total disbelief

[damaris102]

Today was my weigh in day, I was excited because after all, my clothes were getting loose, my husband kept telling me "Oh honey, you look like you have lost so much weight, I can see your curves"; Yeah right! So there was the moment of truth, stripped of all my clothes and for my disappointment I ONLY LOST 1.5 #!!!!! I didn't know what to do, what to think, what went wrong?
I wanted to go out and eat, eat eat... Maybe is the caffeine I don't know, you know I'm a nurse and I work nights(7pm-7am) I need the caffeine to stay awake. I'm here at my work still thinking about what could've happen. Please HELP!!!!!!!!!!! I just want to leave all behind me, maybe I'm gonna be fat for the rest of my life, I just need to accept this fact.

[persimmon]

Hey Damaris, wait a minute!!!! You are doing great--your clothes are getting loose! Your husband can see a difference! You were feeling great, I bet... UNTIL you stepped on the scales. Nothing went wrong except that you are like many of us and put too much reliance on the number the scales show. You are a smart woman; after all you're a nurse. Don't believe the scales; they lie! You will likely get many responses from people who are wise to this and have thrown out their scales altogether. Many here have found they lose inches some weeks, and their clothes get looser, but the scale might not show it. I am really tired and don't feel I can be very coherent in explaining all this but DON'T GIVE UP!!! Read some more; do a search for threads about scales. There is a lot of good reading here--incredible success stories. Some weeks you may lose inches and not pounds and some weeks pounds but not inches. Think about it--the important thing is how you feel and look. The number on the scales is just a number. Muscle weighs more than fat and if you exercise and build muscle you can actually lose dress sizes and inches and remain the same weight, to a point. A dense, muscular 200 lbs looks very much better than a flabby out-of-shape 200 lbs, on the same person!!!
Well, you are going to get lots of responses that will be lots more eloquent than mine, but I just had to jump in and tell you to keep on, and do not be discouraged!
Best wishes,
Elizabeth

[Kisal]

Hello, Demaris! Don't feel bad just because of the number on the scale. Here's an article that might be helpful to you:

http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/library/weight/scale.htm

[carrielynn]

You should take measurements, you will be amazed how many inches you lose when no lbs. are coming off, hope this helps, good luck!

[diemde]

Elizabeth is right, don't let the scales trip you up. There are a number of things that can make you retain water, such as sore muscles, eating extra sodium, etc. Pay more attention to how clothes fit and if you are feeling better. And the fact that your hubby noticed is really great!

And the reality is you did lose weight. You've stopped gaining weight, which is always a good thing! I've been on this forum now for a long time and I've seen a lot of people come and go. Those that stick with it day after day really are the ones who make it. How fast we lose isn't what's important - that we are continuing to lose is the key.

Just ignore the scales for now and you'll do fine.

[nocarb]

I wouldn't care how much I weighed if I could still look like I lost weight and wear smaller clothes. It sounds like you are on the right track. The number on the scale will eventually catch up to the inches.

[hayes]

I weigh daily and have for 6 1/2 months.
It has its advantages and disadvantages.
It can be very discouraging at times since I am alway bouncing around. Up one day, down the next, up for the next 2 or 3 days, ect, and so on.....
What I have noticed is that if I did not weigh daily, I would miss when I have a "new low". I would have missed it altogether if I weighed only weekly or every few days.
If you can weigh daily and not let it get to you very bad, pick a day and then take a weekly average. That has helped me.
But like the others have said, go by your clothes and how you feel, not the scales.
Hang in there, follow the plan, the weight will come off.

[Kristine]

I used to be a midnight lab rat at a hospital. Diet wise, boy, is it unforgiving! :lol: Do you have a solid sleep schedule? Try to weigh yourself after you get up from bed.

[treepatrol]

I wouldnt bother weighing everyday I think its better to weigh once a month.
Hang in there.

[molmerlin]

All the scales advice is great. Scales ARE evil.

However: what have you been eating? You need a journal. Write down some samples of daily menus, be honest. Many times people eat things that they think are acceptable, but they are not. OR and this is very common, they do not eat ENOUGH. Yes, this is very important. So post some menus, and leave nothing out

[hayes]

All the scales advice is great. Scales ARE evil.

However: what have you been eating? You need a journal. Write down some samples of daily menus, be honest. Many times people eat things that they think are acceptable, but they are not. OR and this is very common, they do not eat ENOUGH. Yes, this is very important. So post some menus, and leave nothing out

Very good advice!
My journal has helped greatly.

[katwoman]

I weigh daily as well, but look at the overall trend most of the time. Sometimes I let it get to me though.

But--keep in mind that for many of us we lose inches for awhile and then the pounds seem to suddenly catch up. The fabled whoosh. I went through almost 8 weeks of the scale bouncing between 240 and 243 not too long ago, well, April & May. During that time I drastically lost inches all except the last 2 weeks of it. I was discouraged, disgusted, frustrated--you name it. But when the stall finally broke in early June I dropped pretty quickly until the lower 230s and then slowed way down again.

If your clothes are looser and your husband can see a difference--believe those two sources over the scale. It's a stupid machine and it frequently gets behind what's really happening.

[joylorene]

They are so correct!! I know that when I'm doing my daily exercise my scale will either stay the same or I'll show a gain and then all of a sudden I'll have a drop! Even thou I do feel thinner and firmer (I'm sure because of the exercise) my scale doesn't reflect that.

Don't give up!

[Lady Grace]

I hate Scales.....they are my enemy!! I measure all the time!!!! Scales are liars and do not encourage. Stay off them for at least a month or so. :wave:

[OtherCher2]

Some weeks I lose pounds and some weeks I lose inches. Keep a measurement log so you can see the results.

[foxgluvs]

I agree with everyone else, don't worry about the scale. I didn't lose a single lb for weeks and then all at once I had a drop. I don't know how I got through those first few weeks because it was soul destroying!!
Just don't give up - I am living proof that this way of like does work!!

Keep on going, you're losing inches and the lbs will be sure to follow!

[SRabbit]

I weigh every day, it keeps me on track...HOWEVER...that said, you should measure yourself as well, as scales are not accurate because they reflect water retention, not having gone to the bathroom, muscle gain, etc. but measurements will continue to change through all that.

This gives you two ways to watch your progression, which can cancell out the other one when need be and show you how you're doing really.

Also, if you're in this for the long term you have to celebrate every success...1.5lbs is a lot and losing inches so it's noticeable is a lot, don't discount that--

Atkins isn't a quick fix diet, it's a way of life for most of us..yes, it works, and can work quickly but not always, and slow and steady is also a good thing...

Good luck, start a journal, be strong----

[KikiKitty]

Please HELP!!!!!!!!!!! I just want to leave all behind me, maybe I'm gonna be fat for the rest of my life, I just need to accept this fact.


You can't quit on yourself! Don't accept fat as an option, you are a nurse, you know all of the health problems obesity can cause! There is a healthier you inside begging you not to give up! You can do this!

My own observations about the scale is that you have to be consistant. First thing in the morning after emptying your bladder is best. Try to wear similar clothes (or none at all). But all the advice you have gotten so far is excellent! A tape measurer will tell you the truth, even if you had some extra sodium or didn't drink enough water the day before. And if your clothes are fitting better, you can see firsthand that you have lost more than just 1.5 pounds, you've lost inches!

I have sleep apnea, and need my coffee to be alive and awake in the morning, but caffiene does cause a stall in weight loss for some people. Also, because it's a diuretic, you have to drink EXTRA water for every cup you drink. Here is a great tool for estimating your daily water needs: http://nutrition.about.com/library/blwatercalculator.htm It's kind of surprising! Never underestimate the importance of water during weight loss. Without it, you can not properly metabolize fat!

I know this WOE works, and it can work for you, too. You just can't give up! :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

[MyJourney]

I weigh daily because it helps keep me focused. Somehow if I dont I find myself justifying eating more even when I am not hungry because I dont see the effects. That said, I dont really let my weight get to me. I have already figured out my pattern. Sundays I am always at my lowest weight and the next day I am up a couple of pounds.

The scale isnt budging for my boyfriend either but he has lost 3 inches in his waist so far. Just dont sweat it. Frankly, I wouldnt care if the scale says I weigh 500 pounds if I can fit into a size 6.

[hayes]

Here is a great tool for estimating your daily water needs: http://nutrition.about.com/library/blwatercalculator.htm It's kind of surprising! Never underestimate the importance of water during weight loss. Without it, you can not properly metabolize fat!

Hey KikiKitty,
Thanks for that link. I always wondered how much water I needed daily.