The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[Tawanda]

Donica, I can understand how you are feeling. I was a bit miffed myself at that lousy piece of metal....how dare it only show 2# when I was compliant all week! But, we did have losses, as small as they seemed and this may just be one of those times that our bodies are changing in inches instead of pounds---or it is adjusting to the lower weight so holding onto extra fluids. I'm just putting these smaller loss weeks right beside the weeks that are 'mini-stalls or plateaus'. The changes are happening even though we may not always have the number on the scale show us that they are happening.

Whatever the reason that the scale hasn't moved a whole bunch (the way we like it to move) it doesn't change that we are doing this because it is important, necessary and worthwhile.....we're in it for the long term, until we hit our healthy goal weight.

Okay, done with my self-talk (I was talking/typing out loud ).

I knew I was going to be a bit discouraged this morning with the scale numbers. I worked hard outside all day and drank almost 120 oz. of water (was thirsty while working) but wasn't making lots of trips into the house to use the facilities. So........maybe the scale will show a nice drop in the next few days.

[nickieluv]

Donica;

I'm sorry you've been discouraged. I know the feeling well. And it's especially hard when you have a 'low' week and other people post huge losses - and sometimes, even 2 pounds seems like a huge loss in comparison!

The body will adjust - I don't think that's bunk - there are times, especially when losses have been quick, that the body has to take stock of what is happening. However, I have faith that our bodies do not WANT to be fat and unhealthy - and they are not intentionally sabotaging us by not letting go of pounds - our bodies want to survive, and at the moment imagine what they must think now that the weight is finally coming off. I imagine it's something along the lines of "aha, here is that famine I knew was coming - glad I stocked up on the stored fat! Mustn't let it get away too quickly!" That's why transition is so important - to gradually teach your body that it's going to get the fuel it needs every day, and doesn't have to stock up for the next famine.

Not sure if all this was helpful - but hang in there (I know, you're sick of hearing that and telling yourself that) and don't worry about being a baby or crying. Maybe you're actually crying about something else, as yet undiscovered - at any rate, crying is good. Get it out. Follow your feelings and see where they lead you, what the root of the sadness about slow weight loss is. What do you believe about losing slowly? What really upsets you?

See, I've sworn off thinking for a few months, so I have to encourage others to do it for me.

[pinkbugs471]

Pick your chin up off the floor sister!!! I just realized that we both started with almost the same ammount of weight to loose. I was stuck for several weeks, only loosing a little, or even gaining. I got mad and figured why bother. Then I rememberd why!! This was for me. I was worth it and so are you. You have to be more stubborn that the scale is. In the past, this is where I always give up,when it gets hard. Not this time. Stay compliant and the scale will moove again. It might only be .5 but it all adds up.!!!

[JonnaD]

Donica, I've been doing a lot of thinking about our goal settings. I'd hoped to reach goal within one year. I set that goal for a lot of reasons - money - won't need to keep buying the full MF package, self esteem - I want to look better and I want it now, better health - I want to feel better.

But, due to problems with my kidney function, I'll be doing good to lose 1# a week which means I have to really adjust my goal. It doesn't mean I have to give up, but I have to accept my goal weight is much further off than I'd hoped.

The gist of this little tale is: I can either frustrate myself silly over my slow loss or rejoice in the losses I am having. Frustration leads to stress which leads to unhappiness with one's situation which can lead to giving up. I don't want to give up, so I will celebrate every ounce I lose and thank God I've lost it. This doesn't mean I won't wish I was losing faster, just that I won't sabotage myself on focusing on what hasn't happened.

This isn't meant to be a sermon, just a suggestion to refocus your thinking. What is the real goal of being on MF? Is it to lose x number of pounds by x date? Or is it to reach a healthy body and healthy lifestyle?

If you stay with the program and not let the slow weeks trip you up, you will reach goal when you are supposed to. It just may not be by the arbitrary date you (we) picked.

With all that said, may the MF fairy sprinkle her dust liberally on you and help you to meet your mini goal. You are almost there, it can still happen.

[DonicaB]

Ladies~~~ you're words of encourage and wisdom mean a great deal to me. Thank you for posting in my journal and encouraging me to stay with it. I needed to hear every word of what each of you had to say. Thank you......thank you......thank you. :bighug:

I think I'm finished pouting now. All of you are absolutely correct in that I must look past the scale to what is really important. What is really important is that I lose the weight safely and reach a healthy goal. I did struggle a little yesterday with wanting to just chuck the whole thing. Thoughts like.......why bother staying compliant if I'm not going to be reward for it. I even took a handful of jelly beans......put 2 in my mouth.....began to chew.......and then decided I didn't want to blow it. I threw what was left in my hand in the trash and spit out what was in my mouth. I know that if I don't stay compliant..........I will not lose.

I think setting my mini-goal has been both good and bad. Good in the aspect that I am setting goals and striving to reach them. Bad in that I will feel like a failure if I don't reach it. I realize that if I don't reach it......what does it really matter, as long as I am moving onward.

I have been the same weight since last Monday. All except for the teaser the scale showed on Saturday.....but then went right back up on Sunday. My DH was trying to help me feel better yesterday and reminded me that I haven't been this weight in a long time and that my body might be fighting to stay here. Being the stubborn person that I am..........I refuse to let the scale have victory over me. I will win in the end. I may not be happy about it all along the way.........but.......I....WILL.......WIN!

Since I was pouting yesterday I decided to take my measurements. That actually brought a smile to my face because I have lost 21 inches total. YIPEE! I mean 21 inches is almost 2 feet. 2 feet of fat gone forever.

I knew this journey would have its ups and downs. I was hoping to just breeze through the whole thing.....right to my goal. But, maybe these tribulations will help in the long run. Help me to maintain my goal, because there are always going to be struggles. On this journey I'm learning more than just how to eat properly. I'm learning a great deal about myself and what I really want.

[pinkbugs471]

Atta girl!!

[DonicaB]

Hi Pinks!!!! Thank you! I may not reach the mini-goal, but I won't be far behind.

And look at that avatar. I love it. So nice to see you!!!!!!!

[bikipatra]

Good for you! I love seeing my measurements change too!

[pinkbugs471]

It could still happen. You never know when your body is going to finally let go....If I get there first, I will reserve a place for you!

[KeleeGrl]

Donica...every now and then we are aloud to have a let our "not losing fast enough" frustrations out and it sounds like you needed it and your getting through it. I get so mad at myself after I've eaten something I'm not suppose to, which in the past I would say I blew so might as well eat whatever, but I don't do that anymore and it sounds like you don't either...good for you. Congrats on your lost inches....The one thing I have found with MF is that your body changes even when the weight isn't changing as fast as one would like.

Keep on shaking and hang in there...your doing great...look at you almost at 40# lost. I haven't hit 30 yet and we started around the same time...you have to give yourself a lot of credit.

[SuzyQ66]

Donica - I hear you about being frustrated. I only lost .5 pounds this week. I was happy to read that everybody's encouragement helped you because after reading the responses they have started to help me. I have not quite gotten to the throw in the towel syndrome yet and I hope I will not. But you said something that really hit home....people keep mentioning maintenance and I know I will eventually need to think about it - but your comment:

"I knew this journey would have its ups and downs. I was hoping to just breeze through the whole thing.....right to my goal. But, maybe these tribulations will help in the long run. Help me to maintain my goal, because there are always going to be struggles. On this journey I'm learning more than just how to eat properly. I'm learning a great deal about myself and what I really want. "

has really helped me. Thanks!! Hopefully next week we will be better losers...have a great week!!

[Sojourner]

I....WILL.......WIN!

Yes, you will, my friend!
I was about to suggest that you take your measurements, but then I read to where you already did that...WTG!!
I've said this before, but it bears repeating: the scale is only one tool by which we can gauge our progress. Unfortunately, the dang thing seems to be the one in which we tend to put the most store - and it's the most fickle one, IMO. What about them baggy britches, girl??

Did you see the great list of achievements that Lizabette posted in her journal? Of course, she had a great scale reading today, but still...all of those other things she listed were as awesome a few days ago when she was struggling to get the scale below 130. I'm just saying that the number on the scale will eventually reflect all of the good things you're doing for your body and your health...though I think I'm a little late in posting this ~ you've already inspired yourself with your loss of nearly 2 feet of fat!! (heehee, that made me giggle!)

Great job, Donica!!
And thanks for inspiring me, yet again!

[DonicaB]

Well, I went to the doctor yesterday about the fatty tumor on my arm. He said it has definitely grown and there has definitely been a change in it. He wants me to have it removed and a biopsy just to be sure. He said the weight loss may have something to do with the change. He did comment on my weight loss and told me I am doing great. I told him about my mini-goal of 40# lost by the 25th of April and how I felt I was going to come up a little short. He jokingly said he could help me get there by prescribing some strong water pills and laxatives. I declined.

Scale was the same again this morning. That's 9 days at the same weight. I'm pretty sure I can call it a plateau now. I am moving beyond being perturbed about it and have come to the conclusion that getting mad over it isn't going to help. I have commited to sticking it out. Of course, these are my feelings today.......tomorrow I may be back to being perturbed. Who knows!

[SuzyQ66]

Great thinking Donica - being committed to sticking it out. This too shall pass and you will begin to lose again. Remember your body is probably trying to adjust to the new weight.

I cannot believe that your doc said that he could prescribe you those things to help you. I hope that was just a joke because that was terrible advice - that's how you start to develop eating disorders.

Keep up the good work - and the great attitude. You are such a sweet person!!

[Tawanda]

Donica, I sure hope the scale shows a lower number tomorrow-----'cause I was stuck for 9 days and I wouldn't want to lose my status of '9 day complainer' to you getting day 10.......... 'cause then I'd have to do another 'get stuck' and stay there for 11 days (hating to be outdone ) I am kidding of course!!!!!! I don't want to get stuck for that long again. And I truly hope you do see a drop in the numbers tomorrow!