disappointed

I am feeling a little bit disappointed because I have been working out and I am not losing any weight.  I am aware that muscle weighs more than fat but it just discourages me when I work so hard and when I step on the scale it is either the same or even higher.  I have never jogged before and just recently (about 2 weeks) I have been jogging 2 minutes walking 2 minutes for about 30 minutes.  Then I lift weights for about 30 minutes and I am just not losing any weight.  I am only 5 foot and weighed 160 this morning.  Before I started working out which was about 2 months ago I wieghed about 155 now I am always 158 or above.  I hate that, please any advice.  Thanks in advance and God bless, Penni

Hi Penni:
I started running this past spring.  I felt the same way - I was running 3 days a week, and the scale was not moving, in fact, just like you, it went up 2 lbs.  It took a few months, but now the scale is moving again.  I've also dropped a size over the summer. 

You need to stick with the exercise - it is very important!!  You may not see pounds drop off, but I bet you are dropping inches.  You will see the results - it just takes a little time.

I posted the same topic earlier...see http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/fitness/a,messageboard/act ion,replies/board_id,5104/cat_id,4704/topic_id,3735524/

for responses.

Good luck!

Penni, I know how disappointed you must be.  I've been there too!  There's probably nothing anyone can say that will make you feel better about it, but I can tell you that in this case the scale is not the only indicator that you should go by.  Just try to zone in on the positives: 

* increased energy, strength, endurance
* firmer, sexier body
* better cardiovascular fitness
* improved skin tone
* smaller, more compact size--160 can be soft & mushy or firm & sexy!

In case that's not enough...just remember you will eventually start burning more calories when you develop more muscle. 

I absolutely believe that you won't be sexy and vibrant without exercise.  I never got hit on before I started exercising, but I'm 50 years old and I get way more attention now than I did when I was younger!  I think exercise just makes us more attractive overall.   Keep going!

Penni,

I had to go back to journaling my food intake in order to get the scale moving in the right direction again.  I found that I was eating more than I realized in an effort to be properly fueled for my workouts.  My journal also revealed that I was shorting myself on protein.  It really helped me to refocus my eating habits and ensure that I had the energy to be active.

Always remember that the scale is not the only measure of success.  You're making tremendous progress just by adopting an active lifestyle. 

Cassie