I have been dieting and exercising for the past 3 weeks. Everytime I lose a pound or two I manage to put it back on! I have had a few days were I ate a little bit more than I should but nothing too bad and I have been exercising almost 5 days a week.

I never had any trouble losing weight when I really tried..especially the first few weeks! It is so discouraging since for the first time I am really losing because I worry for my health not because I want a pair of smaller jeans!

I guess I have to just keep on trying!

OMG I understand your frustration! Working so hard and getting no results is enough to make me want to give up, I'm glad you said you are going to keep on trying!

Based on your current weight, you should be losing as long as you are eating under 2,000 calories a day more or less (depending on your age and if you have any medical issues).

Do you have a sample day of exercise and food we might be able to help you with?

Are you using measured portions for keeping track of calories (i.e. measuring spoons & cups)?

The first week is always my most successful as so much water weight falls off when I limit salt/sodium and up my water intake drastically.

Yep! Trying to eat around 1600. Watch serving sizes, using my measuring cups/spoons and even use my kitchen scale!

I am on MyFitnessPal and have my diary available. I can PM you my username. I only recently started logging the food again.

The scale isn't budging for me either. But I'm definitely down inches. I'm debating throwing the scale way. It's not reflecting my true progress anyway.

Oh I can imagine how annoying it can be - work hard but do not lose weight!! What about your size? I know that sometimes you do not lose weight (pounds), but you lose your size! So what your clothes tell you?

I also wanted to task you about your size. Scales can be very tricky lier Did you measure yourself?

It would help if we knew your diet tho. There could be a red flag in there. A calorie has proven to not just be a calorie.

I don't do MFP anymore, I use old fashioned pen and paper. I used MFP forever and then realized it's more efficient for me to write it down physically. Sounds like I'm 100 years old LOL.

If you are truly eating 1600 (not doubting you!), then you have a deficit of 600 calories more/less a day based on your current weight. Add in your exercise and you should definitely be down 1-2lbs a week. I do agree with the above posters though that you could be losing inches. Do your clothes feel better? Are you working out very intense and maybe retaining some water in sore muscles?

We will get to the bottom of this for you. Just don't give up no matter what.

And sorry for all the questions, it sounds like an interrogation and I promise it's sincere help and concern!