Mininum weight loss after 8 weeks to decide it's working?

[DORKtoDIVA]

I struggle with weight loss - basically, I can't lose any. Either I'm doing it wrong or I have an underlying issue.

Despite this, I still have a good amount of motivation, but motivation can't last forever without results. I've devised a new plan of exercise and diet and feel I can stick with it for up to 8 weeks before reviewing how it's working. In another words, even if I don't lose weight for the first 7 weeks, if during the 8th week I start seeing some results (assuming it takes time for metabolism to increase, or detox or whatever) I could then be motivated to continue. But if, after 8 weeks, I've got nothing - well, I quit, you know?

But that leads to the question of what would I consider to be success? If I lost 2 pounds I would think that wouldn't really qualify because 2 pounds could be a weight fluctuation of a single day. So, likewise, 1 pound of loss isn't enough.

But would 3 pounds after 8 weeks be more than just daily fluctation? Would you think that 3 pounds was the start of more to come? Or would it have to be more?

BTW I'm not all that fussed about the number on the scale, but I have to figure out some way to measure progress. I guess I could say I should go down a size after X weeks, but I'm thinking it would take months to go down a size given my efforts and failures, even if I hit upon something that was working. I don't think I could last 3 or 4 months not knowing something was working. I could if I knew I'd lost, say, 4 pounds, though.

I have about 30 pounds of excess fat. I'd be thrilled if I lost half that (NOT necessarily in the 8 weeks!! Just overall).

Anyway. Thoughts?

[5kgLifter]

The best way to measure true progress is by how clothing fits and the waist measurement. This can only be done, if you start taking measurements straight away, since you'll get a better overall picture.

Measure:
Bust
Hips
Waist

Log them down somewhere, then measure them again in one month's time...do them first thing in the morning and exactly one month apart (unless it clashes with the dreaded period ), in which case measure a couple of weeks after that, so 6 weeks, that should give time for any bloating etc to not affect the measurements.

Also make sure you are not overeating, or undereating, but generally being sensible. In addition, write down all exercise that you are doing, and aim to get 45 minutes every day at least...on the rest day, go for a long walk, or a gentle cycle ride.

I would access your other posts to see whether any of this info is already up on the site, but it seems I can't find other posts already up...so, I'm hoping I haven't covered something you're already doing and that this helps.

I know when I put muscle tissue on, I looked smaller, had a smaller waist/bust (nice ) but I weighed more...which is why I suggest tape measure to be the best guide.

[5kgLifter]

I should have added, that if after 8 weeks you still feel like you're stuck at a plateau...don't give up the exercise and trying to eat healthily, but do go and see a doctor in conjunction with doing these things. Also, if you list down what you're currently doing and what you're eating and present it to the doctor, they cannot just dismiss you as overweight/ or worse still overeating etc...and hopefully that will be enough to force them to look into it.

Above all, stay strong

[DORKtoDIVA]

Thanks for the advice.

When I'm discouraged I don't really change my habits much. I eat pretty much the same (a "traditional food" diet, cook everything from scratch, lots of protein), but when I'm really motivated I'll cut grains to the barest minimum and quit baking pie (lol).

Same with the exercise, I don't quit it and become a couch potato, but it's the difference between working out 6 times a week and really pushing myself versus just going for a run once or twice and doing weights once or twice. Obviously the latter isn't enough, but the point is that I'm not just totally quitting. Funny enough, I don't gain weight or sizes when I scale back (and don't lose weight/sizes when I pile on).

I haven't hit a plateau because that would imply I've made some progress, and I haven't. I'm still the same size USA 10-12 with a belly of jello that I was last year, when I did not exercise AT ALL (never did before this year) and only started learning to cook (and thus ate macaroni and cheese and frozen pizza).

So I'm definitely doing something wrong or have something else going on. I may consider finding another doctor because I got quite the ($$$) workup last year when I was ill, and it was a total waste of money. I don't mean that it was a waste because nothing came up but because he didn't even know where to look. (Can you tell I'm unimpressed).

All the same, I do feel much, much better and seem to have mostly healed myself through diet, exercise and lifestyle changes (arranged my life so I could get a solid night's sleep, etc.). I feel pretty good but would just love to get back into my size 4-6 I used to wear.

[5kgLifter]

I understand the part about the doctors and fully sympathise, I've been seeing specialists for the last 7-8 months and quite frankly they don't appear to know anything at all...I've found more info from the internet than through all the pointless, lengthy appontments and tests.