Have you ever had a time period where you're working hard toward your goals, but the scale just isn't cooperating? Maybe you have an injury, or a medical condition, or you're just stuck for whatever reason?

I am in that boat (due to a medication that most people gain weight on, I am not taking off the baby weight like I'd hoped...although I guess it's good that I'm maintaining instead of gaining, it's still frustrating as all get out to work so hard and not make progress). At times like these, it helps me SO MUCH to look at what I'm doing well. I can't control the scale, but I CAN control my behavior, and sometimes, I need to pat myself on the back for my efforts, even if those efforts aren't getting me the results I want.

SO - anyone else need to acknowledge their efforts, even if the scale won't? Jump on in!

I am patting myself on the back for:

1. Exercising between 7 and 10 hours a week, every week, since I was cleared for exercise at 6 weeks postpartum.

2. Being stronger and able to lift more now than even pre-pregnancy.

3. Continuing to count calories, exercise, and engage in healthy behaviors, even with zero encouragement from the scale.

4. Modeling healthy behaviors and good eating habits for my son from the earliest possible age. He eats what we eat, and so far, some of his favorite foods have been quinoa, kale, and broccoli.

So in the words of the Biggest Loser theme song, what have you done today to make YOU feel proud?

Oh boy, I am feeling the same way. Feeling like I am doing a good job with no movement on the scale.

1) Exercising for at least 45 minutes 5 days a week.
2) Counting my calories
3) Day five and still not smoking a cig.

Thanks for the thread. I really needed to pat myself on the back today.

NEMom - 5 days? that is AWESOME! You ROCK!

I feel our bodies won't always 'go along with the program'.I usually blame my pcos but I decided to kick it's butt and not let it cause me that headache anymore..
now it's up to me.
~I have logged and eaten my foods (most have been nutritional)
~Kept with my fitness regimen
~admired my changes (to fuel the fire to get me to goal)

Ugh, I so need this thread right now. My complicated scale just told me that I gained another pound of fat today. I've been busting my bum working out. I rarely take a day off. And most days I work out twice. I count my calories and I don't eat my exercise calories back. And yet I gain. This morning I was in too much pain to do my morning exercise. But I am going to the gym tonight at 7pm. And tomorrow I have Cardio Boxing as well as Circuit Training. It's super disappointing to be putting so much effort into my weight loss and receiving no scale encouragement.


But I guess what I'm proud of is the fact that I haven't given up yet. This is the longest I've ever tried to lose weight and get healthy. So I'm proud of my consistency and I'm glad that I am completely unwilling to give up at this point.

Learning2Live...if you're sore from exercise, the scale will go up (soreness = swollen muscles = water weight).

I did not buy that quart of eggnog that I picked up at the store.I put it back.
I have not made a batch of HayStacks or done any other Christmas Baking.

You think so? I hope so. My scale specifically said I was up in fat lbs and not water. I had to take 4 Advil just to feel uncomfortable today. But I'll take that over what I was feeling last night. Took me 2 hours to get to sleep because my body was hurting no matter what position I laid in.

I gotta quit complaining. And I have to figure out a way to exercise without trying to punish my body for being lumpy.

Today is officially my 11 months of this new lifestyle change. I'm trying to look past the negativity the scale is showing this week. Saying I am up 2 lbs this week when I know I have not been sidetracked what so ever. Boo, to the scale. But I am towards the end of tom and my muscles are sore, so it could be the reason. Despite all this scale drama...
1. The fact that I have managed to exercise an hour a day, 5 days a week for as long as I can remember.
2. Eating clean. with just minor treats here and there.
3. Eating my fruits and veggies, daily.
4. Only eating one christmas butter danish cookie from those delicious danish tins. (it was full, and I only grabbed one, normally I'd eat half the tin)

I am staying on plan, every day, even with temptation
(The fresh baked cookies courtesy of mom)

Right now I'm doing ok.

-My diet is clean. No processed foods, low carb, no grain, limited fruit, no alcohol, no sugary beverages or fruit juices.

-I'm exercising 9 hours a week. (P90X)

-I've joined support groups to help keep me on track.

My scale has gone up today too, but some things are going right:
-Yesterday and today (so far) I have been in control of my eating, and have eating to lose,
-I made it to the gym unexpectedly this week by making a point of fitting it in
-My pants are comfortable again and I am able to sit down without adjusting all over and feeling pinched
-yesterday in the gym mirror, I could see my cheekbones coming out like they used to be

What a great thread!
I'm not seeing the movement on the scale that I want (possibly due to some messed up hormones - medical testing is underway).
But....
I am staying on track with my eating even during Christmas baking season,
I am exercising - not as much as I have been (again Christmas busyness) but I'm still doing it as much as possible,
and I am really starting to see more of a change in my shape and am starting to buy more smaller clothes.
So...
I am proud of what I've accomplished and know that if I keep on with what I'm doing I will eventually see results!

I went to yoga class 3 times this week!

I've been on plan since last Saturday.

To Learning 2 Live - Advil can cause fluid retention. It does it to me and it's one of the listed side effects of ibuprofen which is what Advil is.