difficult seeing it through

Bootcamps can often take the "cruel to be kind" approach a bit too far. The best way to ensure success is by doing things you actually enjoy, so if it the instructors style is not working for you then perhaps try to find something different.

As for the 5lb, I wouldn't despair about this - firstly your weight can vary 5lbs in a day due to several factors. The best way to compensate for this is to try to weigh yourself at the same time each day, relative to meals/toilet breaks etc. Easiest way to do this is to weigh yourself first thing in morning, (pref after bathroom visit!).

Also, different scales can be vastly different in the measurements they give. I had a weigh in at the doctors just yesterday and being surprised that I'd lost so much weight, I weighed myself as soon as I got back home on my usual scales to find there was a 2.1kg (4 1/2lbs) difference between the two.

Lastly, from the sound of your exercise regime, the chances are you've been building muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat, so in the early days of increased exercise your weight can actually plateau (or even increase) simply because of this. Keep it up though and you'll see after a few weeks the weight begins to drop again as increased muscle also increases your metabolic rate (i.e. you burn more calories even when doing nothing!) and you'll also see the change in your body shape.

To summarise, although it's difficult try not to fixate on individual measurements - try to weigh yourself in the same conditions in each time, (same scales, same time of day, same clothing etc.), and just keep an eye on the trend rather than the individual measurements. In general a much better guide to how you're doing is how you look and feel, rather than what the scale says.

Sounds like you're doing amazing - keep it up!!

Glad to hear you're positive - keep it up and I know you'll see the results your efforts deserve.

Unfortunately my scales have broken (not a good sign!) so also having to switch scales after first weigh-in so my second one will be on different scales - I'm mentally preparing myself for my end of first week weigh in on Monday. Have a party to go to tonight, so just planning out what I do rest of day so that I can be sensible overall and not undo this weeks good work - can't afford to have another false start this time! Have a great weekend, x

Regarding that inflammation business, the way I have for several years been addressing it is to have a single daily 81mg aspirin. Another way, which I've been using for 3 days, is to combine 1/8 tsp turmeric with 1/4 tsp black pepper in my stir-fry. The pepper makes the turmeric available inside the body, and the turmeric is also an anti-inflammatory agent.

I tend to ignore the online "experts", and do what feels right/sensible - there is so much contradicting evidence out there it can just get confusing. I do try to mix things up every so often, both in terms of food and exercise - not necessarily because that's what the so-called experts recommend, but more to stop me from getting bored and quitting.

Anyway, I know we can do this. There will always be hard times no doubt but if we keep at it and support each other we will get through those. It sounds like you're doing amazing, and I'm sure you'll get through your stall soon. Hopefully was just the scales and you'll see yourself progressing again, but if not you know where we are. Take care, Dz,x