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So I'm new to NerdFitness, but I've been reading it diligently for about 3 weeks now soaking up as much knowledge as I can and now I'm in overload. One thing that has stuck out in my brain is the need for support through my journey so I'm trying something different and reaching out to you fine people. I'm a 5'0" 23 year old female and don't actually know what I weigh. Around 115lbs I believe, give or take a couple pounds. Most people look at me and say I don't need to lose weight, that I'm tiny, that they wish they were as small as me. Which sometimes makes me feel silly for trying so hard. I tell them I work out and eat right because I want to get strong (which is true) but my honest goal is just losing that pouch around the middle. The little love handles hanging off the side. I bought myself a crop top a few weeks ago with the goal of having the confidence to wear it this summer. It's hanging up in my bathroom as a reminder and it's the background picture on my phone. I've worked out on and off in the past, even taking a weight training class one semester in college, but this is the first time I'm really trying to stick with a program and get the body I want. I've been eating relatively healthy for the past 5 years. I only eat 100% whole wheat bread, I've switched to brown rice, I buy the veggie pasta, drink V8, veggies with most every meal and even make my own kale chips. I rarely have fast food (once or twice a month max), don't buy myself desserts, and when I eat chocolate it's almost always dark. I've cut soda out and really only drink water, coffee, and green tea with the occasional alcoholic beverage. My new fitness plan has been to strength train 3 times a week and I've done that for 2 straight weeks now. I've found a system I like, and have set goals. Just today I started working in some incline pushups and incline rows with the goal of eventually being able to do pullups. I feel myself getting stronger, my arms are starting to be more defined and I think I'm ready to move from 10lb free weights to 12.5. And yet with all of this, my belly still stays the same. I'm really just looking to know if what I'm doing is right? I've done tons of research on macros and intermittent fasting and calculated everything from BMI to BMR to TDEE and I'm no more knowledgeable on what to do. I really can't count calories. I have tried before and even with a tracker program I can't do it for more than 3 days. I want to be able to eat without tracking. I tried my first week of strength training to just eat less and be calorie deficient but I was starving after a week and couldn't take it. It ruined my mood. Is there a diet plan that doesn't require so much work on tracking every little thing? Is my strength training enough? Should I be doing cardio as well? And my biggest question, when can I expect results? I'm sure 2 weeks is a little premature, but every other part of my body is reacting except the mid section where I most want it. Maybe knowing some type of time line will help me not fall off the wagon. This post was probably way too long and if you actually read all that I appreciate you. I think part of me just needed to vent a little. I'm not totally discouraged yet, but I'm afraid I will be soon and all that will do is cause me to backslide and feel even worse. Getting it all out saved me from that for at least another week. So again, thank you and good luck to all of you and your goals. Know that I'm with you and encouraging you not to give up either.

Hey guys I am a 25 year old female (woman? girl?). I quit smoking nearly a year ago and picked up some healthier habits. Among these are exercising 5 time a week, watching what I eat etc. Few months back I gave up on my guilty pleasure of diet soda. I have never been overweight (1.75 meters, 60 kg) but ever since I started eating Paleo i gained 2.5 Kg!!! in 2 weeks! I am truly horrified by this new change to my body, clothes don't fit quite as good and I find myself frustrated - I really don't deserve this after all the hard work I've put in What am I doing wrong? your advice and support will be much appreciated. Me. ***For those not using the metric system: 5.6 feet, 132 pounds + 5.5lb gain in 2 weeks (OMG)

Hey guys I am a 25 year old female (woman? girl?). I quit smoking nearly a year ago and picked up some healthier habits. Among these are exercising 5 time a week, watching what I eat etc. Few months back I gave up on my guilty pleasure of diet soda. I have never been overweight (1.75 meters, 60 kg) but ever since I started eating Paleo i gained 2.5 Kg!!! in 2 weeks! I am truly horrified by this new change to my body, clothes don't fit quite as good and I find myself frustrated - I really don't deserve this after all the hard work I've put in What am I doing wrong? your advice and support will be much appreciated. Me. ***For those not using the metric system: 5.6 feet, 132 pounds + 5.5lb gain in 2 weeks (OMG)