SturgeonQueen's Journal, 18 May 10

Hey L - It's possible that you're not getting enough calories, not if you're working out this much. You really might want to add a couple hundred calories a day for a week or so and see if that helps. Seems counter-productive, but it works for a lot of people. Even worked for me until I kept adding! If you try it, try to choose something real, like yogurt or salads or whole grain breads or something, not 100 calorie packs of stuff. What do you think, worth a try? You're doing TOO well to get this discouraged. Did you ever take measurements?  

D - no I never took measurements... bleh I don't have a good way of doing it, lol no measuring tape, can't find string. Ah well... I was thinking about that same thing - it's so hard because late at night I want sweet stuff, so I do usually eat 100 calorie packs. We definitely need to go to the store because we're basically out of veggies and fruits. I do have yogurt I need to get into the habit of eating that more too. Bleh I really just don't understand, but I also haven't been feeling so hot since my days and sleep got all messed up from dawn fishing over the weekend, so maybe I'm just hung up. I also am thinking, maybe since I kinda ate crappy calories (not over my calories, but crappy ones) that my body needs time to adjust to the fact that I'm trying to now eat healthy calories. I honestly have been trying to bump it up to just under 1400 calories a day, from my usual 1200 and I am wondering if that might actually be an issue for me. See, when I dieted before - I hardly worked out, I walked on the treadmill for like 30 minutes, 3x a week, and that was it. But I still lost like 40 lbs. So food is my major hurdle I think, I might try a few days with higher calories, like 1450 or something, and see what happens but if not, maybe it IS just my food choices. Again though, like I said I don't know how HEALTHY I was eating when I was on WW before, I ate so many of their frozen smart ones so I didn't have to think about points... probably wasn't a good idea but it worked so, I'm just a bit confused. It's just sad to see it go up again. Also, having some... bathroom issues. Might try a laxative (just one! Not like crazy people taking 10 laxatives to try and lose weight) just to help my system. I am thinking about buying Activia honestly... ever tried that? Anyway I'm rambling. Thanks for your support D I really appreciate it! And I feel kinda bad for feeling sorry for myself and whining about it. I just need to kick my brain and butt back in gear and keep losing! :D 

Just remember, if you ate it and it didn't "come out" yet, it weighs something. Also, strenuous exercise can cause a temporary gain. None of that is a fat gain- just extra pounds of food and water. If you have constipation, try getting more fruit and fiber. Prunes really work. If you're doing all the right things, you are not gaining fat. It doesn't work that way. You have to trust yourself and be patient. 

Don't feel bad, you're not rambling...you're unloading some frustration. And believe me, woman, I understand frustration! I'm telling you, you might want to try that Flatout Flat bread, the multi-grain stuff with fiber in it. But go easy - one piece a day for a while. All that fiber can backfire. And yeah - add fruits and vegetables. I think when I eat a good salad every day (using baby greens mostly with other lettuce added) and also eat a handful of baby carrots, a handful of grape tomatoes, a stalk or two of celery and a third of a red pepper - I feel my best. Regular : ) And the flat bread, helps a lot. I've had "issues" with this stuff since my gallbladder was removed 6 years ago. Ironically enough, about the same time I started packing on pounds and finding it increasingly difficult to lose weight. Coincidence?? Don't know. But try the bread and the veggies, or a laxative. I just think those are more like last resorts, but if it helps, it helps : ) You're still really young, so maybe your food choices aren't as much of a problem as they are for me with years of yo-yo dieting under my belt. But if all else fails, look at that. You know me, I think I'm all for good, whole, unprocessed foods. But I'm also a realist and know that "struggling" students may not be able to afford the best food out there all the time. But you know? Sometimes those packaged foods actually end up costing more in the long run. For me it's in the food cravings they seem to set off. But even monentarily - it's not always cheaper to eat snacks. ---------------------------But you know, it just occurred to me that Kate is probably right in that it's from the increase in your physical activity and your body hanging on to more blood volume and fluids. Go buy a measuring tape - it's a $2 investment : ) I really wish you'd taken measurements at the beginning. You've probably lost so many more inches than you give yourself credit for! And you're close to goal, so you'll not see the rapid change in inches you see at the beginning. I'm with you, I don't think WW meals or any other processed, packaged meals are healthy. Try not to get too frustrated. I know, I'm saying that and I was the QUEEN of frustration. I'm still frustrated with the process, but sometimes I just step back and realize I have the rest of my life to eat properly and I'll only get healthier as I go further in this lifestyle change, right? I wish it was all on MY time, but I guess it's another area in my life I just can't control. Only in how I view it and deal with it, right? Don't feel bad about feeling sorry for yourself and whining. It's perfectly understandable. It's so frustrating when you KNOW you're doing everything right and the scale is going in the wrong direction. Try to be patient and trust yourself, as Kate said, too. Your body will catch up to what you're doing. Really. : ) Sending you a BIG HUG.  

Thanks k9yk :) I appreciate the level-headed-ness of your posts, you keep me on track and help me not freak out, haha! Same with you D, you know I love ya! I looked for that Flatout Flat Bread and picked up the Italian stuff, it smells GREAT! We might try to make pizza on it, but today I think I'll just have half a piece with some hummus. Also, I have prunes which I LOVE. So - now that I've stocked up on greens, fruits, flat bread and prunes, I might be okay! Haha, I also got some Activia to try. We'll see. More of the veggies and fruits is to get me snacking healthier - and hopefully will have some other helpful consequences! ------------------------------------------ I totally forgot to look for a measuring tape at Walmart, I meant to today I had to get the kitties treats (every single time I come home from the grocery store, they expect that I have something for them in those bags, lol). I'll have to swing back and get one. You're totally right D - I might be surprised when I actually measure. Anyway, you guys are so supportive, like I said I feel like a "snob" or something, feeling "sorry" for myself about the scale issues, when I know lots of people struggle! I'm determined to take a "hit" of your guys "high" and motivate myself to keep going. I think the best thing is just going to be trying to change what I eat to more greens and fruits and less packaged stuff, like you do D! :D ***hugs to both of you!*** 

You never cease to make me smile and feel good! Thanks : ) Love ya, too! (I did work out today - not major, but a workout) 

Never feel bad for saying how you feel :). That's a big part of successful weight loss. Figuring out what you can do with those feelings other than eat! I think you are doing the right thing by writing about it here. You get it out of your system and some useful advice and you get to know you are not alone! We've all been there.