Hi weigh in friends! I went back up to 205 last week and today the scale says "203"! I read other posts and found one that stated we retain water in our muscles when we work out hard. (or maybe it was the Julian Michaels video?) Well, I DID add weights to my cardio last week and worked as hard as I could. Possibly that was what the gain had been? It's gone now, so I'm SOOOOO glad I didn't cave in to the old "...this isn't working, I'm such a loser, I'll never be able to take it off.. etc. etc.. lets just have a big fat BINGE ."

I ordered the "Body for Life for Women" book from Amazon and LOVE IT. It explains our bodies at different stages in life, and why it's so easy to gain and hold onto weight. So far I've learned to have positive goals, how to set my personal Challenge, and to do as much for myself as I do for others. Can't wait to read on!

1/7: 141
1/14: 140.2
1/21: 139.2
1/28: 138
2/4: 136.6
2/11: 137.2

Kind of depressing - looks like I need to keep my calories really low to maintain a lb/week loss. I averaged 1600 this week - previous weeks it was closer to 1300. I've added running and spinning once a week each to try to shake things up, but it hasn't been enough. Will drop my calories back down for next week and focus a bit more on protein - egg whites instead of oatmeal, grilled chicken salad instead of ww pasta.

anagram, good luck w/ your goal! I know I won't meet my V-Day goal but I'll hang in there with you!

staci, hope you're feeling better.

arabella, you're doing great!

1/4/11 210
1/11/11 208
1/18/11 205
1/25/11 204
2/1/11 205 (muscles retaining water from weight training?)
2/8/11 203
2/11/11 201 Onderland here I come!

My Challenge is to:

Eat more healthy every day until I am totally healthy in my eating habits.

Follow the BFL plan as well as I can - improving each week.

Pass up sugar and starches to the best of my ability - I will think about how many times I've caved in and regretted it.

Exercise 6 days a week - weights at least 4 x's and cardio 6 days - I will PUSH myself each time, unless I'm injured (then I'll take it easy but still work out!)


Arabella - maintaining for a year is GREAT. That is an accomplishment to be proud of. Now that your metabolism has reset itself you can lose successfully again.

Natamars - Congrats on getting back on plan this year. About the gain - Are you lifting weights? And, you are right... along with total calories, keep track of the composition of them. That should do it!!

Anagram - You can do it! Way to go - 2 lbs gone!!! I'll bet the slight increase was from working out with weights, or a bit too much salt?

LA - Congrats on the 6 pounds!!

Staci - if you are working out with weights your muscles will hold water... but, in a few days that and some fat will leave, and you will be lighter AND stronger.

I've been battling the same weight for years. It's time for weekly weigh-ins and at the very least maintaining any losses (no matter what life throws my way.) We only get one body - we need to treat it right!

1/7: 141
1/14: 140.2
1/21: 139.2
1/28: 138
2/4: 136.6
2/11: 137.2
2/14: 136.2

I was in a few V-Day challenges so today become sort of an official weigh-in.

Gwen, I am doing some lifting but not enough. I usually do a body sculpting class on Monday and last week I was in pain until Thursday from it, so I could only do cardio the rest of the week. Trying to come up with a schedule that works with a better balance of cardio and weight training. I will see you in onederland next week!

Congratulations, natamars - good, consistent loss stays.

Gwen, it was the salt - happens everytime I eat out as I use little (none?) at home. I do very little working out, sorry to say.

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1/11/11 198.6
1/18/11 197.8
1/25/11 198.

2/1/11 201.2
2/8/11 197.6
2/15/11 197.4

Arabella - 4 lbs is great.

Up 4. Where is the crying, stomping, screaming smilie??? I refused to weigh yesterday because I had eaten a few(so probably a dozen) valentine cookies. But, seriously - FOUR POUNDS???? (found it)


Sodium? 1/2 a can of soup, 1/2 bag of uncle bens grain medley, cup of instant oatmeal, chicken sandwich from Hardees (no sauce) I need to look at the labels and check for sodium. do sugar cookies have sodium?

I worked out really hard, my arms are still hurting. But, still, FOUR POUNDS???

1/4/11: 237.8

1/11/11: 231.0

1/18/11: 230.2

1/25/11: 230.6

2/01/11: 227.8

2/08/11: 224.2

2/15/11: 225.6 - I was expecting a gain, I didn't get my workouts in last week. Back on track this week though!

Gwen, I'm guessing carbs are your villain there. They sure do it to me and if I have more than usual, it often takes a few days to get back to square one. Bet the pounds disappear in a day or two. But the bonus -- you found that handy crying, screaming, stomping smiley. We all need that one from time to time.

1/7: 141
1/14: 140.2
1/21: 139.2
1/28: 138
2/4: 136.6
2/11: 137.2
2/14: 136.2
2/18: 134.4 woo-hoo!!!

Such great losses here. Gwen, I think the salt and the carbs. A little too much of either and I do pay for a while. That's why I lose the same 3 or 4 pounds over and over again.

staci, netamars - Wow! Keep it up.

Down any is a reward, Arabella. And the swoosh fairy cometh once in a while.

1/11/11 198.6
1/18/11 197.8
1/25/11 198.

2/1/11 201.2
2/8/11 197.6
2/15/11 197.4
2/22/11 197.4 (and this is a great gift as I had a lot too much carbs, salt on Saturday)

Swoosh Fairy where art thou????

1/4/11 210
1/11/11 208
1/18/11 205
1/25/11 204
2/1/11 205 (muscles retaining water from weight training?)
2/8/11 203
2/11/11 201 Onderland here I come!
2/15/11 205
2/22/11 203

Can ya'll hear me crying? I'm staying OP and looking at all calories in & out. Really believe I should be losing. :riveroftears: (no smiley for that)

How do you break through to onederland??? Any one have advice?

1/4/11: 237.8

1/11/11: 231.0

1/18/11: 230.2

1/25/11: 230.6

2/01/11: 227.8

2/08/11: 224.2

2/15/11: 225.6

2/22/11: 222.6 <---- was very happy to see that!!

Great job to all that lost. Keep on going! Hoping the scales move the right direction for everyone this week. Thanks for all the words of encouragement everyone!!