I feel and look better but have not lost a single pound (and I have 40 to lose!)

[Anonymous]

Also, how are you tracking your food? Are you weighing/measuring everything or just estimating?

[Anonymous]

I've found that I can go months with no weight change, and then seemingly lose 10 pounds overnight. Bodies are weird. If you feel better, that's the important thing, because it suggests what you're doing is sustainable. Putting yourself through misery is not useful for long-term lifestyle change.

I think you'll see results eventually. Look at it this way. You didn't become 40 pounds overweight in a week. It probably was a gradual gain over many years. So don't kick yourself if it takes a gradual loss over many years to get to your goal.

Also, hormones. In addition to tricking your body into holding onto weight it doesn't need, they also lead to inflammation and bloating, which for many women is as big a problem as actual fat cells when it comes to weight. No matter how perfectly you plan your diet and exercise, hormones can totally #%&*$ everything up. Like I said, bodies are weird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've found that I can go months with no weight change, and then seemingly lose 10 pounds overnight. Bodies are weird. If you feel better, that's the important thing, because it suggests what you're doing is sustainable. Putting yourself through misery is not useful for long-term lifestyle change.

I think you'll see results eventually. Look at it this way. You didn't become 40 pounds overweight in a week. It probably was a gradual gain over many years. So don't kick yourself if it takes a gradual loss over many years to get to your goal.

Also, hormones. In addition to tricking your body into holding onto weight it doesn't need, they also lead to inflammation and bloating, which for many women is as big a problem as actual fat cells when it comes to weight. No matter how perfectly you plan your diet and exercise, hormones can totally #%&*$ everything up. Like I said, bodies are weird.

This is very helpful, thanks. I do feel much better: stronger, leaner. And my food cravings are gone. I cannot take away more calories and still function and be pleasant all day. I’m eating very well, and exercising 45 minutes a day. I’m hoping that one day the number on the scale will be less!

[Anonymous]

Did you cut processed carbs? I gave up bread, pasta, crackers, chips etc and lost 30 lbs in 6 months. I stepped up running and weight training for exercise. Weight training has made a huge difference.

[Anonymous]

In addition to “clean”, make your calories as low carb and higher fat as you can. It will make hunger less sharp or you may even feel satiated. Basically, sacrifice some variety for less grumpiness and less hanger. I think it’s a worthwhile trade off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did you cut processed carbs? I gave up bread, pasta, crackers, chips etc and lost 30 lbs in 6 months. I stepped up running and weight training for exercise. Weight training has made a huge difference.

Yes of course!