Head scratching

Posts: 4,643
7/30/11 2:03 P

I have been watching the scale inch UP but I can do 10 "real" pushups, hold a plank position for 60 seconds, run for 3 minutes and do many other things that I could not do 1 year ago. So even though I don't like the scale right now, I am doing better!! Still frustrated that I am not losing like I want to and still need to but still doing what I am supposed to. Hang in there...takes awhile.

Posts: 57
7/29/11 2:44 P

Thank you very much for sharing this blog post! I posted a very similar "Panic Button" yesterday, frustrated with weight gain when I had increased my workout intensity. I really appreciate the perspective and the giggle. Sometimes it is easy to take myself too seriously about this whole scale issue!

SparkPoints: (114,558)
Fitness Minutes: (180,925)
Posts: 17,596
7/29/11 1:13 P

Hi, Teresa ! Coach Nancy is quite correct. the weight doesn't magically drop off the minute we decide we need to lose. It really can take 6-8 weeks of healthy eating and regular exercise before a person sees a change in the scale. And that's perfectly normal. So, don't assume you're doing something wrong because the scale isn't moving as fast as you'd like.

Look for other ways to gauge your success. Can you do more push ups today than you could a month ago ? Can you walk or run a mile faster than when you started ? Do you feel your clothing fitting a bit better ? Do you have more energy ? more endurance ? How's your blood pressure ? Do you know that if your blood has dropped in the last month, your doctor would be thrilled even though the scale hasn't moved that much. Lowering your blood pressure is a huge indicator of success.

So, as the coaches all say,"trust the process". Keep up your healthy habits and you will see change. You just need to be patient with yourself and your body.

SparkPoints: (59,126)
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Posts: 5,729
7/29/11 10:58 A

www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_
individual.asp?blog_id=4257548

I want to share this blog with you. Maybe it will help give you some insight and inspiration. Keep on going.

SparkPoints: (158,833)
Fitness Minutes: (112,042)
Posts: 46,222
7/29/11 8:08 A

Hi Teresa,

I see you joined a month ago. While I cannot exactly tell you why the scale is not budging I will add that for many of us it can take as long as 8 weeks for the scale to start moving, however that does not mean changes aren't happening.

Know that all changes within the body must begin at the cellular level...all the way down to the fat cells need to release the free fatty acids, to the muscle cells making bigger and more numerous mitochondria-these are the organelles within the cells-to give us energy.

It isn't uncommon to see a slight upward shift in weight when we start exercising, or add a new training regimen and eating better. For one the muscles are making more mitochondria which allow for extra glycogen-stored glucose in the cells- therefore, your body hangs on to more water to help with the cooling off process for exercise and for helping process energy. Your muscles will also have an increase in blood volume in order to have better availability to oxygen and removing waste, especially lactic acid. These things coupled with eating higher fiber foods, such as fruits and veggies can show a gain, when in all reality it is just a shift in fluids.

Make sure you are tracking your nutrition and that you are measuring out your portions. This is especially important in the beginning.

Hang in there! Remember this journey is more than a number on the scale, but embracing healthy habits you will carry with you for a lifetime.

Nancy

Posts: 51
7/29/11 3:11 A

I haven't lost much weight but I've been struggling with the past 5 pounds.....the scale just seems to seesaw back and forth, I don't understand. I have been eating within the guidelines especially as far as calories and I've been doing regular exercise routines. sighhh this is getting pretty frustrating, but I've yet to give up.