Hang in there. You are doing the best thing for your body and it shows in the way you feel. Like someone else said, it will woosh off eventually and then look at out world! I'll keep my fingers crossed that it happens soon for you. Keep going!!

Eliana, I also stop losing weight when I exercise alot, and I absolutely count every calorie, so that isn't the problem. I do believe that some people just put on muscle more efficiently than others. Hang in there, if you are getting smaller, forget the number and know that you are still losing fat.

When you start exercising, the scale can even go up. Its frustrating, but perfectly normal and natural. To build muscle, your body retains water.

You have to trust yourself and know that you are doing the right thing even when the scale doesn't move (or moves in the wrong direction). The scale will go down in time.

I've been down to a size 14/16 twice in my life. Once in college when I just ate less and didn't exercise; I weighed about 190. Then I gained some weight but started working out, exercising, etc. and got down to a 14/16 again but weighed 220. That's a 30 lbs. different but I wore the same size. I think the difference is the 2nd time around, I had a lot more muscle. I felt a lot better the 2nd time around as well.

Hang in there! Exercising is good for you....just remember that! And hopefully you'll see it in your waistline even if you don't see it in your scale.

I hadn't looked at it that way! I like that. I put fat on rather efficiently, why not muscle? I do make really quick athletic gains. I like that thought, thank you!

Yes, mentally I'm kind of counting my non-movement as a loss because I know it could have been a gain. Does that make sense? I could have gained 2 lbs, but I didn't, so it's kind of like maybe I lost two pounds. I have no idea how to express what I mean.

yep, this.

I just posted a link to an article that helps explain some of this and other reasons why the scale "lies"

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/100-...ucuations.html

START MEASURING, GIRLFRIEND!

When i get frustrated about the numbers, I remember how when i didn't go to the gym for 3 months and just dieted i weighed myself once after and couldn't believe i was down 5 lbs. because i felt soooo flabby. Sure enough, I had gained inches back in fat. Now that i have been back to the gym for 3 months, i feel a lot more toned, muscular, and sure enough i went up 3-4 lbs...but i would rather be muscular and lose fat slowly than a flabby number on a scale...and my measurements are back down to what they were. water weight retention is such a pain and really unmotivating but the only way to fix that problem is to stay hydrated...you have to drink a lot of water if you are exercising because you are breathing harder, sweating, and expending energy!

Peanut's Mom, I read that earlier, thank you. I've read all that before, but it's one of those things you can never read too many times.

Charlotte, it's tempting. I did that once before, keeping track of my measurements. As I recall I wasn't seeing results. I think that's what made me quit. Neither the scale nor the measurements were changing despite insane exercise.

Eliana, I love your sense of humor

Everyone has already given you great input...I just wanted to say "thanks for being you"

Awe, thanks! What a sweet comment!


Update: The scale went up a pound! BUT, I'm wearing, literally wearing, the pants I talked about yesterday that did not fit when I weighed one pound less last week. So it's all good! I think the scale and I may drift apart for a few weeks. LOL!

It's all good!

You mentioned TOM. That will definitely cause water retention. Just hang in there!

Eliana - I just love your attitude! Thanks so much for taking the time to cheer me on and congrats on the pants NSV!!!