Feeling like I'll be disappointed again :-(

[hoping4success]

Hi there -- not sure I should be bothering you all with this, but I'm feeling like I will, once, again be disappointed by a goal I had set...

I leave for vacation two weeks from today...I had vowed to be in the 130's (I started near 165)by then...seriously...even 139.999 would've made me happy and felt that I had accomplished my goal. Yesterday I weighed (okay, twice) and found I'm somewhere between 145 - 148 (one scale said 145, the other scale said 14. I've been working so hard, but just really seem to be 'stuck'...I should be happy. I've lost 10.75 overall inches in three weeks through working out and working through a cheat and picking myself back up (darn wine :-( )

But, I just feel so disappointed that I am not there yet. Any encouragement would really be appreciated. I know I should feel happy. Those inches are an incredible number, but I just feel as though I've somehow let myself down, once again with that number on the scale :-(

Thanks for listening to my ramblings...

[valleriek]

I know about those setbacks, my night out set me back a week!! I could have lost a lot more than 12 pounds in my first month, but I am choosing to be happy with it!! Just keep on track, what is the big deal about a number anyway? I am just delighted to be feeling healthier than ever!!! I hope to reach my goals, but that is all they are. Just keep plugging away, you will keep improving, and it takes a long time to recover from a cheat!! Don't be too hard on yourself, and LEARN from it!!!

[Greeneggs&ham]

(1) Focus on what you HAVE accomplished rather than what you HOPED to accomplish.
(2) Learn from your mistakes (next time you want a little wine, think about how you feel today because of your last glass; recognize that dated goals may lead to frustration, stress or weakness).
(3) Rather than read the "success stories" today, read some of the "just starting" stories and encourage those people to be as successful as you have been.

My family heads out for vacation in two weeks as well. Would love to be 20 pounds lighter on the beach, but am glad I'm not 20 pounds heavier had I not started when I did! Hope you enjoy your vacation!

[liv]

Yes those are great thoughts. I think it also a bit about learning how to like our selves. I know I struggle with this one like crazy but at some point during our journey we have to come to terms with who we are. Not all of us can be super models - maybe we are not superfast losers, maybe that tummy will never be totally flat. And I think if we do not learn to appreciate ourself, we will not really be happy even if we become Skinny Minnies. But it is a long journey. I hope you have a great holiday.

[hopejoy]

Throw away the scale! at least for a week or so and focus on just getting through each day cheat free... reguardless of what the scale says, you are a success! Sometimes things like hormones, water etc... make the scale go up and down like a yo yo... the scale can't always be our measure of success. Look at all those inches lost! That is fantastic! You still have 2 weeks to go... choose to succeed and choose a goal that is reachable and doesn't frustrate you. Remember that you are successful already and don't throw that away because you aren't exactly where you want to be. You've made tremendous strides so be happy about that. Choose to be happy... if you choose to be depressed you only hurt yourself.

Have a wonderful day!
liz

[chinadoll]

I have set timed goals several times and am always disappointed. You never know when or how much things might slow down, even if you are doing all the right things. Instead, make your goals things you can control like meeting your water goal, exercise goals, etc. Then be happy with whatever weight loss and inches come with it.

[joee5]

Hold up a second. You wanted to lose 30 to 35 pounds, as per your post, in 5 weeks time?? You started at a light weight to begin with. And after a nice loss and extra nice is the inches lost, and you dont feel you did enough? You did excellent in the short amount of time you gave yourself. Stay focused. You still have 2 weeks to lose i would think up to 10 more if you wanted to. Good luck. God Bless,Joe

[studyinscarlet]

10.75 inches in three weeks is awesome! You should be really proud of yourself. As far as the weight goes don't worry about what the scale says if you're shrinking. A scale doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle.
Here's a thread I started that might help you
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...measuring.html (Why the Scale Lies - The Importance of Measuring)

And here's another thread that I thought was really great:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ot-linear.html (Weight loss is not linear)

Good luck and keep your chin up!

[eclectikat]

I agree with everyones thoughts...

JUST REMEMBER The scale is not your friend. My weight has not changed for a while but I was pleasantly surprised to have lost many inches all over during the last month. And I see a difference. You need to rethink your goals... maybe you should think in over all inches lost or BETTER yet... fitting into a piece of clothing you want to wear... the numbers on a scale are soooo deciieving. and when you are at your weight it is hard to lose like us "formerly" big people. DON"T compare yourself to the numbers we drop... when you don't many pounds to lose those last ones are the toughest so if you are losing inches THINK ON THAT SUCCESS... Are you doing strength training? what kind of cardio are you doing? if you spend one or two extra hours before your vacation... you may indeed reach your goal... STAY POSITIVE... you will be less likely to give up if you think on the things you have already accomplished than if you think about how you have failed...
CAUSE YOU CAN DO IT!!!! If I can haul my 250ish lb *** up and down the hills nearby and sweat off the lbs you can too!!

KEEP US POSTED

And don't ever think you are bothering any of us here.. that is why we are here... we all need support and to know someone out there knows out pains and struggles. THis is the place to find that.

[DesertRain]

Hi! First I just want to say-------you are doing amazing! Atkins is not a quick fix. I personally know about quick fixes like water fasting or the master cleanse in which you drop a ridiculous amount of weight really quick. Sure, you feel good, but you are depriving yourself, you're hungry, irritable and unhealthy. In my opinion, Atkins is meant for people who are willing to give their health a lifetime commitment. I would also love to be a certain amount of pounds by a certain amount of days....but the truth is, when I look back and think, oh my goodness, this is actually working for me, I feel blessed to be where I am now, as oppose to where I was when I began.
You have successfully lost a really good amount of weight, and you can be assured that it is noticeable to those who know you. And I think that if you can ignore the scales until you get back (I know, I know, easier said than done) and just really believe in yourself and the success that you've had.....you can and will feel fantastic and confident on your trip. Throw in some extra exercises, sit ups, push ups.....and by vacation time you will hold your head up high.
Don't be disappointed, look back and be proud that you've made it this far.
Have fun on your vacay, and please keep us posted!