I've been trying to lose weight for almost three weeks now and I haven't lost any yet. But yesterday, I was visiting my sister-in-law and she mentioned that she has lost three pounds this past week by drinking slim fast. Although she is more active that I am. She's on the thin side to begin with so I don't know why she wants to lose weigh, she doesn't need to.

I didn't mention to her that I'm trying to lose weigh because I've had so many failed attempts in the past. I know some people have faster metabolism and lose weigh quicker, but hearing this was just discouraging.

I just don't know what I'm doing wrong. I eat fruits, vegetables, some meat and no junk. I exercise a little. I'll be able to get more exercise in once the weather warms up.

By Kate on Monday, February 26, 2007 - 11:02 pm:

May I ask how old you are? It can be harder or easier to lose weight depending on your age I believe. Your diet sounds just fine, perhaps you truly are at a healthy weight for your age and height. Have you plotted your BMI?

By Justanaunt on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 - 12:23 am:

I'm 28 and nearly 60 lbs overweight. I've struggled with my weight most of my life.

By Amyl on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 - 06:14 am:

I am on Weight watchers and love it, I have lost 12.5 lbs in 5 weeks. I like it because once I write everything that I eat down on paper and add up my points it helps hold myself accountable for my actions. Good luck, persistance is the key.

By Justanaunt on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 - 07:20 am:

I wish I could do Weight Watchers, but there isn't one close to me and I can't sign up to do it online because I don't have a credit card. I've heard a lot of people that have had success with WW though. I'm keeping a food journal and most days do really well. I would love to lose a couple of pounds a week, but so far I haven't lost any.

By Vicki on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 - 08:45 am:

I would try to get more exercise. It sounds like your eating ok. Even a 20 minute walk a day will help!

By Kaye on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 - 09:29 am:

I did weight watchers too, it was a great program, but I feel off the wagon. The biggest advice they had is to write down EVERY bite you eat. Usually when we are struggling with losing weight it is those handful of goldfish crackers that we eat on the pass through of the kitchen.

The only real way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you eat. So if you are eating good, you need to bump your exercise.

In general with WW you are allowed a certain number of points based on your weight, I think less than 150 you get 22 points a day. 200 gets 24 points. Plus you get 35 flex points that you get to use either 5 a day, or all in one meal A point is about worth 50 calories.

The other great advice they had is, one mistake won't break your diet, as long as you get right back on after you fall.

Other highlights, 8 glasses of water a day, 2 glasses of milk a day, a tbs of olive oil a day, and some veggies each day.

By Kym on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 - 10:05 am:

Try Sparkpeople.com it if free so you don't need a CC and like Kate said it has your input EVERY bite you take, and calculated calorie burn with working out etc. There is also a support board. You can create a menu and shopping list too, so you know how many calories you will consume for the day. Myfooddiary.com is a better site but you do need a CC for that one, so try sparkpeople.com

It's a battle, and another important thing, don't compare yourself to others, especially naturally thin women

By Debbie on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 - 10:31 am:

Well...there could be several things going on. I would strongly recommend Bob Greene's new book The Best Life Diet Book. He explains how your body works, and how "traditional" diets effect your body. He is all about life style changes. He works in 3 phases. It is simple and easy. He is all about substitution, and only eliminates a few foods during the actual weight loss phase. He then teaches you how to maintain your weight loss. He feels that people start "dieting" and they make all these changes, and cut their calories drastically. What happens is your body goes into natural starvation mode, and will store everything you eat. The first phase of his life style change, all you do is regulate the way you eat. You do not change what you eat at this time. The first phase you 1) cut out any alcohol you drink 2) drink 8 glasses of water a day 3) eat 3 meals and 1 snack a day...your breakfast should be healthy(which is the only change you may make in what you eat) 4) no eating 2 hours before bed 5) take a multivitamin each day. Then, he has you exercise 1 level up from what you are currently doing. He outlines the exercise levels in his book. You do this phase for about 3-4 weeks. Then, you move into the weight loss phase. You make about 5 changes in your diet...and step up your exercise 1 more level. He does stress that you may not loose any weight during phase 1, but you are setting up your body for weight loss in the next stage. I actually moved from phase 1 to phase 2 this week. I did end up loosing about 4 lbs in the first phase. I want to loose about 6 more. He gives you guidelines for exercise, and shows you how to get the best results out of your exercise routine.

Ok, that was really long winded, but I guess my point is...if you have drastically cut calories, and it looks like you have cut carbs, which you need for energy, you may not be eating enough. And, you probably need to bump up your exercise. The Bob Greene book has recipes and lots of suggestions for breakfast and snacks. They are very simple, and things you would really eat. He also has a journal that goes with the book. In the journal you can keep track of your eating, your exercise level, etc. I got them both at Target.

By Kate on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 - 10:42 am:

Debbie makes a good point....your body can go into starvation mode and fear it's starving thus STORES your food as fat instead of getting rid of it. You do need to eat enough so that your body doesn't panic.