Okay, so I posted in here a few weeks ago that calorie counting helped me loose 6 pounds in two weeks. Well, in the two weeks since then *I've gained them all back* even though nothing in my habits has really changed! I'm still counting calories, (I try to keep under 1500 calories, most often I keep it under 1400) I'm still working out 40-60 minutes a day/6 days a week, I'm still trying to focus on eating healthy foods (although I did eat some junk food on the 4th, that was my only "off" day). I drink lots and LOTS of water, and TOM came in the middle of that 6 pound *drop* in weight, and I've been gaining the 6 pounds back a few ounces here and there since then. I'm weighing myself every day at roughly the same time each day (give or take 20 minutes)

I'm really at a loss as to what's going on!

I think you typo'd and meant "lost"?

Whoops, yup. Fixed it.

Are you doing lots of weight training? How do your clothes feel? If you are working out 6 days a week for an hour you may need to up your calories a bit beleive it or not....can you post some of your typical meals?

I'm doing Jillian Michael's DVDs and Biggest Looser DVDs during the week (using 3lb. and 5lb. weights), then Zumba Saturday mornings.

Meals are something like this:

Breakfast:
Yogurt and bowl of salad (lettuce, spinach, garbanzo beans, raisins, and dressing, all measured)
OR
Oatmeal with brown sugar and cinnamon and a piece of fruit
OR
Bowl of Special K with soy milk

Lunch:
Gardenburger on WW bun
OR
Bowl of salad (same as above) with some chicken breast on top and 1 Lean Pocket
OR
Leftovers from dinner

Dinner:
Something from Healthy Cooking magazine so I know how many calories is in it. If it has rice it's brown rice, if it has bread (like a tortilla or hamburger bun) it's whole wheat. If it's protein it's lean protein like chicken breast or pork loin or beans. And we always have a veggie on the side (usually broccoli, corn, brussel sprouts, or green beans)

Snacks are fruit (apples, bananas, peaches) or yogurt, or baby carrots with some low-calorie dip.

I also have a Rubbermaid water bottle that holds 20oz. of water that I fill up with water and try to empty at least 3-4 times a day.

I should mention that I also go on a lot of walks when the weather is nice. I went on 4 1-mile walks this week, in addition to my regular exercise, and I was either pushing a double stroller or pulling a wagon with two kids in it.

Have you been keeping track of your measurements?
After my first loss, for the next couple of weeks I lost no weight but I did lose centimetres off my waist, boobs and hips. If I hadn't measured I would have felt really let down and maybe even chucked it in. After a while the weight loss picked back up again.

How are your clothes fitting? The scale can be like a mind game, you know? I think the way your clothes fit and even using a measuring tape are better than the scales. Although, obviously, we all want that number to go down. If my scale says 150 I feel fat...149 and I am on a high....TOO FUNNY

You are doing a lot of exercise. I think you are building muscle and of course that weighs more than the fat. I also agree that keeping track of your measurements would be more encouraging than the scale. Don't let the scale discourage all your efforts. Maybe just weight once a week or every other week instead. I also find that zig-zagging calories helps me lose faster than keeping a set calorie limit each day but everyone is different.

It sure is hard to stay off of the scales though!! I have weighed in EVERY morning for sooooo long that it is going to take some serious willpower not to get on them daily.

I have set my calorie goal for this week at 1600 calories which I ate just fine yesterday. I just finished dinner and I still have 375 calories left....WOW.

I felt so great when I got up this morning because I did not STUFF myself yesterday. I also did about an hour worth of exercise. Probably gonna hop on my elliptical in a minute and maybe take the dog for a walk. I am seriously loving this. I think this site is the key. I feel like I am not in it alone.

I'm going to try upping my calorie intake to 1600 to see if that helps. I noticed from weighing in every day, that the few days I had a "loss" of any kind in these past two weeks, were on days when I didn't eat so well! I had a 1 pound loss the morning after the 4th of July when I ate a lot of chips and crackers and marinated meat, and another pound this morning after attending a birthday party yesturday at Chuck E Cheese and eating two slices of pepperoni pizza. So maybe my body really is wanting more food. (go figure ) I'll try it out and see. (and of course I'll make sure the extra calories are from healthier sources. )

And ya, it will be verrrrry hard for me not to get on the scale every morning. I find that seeing those little gains helps me to keep in control because I don't want them to stick! It helps motivate me to make sure my calories are from nutritious sources and not "empty" ones, and also helps me to avoid eating too many refined carbs or high-in-sodium foods that will cause those gains.

Take your measurements and go by how your clothes are fitting. I know that's it's hard to stay off the scale but I try not to get on often because it just messes with my head...lol.