No change on the scale but working hard

Hi all,

I have been on MFP for a month or so now and have been doing what I think is a pretty good job of watching my calories. I have also been working out 3 or 4 times a week at the gym doing cardio and weight lifting. I am 5' 1" and started at 150lbs. I am at 147 now and have been there for a while now. I just don't see the weight coming off like I thought I would. I know I may be gaining muscle weight but it is frustrating to step onto the scale and not see any difference when I am working so hard. Any thoughts or encouragement?

Replies

CalorieArson

Just stay positive. Even though the numbers on the scale arent changing much, all the work youre doing is paying off. I guarantee you are a much healthier person now. Remember to keep that food diary and before you know it, you will feel like a totally new person. Keep your head up!

KateEMD

Thanks!

psmd

That's about 0.5 to 1 pound a week that you're losing...it'll be much easier to keep it off than if you were losing it really fast. Good luck!

bslic

Keep going!!! you're doing great things for your body and health. Take your measurements and monitor those, too. The scale can be rude.

Pebble321

Keep going!!! you're doing great things for your body and health. Take your measurements and monitor those, too. The scale can be rude.

I agree with this. One thing I've learnt over almost a year on MFP - persistance is the key!

getfitnfab

Agree with others
Consistency is key
Log all your food

I went out and bought pants, same label, same cut, from size 12 to 2

That was three years ago
I now can zip a 2, wish I had bought the size 0

Lost 22 pounds so far

Age 42 started at 160
5'2

roguex_1979

Defo take measurements once a month! You may not see it on the scales, but surely you can feel it in your clothes?

Keep it up!

monkeymouse74

I've been having the same problem, until a friend who had no clue what I'm doing commented that she could see a difference in me this morning.:happy: I think the scale can be cruel I'm taking on the advice of the others on this thread and starting to measure myself so that I still feel motivated when the scale wont budge.

KateEMD

Thank you everyone for the encouragement. I decided to take a new tactic today and not look at the scale but to put on those dress pants I have been holding on to because they were expensive even though I don't fit into them. Guess what.... THEY FIT! well they were a little snug still but I could button them and sit in them. I think that is going to be my new measurement and not the scale.

EricMurano

Look weight loss takes a while. You *could* lose quicker but how you're doing it right now is good. You're losing very little lean body tissue (muscle, bone, organs) if any at all.

If you must lose more just cut 100 calories a day and see how it goes. Pay close attention to your energy levels while exercising, especially the weights. You don't want to pass out while under the iron!!

bslic

yes!!! See the pants are the tale here...not that dastardly scale. My friend gave me a box of her "fat" clothes at Thanksgiving....for grins, I tried them on again this weekend and I could fasten MOST of them. WOW, and here the scales only moved like 3 lbs in this month. Keep moving and the lbs will eventually drop off.