One of the most frustrating things when you are losing weight is, well, not losing any weight. You work hard all week. You stay within your point/calorie goals. You exercise. You do all of the things you are supposed to do, and then you step on the scale and nothing happens.
It is frustrating to say the least.
At this time the most important thing to remember is that it is temporary. The scale IS going to move again. Lots of things can cause a stall in your weight loss. Maybe you need to poop, or you could be retaining water, or maybe you lost fat but gained a little muscles, or maybe your body is just like, “Yo’ bitch, get me a cooke!” Who knows why it happens, but it does. The key is to not discouraged and keep on keepin’ on.
Last week Maren wrote a great article about this, Simple, But Important Fat Math. You should go read it. She makes some great points. I’m glad I read it because this week I got a big ole nothing when I weighed. No change at all. Which is better than a gain, but not what I was hoping.
The good part is that I have one of those scales that weighs body fat percentage. I know they aren’t always 100% accurate, but I like to use it as a guideline. Yesterday it measured the lowest it has since before Bud was born, below 50%. That is a HUGE deal for me.
Another thing to always check when the numbers don’t go down is to measure. I didn’t have my tape in the bathroom yesterday, but a lot of times your body will be shrinking. Measurements will let you know how much physical change has occurred. Fat comes off of everywhere. Measuring gives you visual evidence of that.
So no loss for me this week. I okay with that. I know it will be fine. How are you guys doing?
For more on my weight loss journey see the Losing It tab above.
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
The scale can be out very best friend or our worst enemy at times LOL I try to not let it get to me when it doesn’t move or if it goes up a few pounds. Sometimes you just have to look at what your doing, if your doing right then don’t sweat it. Sometimes I take measurements and realize I’m losing inches just not pounds. Or how my clothes fit. Me and the scale are currently on a “break” from each other because it was making me mad LOL
The scale can be our best friend or worst enemy.
As I was reading this, that very same post from Maren came to mind. There are so many fluctuations in our bodies. Just remember that you are doing a good job and doing this for you…this is the year of Jennifer! xo!!
The minute I stepped on the scale that post popped into my mind. I was so glad I had read it.
I know there are lots of factors that go into weight loss….but I still hate when that damn thing won’t move!
Have a great week!
Makes me want to kick it.
Keep on keeping on….sometimes progress is not measurable on the scale, but its there! Good job!
I have had a couple stalls in my journey. And a stall usually means that soon, I’ll lose a few pounds much easier than I thought I would. I had a gain this past week, but I’m totally blaming that on hormonal, period stuff. BLAH.
I honestly haven’t measured myself since I really began this weight loss journey. I need to do that. I’m sure I’ll be shocked. I’m right on the bubble of being down 2 sizes. If I could just lose another 5 pounds, I would have definitely lost 2 pants sizes.
It seems like I always get a stall right before 1) I lose a big chunk or 2) change up my exercise routine.
Every time I have had an unjustifiable gain or 0, the following week, I have lost enough for both weeks. What a great attitude! That is key to this marathon you are running.
Do you mind telling me what kind of scale you have? I have one that is supposed to do all that, but from the beginning it has always been weird and it NEVER says the same thing twice (like I can step on the scale, back off and back on again and the weight can vary by as much as 4 pounds). So… I am in the market for a good scale.
I have a Tanita. I think I got it at Target. I’ve had it probably five years or more.
Having lost a lot of weight, I know my body’s trends. I normally have a ten day span mid menstrual cycle where I won’t lose an ounce. Same time every month. I’ve learned not to stress it. If you are on track, your body will show it eventually! Good for you for staying the course even when it gets hard!
I started (half @ssed WW) last week. My friend signed up and is sharing everything with me…we calculated my points etc. I increased my exercise and I gained 1.4 lbs! I am irritated b/c I really felt like I was going to lose something! If I’m not using all my points is it possible that could lead to gain?
My friend gained her first week. I do think it is important to eat all of your points.
I have a feeling this will never be easy.
So happy you linked to Maren’s post because you couldn’t read it and not think that makes perfect sense I just never thought about it that way.
I know you have a great attitude about everything, but not seeing that scale move would have made me mad.
But maybe there is a difference between being mad and being discouraged.
I liked that article of Maren’s.
Yours is a great attitude!!! Thanks for letting us join you on your journey.
Yep, sadly the scale can’t reflect a loss on the 7th day we step on the scale – I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to WW, shown like a -.2 on the scale, and then at home the next day I’ll be -2.2!
It all works out in the end though!
So glad you are staying positive! And hooray for the body fat loss! Way to go!!!! I’ve increased my exercise a bit, finally getting back into running. Feeling good, even though my weight stays the same it seems (I would like to lose about 5 pounds but lack the discipline in the food area to do so).