friends can totally be oblivious! The thing is you probably look so much worse to yourself than to anyone else, especially your friends. And they look worse to themselves than to you.

Lots of people say a calorie is a calorie, but I think it helps to pay attention to your daily nutrition report. How high is your fat percentage? And are you getting a decent amount of fibre. Everyone's ideas on eating healthy are different...

Also it helped me to start drinking lots of water, at least 40 oz. a day to start. During summer it was more like 100 oz. a day! Another thing is to spread your meals out into 6 smaller instead of the 3 traditional. Oh and what are you doing the other 2 days of the week? A lot of hard work can be undone in a very short period of time.

Good luck and stick with it.

What kinds of exercise are you doing?  Is it possible that you've gained muscle?  What other measurements are you using other than the scale?  Do your clothes fit better?  Do you feel better?  Do you look healthier?

There are so many variables and eating enough but not too much food is just the first one.  If you think you're not eating enough (I think this is probably it), you're going to have to give yourself a week or two for your body to respond to eating more and just stay off the scale. 

Ok I am with everyone when they say eat more...I am also short (5'0) and I started at 140 (now 130ish). I am certainly not as active as you so my max of 1500 on workout days does it for me. Keep in mind that it is harder for us shorties to lose weight, especially quickly.  I certainly don't understand that concept and hate it but i guess that is just the way it is.  I am not sure what your goal weight is and your picture doesn't really show much in the ways of being "FAT", Honestly from what you say your stats are I would not call you Fat...You seem to be focusing on the size of jeans everyone wears and comparing yourself to them, trust me when i say that that is not the way to go cause everybodys body looks different, even at the same height...we are all built different.

Don't get discouraged cause it will work, it just might take longer then you like.  You are not going to wake up tomorrow and be 10 lbs lighter...

 

You are speaking my words and feelings at one time or another.  Here's what I've learned.  PATIENCE first.  Right now you need to relax about the weight issue.  I've even treated myself at a time like this and found it did wonders...just limit the treat and get back to your good eating habits.  But treat yourself for all your hard work!  Next, I don't think adding calories will help you right now.  My questions would be ... how do you feel on the amount of calories you are consuming?  If you are feeling too full...cut back 100 to 200 calories and see how you feel on that. And the other thing that you need to keep in mind....since you are running/jogging...you are building heavier muscles...but muscle (not fat) all the same.  It will all level out with time but the hardest thing is applying patience through this struggling time and working through finding what works for you.  Hope this helps.  And don't give up!   ..... by the way I am 5' 2.5" and approx. 134 lbs. 

I don't have much advice seeing as I'm still new to this myself, but keep with it!! You're already well on your way to changing your life style for the better. You've obviously got the desire to do better for yourself, so remember where you got that motivation! YOU CAN DO IT!!

Mikey B

Muscle weighs more than fat, you are beginning to get toned. Take your measurements and you will see you have begun to loose inches.  Once you have realized you’re at a plateau with your weight loss, you should increase your exercise by 10-15% (measured in time or reps depending on the exercise your doing). Persevere and you will see results.

I'd say that instead of focusing on the number of calories, focus on eating healthy - cut out any sugary treats (i.e., sodas, cookies, etc.) and work on revamping your diet to be overall healthy - whole grains, fresh veggies, lean proteins.  Don't try to do it all at once, pick one thing and work on that for a bit.  Then work on another thing.

I know it feels like you need to lose it RIGHT NOW, but trust me, at 18, what's more important is establishing good healthy patterns that will last your lifetime instead of having to struggle with it for the rest of your life.  Believe me - I know.  I'm now 41, am 5'2" and have struggled with it all my life.  If I had done at your age what I am doing now, I could have been in good shape all these last 20-some years.  Do yourself the favor and get yourself on the right track now.

Keep exercising, making sure to mix it up and keep it reasonable - things you can incorporate into your life on an ongoing basis - which will rev up your metabolism and getting it working efficiently.  Slowly revamp your diet to be overall healthy.  THEN, if you need to, you can address the calories, just a little at a time (reducing by 100-200 calories per day, not hundreds) to lose weight in a healthy manner.

Before you know it, you'll be in great shape, with solid habits for a lifetime of looking and feeling great.  You can do it!

Hi there! It sounds like you're doing great, you have so much energy!!!

I don't mean to 'teach granny to suck eggs' but from everything I have been told, you really shouldn't be running everyday, your body needs respite days from hi-impact activities like running, you have to let your joints and tendons recover or you're risking possible long term damage. I run with a club and the guys there tell us to run every other day. If you want to do high energy cardio stuff everyday perhaps alternate between running and swimming.

I don't want to be a downer, I really am so impressed with what you're doing. At 18 your joints will be just fine, but believe me the wear will start to show in about 10 years (which sounds a long way off but it comes round before you know it!). Keep up the great work but take care of your body, it has to last you for a while (unless you want velcro in your knees or metal pins in your ankles).

(if you really enjoy running then perhaps you can could check out mapmyrun.com, you can actually plot your routes, work out distance, pace and calories burnt and there's a forum with loads of experienced folks who'll help you and give you pointers on how to run hard and run good) 

I can totally understand how the scale can rule your day.  I have been working hard,  I started at 150 and I am 124 this morning, 5 feet 0, i work out 3 x a week power walking and 3 x week weight lifting.  I was 121 pounds and now i am creeping up again.  has my diet been perfect NOPE.  i must admit this gloomy winter weather has gotten the better of me and i have been snacking above and beyone.  also I still cant get it into my head to eat more food.  i probably have not been reaching 1200 calories but i get close.  but even on the 6 days i work out, i do not eat above the 1200 calories.  if i snack, i skip a meal to account for the calories.  its my own fault.  i should eat and not snack on candy or chocolate frosting and i know it.  i just fell into a pity party and make up for it by eating.

 i have a cousin who is dieting with me and she constantly rubs it into me that shw is loosing weight consistantly and she is doing fantastic and she is wonderful and happy and who ever isn't her well they are nothing.  at least thats how she makes me feel.  she calls me every morning after she weighs herself and tells me how low she is and i just want to tear her head off and spit in it.  i think i have an anger issue along with my self pitty issue.

 anyway today, friday 2/22, i am taking back my gusto and am gonna hit my goal of 114 and then throw my scale at my cousin. bahahahah

 stick with it and be honest about if your really doing everything you can and if your like me and tell others your doing everything right but you know your not then tweak it.

 

Don't give up girl! It takes time to lose weight - it's a process and it's really hard. Maybe review your exercising? You may be gaining muscle. Do different exercises maybe? If you can, talk to a trainer/ gym person. Good luck!