The Dragonfly Warrior

So it’s been 20 days since I’ve started this whole adventure and I’m down 6 pounds. I’m getting that feeling like I’m about to give up and quit. I’m not as excited about this whole journey like I was before and I don’t feel like I’m seeing a difference…I mean 6 pounds is…

I’m trying really hard to focus on the health part rather than the weight loss part of this journey but sometimes I get all caught up with the number on the scale. I’ve been reading and researching a ton about all this and am trying my best to take it slow and do it the right way. I’m eating pretty much a whole food plant based diet but making sure I never go under 1200 calories. I don’t know if this is the best way so if you have suggestions throw them at me. I’ve also spoke with my primary doctor about juicing and whatknot and he was all for it as long as I didn’t go under 1200 calories so theres that. I’m not working out much which is something I’m wanting to change. I’m realizing my body is adjusting to a drastically different diet so I need to chill but it’s hard. I sorta talk to my friends about all this but they’re all dudes and just don’t really understand. My roommate suggested we start running and do the C25k but his schedule is real different lately. But anyway I’m rambling now…thanks a bunch for your response and putting my mind back where it needs to be I appreciate it!

I'm really glad you are looking around into healthy ways to meet your goals. :) Very encouraging to see. My #1 super important suggestion is that yes, it is good that you aren't going under 1200 calories, but that's really not enough at all. I looked at the info on your page, and from your stats I am making an educated estimate that to sustain healthy fat loss on a moderately active lifestyle, you would need at least 2000 calories a day. 1200 calories is really not enough for anyone to stay healthy unless that person is a very small, sedentary, older woman. I strongly advise you to visit If It Fits Your Macros for a detailed nutritional calculation of what your body actually needs to be healthy and good at burning fat, instead of slowing down due to underfeeding. You might be very surprised at how much fuel a body requires just for it to change! Even if you choose the "aggressive weight loss" option, I'm guessing that your needs are still going to be in the 2000+ range so it's absolutely worth doing the math to make sure you are actually going to see the results you are working for.

Very best of luck to you! :)

So it’s been 20 days since I’ve started this whole adventure and I’m down 6 pounds. I’m getting that feeling like I’m about to give up and quit. I’m not as excited about this whole journey like I was before and I don’t feel like I’m seeing a difference…I mean 6 pounds is nothing…I feel like someone could lose 6 pounds in a week and it’s taken me 20 days. Annnddd this is where I fall apart and this is where I need that extra push and I don’t know where to get it from. I wish I had a friend that was going through the same journey. Someone that I can work out with and talk about all this great stuff I’m learning. My friends are great but it’s difficult. I feel like I’m on the verge of making a huge lifestyle change but does that mean I have to leave my friends behind? Drinking and eating, that’s what we do and it sucks having to say no. What am I suppose to do…have no social life and sit at home watching netflix food documentaries alone with my dog over and over again? I hate to be whiny and complain especially since I’ve been trying to be positive since I started this journey but I’m just not feelin it today.

Just for the record, 6 pounds in 20 days is A LOT. It’s somewhat more rapid than is considered medically healthy. Honestly though, the legitimate science behind healthy weight loss is readily available through the internet and I find the topic extremely triggering, so I’m not going to bore your ear off with numbers and details.

My first suggestion to you is to ease up on yourself and learn to love the journey, not just the end result. Eat and exercise well to make yourself feel good, not just to change the way you look. Appearance-based motivation doesn’t tend to last; the inspiration of feeling yourself get stronger and faster and healthier, most certainly does. Focus on making yourself healthy, instead of just focusing on weight loss. Weight loss doesn’t mean anything really. I can chop off my leg and be 40 pounds lighter on a scale. Instant UGW you guys omg!!! But on the other hand, if you focus on a healthy lifestyle, your body will offload extra fat it doesn’t need, in response to your new lifestyle habits. It makes all the difference in the world. Weight loss by itself cannot make you happy. Gaining health WILL.

Second, I advise you to talk to your friends and tell them you are trying to do something positive for yourself. If they are actually your friends, actually people that care about you, they will do their best to support you in this. Perhaps one of your friends also wants to do some healthy shit, you don’t even know until you ask though! You can also find a fitness buddy on Tumblr, there are some extremely smart and supportive people here (although please be wary, unhealthy goals/advice are all too common).

Finally, I strongly urge you to re-evaluate your goals and approach. You cannot healthfully lose weight at a rapid pace and expect to maintain your loss, not to mention your health. Changing your body takes a long time if you want it to last and actually benefit you. It took me well over two years and some crazy struggles to healthfully drop over 100 pounds. But I’ve kept it off and am in the best, happiest shape of my life. (I also eat like a pro wrestler tbh - please do not starve yourself, it will not help you reach your goals in any way.)

Please do your research, keep a reasonable perspective, and stay positive!