Hi all,

Here's why I step on the scale every morning:

My "average" weight shows about a four pound "normal" bounce. For example, say my flatline weight averaged for the week is 10 lbs. So one day the scale reports 10 #, the next day 8#, the next day #10, the next day #12, etc.

And say I've been Atkins perfect, eating exactly the same thing every day. That's a four-pound unexplained bounce. (And I know from reading here that women can experience a 5 or 6 pound bounce.)

Now, say I weighed only once a week. On weigh day, a "low day," I weight 8 pounds. One week later, a "high day," I weigh 12 pounds. (I say, "Oh, pfui !" Or, something with an explanation point on the end.) It would look like I'd gained four pounds, but actually, my "average" weight for the week would be 10 pounds, neither losing or gaining. Not so good, maybe, but better than a four pound gain.

WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS A FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE:

We're supposed to be listening to what our body is telling us. Here are two messages I get --

One day I wake up feeling heavy, plumb ponderous. I looked bloated in the bathroom mirror. After showering, I hoist my flab onto the scale and it groans. Then shows I'm down two pounds.

One day I wake feeling really good, full of energy. If, when looking in the bathroom mirror, I suck in my gut and don't breath, my body looks really good. (Of course, when I relax and breath again I have visual evidence of why I'm following Atkins.) I feel so light. I land on the scale like a butterfly landing on a flower. The scale winks at me. Then shows I'm up two pounds.

HOW I HAVE BEEN CHEATING:

This is week seven. On weeks 1, 2 and 3, I lost weight. Week 4 it stayed the same. Week 5, I gained two pounds. (Remember, this is the "average" weight for the week.) I did NOT revise my stats upward. Now, tired of looking at the same old stats and quote, I changed 'em, although the week does not end until Tuesday. I'm real optimistic when I look at the daily weights penciled in on the calendar.

WHY I'M WAY BEHIND:

I try to read EVERYTHING on this forum, and even post some. But this week, I've been glued to the news every chance I get. I'll have a lot of catching up to do, but some things, maybe many things, are more important than my belly.

Anyway, thanks to you all for so, so much.