frustrated :(

I've been on this site on and off for at least a year, before even the accounts started. I have been steadily gaining weight for the last 3 years. Suddenly, this year in december, I gained 10 lbs. So, I started to think about this site and being more serious about it.

Well, I've been serious about my diet and exercise for the last 3 weeks and changed my more terrible habits

I'm 5-3, I weighed 126 lbs. I now do 30 min cardio 3-5 times a week, sports 2 times a week, and intense yoga (bikram) 3-4 times a week. My expenditure is 1800-2400 a day depending on workouts, I eat about 1200-1500 a day.

I still weigh 126 lbs. I haven't lost a single pound. I gain one, I lose one, but the trend has been 126 from day one. This is not a plateau, since there has been no change to begin with! what am I doing wrong? I recently quit smoking, but would that cancel all my efforts completely?

Hmmm, have you been keeping a journal of your weight entries too?  How much water do you drink in a typical day?  How much diet soda (caffeine/nutrasweet)? 

But, you've been sticking to it for 3 weeks?  So, that should be about 3-5 pounds now... Have you had your body fat tested?  Perhaps you've gained some muscle... also, how are your clothes fitting? better?

Yes, the log says 126.2. Blah

Because of the yoga, I drink ~3 liters a day, but that weight goes after the yoga class because I sweat it all out, being the hot yoga. I drink maybe 1-2 cans of diet soda a day.

I've had maybe 4 days of allowing a slice of pizza in these three weeks, making the caloric difference only 500 deficency, but otherwise sticking to it. I have not had my body fat tested, as I do not go to a gym, and cannot afford, or know where to find, a good personal trainer.

As for the clothes, my 2 pairs of pants that I can still wear, (my old "fat day" pants. How sad.)  I cannot wear comfortably after a wash until I break them in. None of the clothes I have are fitting better.

I just guess I cannot have any off days, eh? Maybe I can lose a whole pound in three weeks if I do that. :(

Three weeks is nothing. You need to give it more time -- maybe even a good six weeks. It all depends on what you've been doing in the past -- if you were not taking in adequate calories, if you were yo-yo dieting, etc. Yes, you may gain muscle which would show weight gain but that's a good thing. Don't give up yet! 

I agree with alyney -don't give up!  I was at the same place last April - I too upped the cardio and ate about 1500 cals per day and did strength training instead of the yoga.  It literally took 2 months before things started happening. I too (at the 3 week mark) was sooooo discouraged I literally cried! I couldn't believe that the hard work wasn't paying off.  Unlike you, I belong to a gym and there are a number of really great instructors and personal trainers there who were there to keep me motivated. They ALL said it would take time and not to give up.  I didn't believe it at the time and just about threw in the towel a few times but after all the hard work, I just couldn't give in.  I'm so glad I listened to everyone.  Seriously, give yourself more time. I'm 5'1 and weighed 130 lbs at the time. I'm now 120 and am working on losing just a little more (115 max)  My goal this year is to tone it all once I can get to the muscle! Enjoy the journey! 

Hi rbenum,

I'm in the same boat---I've lost the same 15 lbs more times than I care to remember. Each time, I only started seeing results after 2 months AT LEAST, and in the meantime, I was like you---crying with frustration & wanting to inhale an entire crate of chocolates plus a sack of cookies since being "good" didn't seem to be paying off.

I'm glad I never gave up though, because each time, after that "magic" 8-week mark or so, the pounds started dropping like never before!

Hang in there and you will see!

I am in a similar predicament. I am 5'2" and have weighed 128 for over a month now. It is frustrating, but you have to look at where you were before. I like what I see in the mirror even though I would like to see the scale go lower. My body is way more toned than it was in January. It's just the stupid numbers have not really changed. I am hanging in there b/c I know that I am so much healthier now. I eat more fruits and veggies, drink more water and exercise. Do not give up. I'm not!

kim