The number on the scale

As much as I love seeing the number on the scale, I am getting tired of seeing the SAME number on the scale.  Two weeks ago, I started on a challenge to stay 100% OP (on program).  I have done that.  For 2 weeks.  I initially went down 1.8, but it came back the next day and has been there all week.  Today, I am down 0.2 from yesterday.  Yes, I like the fact that the number is not going up.  But it is supposed to be going DOWN.  My weigh in for the first week of the challenge?  Up 0.6.  Sigh.

I know that this happens to everyone if they stick it out long enough.  I also know it won't stay here.  There is no way a body can maintain on less than 1000 calories per day.  I can't go by my measurements because my skin is loose enough that I can't get a good measurement.  I mean, where, exactly, did I measure last time?  Without tattooing a "measure here" sign, I'm not sure. How tightly did I hold the tape?  I take my measurements and compare them to the last time and they are BIGGER not smaller.  My measurements have not changed all year, according to the tape, even though I have lost 17 lbs and my clothes are much much looser.  So, see, my body has changed but I don't seem to be able to measure it.

So, what are my choices here when dealing with the frustration?  What can I do?  There are a two things. 

1.  I can say "Screw it!  This isn't working anymore!" and go on an eating tear.  Now, THAT will really accomplish a lot, won't it?  It will just make my body weigh more, make my body feel crummy and my mind sluggish and make me even more frustrated.  Except then I will add sorrow and guilt to the mix.

- or -

2.  I can just stick it out.  Track every bite.  Drink my water.  Eat my packets. Move my body.  Basically follow the program.  My body has no choice but to respond appropriately.  Eventually.


When I was in Weight Watchers, I would run into times like this. Often.  It seems that my body is reluctant to move to a number it has not seen in a long time, which is where I am today.  I would get frustrated, even angry.  I kept thinking "If I follow the program, I will lose weight. Period. Well, I followed the program, so what's the deal here?."  But I was omitting the most important word from this sentence - eventually.  If I follow the program, I will eventually lose weight.  Maybe not right now.  Maybe not even next week. But the scale always gives me the results I deserve.  Just not always in the week I deserve them.

So, I will move into week 3 of being 100% on program.  This, in itself, is a victory.  I have not strung together this many days in a row since I took a "day off" for Christmas.  After some terrible days of doing violence to my body with food, I am calmly following the program.  I am being ever vigilant in identifying triggers that will send me over the edge.  As I will have to do every moment for the rest of my life.