Oh....LexiChanel1....I so wish you were right. I'm a jean size 8-10 and a M-L up top. I dont have much confidence in the body fat measurements at the clinic. I'd say I'm about 28-29%. Those are the numbers I really want to change, no matter what the weight looks like I'd like to get BF to around 22-23% at least. :0) trust me, I am no size 4. Measurements are different on different body's i guess. My waste is small compared to the rest of my body, but I got it goin' on in the trunk :0)

Thanks for your thoughts.

From my understanding there is no exact way to measure BF% except with sophisticated equipment in a lab setting. With that said, there are a few ways to estimate BF. I'd say the best would be Hydrostatic Weighing (+/-1.5% accuracy). You are submerged in water to get a reading. You probably have something like this at a university near you. Skin fold calipers are okay, but the measurements have to be done by a trained individual that knows exactly what they are doing.

My personal observation of the technique you are describing will give you a good reading within 5-10% of the true reading. But with me, when I hold the monitor to get a reading it is always lower than if I use a scale that you stand on that measures body fat. Those are always higher for me. My theory is that I carry more fat in my lower body than my upper body and the way they work is by sending an electronic current through your body and measuring the return rate. So through one arm and down the other. Or up one leg and down the other. I'm 26% BF on the monitor you hold and 32% BF on the one you stand on. So I just average it and go from there.

I think the most important take away is that if you are looking for a REAL number, go check out the hydrostatic weighing method. If you want a general number to start with to measure your progress, use the number they give you realizing that its not exact. Especially if you hold your weight either in your upper body or lower body.

Just my thoughts. Hope that helps.

I talked to several personal trainers I have worked with in the past about the issues I've been having and and they have mentioned the same thing. I have found it hard to lose fat, but I'm excellent at gaining muscle and strength. I've done marathons and triathlons and strength training is the only thing that has helped change my shape and the only thing where I have seen any results. Plus it is an emotional happy drug for me. However, as I understand it, a diet like this might be good for a while to try to help lose the fat, but I shouldn't stay on it for long periods. On top of that with the hormonal issues I have been having, they said it might be a longer process to get to where I want to be as I will have to deal with the 2-steps forward 1-step back approach in order to keep my hormones from making me purchase a straitjacket.....which is literally where I felt I was a few days ago. I have since added a few more carbs back into my diet and have been feeling better the last few days.

After the doc's tests, I'll be better able to assess what is going on.

Thanks for your thoughts and advice.

The answer is 100% yes and no, there is not much you can do about it except run happy wild and free with the women in the feminine product commercials :0). I've had TOM issues since week 3 and as things progressed I started to experience the hormonal symptoms more and more. I'm currently on week 7 and the hormonal issues are a little too much for me to handle so I'm taking a different approach. However, I think my experience is not the norm on this diet. Don't be discouraged about not losing during your TOM and sometimes you might even see a bit of a gain. I'd say if you dont continue to lose in the weeks following then you should reassess what you are doing and readjust the diet to jumpstart the weight loss again. Always drink tons of water even if you are retaining, it helps.

Lolo70, I think my frustration had more to do with the way I was feeling, getting a scolding from my coach for eating the few items not on the diet, and my coach not hearing the issues I was having on the diet, nor was she helping me solve any of them. I was constantly hearing from my coach that I'm not losing enough each week. Also the fact that you pay so much for a diet like this - my expectations in a coach would be to help and give good advice. So I turned to the forum for help and I am glad I did. Honestly, I've done marathons and triathlons and haven't lost this much weight. So even though its not a quick fix, I'm good with the weight loss now that I have decided not to listen to my coach. although first 5 lbs isn't really a loss as you gain that back right? eeek. :0)

Thanks for your thoughts. I appreciate them.

Sorry to tell you this, if you don't follow the sheet your results will be way different than the rest of dieters that follow the sheet. The instructions stated very specifically : no exercise in phase 1... Also you have a list of what and what not to eat. Some coaches get frustrated when their client doesn't follow the program closely, that had happened to many of us, good luck to you.

I doubt it. You'll be able to rule out any obvious medical conditions but your GP is not an endo and even an endo is trained to find and solve health problems.

You don't have a health problem. You have a dietary problem. You're trying to combine a ketatonic low calorie diet with some intense weight lifting for over 7 weeks now.

Round peg. Square hole.

I've not seen any pictures of you but I have an extremely hard time believing you're anywhere near 30% body fat.

If you want to get a relatively accurate estimate of your body fat percentage you can post an anonymous set of pictures over here.

Actually, in terms of fat loss and weight training, I have been following Precision Nutrition for a while. I like their coaching style, because it seems to be based on professional principles. I never subscribed to their program, but just read their free newsletter.

What is meant by "OP"? I thought it stood for "On Plan/Program" but in this thread I saw it used in a way that seems to describe the dieter.

Thank you.

OP usually means Original Poster.

Thank you!

Pregnant? Hope not. But that's how I feel sometimes on the diet. Added a bit of carbs for emotional stability. Just a little but it helps.