The last week of March I went to New York on Spring Break with my school (as a chaperone). I was able to pull off bringing my cereals for breakfast - but decided to go with the 'meals out' the tour provided. Yes... that included New York pizza, street vendor hot dogs, bakery fresh bagels, etc. I came home EXHAUSTED, but had actually lost 1/3 a pound. *(Surprised!) Since I've come home I've caught up on my sleep.. but seem to be in a slump as far as my weight loss.

Having just reached week 15 - for the first time I actually GAINED weight. I thought I was following the program. I was discouraged and yet I'm even more determined to get beyond this stumbling block. Do any of you have hints on getting back on track? I'm trying to increase my walking, and focusing on sticking to my plan. I'm even going to try one of the new "planned menus" to make sure I stay on target. This gain has almost put me back nearly a month. : (

I'm within a pound of my halfway mark. Is this a normal plateau time?

In my view, having gone for 15 weeks straight with no gain whatsoever is totally amazing! You have lost a lot of weight, and you are doing wonderfully! I've been on the program about two-and-a-half months (about 10 weeks) and there were two times that I gained at weigh-in. I was discouraged at first, because I thought I was following the program pretty well! But then, the next weigh-in showed a big loss, more than making up for the gain.

It could have just been an off week for you. I'm sure you've heard this a million times, but I find I have to remind myself not to give too much credence to one weigh-in; the scale can sometimes be such a poor measure of success.

Hang in there!

-Stephanie

Hi Cambria,

Don't give up...the road of weight loss is not always a smooth trip downward. Remember that you are not totally in control of your body. Sometimes your body makes adjustments that cannot really be explained.

Now if you are stressed out by the weight gain then go ahead and try one of the planned menus again. I actually did this myself about halfway into my own program. I felt it necessary to regain focus because my emotions were all over the place. The great thing is that following the menu to the letter reminded me about my own personal mission to lose the weight.

I have been in maintenance now since September 2007 and I have had some ups and downs which is to be expected. My confidence in myself has been growing and I feel confident in staying at my goal weight.

Again don't get discouraged but brush yourself off and move forward.

Peace

Thanks Pattylynne & Stephanie! I already feel like I'm doing better. I was determined to not lose my focus. I'm so looking forward to hitting my halfway mark. If I miss hitting my halfway mark this Wednesday weigh-in day... I should make it NEXT Wednesday for sure!

I was a frequent weigher at home.... literally checking my weight 3 times a day (upon getting up, in the afternoon at my normal centre weigh-in time, and right before I went to bed). What this taught me was that on any given day my weight literally fluctuated up to 4-5 lbs - but, there tended to be continuity within each time of day throughout the week. Maybe I was used to using this as a focus. I could catch myself creeping upwards.
I had stopped the obsessive weighing... but maybe I need to find a happy medium and just stay on my program.

Thanks again!

Hey just keep putting one foot in front of the other!!! This is only temporary and will pass - I promise!

The reason why I was never successful on any weight loss program in the past is when I'd gain weight (even a small amount one week for no reason whatsoever - was a total angel) I'd quit!

I've learned that this is a marathon, not a sprint. It is hard mentally to keep going after a weight gain (last week I gained 3 pounds - willing went off program). I am thinking about quitting, but I'm looking at all my cute workout clothes I've bought, and how I want to run that 10k in November. I can't quit even though I feel bad right now!! I can't go back to being that big girl!!!

Keep thinking long term and big picture!

Start with the next meal - get back on track and exercise (will reduce that stress).

You can do it - I just know it!!!

I too am discouraged and TRYING to stay determined. My whole life history since I was a kid is start a diet, quit, gain back plus. So, I have dieted my way right up to 270 for my short frame of 5'3". I know I don't have to repeat the past, well here I am again.

I joined JC August 2007 @ 270, lost down to 244lbs. I went to a Funeral Feb. 2008 and I can't seem to get back on track at all.

I REFUSE to quit but I have slowly gained back to 264. Lose a pound one week and gain two the next week....etc., etc., etc. I start off each morning good but by the end of the day I have blown it so bad that I don't know why I bother. I don't want to quit though! It seems like the harder I try to get this under control the more I go the wrong way!

Help me get back in control, please?

Hi aliciar,

I am sending you a big hug!! So you mentioned that you went off track after a funeral in February. Was this individual important to you? Did they die unexpectedly or tragically? Funerals can trigger deep emotions and perhaps there is something about the Funeral that has disturbed you. Your lack of focus indicates a disturbance in your spirit. Ponder it. Don't be afraid to feel the pain and be sure to cry and grieve for your loss. The food maybe acting as a substitute and you are stuffing your pain by eating.

Also think really hard about why you are trying to lose the weight. Write them down. Make them your own personal mission statement. You deserve to be healthy, fit and happy because you are a wonderful human being.

Peace!

Okay.. I was whining last Wednesday weigh-in.. but today I'm doing the YAHOO Happy dance!!!! I'm officially half way there... and lost 3.6 lbs this week! I really focused on staying ON the plan without those little "extras" that were finding their way into my mouth! And, as good as those extras were... they weren't as good as hearing those 3.6lbs numbers!!! Now that was SWEET!!!!

Everyone.. don't give up! Just take a good hard look at what has changed. I think I was having a "just a little" cookie... or another piece of fruit...etc. Those extras robbed me of my hard work! So, I am proud of my will power this week. It truly paid off.

Way to go Cambria! It's always motivating to see someones hard work pay off. Sounds like you're back on track - keep up the good work!

Thank you soooooo much !!!!

I did a lot of thinking and journaling. It was my Aunt that died and I feel like we have lived similar issues. She died due to obesity that caused liver failure. I feel like we both have been chasing this dream all of our lives to lose weight and she didn't make it. Once I wrote it all down, then I began having more peace. I have been on program most of the week and feeling better about life in general.

Thanks again!!!