Not sure I'll make my goals now...

Me - Recent pic of me after dropping around 70 lbs.
United States
April 23, 2010 7:42am CST
I dropped around 60-65 lbs.. then had a bad couple months where I didn't lose any weight at all. I'd gotten a little lazier and some of my old eating habits came back. Thankfully I did not put any weight back on though! One day a couple weeks ago I decided to get back on track. I upped the intensity of my work outs again, and got stricter about what I ate. Unfortunately since getting back on track I've only lost a pound a week. I guess that's still good as far as most people are concerned, but I was used to losing 2-5 lbs a week. Even weeks where I only lost 2 lbs was slightly disappointing for me. I think maybe that since I've gained so much muscle mass, I'm just not going to make it to my goal weight. Right now I'm 8 pounds off from my original goal weight. Have you ever gotten so close to a goal weight and then weren't able to lose that last little bit?
2 people like this
15 responses
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
23 Apr 10
It does seem like that last little bit is the hardest. But instead of focusing on weight, why not focus on dress size? It is very possible that part of the problem is muscle mass, but see if you're losing inches, that's the more important thing anyway.
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Apr 10
I reached my dress size goal months ago! I've never in my adult life been in a smaller dress size than I'm in now.. but I have been 20 lbs lighter.. that's where the muscle mass comes into play.
@laglen (19759)
• United States
23 Apr 10
Yes and it is VERY frustrating. But you made GREAT strides so dont let it get you down. Keep on going!
• United States
23 Apr 10
Whether it's losing or just maintaining.. either way it is a daily struggle. I don't want to be done yet, but some days I'm less motivated so I convince myself maybe I can be done.
1 person likes this
@laglen (19759)
• United States
23 Apr 10
lol I know what you mean. Keep in mind that your goal weight is just a number. It is all in how you feel.
• United States
23 Apr 10
That's really great that you have lost so much weight. Good job! Just keep up the good work. Even if you don't make your goal by a certain time you are soooo close! When I was pregnant I gained 52 pounds! I didn't think I would get it off either but I did. With the help of those solar shorts. They really make you sweat off the weight. I put them on before doing aerobics and poof it was gone.
• United States
24 Apr 10
Those only help you lose water weight..not fat. It's not a good idea to attempt to lose water weight unless you're bloated, because your body needs the fluids.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
24 Apr 10
Hey kats! That is truly incredible! That is quite alot of weight to lose! You should be really proud of yourself especially because you did it on your own without any "gimics"! It takes an awful lot of willpower to lose weight to being with! I can't even lose 10 pounds! I am not good at sticking to a diet, following a workout routine! Granted, my age has alot to do with it! Having a bad knee and ankle makes it difficult for me to even to long walks at times! But, what you have already done is great and I think that even if you didn't make your goal weight you should still be very proud of yourself, but I do think that if you were able to lose that much already you probably can go the distance!
• United States
25 Apr 10
Yes I probably can finish this.. it will just take longer than I'd originally anticipated.
@jesssp (2712)
• Canada
23 Apr 10
Wow, you look GREAT! Congratulations! I'm not really too knowledgeable on dieting and weight loss but I would think that it's pretty normal to hit a plateau and level out with your progress once you've come so far. Now it's probably more about maintaining and slow, steady progress than the really significant weight loss like in the beginning. Like you said, you have gained a lot of muscle mass and as you continue with the rigorous work outs you'll gain even more, so I imagine it's pretty normal that you'll be a little more stagnant now. But, wow, good for you - that's so awesome!
• United States
23 Apr 10
People usually do hit a plateau about a month or so into their weight loss journeys. Normally that's from your body getting accustomed to your level of exercise and your better eating habits. Those are hard plateaus. Luckily I did not hit one of those. I began my weight loss journey by working out at home using DVDs. About a month or so later I joined the gym and my work outs got more intense. Since joining the gym my work outs have steadily increased and changed because I push myself to go a little further than I could before, and I try new classes frequently as well. I began only being able to do half hour of cardio, then I did a full hour, but on 2 seperate machines. Now I can run on the treadmill for a full hour, or do a full hour cycling class... you get the idea. I just sort of thought that since I hadn't been behaving for awhile, and now I'm kicking it back into gear, that my body would be confused and the fat burn would be in overdrive.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
23 Apr 10
Hey - remember that you are my mentor in this losing weight battle. You have done so well and you have not put on any weight. Proud of you. I am dithering around - still exercising but have to lose 7 to meet my goal of 25 before I go on holiday. It is so hard isn't it? I am craving fat. Yes, FAST. I want to push FAT into my mouth. It is sickening and I don't know how to manage this craving. I think that all we can do is to lose one pound at a time. Maybe changing your eating pattern may help/I really don't know the answer but am encouraging to think of how much you have achieved and to keep on going forward with your exercise programme. Many blessings.
• United States
24 Apr 10
I don't plan on giving up.. I can't. Even if I am as low as I can go.. I still have to maintain. I do want to keep going though, and see if I can get to that goal. It's okay to give in to your cravings once in awhile, just make sure you're taking smaller portions. Eat your proper, balanced meals, never skipping a meal, because being hungry makes you want nastier foods too, and keep some health food on hand for when you think you might be hungry. Then try to find better substitutes for your unhealthy snacks. I crave chocolate after meals, and have found that hot cocoa or coffee does the trick for that. I also bought some low fat pudding which helped as well. Good luck with that last 7 pounds! I'm very proud of you.
• United States
23 Apr 10
looking great Kat! Never been close to my goal weight. I've got 120ish to loose and w/o going to a gym I don't think my lil walks will be quite enough. I just have too many I can't because.... and many are legit especially the childcare ones. Either way proud of you!
• United States
23 Apr 10
You know I've been there.. and I think most overweight people do have those "I can't because...". Please don't take this the wrong way, because I like you, you're a great person, and I don't mean to offend.. but having been there and coming as far as I have I do have a new perspective about it, and honestly I believe a lot of that is excuses. I see people with crazy busy schedules finding ways to get in a great work out. I know a man who works 70 hours and has 2 kids and can still get to the gym for a 2 hour work out every single day. Truth is you just don't want it bad enough.. you haven't found your reason, your motivation, your inspiration. Trust me if you wanted it bad enough you'd find a way. I'm not judging you at all.. as I said, I've been there. Last summer when I was at my highest weight ever (225-ish) I knew I was gaining, and kept saying to myself "Well I'm not ready to do anything about it" and just kept on eating. Finally the day came where I was ready to do something about it.. and I did! If you want help and motivation, I'm here for you. I'll help you with anything you want, including how to get a good work out around the kids. You can PM me anytime. If you want I'll give you my e-mail addy via PM, or my cell # so you can text, or you can add me on Facebook... just let me know when you're ready.
@julyteen (13252)
• Davao, Philippines
24 Apr 10
Discipline is your key to success. If you keep on the track your goal will be possible. Don't stop! Instead continue the good things you did to continue your weight lose. I know you can make it mate if you focus your goal. I trust you on that, hope for a good news here soon.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
25 Apr 10
I think that in every person's personal weight loss journey, there are hurdles that we have to overcome. Your hurdle is that you aren't able to lose weight in the way that you think you ought to be able to do. I have complete faith that you will be able to reach your personal goal even though it isn't going to happen as fast as you'd like for it to happen. Keep working on it and within just a few weeks you will make your goal.
@besthope44 (12123)
• India
24 Jul 10
Select an exercise pattern to suit your life style. All of us have different life styles and professions so there is no sense in trying to follow the book strictly. Try and follow an exercise routine that is suitable for you. You have to understand that even more important than the exercise it is sticking to it. So unless you choose something that can suit your life style, you are not going to stick on to it.
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
hi mam. loosing that much weight is already an achievement!.gratz for that. let me share what i have read on some books or magazine. in order to become successful.they said you should not focus on loosing weight.rather focus on changing your lifestyle,if you manage to change your lifestyle,like eating,exercising you will continue loosing weight and achieve your ideal weight.goodluck to you mam.
@mlotta (218)
• Managua, Nicaragua
24 Apr 10
I would like to respond. You see, losing those last pounds are very hard to do. People lose weight not only because they want to look good, but also because they want to feel good. There's a difference between looking good and feeling good. I've struggled with my weight for over 3 years. I gained weight every month. Sometimes I would gain 2 pounds per month. Other times I would gain 10 pounds in a month. Since living and moving to another place, I have improved on my weight issues. I lost 45-50 pounds in 9 months, including 35-40 pounds in the first 5 months. I weighed 210 pounds. Now, I weigh 160 pounds. So, yeah. Losing those extra pounds are hard for people.
@maikeruk (405)
• Germany
24 Apr 10
that is mental, the body mass is something we also loose too. is not something i recommend to people to usually do but is possible, the problem with looking body mass is that is not good for the skin and is difficult to recover... the thing is that now you have to drink more and more watter and yes now is the moment to eliminate some food in your regular diet also now you have to stretch the muscles with more regular periods of aerobic exercises, the best for that is running but have to be at least for 50 mins that will help the other thing and the most important regarding what you do is that you should belive all the time and never formulate statements in your mind of insecurity... picture yourself how you want to be and you will get it, repeat yourself that you already acommplished that and you will have it.. feel that you got the ideal weigh you want it and your body will react to that... everything is mental before it become reality good luck
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
my experience in trying to loss weight was a goal to fit the 24 inches pants of my younger sister. My waistline was 30 inches and weight is 120 lbs that time. So I kept on watching my diet and exercise a lot. So fast in 3 months time that I didn't realize that I lost so much weight when I measure my waistline it was 21 inches already and my weight was 99 lbs. Now being underweight is my problem. But in general what I learned is self-descipline to reach one goal.
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
23 Apr 10
AS you get closer to your goal, you have to cut back more and more. It takes less food to maintain a lighter body. Losing 1 or 2 pounds a week in a good amount. Think of how many calories are in a pound. You can't continue loosing 5 pounds a week.