[TraceyElaine]

So I have been struggling with getting on to some kind of plan since Christmas. I gained like 10 lbs since November and not surprisingly. I didn't work out at all and ate like a garbage disposal. Since xmas I tried to stay on a healthier plan and started working out again. I kind of hovered around the same weight for a couple of weeks. Mind you I am making some mistakes and haven't got this down pat again yet. But now I'm up another 5lbs in a week. What the Eff!

Am I just kidding myself about how much better I think I am doing?Could it be TOM bloating? Or is this from starting to workout again? As I have heard you can gain some pounds initialy from water retention or some such thing when you start working out. I am inclined to think I might be kidding myself. Maybe a little TOM but still. I am swinging so extremely from huge motivation to huge discouragement. It's becomming overwhelming.

Just a lil rant.

[marigrace]

Hey Tracey ...a 40 lb loss is not something you should immediately disregard.
Needless to say most of us here have felt like you do today. If you have the right foods around, get rid of the ones that cause problems, and plan, log, whatever it takes to give you back the safe feeling ...just do that. In a few days, I promise it will be better.

[Gracie789]

We've all been at that point where everything seems so overwhelming. It's especially difficult if you're not seeing positive results on the scale. In my opinion, losing weight is 80% diet / 20% exercise. From your post it sounds like you're not sticking to your eating plan, that probably accounts for the weight gain. It's shocking how many extra calories can be hidden in those little cheats. You are right about water weight, when I first started exercising I gained a few pounds but it went away after about 1-2 weeks.

If you're finding it too overwhelming by changing both diet & exercise, it might be best to focus on just one. For me, I get overwhelmed easily, especially if I try to make a lot of changes all at once. When I first started my lifestyle change I focused only on food and changing my eating habits. Through that alone I lost a lot of weight. Then a few months later when my food issues were under control I slowly added exercise.

If you don't already have a detailed plan for your weight loss, I'd highly suggest creating one. Then after sticking to it for a few weeks, if you still aren't losing weight then your gain maybe some other reason (e.g. medical).

Best of luck!!!!

[Gracie789]

By the way, I love your picture...that is quite possibly the cutest dog ever!!!!

[AbbySinthe]

First Because I think that's most important.

Second, congrats on the weight you have lost! You've done a great job!

And third, you're not alone. I was at 222.4 on 01/04. TOM came, I started working out and eating better and went up to 223 I was struggling that first week but I continued eating well & working out but I was pretty irritated. This week, TOM is gone, I'm still eating well, and going to the gym and I just weighed in at 216.8.

I wish they could bottle patience in a jar because I just wasn't built with it. Keep doing what you're doing and the weight will come down. Just give yourself a break and be patient. You're doing a good job and that scale will reward you with a loss if you keep it up. Good luck

[ToriLeigh]

Could be a combination of TOM bloating and starting to exercise again. I seriously have to watch my salt during my TOM or I swell up so much, I can't get my rings off. And as far as beginning exercise, I gained a couple pounds of what I'm assuming is water weight right at the beginning. I drank tons of water and it was gone in a couple days.

[dragonwoman64]

you've lost about 40 lbs, so I think you must have a sense of what you need to eat and how much to exercise. give your body a chance to kick in gear to what you're doing, don't psyche yourself out. it's most likely a combination of things.

if it's really bugging you, you could always keep some sort of track of your eating and exercise, so you have a firm idea of how much change you're making in reality. Good luck!! and hang in there.