Steadily over the last 3 days I have gone up 1.3lbs. I've not strayed from my diet. Each day I hop on the scale thinking, today, today it will show a loss. Then I'm sorely disappointed. This is really dragging me down

Hi, i know exactly how you feel. I have been trying for over a week now.
And my weight is still the same. Its sooo not motivating.

And what even makes it worse, is that there is such a long way to go yet.
How will this ever work.

Im sorry, im not tryig to make you feel worse, but i feel the same maybe even worse then you.

But here is a hug
We will keep on trying.

Hang in there. If the scale becomes a mental drag, try weighing weekly instead, maybe?

If you're on plan you should be feeling GOOD, not letting the scale make you feel bad!

No I cannot do weekly weighing. It would be far more depressing to see that I had gained after a whole week of dieting.

I decided to do something that worked once before. I have a habit of getting stuck EVERY TIME I reach a new weight bracket (for example 170 trying to get to 169, or in this case, trying to FINALLY dip into the 150s) I stall. I behave, do everything right and my weight just refuses to budge. So, last time this happened, I had a cheat meal. ONE meal. And not crazy. Like last time I had a BWW bbq Chix ranch wrap. And you know what? The scale started moving again! Up at first, but in one or two days it went down and I was FINALLY in the 160s. So I did it again today. I indulged in my favorite fall treat, pumpkin! I ordered some pumpkin pancakes for lunch and only ate 2 of the 3. I'm hoping that will help "shock" things into moving again. It's way way more carby, and thanks to the syrup (used sparingly) sugary, than anything I've eaten in months. I know I'll see the scale go up tomorrow, which stinks, but perhaps this will finally convince my body to start letting go of fat again.

I'd like to add that weight loss is not necessarily fat loss. If you're working out, eating extra sodium, close to your time of the month and even the weight of food in your body can change the number on the scale, which can mask what is truly going on.

If you know for a fact that you are creating a caloric deficit then perhaps taking a break from the scale and using measurements and photos would be prudent.

I've been on this journey for two months now. I lost 13 pounds. But in the past two weeks I am up 10 pounds. 10 pounds!!! I've continued to eat right every day with one cheat meal on Saturday. Lots of vegetables. No cheese, no bacon, no fried foods, no fast food. And I exercise every morning Monday through Saturday. When the first 5 pounds came up, I chalked it up to being water weight. But yesterday alone I went up another 5 pounds. Is 10 pounds of water weight possible?!

I feel your pain MauiKai. We just have to keep doing what we've been doing!

Amy, are you counting the calories in your "cheat" meal? Folks have been known to blow the entire week's calories and then some.

Also, is it possible you're eating healthier foods but more calories, or more sodium to flavor those veggies? Just an idea. I know I can't swim laps for exercise b/c it revs my appetite so much that I eat more calories than I burn and *gain* weight. So... running, gym, dancing and other activities on land for me.

It's very discouraging not seeing a loss, but it's an opportunity to reevaluate if what you're doing isn't working for you.

It happens and it happens more as you weigh less. I have had temporary daily gains of more than twice that without going off-plan. With weightloss you have to ride out the gains on the scale. It's never all loss, loss, loss.

Don't be disappointed. You've got this ! Take this time to think about fun ways to stay on track(= I have set diet or fitness challenges for myself that I feel will end up in significant calorie cuts for me. Like no bread for a week--or only drinking water for a week. Walking/jogging 3 miles a day--5 times a week. It may not seem so fun. It's a different approach though and could help lead to some progress and inspiration.

I do NOT believe it.

After yesterday, when I went out and stuffed myself with giant, carby, pumpkin oatmeal deliciousness pancakes (plus 2 scrambled eggs) with syrup...I lost weight today.

How does that happen!? For the last 3-4 days I've been on plan, and gaining. I go out and eat pancakes, and the number goes down. I'm stumped. Pleased...but stumped.

Hi PorkyPiggin,

I shoot for 1500 calories a day. My cheat meal adds 300 calories. I track all my food, exercise and vitamin intake. I watch my sugar, fat and sodium intake. I don't add salt when I cook.

I could understand a stall or a few pounds. TEN POUNDS?!

I've added a core element to my work and added a hill to my walks. Wish me luck! I'll let you know how it goes.