I started Jenny Craig seven weeks ago, and it has been really easy to follow. I was losing weight steadily:
July 5--181.9 (Start)
July 12-177.5 (-4.4)
July 19-174.9 (-2.6)
July 26-172.5 (-2.4)
Aug 2--170.8 (-1.7)
Aug 9--168.5 (-2.3)
Aug 16--168.8 (+.3)?????
Aug 23--168.0 (-.8)???
I wasn't working out initially and I started the week of August 2nd. I work out 3-4 times per week and do cardio for 40 minutes--and I really workout hard.
Why am I not losing more weight???? I would have thought that I exercising would have sped things up, not slowed them down. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Will my weight loss pick up????
And another question that I have is that I was told by the program coordinator at my centre that I should really only be doing cardio right now, and not worry about weights. She said I won't see any weight loss if I do weights, and I should save that until I'm at least at my half way point (my goal is 135 so my half way is 158). Is this true???
Sorry for the long post, I would really appreciate any advice or thoughts that you may have...
Thanks

People always think they will lose weight right away if they start gun ho on a workout routine. But PERSONALLY Ive always found I either gain or remain almost consistant for the first week or 2 of first working out. Why? I have my ideas. First your working out, so your burning more calories yes, but your also working your muscles, making them stronger. When you work out muscles, you gain muscle mass. Muscle weighs more then fat does. So in tern, you will either remain consistant or gain the first week or 2. The cool thing about it is after that first week or 2 because youve built up more muscle mass, your metabolisim speeds up because of the more muscle mass, and you eat more. The body is a complicated thing. Most people lose the first week on the program - I however lose about .3 lbs. My metabolisim took another week to kick in. And I think thats what working out does. I would say though , if you want to lift weights and do cardio - DO IT. Get into your good habits now. When we start writing off excuses for not doing things its easier and easier to not do anything at all. I hope that helps
Bikki

Shimmer-
Strong chances are that you are building muscle from using the weights. It happened to me. I put on 5 lbs and could not figure it out until after I had got so discougaged and quit the program.
I have given up the weights for now and am sticking only to walking. Believe me, your building muscle which is heavier than fat, although they say it speed's up your metabolism.

Keep in mind that even though your muscle may be heavier, what's important is losing inches and getting in better shape. Do not be a slave to the scale and the numbers. (I know, easy for me to say and I obsess over the numbers too. ) Doing strength training not only raises your metabolism so that you're using more calories when at rest, it also speeds up the loss of inches which makes your body shape better and your clothes fit better.

I looked at your progress from your start date. You have last over 10 pounds in just a little over a month. I know we all want to lose the weight fast but please take into account how much weight you've lost so far and stick with whatever exercise makes you feel good about yourself and your new lifestyle. Check you clothes to see if they are getting loose, look at yourself in the mirror, You've accomplished so much in such a short period of time. Pat yourself on the back and keep moving forward.
My consultant told me the same thing. I stopped my strength training for a week and saw the same weight loss at the scale. what I also noticed was that my tummy and thighs did not feel as tight as they did the week before. So, I added it back in this week. It becomes a matter of personal preference do you want to lose weight fast or do you want to lose weight, tone and lose inches at the same time. I prefer to do it all now so that when I get to halfway goal my mind and body will be set and I won't worry about a sudden gain halfway through the program.
Hope this helps! Either way, good job. Be proud of yourself!