Frustrated

I know it took me about 6-8 weeks before I really saw anything go on with clothes or the scale. I'd like to say be patient but it does totally suck doesn't it? You might consider increasing your calories by 200 every three or four weeks and see if that makes a difference.

OMG I know!!!! One thing is not to go on the scale two days in a row. Fix it to once a week. I weighed myself Sunday (usual day) and no change from the week before despite eating less than the calorie goal most days. Then I weighed myself Tuesday on the scale at the gym and i was UP!!!! So I know I'm not supposed to do that. Also I know you have to eat to lose. People are saying I LOOK thinner. Even my hubby says my face looks thinner. But no change on the scale. And I don't know what to think about a 4-5 pound difference between 2 scales. Ugh. Does my home scale always lie? I can't stand it if it's weighing low and I pretty much have to go back to the beginning :C
A lot of us have spent a lifetime yoyo-ing so it could take a while for our metabolisms to wake up and smell the coffee. I think I'll try eating more veggies and less other kinds of stuff. I have to be super careful though not to let myself start feeling deprived. That's just a trainwreck waiting to happen.
I do share your frustration. But we mustn't give up. We must support ourselves and each other and KEEP TRYING!

i agree, you are adding muscle, you may want to more reps at a lesser weight so you will tone and not just bulk up! you are doing a good job just keep plugging at it!

I have heard from more than one place that you can actually gain weight from too little calories or fat. You body starts to hold on to what it is beig deprived of, so I agree with above to try adding a few hundred calories and see if it makes a difference. Strength trainging is the best way to get slimmer and burn more calories, but your body does need to rest and repair any damage to the muscle from your workout. Try alternating your days with cardio like zumba, brisk walking and pilates/yoga 3 days a week and the odd days do weights and strength training. Include a day of rest. Being too worried about the number on the scale can release stress hormones that cause your body to retain weight and water. Also, from personal experience, watch your frozen entre intake. They are tasty and convenient but pack a LOT of sodium. You may be retaining water weight too. Lastly, only weight yourself in the morning, as close to naked as you are comfortable with. This is your true weight. What you "pack on" durning the day is not your actual weight so don't get disappointed if you're say 185 at 7am and 193 after dinner. I hope this has helped but ask your doctor or nutritionist for the most reliable information.

You didn't say anything about water. I know if I don't drink much water I have wee weight loss, if I drink at "least" 64 oz of water I see bigger weight loss.
Just a thought

Make sure you are accurately measuring all of your food. It is amazing how far off you can be when you estimate. I know i can be way off! Also make sure you are eating lots of lean protein and fibre filled vegetables. And drink heaps of water.

At 5'5 and 190lb, your BMR is around 1650 so at 1350 you will lose around 2/3 pound each week. If you are using the MFP exercise calories estimations then that may be your problem. You are only on a 300 cal defecit so an incorrect exercise calories intake will throw you out. Whatever MFP says you have burnt only assume half of those cals have actually been burnt.

Try that for a 2 weeks and only weigh in once per week on the same day at the same time (as soon as you wake up after using the bathroom)

I find that my weight shifts tons in a single day. i make sure that when i weigh myself it is in my birthday suit only and that it is the same time (one of the first things i do when i wake up). My focus has been cardio with muscle toning (30 day shred is a favorite) then i just relax. soon i will up my weights but i wanted to burn fat and see my progress first. i have only one set of pants that show how i have changed so i am right there with you. I gave myself a year to see progress and while by the numbers i can see change the body type/shape/blubbery spots are still there and just the same as before. it will take time and when you have a job and kids and family it may even take longer. there are a few things that get me through:
1) i have both short term and long term goals with rewards planned out
2) I have had to learn to forgive myself for bad days
3) weight is a number, spot reduction doesn't exist and i want a long term change
4) weigh yourself once a day or else you will go crazy
5) consider how you feel now compared to a month ago - i feel less self concious and am more willing to get off the couch and work out. I still hate working out and going for a mile long run almost had me throwing up but a month ago i wouldn't have even tried
all these things are signs of progress too and don't get discouraged because the end goal is a healthier you!

Oh! And here is an article about another friend of mine...very interesting read but kind of tells you a little bit more about making sure you aren't starving yourself... )

http://www.newstrib.com/articles/lifestyle/health/default.asp?Article=A3CB289F99AC7433DB718BCC7D5C25C0AE7ABC927A3009F0&aname=Workin'+the+goal

You've gotten lots of good advice here. The best thing to do is choose your weigh-in day; it's one day a week around the same time of day. Your weight can fluctuation up to 5 pounds a day! So, don't drive yourself crazy being a slave to that number. Next, most trainers and medical weight loss experts will tell you to stop eating 2-3 hours before bedtime (I used to say "nothing to eat or drink after 6 p.m.", and when I stick to that rule, I wake up feeling good). Other than that, watch your starchy carbs...avoid all the white stuff during your evening meal; move those carbs to earlier in the day.

Good luck, and stick with it. At my gym, the people who successfully lose and maintain weight are the ones who are consistent, and it doesn't matter what exercises they're doing...it just matters that they keep sticking with it.

Wow! I started Sept 22. I have lost 3 lbs since then. For some reason, today I am up those 3 lbs. I haven't used my calories from exercise. I bicycled in the gym 40 mins and did strength training too, today. I have this problem, alot. I have been told its an adrenal problem. If I get stressed, I can go up 5lbs in a day and not eat anything. I would let people see my diary. I don't have anything to hide. So some of you people who have lost weight that has had a problem like this, you keep talking to those like us. I am like this person, I need the cheerleading.
Good luck to you!:flowerforyou: