I want to cry

Okay, this may be one of those times when you need to be careful for what you ask ... but since you did, here's my advice.

You need to relax. Take a breath. Remember your goal is not XXX weight by Christmas of 2011 - it's a healthy lifestyle with a healthy BMI for the rest of your life. In the scheme of things, what's another month?

You need to enjoy the season for all its meaning. There's going to be good weigh ins and bad weigh ins. That's how life is - 'ya gotta take the good with the bad.

Yes, it's better to see the number go down each week - but it's not what life's all about.

I have been between 177 and 175 for almost a week! Is this a plateau? I had to stop going to the gym because of my job, the only time I can go is on the weekends and I haven't done that lately, I weighed in this morning at 175.4 and just now I weighed in to see if there was any difference and saw 177, I sat on my bathroom floor and cried. I ordered the 30 ds and 6 week six pack but they won't be here until about the 28th. I wanted to see 167 before christmas but at this rate I won't see it until after new years! Someone please give me some advice!

Hello, I am new to MFP and I wanted to give you my 2 cents Try not to worry about what the scale says but instead focus on how you feel and how your clothes fit. For a long time I was focusing on what the scale said instead of my inches. A mixture of strength training and cardio are great ways to tone and burn calories. Try taking your measurements and photos so you can see your progress other than the scale.

Here are a few things I do when I can't get to the gym... take a break at work and get a couple quick walks in. A few things you can do at home are with your own body weight- squats, push ups, planks, lunges, chair dips.

I love the Jillian Michael's workouts (under $15 at Target) and I switch those around which does make it easier because I can do those at home instead of going to the gym. Around my area our time warner excercise on demand chanel gives you numerous workouts for free which I use all the time.

Good luck and stay positive!

One week does not a plateau make. But it does give you an opportunity to change some of your thinking. You are NOT defined by a number...whether it is your weight or your size or your income or whatever. So take this opportunity to consider ALL of you. Not just some random number on a scale. Don't just look at your flaws...how much weight there is left to lose or the flab that still needs to leave or whatever. Look at all of you. And celebrate all of the changes you have made that led to you losing 38 lbs so far! Pat yourself on the back.

And carry on. This is for the rest of your life. Doesn't matter how long it takes to get there...just keep plugging.

One week without weight loss is not a plateau.

Fluctuations throughout the day or the week are normal. Are you retaining water because of too much sodium/TOM/exercise? Did you take a crap this morning or not?

Have some patience and take deep breaths. Keep putting in the work and fueling your body properly. :flowerforyou:

Was going to reply, but this pretty much covers what I was going to say. If you know you're doing the right thing, keep it up. The weight loss isn't always linear.

Also wanted to add, very cool avatar pic!

Stopping going to the gym can certainly throw things off but your MFP daily calorie goal is set for a deficit from what your body burns on a daily basis so while things may slow down if you're not at the gym it shouldn't come to a halt. And no, one week if far from a plateau, a stall maybe (but even those are more like a couple weeks). A plateau is more like several months.

As for weight this morning and then seeing a higher number later in the day...Your mistake is jumping back on the scale later in the day. Weigh in at the same time of day in the same type of clothing or even commando. Many people on here like to weigh in first thing in the morning after visiting the toilet but before coffee or tea or juice. By later in the day you've been drinking fluids and eating so your body weight changes. For some people as much as 4lbs difference between first thing in the morning and at the end of the day.

Sodium could be a factor, if you're getting too much salt and not enough water you will retain fluid making you feel bloated. This is more noticeable if you're not getting the amount of exercise you're used to.

Also the lack of exercise if probably affecting your mood. Many people become addicted to the endorphins that exercise causes your body to release. I'm not saying we all love to work out, many don't but they usually still feel better after having done it. Cut yourself some slack and head over to your local library and see about renting an exercise dvd or two until your others arrive at the end of the month.

Its not a plateau, you just had a minor stall. I have had plateaus and they lasted a while. I was at 175lbs for 2 weeks then lost 2lbs. It will happen through out the weight loss journey.

One week without weight loss is not a plateau.

Fluctuations throughout the day or the week are normal. Are you retaining water because of too much sodium/TOM/exercise? Did you take a crap this morning or not?

Have some patience and take deep breaths. Keep putting in the work and fueling your body properly. :flowerforyou:

Was going to reply, but this pretty much covers what I was going to say. If you know you're doing the right thing, keep it up. The weight loss isn't always linear.

Also wanted to add, very cool avatar pic!

Exactly..... Also, this natural up and down is why it is recommended not to check in more than once a week. Be kind to yourself. If you are doing everything, the scale will eventually move. Plateaus are staying at the same weight for weeks on end..not days.

You can do this!!

First, stop weighing yourself mid day or even daily. Our bodies naturally go up and down throughout the day. I can be 4 lbs heavier at night than first thing in the morning. Try only weighing yourself once a week. I know it's hard, but you'll be better off. Agonizing over weight is going to do nothing more than stress you, and stress is not helpful when you're trying to lose weight.

Next, take your measurements. This is about more than your weight. Think of this as a journey to becoming healthy

And, lastly, a couple of days is not a plateau. Over a couple of weeks is a plateau. Your body has to make adjustments - it's all good. Just keep up your logging and eat right and it'll come off. Give yourself a break.

I should have read this first!!! It says everything I was thinking!!