12,000 calories per day and exercise and I am GAINING?!

Maybe mix up your diet make-up... More protein, less carbs, along that line.

Additionally, it is probably time to up your calories a little. You might see wome progress by just adding in a protein shake each day.

I feel ya! I had my husband put the scale on top of the cabinets in the bathroom where I can't reach it... and I don't get it back until HALLOWEEN... It's already driving me nuts not being able to weigh, but now I can focus on how my clothes fit and how I feel instead of obsessing over that stupid little number. That's all it is... a number. It doesn't define you or me. Your actions define you, and if you're working out, KUDOS!! You're living a fit life. Keep it up!! We're all in this together!!

It was probably the water you drank before you weighed in

I know it's been said, but I'll say it again.
Most likely, you are retaining water. Also, don't weigh yourself after you drink a whole bunch of water. It's heavy. Weigh first thing in the morning, with a nice freshly emptied bladder and rockin it out sans clothing.

I went off track for a few weeks and gained a couple of pounds. I've been back in track, but even though I'm within my calories, the scale isn't budging, because my body is clinging tightly to water, holding it in my muscles. I'm not worried about it, because I can tell my clothes are fitting how they should, and that belt loop isn't snug anymore. Once I get used to lifting and running again, I know I'll stop retaining so much water, and things will be groovy again where the scale is concerned.

You can do this. Don't let the scale freak you out so much. Being stronger and more toned is totally worth a stuck scale. After all, you don't introduce yourself with your weight, do you? Nope, you do it with your awesome body. Feel great, look great, and who gives a flying fudgenugget what the scale says.

stop thinking about the scale and think about body composition.

my body builds muscle WAY too readily.

hmmm, I really doubt that.

Or at least it LOOKS like it does. When your 5'3" and of stocky build wt. loss/gain is very different.

You are right!! It does look different. I am 5'3" myself and in any weight gain will make me look like a bloated muffin. I started my weight loss @ 213 lbs & in February 2012 I was at my lowest of 168 lbs. Ever since then I haven't been able to loose it but it's because I haven't really tried either and here's why.

After shedding 40 lbs I feel great. I lost inches in my waist, thighs and arms. My body has never been this toned in it's entire life and I am so happy others have noticed. So yeah I haven't lost everything I wanted to but I look great. Fitting into smaller sized pants than the size 18 I was used to, makes me feel "skinny".

Now that I'm full force back on MFP and watching what I am consuming, I don't eat anything less 1,200 calories a day. Even if I am not hungry, I still force my self to eat. Your body really needs the energy to burn & w/o fueling your body, you're just clunking it out. And also give your body rest. It needs time to heal. I workout 5 days a week but the other 2, I just let my body take a breather. Muscles can get exhausted too.

Another word, don't give up. Just because the scale says 178 or 179 doesn't mean you don't like you're 150. If you were to ask someone how much do they think you weigh, no one would be exact. Good luck!!

Fat does not turn into muscle. They are different cell types.

You are likely retaining water. If you are experiencing any soreness, you definitely are.

If you're going to do weight training, you need to eat more. Fuel your workouts. Eat whole foods and try to watch your sodium levels to help decrease water retention.

I have been quite lame actually!

For some reason I LOVE salt! I can cut almost anything else from my diet. But, I cannot get rid of the salt. When I try I become tempted to purchase myself a salt lick. I am trying to work on this though!

Now THAT'S interesting to know. How much water do you routinely drink if you crave salt that bad, and have you also ever had bloodwork done to check your sodium and potassium?

P.S. There's salt alternatives (potassium salt, yeast salt, etc.) that taste like the real thing. My fiance was a salt fiend and we went over to that because of his high blood pressure. Made a huge difference!

you only eat 800-1200 calories per day? wow. that's really low calorie. how do you survive let alone run and do weight training. how confusing.

FYI, about the whole "muscle" thing, you generally can't build muscle at such a deficit you've been eating; I second, third, whatever, the responses saying water retention.

Opps! That is supposed to 1,200 cal a day NOT 12,000!

Excuse my foolishness, I just woke up!

Thanks for the giggle though, I figured this was someone being sarcastic.

You may need to eat more, seriously. People will be like "That's crazy!" but the truth is, when you're eating very little, your hormones are out of whack. Your body hates being in a calorie deficit to begin with, an extreme one will cause it to hold on dearly to anything you give it.

http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bmr/

Run your numbers, adjust MFP calorie goals manually, get lots of lean protein to make sure you're keeping your lean muscle mass while losing weight, lots of fibrous fruits/veggies to keep you full, drink lots of water, and be patient. If you're moderately active and logging truthfully, you'll see a difference. Not as fast as you'd like, but you will. And you'll feel better.

Best of luck!

I do use the fat2fitradio military body fat calculator I LOVE it. It tells me my body fat % is 28%! I will try upping my calories a little and see what happens!

Don't freak out if the scale goes up a bit. That's typical for upping calories but it evens out after a couple of weeks.

Get a body fat caliper and aim for a healthy body fat percentage. I'm 5'3" and nearing 170 as well. EAT. I have been having some off days when I am stressed and I don't eat my normal amount, and I've been feeling like crap. Your body will thank you.

Eat smart - exercise smart - don t pay attention to the scale for 30 days and then see where you are at. If you feel good , that is what is REALLY important.