There are at least 3 signs that everyone trying to lose weight should be wary of:

1. My weight isn’t dropping, and worst it is going up!
2. I am getting measurably fatter!
3. What am I doing wrong?

My weight isn’t dropping, and worst it is going up!

Stop it! That is, stop watching the scale. You should only use the scale in weekly check-ins. Any more than that and you are poisoning your own motivation. The scale should be a reward and acknowledgement of success, not a reminder of failure.

I am getting measurably fatter!

Yes, eating healthier will cause you to gain weight over the short time. Your body is finally producing healthy cells, and needs to add more, so it can replace all of the unhealthy parts that have been slowly dieing.

I would only worry about this if you continue to gain gut size after your first two weeks. Yes, you saw that right. I use gut size rather than weight. Muscle is heavier than fat, so gaining muscle will put on weight.

What am I doing wrong?

If the first two sections didn’t answer your challenge, then ask yourself, “Are you really staying on your diet?” If you are, then it may be time to see a doctor. There are several MINOR dietary and medical conditions that can cause weight gain, like your thyroid gland not getting the nutrition it needs to work correctly.

Don’t freak out, this is just part of being human.

I recently realized that I lost too much muscle mass when I was nursing two injured shoulders. So I have gotten a gym membership to regain muscle. This should expedite weight-loss.

If you go the gym route, find other people with similar goals, and form a support group. Those who work out together get healthy together.