A lightbulb moment

I stepped on the scale this morning, in an attempt to see if what I was doing was affective. Mathematically, theoretically, having dropped calories should mean weight loss. According to three different BMR calculations from different sources , I am supposed to be eating between 2000-2400 calories( they do NOT all agree, so hoe exactly is this scientific ??). I dropped my intake from 2000 to 1500, so I should see a loss. I have also increased my exercise level, so there definitely be a loss. Mathematically, if all of this is supposed to be calories in calories out that is. Guess what ? I have gained 2 lbs since Saturday morning. I had a thought of tossing the scale out the window, but my really sore overall body muscles would not allow me to pick the stupid thing up to do so.

And then the revelation happened. The process of building muscle is a break down build up thing. Muscles work and become torn in the work , and then rebuild stronger than they were. As they break down and rebuild, the generate a lot of waste products( lactic acid which is why you hurt in the process and more) , and this waste CAN show up as a gain on the scale. However, if you keep at it, the new muscle increases your metabolic rate an you burn more calories while you are simply existing. This would explain why every time I start to change it up and add more exercise, I gain. I used to be pretty strong, but 5 months of total bedrest with pregnancy followed by being a mom of a high needs baby and all that followed has turned my muscle tissue into an almost non existant thing. I have a LOT of muscle to rebuild, and sadly while it builds I am going to see a gain. So my task here is to know that I will most likely gain this week and perhaps the next, but then the new muscle will help to burn off the fat more efficiently. I just have to keep the faith !


Yesterday was a school holiday for us, and the plan was to play a lot and do some housework. Sadly the housework did not happen because immediately after this "Breakfast Sundae" of 1/2 c cottage cheese, 1 c of berries and 3/4 c Special K (290 calories) we started playing Wii Fit plus. We created our own routines, played the multiplayer function, and just had fun.

Lunch was a flat bread pizza- one Aldi's original wrap, 2 T red pepper hummus, 1/4 c mozzerella, 1 T bacon bits and 2 mushrooms with an apple, celery, carrots and cauliflower and a Yo Plus lite yogert with Diet Soda for 450 calories. We caught the Chicago Columbus Day Parade while we ate, and then back to more playing on the Wii- this time we played with the Yoga routines. My son REALLY likes yoga these days and he is really good at it.

Snack time was a bartlett pear and a Fiber Plus bar for 200 calories. We watched a little TV and then went back to playing with the Wii . We finished when it was time for me to get dinner started, and I noticed I really, really hurt . All over. I had been using muscles I did not know I had !

Dinner was Brazillian coconut chicken over brown rice with a cucumber on the side for 400 calories. I keep playing with the spice combination on this one every time I make it.

After dinner we relaxed while watching Dancing With the Stars - or the showcase for prescription drug commercials it seems (why is that???) and I grabbed my evening snack

2 wasa multi grain crisps with 2 wedges of laughing cow lite and an apple -230 calories. Days total calories came to 1570. According to the Wii, I burned 140 calories yesterday with our playing around. Today is back to school after the long weekend and to keep reminding myself that I am building muscle and the scale aint all it's cracked up to be sometimes.