How to stay motivated when the scales don't budge?!

[BurnThisDiscoDown]

Just that really. I've been trying to lose weight for the last month or so (I have 3 stone to lose so not an insignificant amount); I've been sticking to 1200 calories per day on mfp and have started couch25k so am doing that 3 times a week as well. But the scales haven't moved. I'm on pizotifen which I don't think is helping, but it's so disheartening I'm finding it hard not to think fuck it, I'll have a Mars bar (and have been a pig this weekend ).

Any ideas to keep me on the straight and narrow?

I am the same, I've been losing and gaining the same half stone for about 3 months now.

I try to think that it's better staying the same than going upwards which is what happens if I cheat

I've always been informed by personal trainers/doctors etc that the weight loss is not the be all and end all. It's measurements that are important. If you've a healthy diet and exercising regularly then you are converting fat to muscle as well as trying to burn it off.

Maybe just a change of perspective would help? Measure up the areas you're keen to work on and keep track that way?

I'm also trying to drop down sizes but found that jumping on the scales I only lost 2kg (sorry an Aussie not sure on conversion to stone) but lost a whopping 10cm off total measurement (arms, thighs, waist).
The realisation that I was actually achieving something has kept me going, when I almost chucked the damn scales and eyed off the tub of cookies n cream ice cream.

Either way you're great by simply getting off the couch
Good luck!!

I'm in the same situation, 3 stone to lose and nothings happening!

Are you eating back your exercise calories? Do you weigh all of your food? Do you log your drinks?

In my case I think the lack of sleep is a problem, not sure what to do about that as my 11 week old doesn't seem to care!

And I second taking measurements, there are some good before & after pics on mfp where their weight hasn't changed but they look so much better.

My measurements are going down a bit, I'm just finding it hard not to obsess about the scales. I know it shouldn't matter as long as something's happening, but it does for some reason.

I log any drinks that aren't tea and coffee or water, I think because I did mfp a year or so ago I didn't worry about it but was still losing 1lb a week. I try not to eat back the exercise calories, unless I'm starving!

I know what you mean, I want to be slim and light! They say to give every new change 3 weeks to work, I'm really impatient and would like to see results a lot quicker!

Most people on mfp say to eat back your exercise calories, but a lot of people thing mfp overestimates what you burn. I compromise by eating 50% or so back.

Do you have milk/cream or sugar in your tea/coffee?

I have a bit of semi skimmed milk in tea and coffee, no sugar. I've been trying to drink more water too as I'm
a bit rubbish at getting enough down me. I eat a little bit of chocolate most days as if I try not to eat any I go the other way and eat loads, but I'm wondering if I need to try and cut out sugar now, eek!

Oh yes, I know the feeling! I have been so good these last few weeks and I'm annoyed that the weight is taking so long to fall off!

I think it is a big surprise how little food we actually need - I measured a tablespoon of peanut butter yesterday and was horrified - I had been having at least twice that amount! I know you say you are logging everything - make sure you are brutally honest with your food cos the only person you are cheating is yourself.

Good luck! You'll get there!

MrsGSR- when you say eating back your exercise calories, do you mean having the equivalent food for what you use? Is that recommended? I am a serial yoiyo dieter and now trying to balance out myself, by eating sensible calories and exercise plan. My head totally spins with all f it.thanks

Definitely persevere. I started a similar regime in January. There was no change for the first 3 weeks, but then I lost 2 lb consistently for a number of weeks, followed by a plateau, which was really disheartening. But I'm back on track now and have lost 20 since I started. Don't give up.

If you can just have a little bit of chocolate then there is no need to give it up, as long as you log it :)

annielostit On myfitnesspal it is generally recommended that you eat back the calories (or at least some of them) that you earn by exercising. Otherwise you could be eating at a massive deficit which isn't a good idea long term. But if you work out your calories using your TDEE (there are calculators online) then you don't need to eat back your exercise calories as your TDEE already includes them. Does that make sense?

This MFP thread explains exercise calories much better than I can!