Weight fluctuations on your period

meggwtw

Ugh. This may be too much information, but I supposedly gained 5 pounds (FIVE) in the last two days. I think the reason I supposedly gained the weight is because I just started my period...Do any other females here experience menstrual cycle weight fluctuations?

daydreams_of_pretty

Yes, all ladies have these fluctuations. I just don't weigh during that time. It's pointless, and the bloat gain is completely normal. I block off about a week and a half to account for PMS bloat and period bloat together.

Ninkyou

Yes, every single time. Also during ovulation.

Sodium, extra carbs, exercise, etc. also all contribute to water retention.

The good news is that it's all a temporary weight gain. The bad news is that you have to deal with the fluctuations every month.

diannethegeek

Yes, it's perfectly normal. How much you gain from water and when varies from woman to woman. I've seen some people recommend that women only compare weights from month to month instead of week to week because of how our cycle affects our weight.

I always think that the best thing to do is track it so that you'll know how your cycle works with weight and make your peace with it as best you can when the scale goes up.

meggwtw

Thanks! More ladies, "weigh in" lol I need your input...

redscylla

I only get on the scale during my period out of sick curiosity--just how much bloating is going on? Usually on the order of 7 to 9 lbs, all of which goes away again after. I just have to keep reminding myself that there are only about 2 weeks out of the month when I'm getting a weight that isn't impacted by menstrual fury.

ladystarr

Usually I weigh myself every week on a certain day and log it, even on period weeks. I usually gain 3-6 pounds on those weeks, but when I weigh myself again the week after, "double the weight" comes off :P It's nice to see! I just try to drink a lot of water during that week and I still keep at the walking and exercises no matter the pain!

onefortyone

From my tracking I seem to get a 1-3lb gain around the time of ovulation, but it goes back to normal in a week or so, and then I get quite a big drop during my period (2-3lbs this month), despite eating at maintenance for a couple of the worse days.

I weigh daily though, and my overall trend is slow and steady loss (see my crazy *kitten* graph) that averages out to about 1.2lbs a week despite the fluctuations, so I try not to worry about it!

throoper

Yep, I just avoid weighing myself around that time of the month cause it fluctuates annoyingly!

meggwtw

Thanks, ladies!

cranberrytape

Don't worry, it's totally normal. I weighed myself a few weeks ago and panicked because it was at 176. Then a few days later I started bleeding, and then a few days after that I was back down to 171.

KarenJanine

Totally normal. Try using an app like Happy Scale to track daily weigh-ins. You'll learn to recognise when to expect fluctuations across the monthly cycle.

pikselinka

Yes it's normal, gain "period weight" and it goes off afterwards, nothing to worry about.

Sebismom

I weigh myself every day. I know the weight will go up, and I'm okay with it. This way, I'm keeping track, and I know what to expect.

Icandoityayme

Yes and it drives me bananas every time even though I know what is causing it. The good news is, it has a lot to do with water weight and as soon as I am close to being done with it, it starts to come right back off in no time. I would love to tell you not to let it get to you because you can't do much about it, but it gets to me as well.

JustFindingMe

Yes...I can fluctuate up to 7 pounds

Sweetvirgo63

Yep, right there with you. Gained 4 lbs. last weekend during my cycle. I think I'll skip the scale for the next week or so -

dopeysmelly

Yup. While I was losing I either gained a bit or was flat. I chart it in Excel so I know what's normal. The little green lines are TOM.

nursiekins34

Yup and it makes me crazy. But it's just part of the whole thing...

NoelFigart1

meggwtw wrote: »

Ugh. This may be too much information, but I supposedly gained 5 pounds (FIVE) in the last two days. I think the reason I supposedly gained the weight is because I just started my period...Do any other females here experience menstrual cycle weight fluctuations?

It's almost certainly fluid.

If you get excited or upset about day to day fluctuations in weight, you're doing yourself a terrible disservice. Weight is not entirely a stable thing.

If you can use a spreadsheet program, make a chart and plot the daily weights on some sort of moving average. I like a ten period moving average, myself, but others work. This gives you a much MUCH more accurate idea of your weight trend and you can still catch it if your trend line start going up in plenty of time to keep it from being a problem.

kommodevaran

No, my weight fluctuates irratically in no known synch with anything. I use Trendweight and weigh every day.

If you know that your weight will get up every four weeks and then down again after your period, and you know it's not fat (assuming you're on a weight loss journey), what is the problem?

MsHarryWinston

Oh heck yeah, I have seen menstral water weight gains of 10-15lbs!!!! Now that's just scary. There is seriously no point in my weighing around that time. But your metabolism speeds up during that time too, so if you don't PMS binge you may find that you have a really big drop after the water weight is gone.

muffinsandcakes

yes

_Waffle_

meggwtw wrote: »

Ugh. This may be too much information, but I supposedly gained 5 pounds (FIVE) in the last two days. I think the reason I supposedly gained the weight is because I just started my period...Do any other females here experience menstrual cycle weight fluctuations?

Nope, it's just you.

This happens to me every week after my long runs. Don't worry about water weight.

justcat206

Yes. I gain about 5 lbs of bloat the week before every period - my tummy gets all bulgy and I feel puffy and huge and my digestions slows waaaay down. Then, a week later, it all vanishes and I'm back to normal again. I'm learning to live with it and just wear looser clothes that week and not worry about it much

Cortneyrenee04

Oooooo girl- stay away from that scale during your period! It's not good. My weight goes back down a few days after it's gone.

michaelachallis

i don't even bother weighing myself. I retain water like a beast.

segacs

I do weigh myself because it's a good indication that if the number goes up on the scale, I'm probably about to get my period. Sort of like an early warning system. I don't get discouraged at the number on the scale, though; it's just a data point.

The good news is, for the first 1-2 days of my period, I tend to lose my appetite, particularly my sweet tooth, which is pervasive the rest of the time. And I always feel like doing more exercise, since it helps with cramps. So mine is probably actually good for my weight loss efforts! Go figure.

yoovie

Ive only had about 250 periods, so I cant say for sure that this pattern is legit. But i always gain 8 pounds when I catch the cotton mouse. The best way to figure this out is to track your weight through about 3 months to see what your particular pattern is!

DevilsNegu

Yup totally had the happen just a little while. I was so upset ugh but back on track now

Sherriediva1

my weigh in day is Friday I weighed in at 204.3. I started spotting on Tuesday evening and for *kitten* and giggles got on the scale Wednesday morning it reported 199.6 I don't trust that - who loses weight during their cycle? I'm wondering if I should skip logging my weight in MFP this week because I'll be bummed if it goes back up next week