Hi everyone!

I'm currently counting calories... At the beginning of January I weighed 268 and now I'm down to 264. I've been exercising at least twice a week at the gym and walking my dogs for 20-30 minutes 5 times a week. I'm 23 and 5"11, and I've been only eating 1600-1800 calories a day. I'm surprised I didn't lose more this month. I always heard that you lose more when you first start off. I guess I'm a little disappointed.

Any ideas? Or do I need to be more patient?

It sounds like your plan is just fine. I hate that patience word, don't you?

Have you found that thread about the scale being fickle? I'll see if I can find you a link.

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/weig...er-weight.html

Maybe exercise more? I notice weeks that I go running more (4-5 times) I loose more. Also, how much water are you drinking a day? I try to drink between 8-10 glasses.

Don't be discouraged! Keep going!

Just look at it as 4 pounds already lost!! Don't give up! I think you've gotten a good amount of activity, but bumping up the activity is always a positive thing. Water is also a really important aspect! I go for 8+ glasses a day.

All that exercise is building muscle, which is a good thing. So you're most likely losing fat, even if your not losing weight. Keep up the good work and the scale will start reflecting it soon enough.

I have to agree with everyone else- I think water really is the key. Also breakfast always helps me. I'm not sure why but on weeks that I eat a bowl of cereal and a piece of fruit in the mornings I see more come off the scale.

I'm sure I need to be drinking more water... thanks! :-)