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JESSGARRETT

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Doubts Creeping

Monday, May 28, 2012

Everyone of you know that I've been suffering through a plateau for about a month now. Over the weeks I've become more and more discouraged with my weight loss journey and doubts have started creeping in. Am I, like many in my family, destined to be overweight and/or obese for the rest of my life? Is my goal of losing 114 pounds in a year over ambitious? Will I ever reach my goal weight?

I've been trying to stick with the positive and look at my increased fitness level as well as the way my clothes fit rather than just the scale. The problem with that is that I still weigh very, very much more than what my 5' 3" frame should. The motto that I seem to be hearing from everyone (not just on Spark where I get the most wonderful support) is "maybe you're building muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat and helps you burn fat." I've heard it so much I want to get sick..... or punch the next person who says that to me. I'm not sure which yet. All good intentions aside, I want the muscle, but I also want the fat to come off. By the looks of myself in the mirror while trying to find work shorts, it's not happening. My upbeat, chipper self is quickly becoming an emotional, stressed out mess. My anxiety and worry about all this actually put me in tears the other night.

I've read the plateau busters articles, I've changed up my exercise, I've changed up my diet... and here I sit, the same weight I was at the beginning of the month. The part that gets me the worst is that all this happened when I really started working out 4-5 days a week on a regular basis. "What's the point?" says that little voice in the back of my head, "others do it without exercising as much, or even at all." Well, that's the question of the day now isn't it?

I'm not quitting, I'm not decreasing my exercise. In fact, I want to try jogging instead of walking. But that little voice is trying to eek it's way to the forefront of my mind and I fear I'm fighting a losing battle.
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  • BJPENNY70
    That's the attitude Jess keep going and fight. Don't listen to the little voice. The fear wants to put you back to the beginning. Don't give in and don't give up. You don't want all the work you have done to be in vain. You have come to far. Look at your accomplishments that you have done. Let the LORD help you. Don't try to do this all on your own. Deuteronomy 31: Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them (your negative thoughts and doubts): for the LORD thy GOD, HE it is that doth go with thee; HE will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. If you trust God than believe this verse.
    2746 days ago
  • RISINGBLUESTAR
    I know it is extremely frustrating when you face this part of a weight loss journey. It happens to so many people and sometimes plateaus can last for a couple of months. I know it's not what you want to hear but it's the truth. Why don't you focus on your fitness for another month and keep the scale away for that time period instead of getting bummed every week during the plateau? It may help.

    Also, I know you want the fat to come off but you only started in January. You have Hypothyroidism. Make sure your levels are stable. That could be playing a role in this. Don't look at far you have to go. Look at how far you have made it already!

    I used to get upset about gaining a few lbs, espcially when I was eating healthy and working out but then I got hit with Hypo which went undiganosed for a long time and undiagnosed Hypo + PCOS + other unresolved (undiagnosed health issues) led to me to gain a *significant* amount of weight. I felt devasted and frustrated but more than anything I felt angry and to be honest I still feel that way. I am sharing this with you because I realized that there are worse things that can happen than hitting a plateu or gaining one or two lbs and i should have just been happy where I was before when I was there. Now I would do anything to get back. I am not saying not to be frustrated, just trying to put it in perspective.

    I understand why you would want to punch someone for saying things you already know or hear over and over. I want to punch people when they tell me that if they have Hypothyroidism, then I can *surely* lose weight because they have lost weight. Well, people need to realize people are different!! You have every right to feel frustrated and angry about it but remember, most people hit a wallat some point in the process of losing weight. Don't give up!

    Also, just because more weight hasn't come off yet, doesn't mean your hard work isn't paying off. Just imagine how many health conditions you are preventing from invading your body!

    You will get through this! Maybe you don't just need to change up your workouts. Maybe you need to change the intensity of you workouts so your body knows you mean business. You can do it!

    emoticon emoticon emoticon
    2748 days ago

    Comment edited on: 5/29/2012 2:36:45 AM

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