Every woman and girl wants to look good. She wants to feel hot, stylish, and attractive. She doesn’t want to look good for a boy or a man necessarily, but she does want to feel great about herself.

I’ve been working out and eating well for two weeks. When I say working out and eating well, I mean large changes that have my body going, “Where’s the cheeseburger? What is this hummus stuff?” No more fast food unless it’s Subway, exercise every day at least 30 minutes to an hour of sweat. I’ve bought over $200 worth of sports bras, workout shirts and pants (which actually led to me get a fitting. I’m not a 36C like I thought my entire post-pubescent life; I’m a 36D, big difference). I’ve been eating fiber-fortified granola bars, cereals, and carrots. I’ve been going to Zumba, Pilates, swimming every Friday, and strength training.

For a few days (like, 2) this past week, the scale needle moved down a bit. I didn’t want to jinx it, but I couldn’t restrain from telling people I’d lost a pound. Then comes Thursday. WTF, Scale. I’m back at my starting weight right on the edge of overweight (according to BMI and various other measurements). The odd part is, I feel slimmer, I feel better, and I feel healthier. I’m practically drinking my weight in water and I’ve even been eating breakfast, a meal I often skipped. So what gives?

Note: I’m giving all these details about me so you, you who have been trying to lose weight, to get fit, to find a healthy size, you who have been yo-yoing and running and sweating for months now can know that your body is smart. It finds tricks and you can’t really know what your body is doing unless under a physician’s close supervision. You’ve got to outsmart your body and be patient.

It’s been said that it takes 8 weeks or more for a noticeable difference in your body to occur. I’ve noticed a slight difference in my stomach, but only in the mornings. Here’s what gives. I’m a woman. I fluctuate. I retain water and my body is smarter than all my calculations. I’ve always got to find new ways to push it and make it react. That’s harder to do than it is to say, but you know what? Oh, well. I’m still feeling the best I have in a long time. I may not be comfortable with how I look in a T-shirt sometimes because of my belly fat, but I pampered myself today for going two-weeks strong.

I went to a tanning bed (yes, I know, but I don’t go religiously and I wear sunscreen and put on lotion after) and I got my hair done and I look fabulous. My skin doesn’t even really need makeup!

“I’m not this girl,” I’ve often thought to myself.“I’m not this girl who can not wear makeup and go out in jeans and a long-sleeve shirt and feel really good about herself.” Well, I am now. It may take 8 weeks for that bleeping weight scale needle to move, but I’m going to have a good time until it does.