Help me out here....

[Timber99]

Okay, this might be a long one but I need a fitness educated crowd to help sort my brain out. Let me make a long story short...

In 1996, I lost 85 pounds. I did it with diet and exercise. For the first 40 pounds, I did step aerobics only. For the next 45, I used weights as well (circuit machines at the gym). I learned about fitness as I went along.

In 1997, I started using the Firm and very soon after, Cathe. I lost about another two dress sizes but no weight. I think I even gained 5 pounds.

Since about 2003, I evened out and pretty much weight the same, give or take five pounds. I did the South Beach Diet twice - once in October 2003 and once this past fall. Both times, I slimmed way down and kept off that extra 5 - 7 pounds. You can see a VAST difference in me when that happens. I felt great! But after a couple of months, I have to admit that I was tired and a little worn down.

Here's my deal...

Right now I am up the extra weight. I feel awful b/c I feel fat. I have more flab than usual but I'm sure it's not as bad as I think. I'm seeing that "fat girl" in the mirror (those of us tht have lsot weight know what I am talking about). But...my muscles seem strong and I feel good. I can't seem to find that mental balance between the 5 pounds lower and "looking great!" or the bit heavier and feeling super strong. I am down in the dumps about the extra pounds but still am not eating fantastically. I just don't have the extra "push" to do South Beach right now, even though I know that would fix my issue in two weeks time.

I know we all go through this now and again and I feel mental right now but I've been struggling for almost a month now. My PMS isn't helping either

Any advice?

 

[Biteset]

Just a question--I took a look at your pictures. How tall are you? I'm 5'10", and I can just say that as little as five pounds can make the difference between me feeling like hot stuff --or-- feeling gigantic and kinda not feminine enough. It's nuts.

ETA: you sure have a glamourous smile! (but I know that's not what you're asking about)

Gisela

 

[Biteset]

I also have to say, when I'm at my "thin" weight I feel like an imposter. I feel like my inner enormous person is just straining to bust out. I haven't been fat, but I have been pregnant twice. Just before #2 was born, I topped out at 200 lbs. Afterwards I worked my way down from 170 lbs. to 150 lbs. Well now I'm at 165, without the post-pregnancy excuse. And I'm tall. And flat-chested. None of the weight goes to the right places. I feel like a shapeless (pear-shaped) cow.

Anyway, if you're a tall girl, maybe you can relate to this. It would be nice to feel "dainty"--ya know, like Cathe...sigh.

Gisela

 

[nancy324]

Christine, first I just want to say that I gain 5 lbs. every month, and then lose it again just from water weight, and I don't seem to have any control over it. So, IMHO under no circumstances should you ever let 5 little measly pounds cause you to feel down. It's such a small amount.

Second, I just wanted to say that although I've never officially "gone on" the South Beach Diet, I understand that my usual every day eating is pretty much South Beach "maintenance". I'm not sure why you refer to South Beach as something to "go on". It sounds to me like maybe you are just using the first few (very strict) weeks of the eating plan to lose weight, and then reverting to your prior eating habits? But, if I'm not mistaken, it's the part that comes after the really strict beginning part that you're supposed to stay with for the rest of your life? Have you tried that? Just an idea.

HTH,

 

[eriniski]

Christine,

We all go through exactly what you had said. I think you look GREAT! But no matter what anyone says its a matter of how you feel. Not sure if you would be interested but there was a check-in challenge on 7- day clean eating that a few of us are trying. Maybe with a little support and struggle that we are all going to have in the next week it will help get you back on track to feeling yourself.

I do also want to comment that a lot of people I have talked to actually feel heavier when they lose a lot of weight than when they were actually heavier (if that makes sense).

Hope that helps and hope to see you in the check-in challenge forum for 7-day clean eating !

Erin

 

[SRP]

Christine - I've never been overweight, so I can't say I know how you feel... but I can say I know how you feel about the five pound issue.

I decided a year or so ago that I was going to lose 5 pounds, get that flab off my butt and really see some muscle definition. I went on a modified version of the Eat to Live diet. I lost 7 pounds... but guess what? I still had the flab on my rear. Sigh.

I could tell a little difference, and it was exciting to lose the weight. But like you, I was tired, and I was really sick of watching every single bite I ate. I despise calorie counting.

So I stopped. The weight is back - and it stays there. I'll fluctuate a pound or two up and down occasionally, but mostly my weight stays right there. It's the weight my body is comfortable with, and now I'm comfortable with it too.

I had to talk to myself pretty firmly about it, but now I know two things: 1) I am very fit and fairly strong ... I mean, who isn't who does Cathe? 2) I enjoy life much more when I have a little leeway with my diet. It's much, much more comfortable this way.

I know I really got caught up with the scale for a while, and it was starting to hurt me. I hope you can find a point of balance and be happy. I think you look fabulous!!!

 

[divagirl]

Hey Christine,

I'm totally here with you. I'm only 5'3" and I was at one point 155 lbs..then got down to 127 and now after quitting smoking am up to 134.5. Do I feel strong? Yes. Do I feel healthy? Yes. But...I am not comfortable at this weight. I feel "heavy" a lot. I want to lose 10 pounds now. I think I would just feel lighter and more comfortable even though I wear a size 5/6 and can still wear juniors clothes. I know its more mental than anything else. I can't exercise more than I am at 1 to 1.5 hours/6 days. I'm struggling with either getting more strict with the diet and losing the pounds or accepting where I'm at and being happy here. All in all...I'd like to end the struggle one way or another. No advice..just sympathy over here. Good luck girl!

 

[Timber99]

Thanks to everyone that chimed in here. I should clarify a fwe things:

1. I don't really get caught up in the scale. I know that I pretty much stay the same, give or take a few pounds, and I only try to tighten up when it stay up for a bit and I start to feel it in my clothes or see it in my body.

2. What I am talking about isn't a "water weight 5 pounds." This is true weight and excess. I can feel and see it.

3. I'm 5 ft. 11 and 3/4. Truly just a *hair* under 6 feet!

4. I pretty much eat at the SBD "maintenance stage" regularly, but lately have been going out more and digressing a bit. So it's not that I go on SBD for two weeks at stage one and then go to eating horribly but that two weeks of being very strict usually cleaneses my body and attitude enough that I can stay on the stage three without fail afterwards. It takes a lot of willpower for the frst week though!

5. Yes, after being heavy and losing, sometimes I really do feel fatter now than before, It's awful!

Thank you to everyone! Sometimes it's just nice to know that I'm not alone.

 

[nancy324]

I know what you mean, Christine. Eating out always poses difficulties. I don't even try to resist the same bread I would never dream of eating at home.

You're sure NOT alone! I hardly know a soul who isn't struggling with that same 5 lbs.

 

[RunnerGirl]

I know what you mean about the mirror and seeing your old self. When I go shopping sometimes I grab size 12's still. I am now a 6-8. It's crazy. I can't seem to get my mind there. I think I gain about 5 lbs during PMS every month. I try not to freak because it always goes right back down.
LD

 

[Mikkia]

Hang in there. I think everyone that does Cathe or any serious workout program has a issue with "5 lbs". Its always 5 lbs, if its only 3 lbs you can tell yourself to tweak your diet or work out really hard for a week, its something about the "5 lb" mark that makes your feel that you are out of control and need a major rehaul.
I went to the doctor today, I am up 4 lbs from last year, you all know how that made me feel. I am telling myself it is all of the weight training and the extra muscle I put on. I am just glad it wasn't the "5 lbs", or I would feel even worse....