Frankly I don't know why I keep posting on this thread, except to keep myself accountable...

207 this morning.... I REFUSE to move that ticker-- I just don't think I've eaten enough to post a 4 lb gain!!!!!!!!!!!

My water weight still TOTALLY OUT OF WHACK-- hovering between 44 and 46% on my Tanita which is way above my normal...

I'm starting to think it must be STRESS. My life has been a lot more hectic lately and a lot of stress... hopefully when things settle I'll drop the extra pounds and then some.

That's probably it. And are you making sure to get enough sleep? Since you are not losing weight this very moment, what about taking a maintenance break for a week or so, to allow your body time to bump up leptin levels and get ready for another round of weight loss?

Speaking of which, because of being on a maintenance break over this long weekend, I expected my scale to bump up from water retention and so on. However...

It said 199.5 this morning!

I'm mentally/emotionally prepared for it to bounce back up for a few days, because my weight often does that, but who knows. In any case, I'm gonna claim it.

WooTWooTWooT
I always claim a weight when I see it! You're officially in Onederland, how does it feel????

First train has just pulled into the station!!!! Good for you!!!!! Makes me KNOW it can be done!

As for me-- I'd say I'm ALREADY taking a maintenance break (LOL)

I have had this problem a few times before where I bloat up and stay there... not as often since I lost the weight... but my days have been awful lately-- deadlines, travelling, long work days, and yes, NOT ENOUGH SLEEP....I feel awful, and no exercise since Thursday because of trip to NY followed by two 15 hour work days. ...

I need a couple of catch-up days... I KNOW the scale HAS to DROP because I have not strayed from the plan.

Hi WarMaiden -- can you explain the leptin levels thing? Or do you have any links to articles that explain how that works??? Thanks (and congrats again)! CJ

CJZee, here's a great article by a guy who really knows about fat loss: The Full Diet Break, by Lyle McDonald. The basics of doing a maintenance break are there, and the why. In my experience, maintenance breaks are highly effective. They are a psychological relief, and they also seem to lead to a period of more rapid loss immediately after the break.

And thanks to y'all for the good wishes! How does it feel...I'd say satisfying. I still have a long way to go, but it's a nice tangible marker of progress.

Yay, WarMaiden! Huzzah, huzzah! I'm envious.

On the up side (or is that down side?) I posted a loss today - first one in a week.

ubergirl~ you are such an important part of this thread! If you didn't keep posting we would track you down and drag you back here! It will be a big celebration when you get to Onederland

WarMaiden! YAY! Congratulations, I am so thrilled for you!!

calluna~ so glad you got a loss!

I am UP again, 206 (actually more like 206 and a half but I have a dial scale). I had a couple days semi-off plan so now I am back on 100% and hope to lose those dumb 3 lbs I gained.

Ugh-- bouncing sucks! But you should be back down before you know it....

And me, I don't have to take any long trips or work any awful back to back shifts and I'm POSITIVE my weight is going to settle out this week-- I just need to get some sleep and get the stupid swelling out of my legs.

Yippee!!

Hey WarMaiden, where's your "I Made it to Onederland!" thread??? I am watching for it!

Way to go War Maiden..I am so excited for you..

Now onto my weight this morning......199.2.....

I weighed myself 4 times just to make sure that it was right and it said 199.2 all four times. I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is SO AWESOME!!!!!!!

I have to admit, I'm kind of jealous of you onederlanders, but I am keeping the faith that my turn will come.

I was 207 this morning. Still retaining water according to my Tanita scale....I have a less hectic week ahead of me and I'm going to give it my all-- I want to get rid of these bounce pounds and then see a drop.

This month has been horribly confusing... I ended up with a NO LOSS month-- the first ever since I started this journey, and I still really don't see a reason why-- I've kept my calories in range every single day. I can't think of an off plan bite that would have caused this... it's really depressing, but I'm keeping the faith, confident that when I finally do whoosh I'll whoosh right down to onederland.

uclr~ congratulations!!! Wow, people are leaving. Ubergirl you are gonna be next when that whoosh hits you. Not sure if this is at all helpful but drinking warm lemon water is supposed to help get rid of bloat.

I was on plan 100% yesterday but am still 206 today. Ugh!

You know what? I would be envious too, and have been, sometimes. But you will get to Onederland soon.

I really think that what is going on for you is so much stress, and the lack of sleep. It's very difficult to lose under those conditions. And a diet is just additional stress on the body, so it's really no wonder. Do you think you can de-stress and start getting better sleep soon? I hope so, for your weight loss AND your physical and mental health.

And Lyn--you'll be dropping soon again, too. You know what to do, and you're doing it.