Your experience?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2003
Your experience?
5
Mon, 08-22-2005 - 1:03pm
Hi girls,
I am relatively new to this board and to getting my butt in gear to get back into shape! I am so frustrated. I told myself when I started on this journey not to obsess over dress sizes, inches, or scale numbers. So for the past 2 weeks I have been very good with exercising and being careful with my diet. Not starving myself, just making better choices and eating more realistic portions. Of course, I have already broken my promise to myself and I am completely obsessing over the scale! This morning I got on and it has gone up 1 1/2 pounds since I started!!! It defies logic! How can you increase your exercise and decrease your calories and GAIN weight??? I know a lot of you are further down the track and have had some weight loss successes so maybe you aren't where I am right now, but did any of you start out this way? Is anyone just starting out like me and in the same boat?
Thanks for listening.
K
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 08-22-2005 - 2:34pm

Hi K!

Welcome! It sounds like you've got the motivation to get yourself healthy! My first thought to your "dilemma" is to remind you that muscle weighs more than fat so if you're working out and building muscle, the scale might go up at first until your body starts to balance itself out.

Keep up the good work!

Sue

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-17-2005
Mon, 08-22-2005 - 3:24pm

Hey girl,
I know how you feel. I have been working out for a little over a month. I mean really working out. I have incorporated strength training and I still do cardio, of course, six days a week. I would have thought a pound or two would have come off, or some inches. Nothing. This morning the scale said I gained two pounds. *Sigh* I also watch what I eat and control portion sizes. I don't know what makes it happen that way. Usually in the past I would drop the most weight in the beginning. However, my boyfriend said that since I had never done stength training before this that it would be a different kind of weight loss at a slower pace. I am not sure, but I am not quiting now.

Take care of yourself and just remember that even if the scale doesn't drop, your overall health will improve.

Hugs,
Chelse

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2003
Mon, 08-22-2005 - 4:02pm
Thanks so much for commiserating with me. It makes it a little easier when you know there are people in your corner.
I decided to put my scale away for awhile-at least a month. Because like you said I am doing the right things and that is what I should focus on. I do think weighing yourself helps at some point, but not for me right now. I probably wouldn't be back in this position if I had kept the scale a little closer! It's easy to pack on a few pounds (or 30:) when you aren't being diligent and watchful. But for me right now, it's just making me discouraged and obsessive.
K
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-12-2005
Wed, 08-24-2005 - 4:25am

Hi

I went through the exact same thing when the scale went up after a week of exercising and weight training. The reason is muscle, it is now 7 weeks later I am down 22lbs. So don't worry about that small increase in the numbers it is temporary. The best thing to do it measure yourself and watch the inches come down. I have lost a total of 5 inches off my waist already and it is the best feeling. Yesterday I tried on pants that I could not wear two weeks ago. And guess what... I could put them on. They were rather tight but considering that two weeks ago I could not even get them on I was over the moon. The lesson for me has been patience, learning new habits that I will keep for a lifetime. So keep going, your body will love you for it.

Phili

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-19-2004
Wed, 08-24-2005 - 8:28am

K,


I have heard many people say what you are saying now about gaining lbs. right after starting a workout program.