I think I gained this week, I go in tomorrow to find out but according to my scale at home I am up 2 pounds. I have been doing alot of weights and cardio 6 days a week twice monday and wednesday. I am not cheating on my diet, but I do indulge in coffee all morning with fat free cream. I am wondering whether all this exersize is worth it if I am going to gain and not lose. Does anyone else have this issue or had this happened to you? And what did you do?

There IS such a thing as too much exercise, especially when you're in weight loss mode, however any gains that you might see from it are temporary. Weight training is especially valuable as more muscle burns more calories and fat with the same amount of effort, AND makes you look soooo much better in the long run! Don't let a temporary blip in the scale discourage you.

That being said, 6 days of hard cardio may not be benefitting you. There have been a lot of discussions about that lately. It's especially difficult when people like those on the Biggest Loser are touted as the ultimate and they work out all day long. It makes those of us with a more sane and reasonable approach feel like we're not doing enough. But their calories in/out are carefully monitored and adjusted.

Strive for moderation and balance in all things. If it's making you happy to workout as much as you are, then keep it up. If it's a source of stress and guilt for you, then try backing off a bit. But it's also about habits OVER TIME. One week's blip in the scale should not dictate your exercise schedule.

Remember to celebrate EVERYTHING, regardless of what the scale says. You're doing great!

Time to invest (small investment) in a Body Fat Monitor - a simple hand held device that measures your BF% (some scales have this, too). The scale isn't always the best gauge of success because it only indicates weight, not body composition which, in my very humble opinion, is sooooo much more important. How are your clothes fitting, how do you feel? Those are good gauges, too.

It does sound like you're doing an awful lot of exercise (twice a day?). I know how addicting it can become - been there, done that. Don't forget to give yourself some rest days, from time to time. When I'm doing serious weight training, it's 3x/week - one day is legs & abs, one day is back, biceps & abs, one day is chest, triceps & abs. I throw shoulders in there, too. That's it. Each major muscle group gets worked ONCE a week - taught to me by a competitive natural body builder, an amazing woman - cancer survivor, etc. Started competing at the age of 40!!! Cardio on two of the three weight days (not on leg day.... too tired) and another 2 times during the week. One or two yoga and/or pilates classes.

Thanks for all the input I went for my weigh in and I have lost 2. something pounds. So I guess I didn't have to worry, as for the exersize I am thinking to do 5 days a week and take off weekends to spend with my family. I think I will hire a personal trainer for a couple hours to show me the correct way to do weights just to be on the safe side.

Have a good one!

Sarah - working with a personal trainer is one of the very best things you can do for yourself. Learning the right way to lift is critically important, not only for getting the results you're looking for, but also to prevent injuries caused by bad form. AND, if it's a good trainer, you'll have a clearer understanding of what a hard workout really is (I may think I train hard on my own, but every once in a while, need to be reminded with a one-on-one session with a trainer).

How about using some of that weekend family time to do something active together, as a family? Get everyone involved!