I can't lose weight!!!! (long/help/vent)

jacquelineh9019

rbtrumpet,

Although I think the other replies are good I just wanted to share with you a little about me. I have a disease called hypothyroidism and before I was diagnosed I did some of the same things that you did; I ate right, excerised, and did all that junk but I actually ended up gaining 40 pounds in 2 months because of my disease. Now I don't want you to think that you may have it but you might want to check if you still can't lose weight. Expecially if something like that runs in your family like it does in mine. It happens to a lot of women mostly at the menopause age but it can happen to anybody including me (who is 17 currently).

Sousa8611

If anyone has an android phone you can download the WW Diary for free in the market! I've lost about 20lbs since the beginning of May and still going! Who needs those weight watcher classes! lol The point thing isn't that bad and it really makes you pay attention to what foods you consume and their portions. Good luck! )

andra loves andre

You said that you were on birth control... from what I know, you don't really gain weight in the form of "fat" when you're on bc, you just retain a lot more water. Think of it as a loooooooong case of bloating. It doesn't happen to everyone, and it varies in how much water each person retains. If you wanted to go off of bc and use another form of contraceptive, then that's one possibility. HOWEVER, if you don't, consider drastically reducing your salt intake. Salt also makes you retain a lot of water, and if you add BC to the mix, it's like a double-whammy. You can also try taking bc at a different time. I noticed that if i take it just before bed, I don't bloat as much (likely because you get dehydrated while you sleep, so all that water you retained gets eliminated in the morning.

I see you got a lot of advice on exercising, so I won't add to it since whatever I'd have to say was likely already said. I just figured that I'd add a different perspective regarding the BC.

Xo

ames16_fr

Let me just warn you that I am the worst dieter in the world: I hate working out, I love all food, I have the appetite of a 14-year-old boy, and the idea of "losing weight" makes me hungry instead of motivating me.

5 years ago I gained 60 lbs and took it all off with Weight Watchers and running 2-3 miles a day.  I also broke my diet once a day.  Weight Watchers focuses on eating healthy and using portion control.  I ended up keeping a food diary to keep track of my points.  Even when I broke my diet, I would pencil in the points to be honest about it.   Even though the food diary was kind of a pain, it would make me look at what I'd eaten and sometimes I'd be kind of grossed out to see exactly how much junk food I consumed in 1 day.

One of my other obstacles with losing weight is that I HATE to exercise!  Working out just for the sake of working out bores me to tears and I can't make myself go to the gym.  Then I found a club sport in my area that I love so when I go to the gym, I'm doing it so that I can play the sport better and I don't focus on my weight.

You just have to remember that the problem isn't whether you can lose the weight for your wedding (YOU CAN!), you just need to find the right way to motivate yourself without stressing about it!

hihi2412

hey trumpet i won't give you long advices which make you head spinn (like mine), but i will tell you two things:

1. don't eat bread and pasta
2. don't eat after 19:00 in the evening.

try it out, i know few girls that have lost about 20 kilos (i don't know what are ibs and pounds

ps. don't be in stress, it is your wedding, you should be happy!

mdontas

TRY ALLI  !!!!!!  The weight loss pill!  I lost 30 lbs.  Went from 152 to 122 in 6 months.  Works wonders . . . but you have to follow the rules, and I'd suggest doing the online support too.

Princess1707

DO NOT STRESS!!!! I'm going through the same thing right now (My BMs look like swimsuit models!!!) but I just had a baby 6 months ago so not only do I still have 5lbs to go but I need to hope that my skin regains its elasticity before my beach wedding!!!! Stressing out will not help shed the pounds and sends the message to your body to hold onto the fat because your body reads stress the same way it reads starvation, making it store more fat to hold on to use as energy later.  So take some deep breaths and I'll give you a few tips that have helped me get right down to pre-baby weight in 4 months!
1) I'm on Yasmine for BC (I had weight issues with Allesse and my Dr. told me Yasmine is the only one proven not to affect weight in any way, and sure enough, when I switched I lost 11 lbs without doing anything!)
2) Drink NOTHING except ICE water and green tea! I swear by these two drinks because they actually speed up metabolism. Ice water burns more calories than room temp water because your body burns calories heating it up to body-temp.
3)Interval cardio!!! I started jogging 4 months ago and didnt notice much weight loss, mostly just muscle toning, so I tried the Jillian Michaels-recomended interval running and lost 7 lbs in 2 weeks! I start by jogging for 5 minutes to get warmed up then I sprint for 1 minute then speed-walk for 2 minutes and repeat that for 20 minutes! The sudden changes in heart rate trick your body into thinking it's working harder than it actually is and you continue burning calories hours after you stop!
4)DIET HELPERS: Substitute spreading avacado on anything you would use mayo for! Tastes amazing! (not as amazing as mayo, of course, but nothing ever will!) And for your sweet tooth eat a half cup of pro-biotic frozen yogurt ( I love vanilla!) with half a chopped banana! Sub anything white for whole wheat or multi-grain and sub ground beef for ground chicken or turkey (Tacos taste exactly the same this way and are super healthy with low-fat cheese and whole grain tortillas!)
For those times you're not really hungry but feel like eating, I keep frozen banana slices in the freezer. The taste changes and they melt like ice cream in your mouth!5) Always look for excuses to walk. Walk around the house while on the phone, walk up and down the stairs on commercial breaks while watching TV, park further away at the mall than is comfortable (you always find a spot this way!) and pretend that elevators and escalators do not exist!

I hope some of those will help you, I know they've really helped me and I also have so much more energy now so I don't MIND all the extra exercise!!! I also just bought a pair of those Reebok Easytones, so I'll let you know how those work out!

Best of luck!!!

lpolak

You can do it!  No worries!  Pilates and yoga!  Those helped me lose around 15-20 pounds.  I did yoga once a week and pilates twice a week and was in better shape in no time.  Good luck and don't be discouraged!  You're beautiful no matter what!

Mandir00

I think stress can affect our bodies much more than we realize.  So take a long bath, get a massage.  Find someone to help you out with the wedding details so you don't feel unduly burdened.  Try to see the planning as fun and not a chore.  Give yourself a break!  You deserve it! 
I find the more I limit myself, the harder it is to stick with a "diet".  So eat in moderation, not too much meat or processed foods and lots of fruits and veggies. Allow yourself a little square of dark chocolate at the end of a hard day, or small glass of wine.  Take a yoga class!  Go for a lovely walk. 
You will be beautiful!!

jsb8rc

You should talk to your doctor about your BC.  I know that some BC will cause you to gain weight... like the dep shot, and it might be a good idea to change.  Also, when I want to lose weight I do cardio in the morning before I eat and do a bit more cardio and weights in the evening.  When you do cardio do intervals it will help you burn more calories.  And when you are doing cardio in the morning before you eat you will burn a ton of fat.  If you can't get in any exercise in the morning make sure to eat breakfast.  And don't skip meals... it will make your body hold on to the weight.  Eat 4-5 small meals throughout the day. 

I know you can do it!  And no matter what you will be the pretties woman at your wedding!!

BRoss85

A good thing to remember, is that you'll still be beautiful, no matter what! 

To kick start yourself, why dont you try to work out with a buddy, doing something you both havent tried? Yoga, Pilates, an aquasize class. Theres so many new things out there! Try starting a dance class. in the beginning focus on the cardio, but if you want to add a bit of weight resistance, you could alway add ankle and wrist weights. 

Try doing your shopping one week at a time. Plan your meals, and snack out so that you have a good idea what your going for. Eat before going shopping and take a list! The important thing is to stick to your list and go full. Being full while shopping helps tone down those "impulse" buys. and if you absolutely need to have that chocolate ice cream, dish out a small portion, and stick to it! You need to have your little rewards, or else you will just feel like your dieting all the time. 

Good luck and I hope this helps!

katherinekate

ok - so I have GREAT advice!
1st, you are going to be the most beautiful one at your wedding because you're the bride.  never believe anything else 'cause it is just not true.
2nd, if you are eating due to stress, only eat healthy stuff - low-sugar veggies, celery every-other snack, and drink water every time you want to stuff food in your mouth (when you really want to scream about whatever just went wrong).
3rd, several someones above mentioned the whole "plateau" effect - totally a possibility.  DO try a new activity that works different muscles; it should help.
4th, finally, no alcohol between now and the wedding weekend. 

I am getting married 3 weeks from today and have lost my photographer due to her last-minute move, am having my MOH dress remade as it does not fit, and lost my job on top of it all.  the fact that I have not put on 20 lbs in the past month is a real miracle!  GOOD LUCK!

clvrock

My suggestion is to log in your food every day.  I am on Sparkpeople.com. It has everything you need to get the support you need. Goof Luck! 

CorrigendaLove

Try myfitnesspal.com.  You fill out information about your body and it tells you how many calories you burn in a day, and how many you should consume for a certain weight goal.  It also has a place for you to log all your meals and exercise.  If you can stick to it you'll see results very quickly.

condon/tafoya

go to the dr. if you bmi is high enough, they will prescribe you Phentermine. One month of it should do the trick.

condon/tafoya

also.... weight loss is 90% diet. not excercise. Not that excercise isn't good and important. it can actually make you crave calories. So calorie counting is really your best bet.

hallieba

Tell yourself:

"Feeling good about myself is permanent, and is worth WAY more than tasting something good for a temporary few minutes."

"I am worth it."

"No regrets."

erossboo

I have found that you can't only work out, or only eat well, you have to do both.

I agree with others that it is easier to stick to a workout plan if you have a partner.  Maybe your fiance wants to get in shape as well?  Or your sister who just lost all the wait - she probably works out on a schedule and can help motivate.  And set small goals - 2 pounds a week, 5 pounds a month, something like that, depending on how much time you have.

There are small things you can do throughout the day.  If you have dumbbells, bring them to work - you can get a couple of rounds in while on lunch break, on the phone, on the computer.  You can do leg exercises while standing at a copier.  You can use the wall to do pushups.  Yes, people at work might look at you strangely, but WHO CARES?

I did weight watchers and lost about 20 pounds.  I did NOT deprive myself of sweets or sodas, I just reduced how often I ate them and the quantity.  When you deprive yourself completely, you are more likely to cheat or binge.  If ice cream is your weakness, use it as a reward.  You work out 5x a week, you get a night of chocolate icecream (but not the whole carton!)

Also, I ended up gaining some of that weight back because my fiance said I was too skinny.  It is hard not to compare yourself to others, but it is easy to lose perspective. You want to feel good and look good.  You don't want your fiance to feel like he is going to break you when he hugs you.

No matter what, you will be a beautiful bride.  I wish you the best of luck in reaching your goal. 

zna

Hello to all,
I will give you a few great tips but before the good stuff:  First, be sure to embrace your beauty, NO matter your SIZE!!!!....whether skin and bones or thick and juicy!!!!  We will never be the skinniest, prettiest, smartest, etc. So why compete with the world....especially your loved ones.  Be complete and reassured knowing that you are UNIQUE and the ONLY one in the world that's BEST at being YOU!!!  Of course we all go through our ups and downs, but should feel comfortable with our body, so since you are not try the following tips that I learned from an awesome trainer/body builder:
*Oatmeal diet (use no more than 1-2 weeks at a time!):  I lost 12 pounds in two weeks on this strict diet. 
     1) EAT a package of (plain) instant oatmeal for breakfast and lunch. Add fresh fruit for taste. Eat carrots/celery/apple for a mid-morning/afternoon snack  in order to keep hunger pains away.  Dinner should be healthy- if meat, no bigger than the size of your PALM;  get some carbs in as well. If you must have a reward (bread, candy bar, etc.) just cut down on the amount! Have a few bites instead of the entire thing! (I use to eat one piece of bread instead of two w/ a sandwich)
     3) DRINK PLENTY of water  all day which helps to flush out toxins from the body; at least 1/2 a gallon per day. I was just reminded of how good green tea is for the body!
     4) REST- if you exercise 2-3 days straight be sure to give your body the REST it deserves in order to operate at 100%. This includes cutting down on the stress...which I know is VERY hard to do! (I'm a proud Mommy of 3, planning my wedding while in my last year of graduate school, working full time and trying to maintain Rest & Relaxation!) It can be done but it takes LOTS of schedules
     5) EXERCISE- Warm up, stretch, use weights/machines for upper & lower areas (only choose a few muscles to work by doing sets). THEN do your cardio 20-45 minutes tops!  I used the ellipticalmachine, FAB for burning calories!!!
     ***I'm reading an excellent book  titled  12 day Body Shaping Miracle by Michael Thurmond.  My friend says it really worked for her and her mother!!!

Im going to get my rest now..lol... I hope this helps someone!  God bless and I hope the best for you in all of your endeavors!

abouttime915

This is going to sound odd, but just go with it.  I just lost 23 lbs by doing some basic stuff (no working out).

I cut out soda and only drink water now.  I eat smaller portions and only eat if I am hungry.  If I feel hungry, I drink a bottle of water first then snack on something light.  When I stop feeling hungry...I stop eating. 

Now here's the odd part...but seriously it helps keep me on point.  If you are having a craving but you are not actually hungry (you want to eat it just because your bored,etc) brush your teeth.  I never want to eat right after brushing my teeth.  So I do that and it takes my mind off of the munchies.  Plus it will keep your teeth healthy a win/win situation.  I hope this helps (I still have 10 more lbs to go myself). 

samiheartsu

Crossfit.com! It's the best way to loose weight and get into shape quick. Try having someone hold you accountable to doing the exercises. The best part is that you do not need to be on a strict diet to see an effect. Hope this helps.

lanyemichelle

I see that you mentioned starting birth control. I HATE when women use the 'birth control made me fat' excuse. I ALWAYS hated that excuse, until I came off of hormonal birth control and lost 15 pounds almost automatically. I don't think the hormones made me gain weight, but I wanted to eat ALL THE TIME.

If you seriously think your birth control is messing with your weight, talk to your doctor about switching to a different kind or going off of hormonal birth control for good. That's what I did. After getting engaged I decided to switch from the pill to a Paragard IUD (which is the nonhormonal version that lasts 10 years) and that's when I lost the 15 pounds. The cost is small when you compare it to the cost of 10 years of birth control pills. Mine only cost me a doctor's visit co-pay.

But you can definitely do it! No matter what the cause. Just drink lots of water and keep working out. You will look beautiful on your wedding day no matter what!

StinaSwimmer

I'm the skinny bitch that everyone hates. I don't gain much weight, but it's not easy to maintain it (especially as we get older, as I'm finding out). You also have to remember what's healthy and what is not. So even though it might be hard to take advice from someone who hasn't been there, I can offer the good advice that I've heard from others (and believe me, it works--our family is on a self-inflicted food/drink "rehab" and it's working!)

1. SLEEP. Make sure you are getting enough sleep at night. Being tired makes you crave food, especially starches and sweets. Your brain survives on/craves glucose, and what better way to get that than through yummy things we know we shouldn't have.
2. Allow yourself to cheat, but within reason. The biggest mistake a lot of dieters make is denying themselves the things they think they shouldn't have, which only makes them crave them more and/or lead to binge eating. Have that slice of pizza, as long as it's ONLY ONE SLICE. Eat a cookie. Have a slice of pie, or a scoop of ice cream. But be firm with yourself and limit the amount.
3. Eat veggies. Lots of them. They hydrate you, give you ample vitamins, and give you good fiber. In my house we have a small amount of protein, a small amount of starch (and yes, that includes potatoes and corn--they are NOT veggies) and both a salad AND a veggie. Two nights a week we do meatless meals, and believe me, you don't miss it.
4. Cook fresh, and don't use substitutes. Butter is not bad for you, it's just bad in large amounts (like everything else). Prepackaged foods are high in sodium, which can drive up your blood pressure (probably already high in getting ready for a wedding--we can all relate, I'm sure) and also makes you retain water. However, this does not mean that SALT is bad for you. The amount of salt you cook with is a tiny amount compared to what's in a Lean Cuisine or can of Progresso Soup.  Stick to the perimeters of supermarkets (produce, meat/fish/cheese, dairy, bakery) and limit your visits to the middle. Also beware of sugar substitutes. They are helpful, but too much of them will make you crave real sugar, and you're right back where you started.
5. Limit the drinks. Booze especially. This is the hardest one for me, especially since my FI can drink 5 beers 3/week and not gain an ounce. We have limited our alcohol intake to the weekends only, and drink lots of water during the week. I cheat and have a diet soda once or twice a week, but that's my vice. I find that buying flavoured waters (withOUT sweeteners) jazz up the plain water routine.
6. And of course, staying active. Also hard for me, despite being a swimmer for 8 years in HS and college. When I came home from my teaching job, I was EXHAUSTED and running was the last thing I wanted to do. Often I didn't do it. But walk up and down some stairs, walk outside, or go visit a local pool. Also, if you shop at a shopping center, park in a central location and walk to each of your destinations, especially if the weather is nice.
7. Have a sponsor. Enlist a friend to call if you ever feel tempted or really crave something. They can talk you down from it or distract you. You know you feel guilty when you "cheat" or are tempted to, so fess up to him/her and soon you'll be right as rain.

Okay, that's it for me. I'm not perfect at any of these (not by a LONG SHOT--I LOVE fried foods, for instance), but if you try reeeeaaallly hard, I promise, you'll see some results. Remember moderation is the key. You CAN do it, but you will be beautiful on your big day no matter what!! Good Luck!!!

clackey34

So, I didn't read all of the comments, but write down what you eat That will help you stay accountable. Also, BC definitely has an affect on your weight that you can't control. Trust me I know. Keep in mind your FH will think you're sexy no matter what Good luck.

vana0063

I haven't seen these suggestions yet so here goes:

Eat oatmeal in the morning instead cereal.  Cereal is extremely processed, has a lot of sugar and carbs!  Every morning I have oatmeal with yogurt and a banana.  You can add nuts, milk, cinnamon etc.  Just stay away from the chocolate chips and brown sugar!

Also, if you are still craving something sweet after dinner, drink herbal tea!  There are some truly amazing herbal teas out there, I love the Celestial Seasonings ones.  They are sweet, but obviously contain no sugar.  Also, liquorice tea reportedly helps cut cravings.

catdav1

First of all if you really think its the birth control try switching to a different brand. I'm on the nueva ring and I am maintaing my weight.
Your wedding day is not about the bridesmaids its about you....and if you put them in a dress that makes them look ugly or preggers they are just goning to think that you are being a bridwzilla.  The most important thing is the guy standing at the end of that isle.....and he will think that you are beautiful regradeless.
About working out if what you are doing is not working then you either a) need to do something different, b) change your eating habbits or c) both.  Try tae bo its amazing.  Jullian Michaels is awesome as well she is the trainer from the biggest loser.  I just saw a video for the flirty girls work out it looke really fun, I am going to purchase it myself.
About your eating habbits.  Its all about moderation.  You can not cut out the sweets completely because then that is all that you are going to crave.  You need lots of protein and veggies.  Cook with color, if you dont have color your food will look boaring and you wont be pysched to eat it.

b&dc14

To everyone planning the wedding or who is already married take a breath!! loosing weight can be tuff if you allow it to be, but it can be the easiest thing you do if you just chill!! the biggest problem with loosing weight is poor planning, procrastiation, and STRESS (like stated before).

to rbtrumpet.. i see you oly have about 1 month to loose weight... YOU CAN DO IT!!

(what i'm about to say is good advice for anyone) seeing how you only have 1 month... find a personal trainer at a gym, or a boot camp program. most of the time the boot camp programs last about a month. and a trainer can last for as long as you are willing to pay him/ her and for how long. i like both these methods because you are being pushed far beyond your max, and loosing weight quicker than you would be if you were doing it alone!! if you choose not to go this route.. put on your running shoes and GO!! for a fast way to loose that weight run in the morning at least 2 miles ( switching everyday from 2 miles to sprinting 1 mile). then in the evening run again what ever you didn't do that morning. if you don't want to run twice a day, do something else... ex: run in the morning, bike in the evening.... or swim in the morning and run in the evening!! i know when i started running i could not firgure out why. so i set goals for myself! loose ths much weight... run a 5k... run in a triathlon... and now run in a marathon!!
for your food.. DO NOT skip breakfast!! eat egg whites and a piece of ham some fruit and juice!! and always listen to your body!! if it isn't lunch or supper time yet... have a healthy snack!! toss all the junk food (or donate to a church or pre school)! stop eating so much red meat... broiled or baked chicken is the best, and even baked fish!! lay off the fried and all the seasonings too!! it's okay to have some seasonings, but not so much you can't taste your meat!! if you are a potato lover.. eat sweet potatos!! say NO to fast food and carbinated drinks... and YES to WATER!!! and to be a little personal.. be sure you are having a BM everyday!! if you aren't change up your diet.. or take medicine!!

one thing i would like to lead you away from is trying any type of diet plan and diet pills!! you can't afford to buy that stuff for the rest of your life!! think about it.. what you do now on your own with food and exercise... you can carry on for the rest of your life!! every time a person you know says i lost this much using this diet plan or pill.. they stop and within a week they are putting the weight back on. find a "way of living" that fits your body and works best so you can loose weight and maintain it!!

for those who are married... if you and your husband need to shed some pounds do it together! there is no better partner than the one you just married!! if he dones't need to loose weight, ask your friend so you both can do it together!!


have fun with this.. LOVE working out.. DON'T stress over it... and loose the fattening food!!

also don't starve yourself... this makes you more hungry and it only puts you back where you started!!

i hope this helps.. and good luck to all who are trying to loose the weight!! you can do it... just don't give up!!

dcbowman

Read "Naturally Thin" by Bethenny Frankel (the chic from Real Housewives of NY) she talks about changing how you eat so it doesn't even feel like a diet. 

If you really want that chocolate ice-cream - have it - but just a bite or two - you'll feel satisfied, your craving will go away, and you aren't depriving yourself of anything. 

Also- have a salad before every dinner if you can- you'll fill up quicker and will eat less of the pasta or whatever your main course was - all the calories you'll save really add up . 

I swear it works - and its amazing how quickly and easily you can use her tips in your everyday life. 

Good Luck!!

2lauriebeth

I have been on Nutrisystem this summer.  All the portions are pre-measured, which helps me.  My original goal was just not to GAIN weight, (I was starting to stress eat) but I have lost and now my original dress doesn't fit me (too big).  I bought a back up that is similar to mine, but that one is too small right now.  I have 89 days to go, so I have hoping to fit into the smaller dress.  But I highly recommend Nutrisystem for any bride that wants to maintain and not gain in the time up to the wedding.

The other issue:  Size 10 is not big.  Your attendants will not be as radiant as you are--they won't have the bridal glow.  I hope you can feel proud of how beautiful you are, an how loved you are by your groom.

melissa_johns

Have you thought about joinging Weight Watchers?  Maybe a meeting would help keep you focused and build your confidence!  Plus, counting points can seem friendlier than counting calories :-)