Sitting at my computer, feeling pretty...um...disappointed with myself. Yes, that's it. I've steadily re-gained 5 lbs. of the 8 lbs. I recently lost due to stomach flu.

Yes, I know all the reasoning behind the gain. I was dehydrated from the stomach flu and my body has soaked up the water it lost. I started exercising again and I've got DOMS in the worst way and my muscles are also guilty of retaining water. My electrolytes were depleted so my body craved potassium-rich foods, like bananas and potatoes.

And yet, it doesn't account for the three days in the last week where I've gone WAY over on calories, like up to 1500 over! And even today, I'm over my TDEE for today by nearly 200 calories, and that's been about my average overage for the other four days of the week.

I've been making these inappropriate choices when I've been very tired and having to push myself to keep going for a few hours longer. I'm not fully recovered from the flu. In weight training class, just two weeks ago I was curling 20-lb. dumbbells, but this week, I could only handle the 15-lb. dumbbells. I don't seem to have the endurance I had two weeks ago.

I know I'll get it back, and move on. I'm just disappointed that I wasn't mentally/emotionally strong enough to be disciplined. I think I'd be feeling better if I was disciplined but still had regained the 5 lbs. Then I would know it was about my body recovering. I guess that I need to accept that even with my poor choices, my body is still recovering from that flu. I'm still feeling queasy on occasion, though not enough to avoid eating I guess!

Tomorrow I have no responsibilities. I intend to spend the day resting. Maybe my next week, I'll be back to business, though I think I won't be curling the 20s for at least three more weeks.

Just wanted to send you a hug... Being sick really does do havic to your body. I know you know that....and you will get that strength back (but your internal strength has not dissapated at all!) HUGS!

Georgia -- First, here's a hug. We all need hugs once in a while. And, yes, you know why your body is retaining water and wanting lots of nourishment -- it's hungry even if your tummy/brain isn't sending the signal. Tell yourself that you're still 3 pounds lower than before the flu. The eating will get under control, and eventually you'll be back to curling 20 pounders. It sounds like you went through the wringer with the flu and the recovery is taking several days. Hope this next week sees you feeling better.

I've been having trouble staying on plan this entire summer it seems. I started on Atkins yesterday just to get all the carb cravings, sugars, etc. out of my system. I don't know that I'll make it the entire two weeks without any fruit, but I'm going to try to go several days before increasing my carb intake any. The only silver lining is that I'm still trying to do this -- always before I'd be well on my way to re-gaining all the weight that I've lost.

Dang straight, girlfriend! Thanks so much for the hugs and support. This morning, I feel back on track, emotionally. I appreciate the emo-juice!

Evidently shaking up my diet plan and doing Atkins is working as I've dropped 5 pounds in the last few days. I know I have to really watch my carbs, so I just went ahead and ordered the new Atkins book -- one written after Dr. Atkins had passed and evidently much more focused on lean protein. Anyway, I'm hoping that once I read it I'll be able to use it as a diet plan because my cholesterol would always shoot way up on the old plan. Just glad that I'm getting myself back in the game at this point!

Today is cleaning day -- and it's going to take a while to get it done as the house is definitely in need of a top to bottom cleaning.

Georgia - It's a good idea to let your body rest. I know you'll get right back on track and be stronger than ever. It's amazing to me how hard we can be on ourselves. Before you started this journey did you think you'd ever be discouraged because you couldn't do 20lb curls? ..and because you had the flu nonetheless.. I think you have an absolute ton of discipline and should give yourself more credit!! Hope you're feeling better today.

Betsy, Congrats on your loss!!! I know you've been struggling on and off this summer so I'm glad you've found something that is working and more importantly has given you that extra oomph to keep going. I have the same problem with carbs. Sometimes I feel like even thinking about eating them makes me gain weight. haha

Btw, when you're done cleaning your house can you come clean mine? It feels like it wasn't that long ago I gave my house a full ceiling to floor spring cleaning and now with fall coming it needs it again.

2fat2jump--would love to meet you some time, just not over a mop! I truly hate cleaning house, but I also hate paying out the money to have it done especially when I am now retired. I mean, really, getting up and moving is what I'm trying to do, and cleaning (correctly) really does get one moving. Truth be told, I'm enough of a control freak that I want it cleaned "my" way. Talk about being a control freak!

I got part of the house cleaned yesterday, had trouble with staying on plan, but at least ate low carb stuff instead of going for a handful of crackers or some pop chips. I'm eager for the book to get here so I can read up on what's changed.

Off to get my hair cut and go to the gym and come home and finish the cleaning!

I am not having a good morning. I had a very small breakfast (a cup of tea with two lumps of sugar and a bit of salami) and it's making me queasy again. Did a little reading and I think I may be dealing with an IBS issue. I fasted a couple days ago and my stomach started feeling good again, then when I started eating again, the queasiness came back.

I don't have health insurance at the moment, so I'm going to try a bit of food eliminating and see how this goes. Sticking to eating very small amounts of foods on a low FODMAP diet. In January, when my insurance kicks in, if I'm still struggling with this, then I'll go in to see the doctor.

Last week, while I was exercising, I was feeling pretty good. So my cardio, Pilates and weight training stays in place!

I keep meaning to post and keep up with everyone. I feel like I'm not moving anywhere. I've been working on the mental stuff and the weight has not been coming off.

The pool closed over a week ago, they were having mechanical problems, the are supposed to open Sept 20 for a month and then close for the winter, in the mean time I've done nothing and I'm feeling it.

I renewed my gym pass but haven't made it yet. I've been feeling like I need to do something but my mood has been so bleak and I have no idea why, lack of exercise?

I've been slack in tracking and need to get my head back in the game.

Everyone seems to be doing great. I'm going to go back and reread somethings.

Georgia -- so sorry you're continuing to have issues with what you eat impacting how you feel. Experimenting with what you eat will help with identifying what's possibly causing the problems. I hope that you'll be able to start feeling better soon.

Snowboundchick -- you're not alone. I just went through a two month period of not only not losing, but actually gaining 15 pounds back. Couldn't get my mind in the game, etc. I finally just switched diet plans altogether -- started on Atkins and it's helping immensely. I still have 5 more pounds to lose to get back to where I was, but just seeing the scale move helps so much with staying on track. Sometimes, I think that we just get bored with eating the same way day in and day out.

Anyone else do what I refer to as diet hopping? I've decided that almost all diet plans work if you stick with them. Yes, some count just calories, some have you eating within a defined window, some are low carb, etc. But overall, I simply get too bored with following the same routine all the time, so I kind of hop from one diet to the next. I'm real gung ho for the first few weeks (sometimes even months!), and then it's time to try a different one. As long as I keep losing, I don't care what diet I'm on. I figure eventually, I'll figure out what I can eat and can't eat. Actually, I know that already.......maintenance is what scare me!

Doctor's appointment this morning and then the gym and then finish up the cleaning which has now moved into day 3.

I used to calorie count but I didn't want to this time, I just wanted to eat well and smaller portions. I have a wicked sweet tooth and I'm keep getting pulled back. I'm going to start a cleanse on the 17th to get me back on track.

So today is my official weigh in day and I've some how dropped 3.4 pounds this week...I have no idea how that happened but YAY! I don't think I can chalk my weight loss up to a flook anymore, I think counting calories is actually working for me!

Snowboundchick -- Sounds like when you get to maintenance, you'll actually have a lot of the battle won already with watching what you eat and portion sizes. Good luck with the cleanse -- hope it produces the desired results.

JeniH -- WOW! Doesn't it feel wonderful when we have weeks like this. Hope this is just the start of a trend.

Well, for the first time in 2 months, my signature weight is what I actually weigh. Now I'm looking forward to being able to change it again because that will mean I've lost more weight.

It does feel wonderful!

I've decided my first mini goal is to get under 300lbs enough so that even if I hope on the scale after a giant meal, full of water and wearing jeans and sneakers my weight will still start with a 2. I have no idea what number that will be though.

Hi everyone!

Snowbound, I totally get the frustration. Good luck with the cleanse!

JeniH, great job!