Hi

I stumbled across here Googling "Why am I not losing weight?", after about three weeks of trying.

I started my new "diet" and exercise regime on 1st June and was frustrated that, after such a short time, I had nothing to show on the scale for it. I'd set a goal, I thought to be realistic, of losing 10kg by the year's end.

I changed quite radically they way I was eating, no sugar in anything, no alcohol whatsoever (I was drinking quite heavily even up to 31st May), smaller meals more often including fish, chicken etc and having breakfast (usually an instant Thai rice thing laughingly called "Joke", which is around a mugfull when made and fills me until lunch), everyday it was practical to.

Workday lunch was down from 2 large platefuls (again usually a freshly-made rice dish), including maybe 4 fried eggs, to just one plate and maybe 1 or two eggs (one vice I'm struggling with, and I console myself with knowing 1 or 2 eggs are better than 4), fruit to nibble on in the afternoon usually a couple of mangoes, until I get home around 5.30 and have something light before I exercise, or just drink water.

Initially, I started riding my stationary bike (which I hadn't used for a couple of years); the first day finishing an uncomfortable 20 minutes and about 8km, but I've persevered and, I'm happy to say, took it up to a full one hour and 25km (just last week). I usually do this between 6 and 7pm, whilst the Biggest Loser is on TV, their achievement does motivate me.

After exercising and mopping up the pool of sweat I've proudly produced, I have something for dinner, usually a microwave meal and maybe some fruit later. I drink water almost continuously. Interestingly, I discovered that I enjoy drinking water.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I hadn't used the scales since 3 weeks into what I was doing, as it was discouraging (even after such a short time), to see no difference, and I'd forgotten about them, until this morning (some 40 days in and only 1 skipped exercise day), when I thought I'd just take a peek. And, lo and behold, 96.8 popped up (my starting weight was about 100.8kg) and my fat reading was way down too! In fact, although I hadn't noticed much (if any) difference in the mirror, my trousers have been feeling looser around my waist, and the scales confirmed it.

The thing about exercising is (like anything), it's a pain to start it, ok while you're doing it, but feels great once you've done it. Just think about the last bit when doing the first bit, and give yourself something to do (like watch TV or listen to some (fastish) songs you love to sing), while you do it, and it flies by.

Anyway, I just wanted to post where I was, maybe it's similar to how you're feeling or where you are.I've not changed much to achieve a 9lb weight loss, just cut out some things I didn't need (and don't miss) and the way I ate the things I did need, and started exercising again.

Cheers, Ant.

I love the motivation!!  You could feel it just by reading your post.  I want to congratulate you for all your accomplishments. I am trying to take it one day at a time and I hope I could achieve what you have.  I am having such a hard time losing my pregnancy weight and I gave birth 5 years ago.  I get myself going but once I see just a little bit of change I go back to my old ways and the weight comes back. Reading about other peoples’ success stories keeps me going.   Thanks for your words of wisdom and keep up the great work!!  Now if I could live by that I would be on the right track. 

Thanks again!!

Hi A, thanks for your enthusiastic comments.

I understand entirely what you're saying about getting so far and falling back again. It's a cycle I think we all have to overcome. Even before we begin in the backs of our minds we have convinced ourselves that we're bound to give in at some point and either wait for that point to arrive or even give up knowing it's an enevitablity and there's no use fighting it.

I think, what I feel good about this time, is that I've not taken on too much. I've not committed myself to an exercise or diet regime which I can't sustain. Yes, I'd love to go to the gym everyday, eat all the best "diet" stuff that's available, constantly monitor my progress, filling in calorie forms and exercise schedules and stuff, but in my case certainly, it's not practical, and it's something I could never maintain. I would quickly fall by the wayside even contemplating something that intense, let alone embarking on such a regime.

This is only part of my life A, an important part yes, but just a part, so it has to be designed to fit with the rest of my life, or it'll be discarded.

The changes I have made are very doable by me. No sugar is no biggy, no ice cream (my fave) is ok too I never ate it that often, no alcohol is something I've been struggling with for quite a while now, fuelling and numbing my depression, so overcoming that was (is) the biggest thing for me. And simply eating smaller portions of healthier food more often is no big thing either.

Though I used to exercise very often, I haven't for a while and it's taken more than a few weeks to get into it again. I would usually come home and flop in front of the telly for a while, whereas now I get on my exercise bike and watch it instead, or have my music on. If there's nothing to distract me I'll watch the clock on the bike tick slowly down and it takes forever.

Like I said, I got a bit down after 3 weeks and saw no improvement, but the options were either to just stop again and there'd definitely be no change, or continue and see what happened.

One last thing A, is how I'm feeling about myself. Despite the small difference in my physical being, I'm much happier with myself for actually doing something, when I hated myself before for just vegetating. Even if it takes longer than anticipate to lose my extra pounds, it'll be better late than never.

Anyway, I hope you find what works for you.

Take care, Ant.