Why lifting works!

So I was the same as many women on here, afraid to eat higher calories, and afraid of the number on the scale. I was a cardio queen for years! Completed almost 2 full rounds of Turbofire, and completed Insanity without losing an inch or pound. I realized that it was time to change. Two months ago I started lifting free weights and eating 1600-1800 calories on lifting days, and more when I add in cardio. Granted I'm up ten pounds, but I'm not too upset because this is happening to my body:

This was at 145 and not lifting..


This is at 155 and lifting 3-4 days a week, with a dash of cardio..


Granted I still have work to do, but this comes to show that numbers on the scale shouldn't control your life. Yes I still have a goal of 130, I still get upset when I see the scale going the opposite direction, and I still eat crappy food sometimes.. but it's progress. We're all human, and will slip up so life is too short to stress about those things. I conquered my fear of weights and high calories, and it was for the best!