Feeling pretty sad! Need motivation ASAP

**kiyah2** · March 16th, 2010, 12:06 PM

I have been off my Phen for almost 2 weeks. I have had a horrible sinus infection so it's hard to breathe or eat. Therefore I have skipped breakfast a few times and when I do eat it's not always healthy, However I have been walking. Why is it that I have gained 2.5 pounds? Do I have to take Phen for the rest of my life to keep from gaining the weight back?

Even when I ate right for 3 days straight plus excercise I didn't loose anything but I did gain by the end of the week. Im really feeling down because I don't want to have to take medication for the rest of my life just to keep weight off. What happens if Phen stops working for me, then how will I lose?

**blu_iz2477** · March 16th, 2010, 12:33 PM

Kiya2, our weight fluctuates like crazy did u weigh at the same time of day same clothes? U also have to remember muscle weighs more than fat so sometimes when we work out and gain muscle the scale goes up.
DON'T let one weigh in get you down to where u quit! I see you've lost almost 30 pounds thats alot, imagine 30 1 pound sugar bags on your kitchen counter thats a whole lot! Thats what has already came off of you!
So don't give up girl, not one of us would be on this site if this was an easy journey. Lots of luck this week!

**lizmcgarry** · March 16th, 2010, 12:37 PM

If you have been walking you may have gained muscle. Also, I think Phentermine makes us urinate more, like a diuretic. That may be water weight. Drink a lot of water. For some reason water in causes more water out

Remember, once you get to your goal weight you may need to keep with the food plan you are on now to maintain your weight. I call it a "lifestyle" change, not a diet! Don't eat any junk food. No fries, chips, non diet soda etc. I know they are soooooo yummy but you just have to walk away from them. If I have to have some fries when I am out, as soon as the food arrives I wall take all the fries off my plate except 5 and have the server remove them. That way I am not tempted!!!! Good luck. I hope you feel better soon.

PS: I gained 1/2 a pound this week and I am not freaking out too much. I know it's frustrating.

**Kelliee** · March 16th, 2010, 03:56 PM

Kiyah --

I've read that when we are sick, our body holds onto water tighter because it needs it to thin the mucous out. This might be what is happening -- not sure but it would explain some water retention and weight gain.

I also read that the average plateau is 3-4 days but can last as long as 2 weeks. As long as you keep doing all the right things, you should push through it. Plateaus are part of dieting and they stink and can demotivate us quickly. Trying drinking extra water during one and add in a few apples. I have also heard apples can be plateau breakers...haven't tested this theory yet but have a few on hand for the day I need to.

Good luck and hang in there....

**curvygirl63** · March 16th, 2010, 04:07 PM

Don't give up. You should give your body a chance to heal. Due to your infection and the meds you might be on to cure that, you could be retaining water like Kelliee suggests.

I work out 5-6 days a week (cardio and weight training) and I haven't lost anything for the past month. Actually I weighed myself last saturday and I gained - 2.5 lbs. :-(

I was talking to my girfriend (we go to the same clinic and we each see a different doctor at each appt.) and she was told to workout every other day and it should only be cardio. On the day you don't work out, your body gets a chance to rest from the workout the day before. Weight training can be done once you get closer to goal. Working out every day will confuse your body because what I have been burning doing cardio gets canceled out because I am also weight training at the same time. My body doesn't know what to do and I need that day of rest for my body to recover. (NO WONDER I'M NOT LOSING!)

There must be some truth to this because we started the same day, go to the same clinic and get the same date when we go for the monthly weigh in. She almost never exercises and she has lost 30 lbs and I only lost 20. I know each person is different but with the exception of exercising, we basically follow the same eating program - given by the clinic.

I decided to put the weights way, workout every other day and only focus on cardio. My next appt is in 3 weeks which should be enough time to see if I start to lose again - without weight training.

Don't give up and maybe the tips above will help.

YOU CAN DO IT!

**Kelliee** · March 16th, 2010, 04:31 PM

Hey curvygirl --

Get out of my head....I just got told the same thing yesterday by a trainer doing my fitness evaluation. I to cardio 5 days a week for 60 minutes and burn about 600-700 calories and then every other day after my 60 minutes I do the weight resistance too. He told me that I was on my way to having exercise plateau if I am not careful and push it too hard.

I thought that by now all this calorie burning would have me doing a disappearing act but I am still slow to lose so I think you just verified for me the very reason I am not seeing the efforts of my labor!

I think what I'm going to try is on the days I weight lift...only do 35-40 minutes of cardio and then weight train and see if that doesn't help. I hate to give up my cardio 5 days a week because I know I need it to burn the fat. No matter how much I read, there is always one study that says one thing and another to dispute it. I guess it's just a matter of trying things and seeing what makes the difference...

**curvygirl63** · March 16th, 2010, 06:03 PM

Kelliee,

I wish someone would have told that to me two months ago. I've been driving myself crazy. You just confirmed what I was told.

Let me know if your new exercise plan works. For now, I'm giving up the weights until I start to drop again - with just Cardio.

Good luck.

**Kelliee** · March 16th, 2010, 06:18 PM

Hey curvygirl --

After I posted above, I researched "exercise plateau" and it said to break one you can do 5 things -- #1 was rest for a week (sounds good doesn't it) . #2 was eat more. That a person might not be eating enough to sustain exercise. #3 Change it up...change intensity, machines, etc and then (cross train) #4 Do interval training, burst of fast then moderate for less time. #5 Sleep.

So, that was interesting to read and I am going to finish out the week with lower intensity and lengths and then give myself a good 2-3 day rest before starting my new plan.

I did not know this could happen, so I'm glad I do now...