Making progress but scale not changing

I'm in the same boat but I have a couple of reasons its happening to me. At first I was not eating enough thus causing my body to store anything I did eat. Nutrition is the #1 factor in losing weight. Then once my dietary was right on target I began to gain muscle while losing body fat. The scale didn't budge and even went up a couple of times but i'm in a size down jeans. Another possible cause is water weight and that can be caused by hormones or nutrition, ie sodium intake.

My weight goal is 120 but I'm currently at 117Lbs lean body mass, a wieght of 120 is no longer an options, but a size 4 is :-)

Recently my trainer has decreased my lifting/strength training weights and increased my reps. This will allow me to keep the muscle I have without gaining more and also increasing my cardio during weight lifting, and of course she increased my time doing cardio each day. I swear the woman is trying to kill me :-)

Just some food for thought. I do recommend a trainer at least once every two months for body comp measurements, maybe even monthly, the body comp results would help keep your spirits up.

I worry that this could happen to me. Although I do not work out nearly as much as you do, but since Nov 1, 2010 I have been working out at least 5 days a week if not all 7 and I do mix it up - yoga, strength, cardio. I am almost always under calorie and I eat pretty clean (although not perfect esp the last 2 weeks of December) I do also drink and was drinking fairly often over the holidays. I have 2 more parties this week and then plan to give all alcohol up completely until at least mid-Feb (Valentine's Day!) I have lost about 8 pounds and 2 - 3 inches off waist and hips so it's not like I am not losing anything but I really need to step it up.

I have gone to 2 seminars in the past 2 months by a local naturopath doctor. He talked about Toxicity and how it affects weight. I worry that perhaps that is my problem. I know I messed up my metabolism twice over the past 16 years with a low fat high processed carb diet in 1994-1995 and then in 2004 when we were remodeling and moving I started eating like crap and was under a lot of stress. Since 2004 I have gained about 30 pounds.

Anyways from the seminars some things I can summarize:

Eliminate your exposure to toxins, including shampoos, lotions etc. Seek out locally made organic skincare, Tom's of Maine etc. (they did not mention Burt's Bees but I do use those) I bought some Physician's Organic makeup they recommended you can get at Target etc.
Supplement with Vitaman D and Folic Acid
Reduce stress including toxic relationships
Never eat GMO foods
eat plants, not food made in plants
Liver function - can be tested with blood test
Avoid food allergens - they recommend eating gluten-free
Exercise has huge benefits in detoxifying, especially interval training
Foods to eat to detox: beets, brocooli, cilantro, asparagus, green beans, blackberries, blueberries, green tea, oranges, lemons, limes, omega 3 oils, parsley, garlic/onions, legumes.
eat breakfast
get sufficient iodine

Other essential nutrients:
selenium, zinc, copper, iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, B2, B3 and B6


He offers a 4 step detox with supplements. He talked a lot about how stuff hangs in the gut and needs to be cleaned out. He did say Milk Thistle is a good health food store supplement that you can use without dr. suppervision.
I will continue my plan a little longer and if I don't see more results by March I will consider visiting him. I would do it without hesitation if money weren't an issue. His initial consult is $200 plus every visit and supplement, vitamin, drink etc you buy. My mom sees him and spends a few 100 every month but it does help her control her arthritis.

Also avoid:
negative self talk!
high fructose corn syrup (produces 5x insulin of sugar)
hydrogenated oils
sugar alcohols (yikes I love gum!)
artifical sweetners (stevia ok)
food colorings
preservatives such as BHA & BHT
hydroyzed veg protein
MSG
potassium bromate (in a lot of bread)
sodium nitrites and nitrates (most bacon and lunch meat)
sulfites
anything unpronounceable!

Stay low in glycemic index ie: sugar is 100 blueberries in 30's

Also make sure your water source is pure

I hope this helps. I am going to adapt to this as much as I can.

You could be building more muscle than you are loosing fat. Muscle weighs more than fat but it is denser so the measuring tape is a good confirmation of your accomplishments if the scale isn't.

Try cutting back on the working out (at least for a week). Your body may be in shock from the sudden diet change and long workouts. It could have gone into starving mode so it holds on to the fat for emergencies.

No matter what you do, keep up the good work! Even if that scale doesn't move, you are healthier now than you were 6 months ago!