one... freaking... pound...

I only saw results when I took DRASTIC, and I do mean DRASTIC measures... its taken me a lot of work and starvation to do so

I truly think it's a mistake to offer the OP the advice to do something "drastic" like starving herself.

I only saw results when I took DRASTIC, and I do mean DRASTIC measures... its taken me a lot of work and starvation to do so

I truly think it's a mistake to offer the OP the advice to do something "drastic" like starving herself.

no im not suggesting her to do that... I have an appointment with the specialist.. I was exactly where she was and didn't see results until I cut calories even further... this is NOT what she wanted to hear.

I merely was stating that I understand where she is coming from. I cant keep this up myself its been 2-3 weeks of way under calories and though I like the results I know the moment I stop it will all go downhill... its stupid but I have issues so hence that's why I was once 358 pounds.. the issues will never ever go away.

While it's possible I've gained muscle, it's far more likely that I've gained muscle TONE instead. In my mind, 4lbs of muscle is a lot to put on in a month and my circuit training has been in the 30-45lb range. I don't have a fat analyzer, but I do have a mirror . Most of my problem is all in my torso, but I certainly wouldn't complain to see my thighs trim down.

You don't tone muscle, you gain muscle. Making muscles bigger is what makes you look "toned"

Though this brings up another question... is a 1" waistline reduction (and I'm estimating here, just based on how that particular pair of jeans fit last time) an acceptable, expected improvement for a month, or is that low too?

1'' is a respectable reduction. It could even be more since you estimated based on how your jeans fit. Depending on how much you have to lose, it can take a while for whole inches to disappear.

Correct that you don't "tone" muscle, but making muscle bigger doesn't make you look toned. Reducing the fat covering them does.

Ask your doctor to test your cortisol levels. It has to be done between 7:00 and 8:00 am to be accurate. It might be too high. I'm going through the same thing. I've been at this for a couple of years and I haven't lost more that about 5 pounds.

My endocrinologist appointment is at 11am. Is there a home method for testing cortisol, or is that strictly lab work?

the first test for cortisol testing is with urine. You collect it in a big jug for 24 hours and they test the levels of cortisol. My daughter had that done, and it's not such a bad thing lol.

Here is an example from my own data. As can be seen in the graph below, I "gained" weight over the last weeks even though I kept or reduced my calories. What is going on is that I changed my workout routine and increased intensity of training - the response was water retention, thus the apparent weight gain.

This last week, I'm getting a little more used to the change and we can see some loss.



Weight loss is not linear...

Where did you get that graph made? That's amazing! I love it! The reports available here aren't bad, but they aren't great for comprehensive tracking like this.

Thank you, it's part of the tool I wrote for Excel. It extracts data from MFP and provides an in-depth analysis. You'll find the details and the worksheet here:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/EvgeniZyntx/view/new-mfp-data-export-tool-major-update-659927

If you use it, let me know if you have any questions.

Despite the severely depressing report from the scale, I actually have noticed some other effects. Last night I tried on a pair of reference jeans, and based on that I have probably lost about an inch in my waist (I forgot to get measurements beforehand... my bad). I have more energy and don't want to nap at lunch anymore. I can keep up with my husband when we go places or do yard work. I'm not giving up the gym... I enjoy it too much.

Based on this paragraph it sounds like you're doing just fine.
It took me 2 months before I started losing weight on the scale, but my measurements started changing way earlier. I've since decided to not care so much about what the scale says, I mostly use it to watch my water weight fluxuations because I find them facinating.

Please start measuring yourself and taking progress pictures. I think that will help you so so much more then just going off what the scale says, because it sounds like you are doing a fantastic job taking care of your bosy and I would hate for the *kitten* hole scale to ruin your progress.

This. It's also one of the problems with weighing once a month. With water weight from hormonal changes, starting a new work out, and possibly a different sodium level than other days, you could easily miss a loss. Even water weight gains/loss aren't consistent. I personally choose to weigh daily with "official" weigh ins once a week so that I can see overall trends even if a weigh in day is higher.

However, with your history of eating disorders, living by the scale is probably a bad idea. I'd continue with your weigh ins as you are comfortable. But, you need to realize that lots of things make the scale fluctuate (and you're right, you did not gain 4lbs of muscle in a month). Combine your monthly weigh ins with monthly progress photos and measurements. Plus, go by how clothes fits. Some times everything looks the same in pictures and numbers, but a shirt that was super tight is now looser. Especially if you lose weight in weird places you'd never think to measure (for a long time I had this weird hump on my back just below my neck which is now gone, but you could never measure that).

First of all, if you're not familiar with In-n-Out, they're not your typical burger joint.

I've in SoCal for a long time and am very familiar with I-n-0. The nutritional information is at best +/- 20%, so if you want to eat there, and be sure you're not going over, add 20% more calories than it says you're eating (or just put in "1.2" for the number of servings).

You can go around and around with every member of this forum and dissect every answer they give you, but it's blatantly obvious after reading 4 pages of this nonsense that no one here can give you the response you desire. It doesn't even exist.

Also, if you are only using a number on a scale to dictate your success that is also a very inaccurate measure, because you are not taking into account that you MAY have lost 5 pounds of fat and GAINED 4 pounds of muscle, which would be very desirable. Do you have a hand-held body fat analyzer or have you ever had your body fat percentage accurately measured by a professional?

While it's possible I've gained muscle, it's far more likely that I've gained muscle TONE instead. In my mind, 4lbs of muscle is a lot to put on in a month and my circuit training has been in the 30-45lb range. I don't have a fat analyzer, but I do have a mirror . Most of my problem is all in my torso, but I certainly wouldn't complain to see my thighs trim down.

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No. You can not gain muscle while eating at a deficit.
And if you had gained any muscle there's no way it would be 4 pounds in two months. Some people don't gain that in a year.

You're eating more than you think or It's water weight from changing up your routine.