Any advise out there: up and down weight

I had this exact same problem and it was really discouraging. I finally started taking my measurements and saw 1/2 inches coming off which made me feel so much better. Try taking measurements, expecially if you are working on building muscle mass. Also, up your water intake, because that may help them recover as well as flush out your sodium which may cause you to retain water. I also had to stop allowing the scale to determine if I was going to be happy or sad each day. So I started just paying attention to the week. If I was consistently high for a week, then I knew I needed to change something, but I can have a two or three pound difference in a day depending on how my intestines are doing, what kind of exercises I've done, and the type of foods I've eaten. Once you start getting used to what your weight looks like based on these variables, you are able to see your weight fluctuations in a more logical way, instead of allowing them to emotionally rule you. It's very frustrating to see that number go up, even a little when you're working so hard. I'm sure you are putting on muscle and are on the right track. Just keep doing what you know you need to do and the nubmers will come in time.

Good luck, and congratulations on all your hard work!

Thanks for the words of widom. I'm going to do what you suggested and take my measurements as well. I have never done that in the past. I have also stoped going to tha scale so often as well. I'm also going to up my water intake. Drinking the suggested amount of water a day has always been a hard thing for me to achieve. For two reasons, I actually don't like the taste of most water. Water is suppose to be tasteless and most is not. I have tried just about everything I can think of to change this bad habit of not drinking water. I haven't found anything that works for me yet.The other is just being overly concious of water weight and not knowing how to keep this in check in a healthy way. But what you said about flushing the sodium out make totally sense to me.

Water is so important in any fitness life. I know it can be tough to drink enough, but sometimes you just need to pull through.. I drink about a gallon a day. Normally even more than that.

As for the slight weight gain. When you start strength training.. Gains on the scale are normal. I was also discouraged my this at one point. But don't be! Also don't be discouraged if the scale just does not move for a while. If you are exercising and eating good, and the scale isn't moving it may actually be a good sign. Because you are not losing muscle. Anything over a pound or so a week its probably muscle, and some fat. You only want to burn fat!

Just keep it up, take pictures and compare them from month to month. You will notice a difference!