GETTING FRUSTRATED AND DISCOURAGED!!!

Hmm, sounds similar to me. I started on this site also on June 18th. I have lost 15 lbs, but now the scale is starting to go up a bit. I attributed mine to working weird hours this week and not getting enough exercise due to the weather. What is your diet like? I have been eating fairly healthy (except for this recent weekend) and keeping calories around 1300-ish.

You can only get so much from Cardio alone I would suggest you introduce some strength training (not necessarily weights). You could try some lunges/crunches/squats etc. If you google excercise at home there are plenty suggestions/idea's.

Sometimes you will yo-yo. Don't get discouraged. Make sure you weigh in the same time when you do weigh in, I do it in the morning. Also look for Non scale victories as well as weight. This is a life time style, not a diet. A diet is for someone who wants to deprive herself, we want to give ourselves a good life, thus a life style change. Do not give up. It will happen and soon. No worries, I do it continually but it ill happen. Add me, I will be there to encourage.

I'd be happy to help you figure things out. My best guess is that you're eating too many carbs and not doing enough exercise to burn them off. If I knew more information about you, I could help you find a better balance.

Your body might be getting used to your workout routine. Try changing up your cardio--dance instead of walk?

If you have a smart phone you can use a program that syncs with the gps which will track mileage.

Aww hun, I don't know what may be the reason, but I didn't want to read and run. Yesterday broke down because I had been working so hard the last week and I may have been hurting my progress unknowingly by not eating enough calories (understating my calories based on MFPs generic entries rather than actual burn). So, whilst I thought I was just under my calorie goal every day, after having bought a HRM yesterday, I realize that I have been severely understating my burn. I had started to plateau/gain even though I was working harder. Now I know, and I'm hoping to rectify that.

Perhaps you are plateau-ing? If you have been doing the same thing recently, perhaps you're just not getting the burn necessary to maintain the weightloss? You may need to up your game. Also, your water intake can affect your weight. If you're not staying hydrated, especially with this hot weather that I see seems to be hitting everywhere (except for my little corner here in Sweden!), your body could be holding on to that water, causing the scale to be your enemy.

You could also be developing muscle, which remember, is heavier than fat. A more acurate way of measuring "weight-loss" or probably better would be to say, results, would be to take note of your inches and percentage of body fat. Our weight can fluctuate by so much from day to day dependant on water, solid waste still inside us, whether or not our food has digested yet...

It takes 3500 calories to lose 1 lb of fat. But it also works the other way around, it takes the same amount to gain 1 lb of fat. So, unless you've been extremely naughty and have been eating way over maintenance every day, that's likely not pure fat gain, and it is something else.

So don't worry hun, you're not alone and I know it can be frustrating when you're not seeing results. Especially when we're trying so hard and we want something so badly. It's easier said than done. But stick to your guns and hang in there. You've done so well, keep moving forward. You started this journey because you didn't like where you were at. You don't want to go back there. A few breaks and detours and speed bumps may occur, but if you keep your eye on your destination, no matter the speed, you'll get there eventually.

My sister recommended a podcast called fat2fit radio. I'm suprised at how sensible and smart it is. Check it out yourself. It's free.

http://www.fat2fitradio.com/

Hey There! Welcome and good job on what you've accomplished thus far.

I took a look at your diary and in my honest opinion I truly believe that A. You aren't eating enough calories B. You are high on Sodium C. You're low on water.

I don't know what your height is but can tell that your weight loss goals are pretty high so I'm really thinking that you have your BMR set way to low.

I think the walking is great! Nice start. When that becomes easier I think you should notch it up a peg. You'll know (but you do have to push yourself) when you need that little more effort!

There are some interesting articles out there about the affect of below BMR and starvation especially with Obesity. If you rob your body of the fuel then you're going to have a hard time dropping the weight.

With all that said I find it hard to believe that you've gained 7lbs if you're being honest with your servings, exercise, etc.

Try and drink a gallon of water every day and was that sodium away and flush your system.

Feel free to friend me if you'd like.

Once again welcome and good luck

I do not agree on the comments to increase your calorie intake but you can try it. I would get in more fruits, veggies and less processed foods but I do not feel you need to increase your calorie intake at your size. If you were close to your goal maybe but at you weight you are not starving your body. Your body has plenty of excess fat to feed on. The starvation mode is over rated on here for sure especially for those of us morbibly obese. It does not apply unless your net calories is under 800 calories for a long time and even then the body has to let go of the pounds sooner or later if you are starving you body.

You just have to patient with your body. Think about it. If you eat 1200 to 1500 calories a day for 2 weeks and make sure not to go over it your body has not choice but to let some of that fat go.

I am no expert for sure, but IMO from the knowledge I do have I just don't think it is your calories. But I could be wrong....:) If you decide to add calories, make sure it is quality calories, meaning fruits, veggies, and less processed foods.

I only saw a few days you were under your water but water is important too. I shoot for 12 glasses a day on exercise days. I also don't buy the drink half of your weight theory either. I believe in everything in moderation and you get water from fruits and veggies. To drink 20 and 30 glasses of water is not healthy for your kidneys. Again I am not an expert, just what I have been told by doctors and other professionals in this field.

opps!

first and foremost thank you all for your advice. i read all your comments and from what i have gathered i need to eat more and i need to drink water so i adjusted by weight loss goal from 2lbs down to 1lb and it increased my calorie intake so now maybe and hopefully that will help me better.

I would also recommend watching sodium. Often it is high. Try to stay 1900 or less. If you are going over one day drink A LOT of water. Sodium is easy to reduce if you're eating a lot of produce. Produce is filling but low sodium.

For exercise - keep it up but try to build the intensity. You might try jogging 1 or 2 blocks every 10 blocks and build from there. Otherwise every other block stop and do high knees or jumping jacks. You may also add arm movements. These will build muscle and muscle helps burn fat.

Good luck on your journey!

That amount sounds very suspect to have truly gained in three days.

Did you weigh at the same time of day as usual? Move your scale? Anything else different about the weigh in? Clothes/boots/totebag?

What has your hydration been like? Sodium? Is it a time of the month for you? (You don't have to answer, these are all just things to think about.)

I would be highly skeptical that 7lbs in 3 days is a real gain, myself.

Agreed. Make sure you are consuming enough fluids. The more sodium you intake the more you need to drink. You should actually be consuming about half your body weight in water. Also, are you eating back your exercise calories? Your body may not be getting enough caloric intake and thus storing fat/water.