Do you ever just feel doomed?............

Calico

Calico

Cathlete
to be forever just a fat, fit person or a fit, fat person?!?:+ I am soo tired of not losing and working out til I drop or I can't find anything to do because nothing appeals to me anymore. Mind you I haven't stopped working out and I probably won't but I am not getting anywhere with my weight.:( I can't seem to find a way of eating that I can stick to for any length of time, or if I do manage to lose some I can't maintain the loss.:( ;( I am really getting frustrated with it all.

Thanks for letting me vent!!:(
 
I've felt like this often. Don't give up, though. Just think about the alternative. We just have to help each other out during these difficult times. When you can't do it on your own, come here. That's what I do, and someone always keeps me going just one more day (and has for the past five years).

As for sticking with an eating program, do you get plenty of protein spaced evenly throughout the day? That was one thing that helped me a LOT. I found that if I eat protein with every meal and snack, I don't get ravenous during the day. Just a thought.

Shari
 
Annette, I hear you! I am having a bad stretch of things myself, and wondering why? why? why?
Why do I workout so hard and seem to have nothing to show for it? I have been working out faithfully with the Hardcores since I got them (4 weeks ago) and my weight has gone no where - so I took my measurements today (I was going to wait until 6 weeks, but I was feeling so discouraged I decided to cheer myself up and take them this morning). Guess what? NOTHING! My body has not budged a quarter of an inch!

I am sorry that I don't have any words of encouragement, but maybe it will help you to know that you're not alone. I get really frustrated when I read these boards and see everybody else writing about their success and thinking "what am I doing wrong?"

Tracy
 
I haven't seen the scale change a whole lot, nor the tape measure since working out with Cathe for the past 2 1/2 months, but the muscle tone is amazing. My short, thick thighs are firming up nicely, my fat on the back is not bulging out anymore and my arms are looking more defined. These things are nice for me to see but...

I work out to aid in my 2 passions, horseback riding (dressage) and cycling. My core is getting so strong that my bouncy Quarter Horse's trot is not able to shake me around as much. I can hold him still more by my body staying centered. I have a much easier time keeping my legs underneath me instead of tipping forward and my legs going backward. That's better core strength gained thru my Cathe workouts.

My cycling has gotten much better too, due to the step interval training that raises my heartrate. I think all the ab and core work helps on the bike immensely as I feel the power generated from my legs goes to the pedals better by way of a firm core. For this early in our cycling season, I'm seeing good results.

For me, it helps to have a goal to work toward. Your workouts will pay off big time.

Hang in there, there's nothing like feeling strong!

Jeanette :7
 
If you see exercise as just a means to an end, it can get frustrating when there are no changes. If you see it as a way of life and something you do just for yourself because you love yourself, it's easier to keep it up.

A year from now, you can look back at all the hard work you've done and be proud of yourself just for doing it. Or you can stop exercising and look back a year from now and realize just another year has passed. You may not be seeing all the changes you would like to see right now, but you are doing so much good for your health right now. Please keep it up.

:)
 
I feel your pain :) I get in this mode as well. I have been exercising for so many years now and that sometimes I feel like it "doesn't show." Just remember that you don't only exercise for weight loss, but for stress relief, to be a healthy person, etc. Sometimes if you can realize that you are acheiving those goals, it becomes more positive again. For example, I am almost at 60 days in P90X. At 30 days, I didn't see any results....not on the scale (but I really don't have weight loss as a goal) and not in inches and no even in pictures but in strength - definitely. So while I still don't look any better in my bikini, I think that was an accomplishment to see gains in strength.

That being said, I totally sympathize b/c I've been trying to make changes in my "bikini appearance" for years. I feel like I have worked hard, watched my food (without being too strict) and the results are not there. It is very frustrating at times but I just try to remind myself that I want to be healthy and that if I am not bikini perfect, at least my body is strong and my heart is pumpin'!
 
Well...ruling out a medical condition, you know it's all in what you are eating. If you're still eating large portion's at mealtime, shoving junk foods/processed foods down your throat...then yeah, you won't lose much weight despite consistent exercise.

You really need to improve what you are eating. And until you are willing to do that, you probably won't lose weight. I just gave this speech on another thread but I'll repeat myself, eating sugary treats and processed junk foods is a very bad habit to try to break. It's takes real work, just like someone trying to quit smoking or quit biting their nails. You don't wake up in the morning and say, "hey-I'm going to start eating healthy foods", and then never have a craving for a potato chip when a coworker is sitting next to you sowing down a super size bag. Changing your bad eating habits is going to take time and much effort on your part. But...until you are ready to give up all those junk foods or scale down your dinner portion's...you won't be successful. You have to want to do this for yourself, not just want to do it because you know you should. People who have successfully lost large amounts of weight AND kept it off will tell you...it was a lifestyle change and that has to be for the rest of your life. So see, until you are mentally ready to improve what you eat, how much you eat, you won't be able to make this lifestyle change if your heart and soul isn't in it.

Start by not buying processed foods anymore. Don't go down that snack food isle at the grocery store. It is all junk and you don't need to eat it. Start eating more whole foods, fruits, vegetables, meats not covered in gravy or rich cream sauces, eggs, whole grain breads, cheeses and nuts. These are the foods your body needs, not sugary, salty snacky stuff.
 
The thing is I don't eat alot of processed foods and I have all for the most part given up sugar. I still occasionally endulge on the weekends but still it isn't like I go whole hog about it. I even limit my white flour. At the moment I might not be eating enough since I am kinda depressed and not really eating. Anyway thanks for the input.:)
 
How about this then...stop trying to eliminate certain foods, like the low carb diets are preaching, and just start eating natural whole foods without worrying about what has certain elements in it (like the white flour). I think people get too caught up in all of these fad diet plans when if they would just take a deep breath and step back from all of that hipe...they would realize that just eating simple meals consisting of simple, basic foods is what is best for all of us.

White bread isn't our enemy...portion control is. Sugar isn't our enemy as long as we don't eat sugary desserts everyday. Think about how people used to eat 70 years ago. They couldn't go to the store and buy hamburger helper or diet pepsi. They drank water, milk and fruit juices. They ate good foods for meals, unprocessed. They ate fruits and vegetables that were in season or had been frozen/canned.

Plan your meals around unprocessed foods. Breakfast of eggs, ham and juice. Lunch of salad with some extra vegetables chopped into it and maybe a small chicken breast. Dinner of a steak and roasted vegetables couldn't be any simpler or more nutritious. And fresh fruit for dessert is always welcome. In my own house I only serve a prepared dessert on weekends. During the week I always have a bowl of fresh fruit to serve my family after meal times.

Maybe what you really need is to rethink how you cook and what you cook. Everyone seems to think that cooking is so time consuming and they don't want to do it so they are lured into buying more processed foods with the idea that meal preparation will be easy and simple. Well, they're wrong and it's all an advertising scheme to keep overweight Americans buying more over processed foods.

Check out the muriad of recipes at the FoodNetwork web site. Every cooking show has it's recipes on the Food Network site and can be downloaded for your personal use. Rachel Ray of course is infamous for her 30 minute meals. Start by browsing through her shows and see if any of her meals interest you.

Cooking and eating do not have to be work. We do have healthy choices. You need to be eating a balanced diet in order to feel good and exercise at your optimum. If you're trying to follow one diet scheme or combine scheme's you're probably not eating a balanced diet and that could contribute to why you feel down right now. THROW ALL OF THAT OUT THE WINDOW TODAY!

Eating should be a pleasure. A pleasure to be shared with friends and family. And preparing healthy meals is the start to enjoying food again for you. Don't get caught up in the low fat-no fat crap either. Put all of the diet myths out of your mind and start with a fresh attitude that you aren't going to worry about fat content or sugar content or what type of flour is in the bread. You are going to start preparing meals with whole foods and you have no need for all that other junk and hype because as long as you are eating whole foods that are unprocessed...you already know you aren't overdoing the fat, or the sugar. And of course, portion control is always important. We don't need to eat a 12 ounce steak. Half of that is plenty with two sides of vegetables prepared simply with herbs, maybe a little butter or olive oil.

We've all heard the keep-it-simple-stupid saying. This is so true with food. When you're grocery shopping, you should be buying most of your items from the outside perimeter of the store. Fresh fruits and vegetables are always on one side, then the meat counter, then the dairy case and eggs, then the bread. You really have no need to go down any of the other isles except to buy flour, sugar, spices, olive oil, fruit juices/veg. juice., pasta, and frozen vegetables. Stop buying the crackers, and cookies, and chips, and pop, and processed cereals (with the exception of oatmeal), the boxed dinners, etc. etc.

K-I-S-S: keep your meals and snacks based on whole, unprocessed foods. Make sure you are getting your 5 serving of fruits/vegetables a day. Make sure you are eating enough protein everyday. Limit sugary snacks and desserts to one or two a week and remember...portion size makes or breaks any good eating plan.
 
Maybe you are just at a stand still or plateau. I know that I stayed the same weight and size for about 6 months. I also got very discouraged since I was working out hard and eating healthy. I like you wondered why am I doing this! But, I continued and eventually I did start to loose weight again and loose inches also. It was like my body said, "okay, I am in shock here so I am going to take a break". Since starting the hardcores, I have lost about 3-4 Lbs. and I can wear a size 4. It is tight, but I could not even get a 4 on before the hardcores. I have not changed my eating or anything other than the hardcores. As far as eating goes, I try to eat clean 80% of the time, but if I really want something I will have it in moderation even sugar. Sometimes I think that when we eat something like sugar or white flour or something that is high in carbs, it shocks our system and increases our metabolism. Ofcourse this is done only occassionally, definetly not on a everday basis. I guess my suggestion is, ligthen up and don't kill yourself working out and trying to avoid certain foods. Like someone else said, just eat sensibly. Also, since I started the Hardcores, I have really backed off of the cardio and I am doing mostly weight training. It is burning the fat off fast! I guess my body responds better to weight training than to cardio. Just some suggestions that has worked for me. Keep trying you will get there!
Kathy


Kathy
 
>If you see exercise as just a means to an end, it can get
>frustrating when there are no changes. If you see it as a way
>of life and something you do just for yourself because you
>love yourself, it's easier to keep it up.
>
>A year from now, you can look back at all the hard work you've
>done and be proud of yourself just for doing it. Or you can
>stop exercising and look back a year from now and realize just
>another year has passed. You may not be seeing all the
>changes you would like to see right now, but you are doing so
>much good for your health right now. Please keep it up.
>
>:)


I think this is excellent advice. The thing I would add to it is about the eating. As long as the food motivates you more than changing your body, your eating habits won't change and therefore your bodyfat will not either. It all comes down to what you want more. If you want it badly enough, you will figure out an eating plan you can stick with!

I speak as one who had a good amount of yo-yo rounds of dieting and several false starts after becoming obese. I've now maintained an 80-lb weight loss for two years and my eating has changed forever, so I am sure excess weight will never again be an issue for me.

Either way, being "fit and fat" is surely better than being "unfit and fat" so good for you for keeping with the exercise!
 
I have pretty much been the same weight for years now and I exercise. I am "plump" and fit. My medical stats are in the excellent zone (blood pressure, cholesterol, etc) but I am overweight. My doctor has never said anything about the weight but I know I probably should lose a few pounds (OK a lot of pounds) but I guess at my age I am happy with myself, I can do things that others cannot (who are not overweight) but since I exercise it helps me stay healthy.

I also take the attitude, if you don't like the way I look, don't look at me. This is who I am and if you don't like it, oh well I don't need you as a friend.

I know this probably doesn't help you but I bet there are more fit and fat people in the world, you just don't hear or see them.

Do I get discourage, well yes but this is who I am.

Rhonda
 
Hi, Annette! If you haven't found a way of eating you can stick with, you haven't found the right one for you. I agree the diet is a key component but when you are a faithful exerciser and it doesn't happen, I think it's a combination of your genes and body type that make it so much harder. YES, you are fit but are you really fat? Rhonda is a wise woman! Her medical stats are excellent but she's "overweight". But is she really? Wouldn't she be developing high blood pressure or diabetes or one of the other medical problems that can arise? We live in a society that has seen the standard for thinness in women get thinner and thinner year after year. Yes, more than half of adults are overweight but don't you think women who are inclined to be plumper have a hard time distinguishing what's normal for them when the stadard is false? You might be in need of losing just a few pounds to be perfect for you but you're bombarded with images that make you want to be unrealistically small and you might be trying diets that are unreasonably stringent and therefore, doomed to failure. I see your signature with it's thumbs up smilie and it makes me so sad to think you feel doomed. You have been a source of encouragement for so many years so please don't feel doomed! You have your exercise in place. For your diet, you simply need one that suits you and diets don't include self-depravation, only balance. The hard part is realizing that you probably won't ever look like Cathe. :) I don't either. I look at Cathe and the crew and I don't long to be thinner but I maybe feel doomed to look more like a stick figure than a fitness model. :) You are not doomed and you may very well be perfect! My recommendation is to keep working out and play with your diet. I eat 5 or 6 times a day and favor complex carbs, lean proteins most often vegetarian, a fair amount of monounsturated fats and a little sat fat. Don't look at yourself and think I need to lose 20 pounds. Start with 1 or 5 and you can pare off 20 easily but it will take awhile, a pound or two a week. Once you know how many calories you burn by working out, your daily caloric intake is the key. Through exercise and diet, it takes eliminating 3500 calories to drop a pound and it can be done. If you are burning 2000 calories a week through exercise, that leaves 1500 to be taken off your diet, that's 214 calories a day. Flip those numbers and it's 285. Know your daily caloric intake, the approximate number of calories burned, how many you need to be able to eat and not feel deprived and you can lose a few pounds a little at a time. Do the things that Catheites who've lost large amounts of weight do. Log your exercise and food intake. You can do anything you set your mind to! This is a numbers game and knowing what's right for your fitness level, body type and being able to eat and not feel deprived is the key. The people who are sucessful at losing and keeping off weight have done so by exercising and eating sensibly and whether you wish to lose a little or a lot, start with a little. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step! Small goals really work whether any of us need to lose or gain, change our diets or just quit feeling doomed! And if I can help, I'd love to in any way. You are such a lovely woman. There's a perfet plan for you!
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Maturity is the ability to do a job whether or not you are supervised, to carry money without spending it, and to bear an injustice without wanting to get even.

-Ann Landers
 
I am so comforted to see that others are going through the same thing as me. I exercise with Cathe exclusively at least 5-6 times per week. I've been the hardcores every since they arrived (middle of February) and I have actually put on 3-4 lbs. My eating hasn't really changed but I do watch what I eat and am focusing on making healthier choices.

I don't sit down with a carton of ice cream and a bag of cookies every night. Breakfast is either Quaker Oats oatmeal or Kashi GoLean cereal, with skim milk. I do eat fruits, yogurt and usually have a salad, with low-fat dressing for lunch. Dinner is basically protein, quite often chicken, with a side dish and some veggies. Occasionally I'll have a fat-free pudding with the fat-free cool whip or some Social Tea cookies with my daughter when we have our nightly tea. Sorry to go on about what I eat, I figured if I wrote it down, I'd see what I'm doing wrong.

However my weight just doesn't want to budge, it seems like it keeps going up and it is very frustrating. My stomach is looking bigger by the minute. I had a doctor's appointment this morning and they did bloodwork to check my thyroid. Will have the results on Monday. In a way I'm hoping that's my problem because I am all out of solutions other than starving myself and at this rate, that probably wouldn't work either.

I feel your pain and frustration.;( :( ;(
 
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