[jenne1017]

I have been so off track lately -- so much so that I feel like I've been more off track than on.

I know weight loss doesn't happen overnight.

But I feel as though the scale is a big fat liar! See, I get on it and it says one thing. I get off an back on and it says another. I know it's time to get a new scale. But it scares me. What if I get a better one and I am bigger than this one said?

I stepped on the scale for the first time in a long while on February 5, 2003. It read 251.

I got on it again and again and again...lowest thus far was 230. Then, the flood.

Enter new scale. Same exact one.

236.

234 then 230 today. Within seconds of one another.

I don't feel like I've lost weight. I don't see it. What is wrong with me. I obviously have. I went to Lane Bryant on Friday. I was depressed that I was still up in sizes [we were in Old Navy and I did not remember that I could not fit into ANYTHING there, but did that day] so we went to LB to see just what size I was.

I was up to a size 22 in pants and shirts.

I tried on 2 18/20 dresses and an 18/20 skirt.

They were all big on me. In certain places. It could have just been the cut.

I tried on a 14/16 skirt and it fit better. Now, the waistband WAS partially elastic, but still!!!

I fit into a pair of khakis I bought a while back for only $7. They were a 42 men's and at the tiem I wore a 40. They didn't fit, so I tucked them away.

I put them on yesterday. I wore them, and they were big.

So why do I still feel depressed? I mean, I fit into a 40 men's at old navy. GOt the 42's instead because they fit a bit better.

I think it's because I am so high up in the men's sizes. I mean, I started buying them because men's sizes were longer than women's, and usually less expensive.

I want to fit into a 36 men's again. And a 14/16 women's. Sans elastic waistbands.

I need to get my *** in gear and get out of this depressing funk.

Thanks for letting me babble.

[tonic]

Hi jenne..

Do you have a digital scale?

As much as we focus on weight on these boards.. at some point you have to look at the bigger pictures. Muscle weighs a lot. The food you eat weighs alot. TOM impacts weight. So its not just a pure measurement of fat. It gives you an indication of where you are.. but .. I'd suggest taking some measurements.

Clothing sizes are a bad way to know your fitness. I try on a size 8 from old navy and its MUCH smaller than the size 8 in Lee or Dockers or something else.

Men sizes aren't a very good indication either.. as its basically your waist measurement and then length. And for some women.. thats where most of their weight gain is.. in the waist and it could be the last to go for you. For me.. I was opposite.. the waist went first and my thighs are the last to go. (if they ever go)

So I guess my point is.. take some measurements and get a new scale. Measure yourself only once a month. Use that is a metric to see how you are doing. Of course you can weigh yourself.. but keep in mind its only an estimate.

Actually.. you also might want to get a body fat analysis done.. or whatever its called. To see what your body fat % is. Then have it tested again in 3 months or something. I should do this..

But seriously.. I think the hardest part about weight loss (and its something I am struggling with) is keeping up what you are doing.. day in and day out.. and not seeing a change for a very long time. You just have to stick with it because it WILL work As long as you do your part.. the rest will fall into place

[looosingit]

Hello Jeanne,

I know how discouraging the fluctauting scale can be. Maybe a new more accurate scale would put your mind at ease a bit. However, I might also recommend weighing yourself less often. Perhaps try to pick one day each week (or even month if you can manage it!) and weigh yourself at the same time. You'll find that there are a lot of things that can make the scale inaccurate...if you had a salty meal, you can retain more water, TOM, different clothing (my sneakers weigh 3 pounds! Yes...I actually weighed them while I was at the gym!).

Sometimes you need to cut yourself some slack when it comes to the scale (I am not always v. good at doing this either). Emily was saying in another post (where I was venting!) that sometimes discipline can be it's own reward. I think that she is right....there is a real sense of accomplishment that comes from knowing that you are trying your best to treat your body right.

Hang in there...I can tell that you have lost weight from the pictures you have posted!

Kris

[jenne1017]

thanks...