I am so lost...

MissMeshia81

I am getting so irritated...I started exercising Jan 2, 2012 and weighed in @ 195. By Jan 9 got down to 193 this was before I started this site and really exercising with more intensity and more minuets. When I got on the scale today and it said 196 it goes up 0.5 lbs a day look like (just checking to see if I am losing something every other day). I officially weight tomorrow to post for progress. I know you gain muscle before losing weight ,but dang how much muscle will I gain before the weight start to go away. This sucks, this is how I end up giving up, because the scale does not show me how my hard work pays off. I am gonna try and stick to it, but I don't know what to do......

3dogsrunning

Read this -
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/350212--why-scales-lie?hl=why+scales+lie&page=1#posts-4730712

Keep at it. The scale is the least effective measure of your progress. If the scale is causing you to want to give up, why not put it away for a few weeks and go by how your clothes fit, photos or measurements.

3dogsrunning

On top of that, are you measuring everything, logging everything? Where are you getting your calories burned suggestion, from a heart rate monitor or MFP?

iKapuniai

I agree. Throw the damn scale away, it does nothing! It's more hurtful than useful. Take down the measurements for your arms, thighs, waist, hips, chest, neck, and calves... work your *kitten* off for one full month, diet AND exercise, and check those measurements again. If you must, weigh once a month at the most, that way you aren't disappointed with misleading daily fluctuations. I assure you that after a month of diet and exercise and NO weighing on the scale, you'll be motivated to finish the month to see how well you've progressed - in INCHES. And you'll do great! Just keep your head up and keep goin'!

Love and Alohas,
Ihilani Kapuniai

MissMeshia81

I am measuring everything, and logging everything. As far as the calories burned when I am at the gym I use the heart rate monitor and the machines. When I am at home logging in what I do I use MFP, maybe I should leave the scale alone and just touch it once a week for tracking my progress weekly, but its so hard to do, when its right there in your face. Thanks, I am going to have to try it...

smiles4support

In my experience...I lost inches before pounds. Don't give up...give it time, it'll happen!

MissMeshia81

Thanks I sure needed that..

Metsfn4life

I too lost inches before I started losing the pounds. I would put the scale away for a bit. Perhaps weight yourself every two weeks instead of every week...and defintely don't way yourself everyday...that is the recipe for insanity.

3dogsrunning

Trust me, I understand the lure of the scale. I am a slave to it as well. But I do keep reminding myself of the progress I have made and that I can see, so I don't let it side track me.

shwiley40

Stay off the scaLE for a minute and stop relying on that number.....oh everyone said that already! Just stay focused girl, we want instant gratification and it just doesn't happen like that. sounds like you are doing everything the right way so just keep at it.

cherishmarie74

It's very hard to put the scale away! But it's true, the scale is only numbers, and muscle weighs more then fat. Try to stay focused on yoru goals and how you are feeling and looking and not the numbers on the scale! Good luck! You can do it!

jenncaroon

Hi! Try not to be discouraged. Enjoy the process of using your body while exercising. Enjoy the feeling of power over the food in the choices you make! Take it one meal at a time one workout at a time. This is about you getting control and feeling great! Just let yourself do it. You will FEEL the difference even if it takes a while for the scale to catch up. Good luck, blessings to you.

NicoWoodruff

I bet you're getting more toned though if you look.. maybe focus on that instead of that number at least for now. :flowerforyou:

dmustlose

you must drink more more more water. try it.

marianne_s

You may be heavier because of the sodium in your diet or you are retaining fluid because of your increase in exercise.
Muscles retain fluid for repair

lilyvale68

You didn't mention your diet at all in your post. Changing your body is 80% diet and 20% exercise. I actually lost my first 90 lbs by diet alone, no exercise. Not recommending...just sayin. The food is the bigger part of the equation.

SuddenlyPickles

Read this -
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/350212--why-scales-lie?hl=why+scales+lie&page=1#posts-4730712

Keep at it. The scale is the least effective measure of your progress. If the scale is causing you to want to give up, why not put it away for a few weeks and go by how your clothes fit, photos or measurements.

Fantastic post! Thank you.

I was curious (and a bit amused) as to how and why my daily weight has been fluctuating a solid 4 - 6 pounds over the past month or so... This certainly helps explain it.

harleygirlT

Don't weigh your self everyday, our weight flucuates with fluid retention, etc....pick one day a week while you are trying to lose...only weigh more frequently when you are maintaining....I have heard this over and over again!

Bomber989

Thanks for the link...that was a very informative read.

jswayze67

I am measuring everything, and logging everything. As far as the calories burned when I am at the gym I use the heart rate monitor and the machines. When I am at home logging in what I do I use MFP, maybe I should leave the scale alone and just touch it once a week for tracking my progress weekly, but its so hard to do, when its right there in your face. Thanks, I am going to have to try it...

One thing you are told at any diet club etc is weigh in once a week at the most - your body holds different levels of water, your hormones can affect your water retention etc etc.. NEVER weigh in more than once a week, it really isn't worth it and tells you nothing. If you have a partner, ask them to put the scales somewhere and not to tell you where but to just get them out for you once a week. If not, put your scales away and use public ones if you have any locally, just the once a week, takes more effort that way! And another thing, so what if you gain for a couple of weeks? You know you are doing everything right so WILL see results in time. Don't expect short term miracles, most of us are in this for the long haul lol. Good luck and keep at it, it'll be worth it in the end!!

Bomber989

Read this -
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/350212--why-scales-lie?hl=why+scales+lie&page=1#posts-4730712

Keep at it. The scale is the least effective measure of your progress. If the scale is causing you to want to give up, why not put it away for a few weeks and go by how your clothes fit, photos or measurements.

Kind of new to this as I had tried earlier to thank you for the link. This was a very good read.

creeperlegume

Don't give up! I worked my *kitten* off for a week with little lbs. lost and then didn't work out as much the next week (while staying in my calorie range) and had double the loss. As long as you're staying on track and doing what you're supposed to be doing, it all evens out in the end. Stay strong and use us for support when you feel like quitting. That's what we're here for!

Have a great weekend!

Christinemary6

Keep on doing what you are doing....if this were easy, then this site wouldn't be necessary! I HATE exercise and do none other than walking (with crutches at the moment as I recover from surgery) but I do as much walking as I can. This is NOT to lose weight...exercise doesn't help you do that, but to get myself feeling more fit. Feeling fit helps lift your mood and helps your staying power stay longer!!!:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

WifeMomDVM

It takes a looong time to gain muscle - more likely the weight gain is water - either through high sodium or hormonal changes (it is normal to retain a few pounds of water before your menstrual cycle).

Most people cannot lose fat and gain muscle together as it takes many, many calories to BUILD a pound of muscle. Most people focus on fat loss first, through calorie restrcition and then will focus on a "clean bulk" to add back muscle mass after they lose weight.

Try to eat lots of protein to maintain your muscle mass as you lose weight and eating lots of fiber will help keep you full, push food on through, and slow down sugar absorption.

And yes, throw out the scale. Get some measuring tape.

Good luck and stick with it - it's so easy to be discouraged in the beginning - you didn't get here overnight - this won't be a quick fix but if you change your habits slowly and permanently you will create a new you!

balzewoman

I agre with the previous posts. Don't look at the scale as much as how you feel. I, too, lost a lot of weight with diet alone before exercising. Revisit the fats and carbs. I also discovered that on the weeks I ate red meat, I did not lose weight. This is an educational experience for everyone. Using the diaries can help you learn what your body can and cannot tolerate well. Whatever you do, DON'T GIVE UP! It will happen if you just keep going. We are here to support you. Good luck!

eg140

I can't help it I weigh myself every day in the morning. But I realize my weight is going to fluctuate day to day it could be up a few pounds or down 1 pound. But the overall trend is my weight is heading down. Over a 2 month period I have lost 16 lb's. As another poster said drink lots of water. I find the mornings I weigh myself where I have lost the most is after a day I had my 8 glasses or more of water. And the days I seem to have gained is after days I may have had more sodium based foods (so retaining water). As someone else on the forums said if you must weigh often than plot the results and it should have a negative slope over time, if you are eating at a calorie deficit and getting enough water. Remeber if you are set to lose 1 lb a week that is just ~2.3 ounces a day. It is easy to not detect that weight loss if you have something to drink or a meal during the day.

kodigirl17

When I joined the gym and startesd doing more intense cardio I also gained weight. I think I ended up gaining 4 pounds of what I had lost before I actually started seeing weight loss. I've had to "play" with my intake of different things to find the correct combo for myself. For me, I need to drink more water, and keep my sodium intake down. I have also realized that keeping my setting set to lose 1.5 pounds a week works best for me.
Keep at it, it will take time to truly figure out what works for you. It's different for everyone.


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skygoddess86

I am having the exact same issue so I was glad to see all this this morning.

shikia

Don't get discouraged!!! That number could be from a number of things (ie menstrual cycle, lack of bowel movement).. So dont let that number deter you. Continue doing what you have been doing!!!

lindabarnett25

Dont depend on the scale my friend. TIME is what we have to go by. I know I have been there too. Working my butt off and seeing no results. Just give it some time. If you dont hang in here, you will never know. Please just keep on board.

SeekingKarma

I agree with everyone on here! I had to stop myself from weighing myself everyday. All that matters is how you feel and what your measurements are.

Scales have a lot of factors that could skew your total (water retention, constipation, gas, broken, etc.)

It's wrong to let the scale determine your input on your journey so GET RID OF IT! Concentrate on losing inches and see how your clothes fit.