Hi,

I am currently 5'4 and 270 lbs. I will be 24 years old on Monday. My highest weight was 296, just last year. I have finally gotten the picture that I need to lose weight and I need to do it NOW. I have changed my eating habits (that's how I got down from 296). This past Sunday, I started riding 5 miles each night on my exercise bike. However, when I started that on Sunday I was 268, yesterday morning the scale said 273. Is that possible? Could I actually be GAINING WEIGHT??? I'm a little discouraged. I hit a very low point in my life this past month. I'm trying to pull myself up but I keep getting pushed back down. Any encouragement and/or advice is greatly appreciated.

My goal weight is 150. We are set to get married as soon as I reach that goal. Please help!

Nikki

Hi Nikki! Wow.................5 miles a day on the exercise bike!! Pat yourself on the back!!! Good for you! You are definately headed in the right direction. You know............scales are funny things. Try not to weigh yourself more than once a week and always in the morning. Sometimes weight flucuates because of water retention, clothing, and sometimes exercise turns the fat to muscle before you see weight loss in actual pounds on the "SCALE"!!! I have hit many low points and times in my life so I do know how you feel! But.............you are so doing the right thing and headed in the right direction. You keep it up! Eat healthy and ride that bike just like you are doing and I'm sure you'll get there!!! Good Luck!

Thanks,

I just feel like my life is falling apart. I've been big for so long and now that I've finally GOT IT, I want it off. Thanks for the encouragement.

I'm thinking of stepping it up this week to 6 miles. If that is successfull, I think I may add a mile each week until it's not do-able anymore. Right now it takes me 18 minutes to do 5 miles. I'd like to gradually increase to 45 minutes or an hour.

Should I be doing other things too? I just thought cardio will get the fat off, then I can tone. Is that correct? Thanks!

Nikki

Congrats, I use to ride on my bike 10 miles a day like 5 in the morning and 5 at night until it broke but now I just really go outside and walk because its so nice out. once winter starts im not even going to try and go outside since our winters are bad here. My highest ever was 300 now im about 238. Ive had rough times like that and sometimes still do. I have 4 scales in my house and they all say different weights and I always take the lowest number. and if ur doing it right ur only suppose to lose like 1-2lbs a week.



Feb 6 2005-300lbs
Now 238

Congratulations to you all on your weight loss! I have lost 58lbs. in the last 11 mos. I was 20 and weighed 272. Ouch. So now I have just been eating less and have been slowly and steadily losing weight.
Your weight can fluctuate up to 5 lbs a day because of water weight. If you were to sit down right now and drink a 2 liter bottle of water you would immediately gain 2 lbs. So don't worry about it so long as the numbers steadily decline (if a bit erratically). Also, yeah, you could be gaining some muscle mass and muscle weighs more than fat. Continue the good work.

Great job on the bike! You are making a strong effort and if you just hang in there you will definately see the results. I too tend to fluctuate on the scale.

You could add some weight lifting to your routine now, I have read that lifting weights is a great way to help burn fat too. Keep working at it, you're doing fantastic!

Sara G.

I agree with everyone else. You are probably retaining water, especially if your time of the month is approaching. Some scales aren't every accurate either, I have two that are different by about 5 pounds. Also, I think if you would like to start toning, then go for it. Make sure you dont' do too much too fast though because you can get burned out and give up. Also, are you watching your food? Exercising makes me hungrier and so you may check to make sure you aren't adding calories without thinking about it.

I think 5 miles a night is GREAT! Also, you will probably want to change it up a bit eventually. After awhile your muscles get used to the same exercise so they can become efficient and not burn as many calories. I really don't think that will happen so quickly but it's something to think about. Leslie Sansone's Walk away the pounds tapes are excellent or you could go for a walk.

Good luck!
Amber

Thanks for the encouragement guys,

I am increasing my miles each week. I started at 5, last week did 6, this week is 7. I finally got back down to 268 this weekend. I was so worried. I think it was just stalling for a while. I am watching what I eat. No white stuff! But basically just healthy eating, no formal diet. I need to change my lifestyle and the way I make food choices rather than just follow some diet. I need to be able to go to McDonald's to pick up lunch for the office and pass, or get a salad, and that's what I'm doing now. Thanks again for the encouragement. I really needed it.

Nikki