[grjones]

I have been off phen for about 3 or 4 weeks and have been doing really well on my own - or so I thought. I weighed myself at the gym on Saturday and I was up about 3lbs!! I know that isn't much, but it is frustrating and discouraging. I still have about 15lbs to go before I hit goal and this just stinks.

I am working out 6 days a week. I swim, bike, spin, use the elliptical or recumbent bike 4 days a week and I strength train 2 days week. The only thing I can think of that is different is that I have recently added spinning and am biking (outdoor) a lot and these are really hard workouts. I want to believe that I am adding muscle which weighs more than fat, but I don't want to kid myself. And since it is only 3lbs, I cannot feel a difference in my clothes - yet. This isn't TOM related - I had a hysterectomy 2 years ago.

I probably shouldn't freak out about this, but since I am no longer taking phen I really want to keep my weight in check. I also was just coming off of a long plateau and thought I was finally heading back down instead of being at a stand still. I still have some leftover phen and am considering going back on, but I hate not being able to sleep at night. It doesn't help that I bought a scale this weekend and now I cannot stay off!

Any ideas of words of encouragement will be appreciated. I feel like I have tried everything - mixing up my workouts, changing my calorie intake, and increasing the intensity of my workouts. What am I missing??? Help!

[dumbfox]

Ahhh Gail, don't get discouraged! You are one of the most inspiring people to me on the board. I think you've done a great job losing weight, but even bigger than that, changing your lifestyle.

Have you thought about measuring inches and maybe getting your BMI checked every week or couple of weeks? Now that you've added all that bicycling you probably are adding muscles and losing inches.

[momof3beautifulgirls]

I agree with dumbfox, I think you are awesome. You have been a inspiration for me!!! I would guess that is is all that muscle you are building. Keep your head up ,, you are doing awesome. I wish I could say I am as active as you are!

[Adina]

Gail,

You are doing awesome. Are you eating alright or rather enough? You are doing some intense working out and you have to give your body the right fuel. I think you are adding muscle. And as mentioned above maybe you should go by inches now instead of pounds. You are truly amazing. I admire you for all the bicycling you do. I read you were going to do a race soon if you haven't already and I applaud you. My husband and I bike and 15 to 20 minutes is intense for us. I know it is hard not to be discouraged but I really think you can lose the weight you want.

Godspeed,

[CHRISTINE99]

Gail,

I would not stress yourself out about 3 pounds...that could be a BM! Cmon!!

As long as you are doing everything right...eating, exercising, and water...the scale will go down.

Stay positive and focused...and don't beat yourself up over numbers!

You look incredible...and I have no idea where you think 15 pounds is coming from!!!


Christine

[Payne2418]

Gail,

Do not get discouraged. You have come so far. I admire all everyone on this site like you. I am in the same boat as you. I come off phen 3 weeks ago I weighed 138 and now I am 142. We went on vacation and I was being a pig though. I am sure your 3lbs is muscle. It is good that you are keeping a check on your weight though. Good luck and I hope you finish you last 15.
But you LOOK GREAT!

Feb 11 164lbs
May 24 138
June 9 142lbs

[grjones]

Thanks everyone!! I appreciate your kind words and encouragement. My mantra for the day will be "you gained muscle, you gained muscle"!! I am feeling much better already ~ I knew I could count on my phrends.

[babagrlshell]

Ok. First you know that different scales sometimes give different poundage (like my old scale that I broke after throwing it into a wall b/c it was 10 pounds UNDER my doctor's scale). Stick with one scale and use that as your only measurement of your weight. Weigh completely nude first thing in the morning. Before you eat and after you pee.
Try not to weigh in more than once per day- I'm a stickler to once or twice per WEEK though.

You have been doing so well- don't let 3 lbs bother you. I've had weekends where I packed on 4 extra lbs because the types of foods I ate (junky, fried or high sugar and sodium) and then 3 days later, that 4 is gone and I'm back to losing again... sometimes it happens.

Just keep up your great exercise routine- seriously Gail I wish I could get my tail working out 1/2 as much as you- you kick a**!

[missus]

Gail, what they said. When I first saw your pics (before and after), you inspired me to do a little more. So, I know that you will get those 3 little pounds off. Don't fret girlie. How are those wedding plans coming along? And last, how is hubby?

Hugs

Missus

[MustangSally]

hon...i am sure you did gain muscle...tape measure yourself this week, and then again next week...see if there is a diffence...i only lost 2 lbs in the last 9 days or so...but i know i am shrinking because of i write down my measurements weekly...plus...it could be just water issue...this week i'm packing on water weight like a camel...can't wait till next week...

[Songstress4Real]

Gail

You are doing an Awesome Job!! Keep you head up as I know you can Succeed!!


Amber

[grjones]

Thanks everyone!! Your kind words have helped me re-think everything and I am not sweating the numbers on the scale. My clothes still fit just fine, I am eating right, working out right and feeling better than I have in years.

Missus - the wedding plans are moving along nicely. She bought her wedding dress, veil and head piece and she will be a stunning bride! She sent out a "Save the Date" card that was too cute! It resembled a lottery ticket complete with 3 scratch-off hearts that revealed the wedding date. Hard to describe, but oh so clever. My husband is a wreck because he will have to give the first toast. He can't even think about what he is going to say without tearing up. I don't know how he is going to make it through it, but somehow he will. We are really excited - she will be here for a visit next week. It will be so good to see her. We feel so out of touch with all the wedding plans even though she keeps us up to date with all the details, it just isn't the same. We will have 5 days together - woo-hoo!

[101705]

I have been drinking tons of water. When I got home yesterday afternoon I weighed myself, and was a little disappointed with what I saw. I emptied my extremely full bladder, then thought, what the heII, why not step back on? I peed TWO pounds. I'm not sure whether I should be proud of it in the way men get proud when they can pee and/or spit really far, or a little grossed out that I was walking around with that much urine.

[grjones]

ROTFLMAO Stacy! Next time I am discouraged on the scale - I am going to pee!!!

[MustangSally]

Too funny Stacy!