Gained 5 pounds in 3 days, please help!

littlelouis

I was on a long weekend vacation to Virginia's natural bridge for a wedding and I've somehow managed to gain 5 pounds. I'm extremely ashamed of myself. I went from maintenance of 110 pounds to 115 pounds. It doesn't take many calories for me to maintain, so I'm afraid that a lot of what I gained is actually fat, and not just fluid retention. Here's what I ate:

Friday
-bob evan's egg lites, turkey sausage, two pieces dry toast with
sugar free blackberry jam, assorted fruit
-12 inch personal thin crust hawaiian pizza (consumed over friday + saturday,
all but one piece)
-lots of calories packed drinks

Saturday
-wheat sandwhich with lots of deli turkey (took some off), provolone cheese,
tomato, lettuce, mayonnaise
-bag of lays potato chips
-2 hershey bars
-1 pack of 8 cheese crackers
-1 pita, feta cheese, spinach rollup (was only about 2 inches)
-1 biscuit with ham
-2 mini swedish meatballs
-1 piece chicken marsala
-green beans
-1 roll with butter
-small serving of mashed potatos
-assorted vegetables with italian dressing
-calorie packed drink
-at least 6 cookies

Sunday
-2 large pancakes with 5/8 cup syrup and butter
-yogurt parfait from subway

I had very little water and some coffee to drink as well.

I've also stopped excercising for about a week total because I had to focus more on school work and I didn't bring any exercise DVD's on vacation with me. The only exercise I've gotten is dancing almost non stop at the wedding for about an hour.

Any words of advice, encouragement, or information on how to help get back on track would be great. I'm feeling quite down on myself and I just don't know what to do anymore. Thanks!

JTick

You are likely retaining water due to an increased amount of sodium. Drink some water, go back to your normal eating plan, and the weight should resolve itself in a few days.

howardheilweil

It's likely to sodium in that list of foods! I highly suggest drinking a TON of water, stepping up the exercise (to sweat it out) and eat a pretty low sodium diet for a few days. You're fine!

butterfly8054

It very possibly could be weight gain. I suggest putting that food into the food diary and seeing the total caloric intake. It appears to be SIGNIFICANTLY over the calories needed to maintain 110 lbs. (Especially if your activity was low.). The good thing is that you have the tools right here to get back on track and lose it again. Remember that weight maintenance is a lifelong plan, so if we get off track, we can get back on immediately.

_Zardoz_

No point over stressing about it as stress can effect weight loss also. It's done now. Go back to your normal diet and it'll sorry itself out.

kts3639

You would have had to have eaten 17,500 calories in those 3 days to gain 5 lbs. Doesn't matter how much you weigh, 1 lb. is equal to 3500 calories for everyone. So some of it could be weight gain, but majority of it is most like fluid retention. Try not to freak out too much :flowerforyou:

jfrankic

One pound of fat is roughly 3,500 calories ON TOP of your current maintenance needs. You are already eating at a deficit, so you would have to eat over that....then an additional 3500 for one pound of fat. Did you eat an additional 17,500 calories in three days? Unlikely. Drink water and chill. Weigh once a week and not after a work out day.

Don't be ashamed of yourself. Let the guilt train pass on by and don't buy a ticket.

blleadon

I read somewhere that once we reach our goal and begin maintaining then our bodies begin to restore the glycogen stores and retain some water equaling a couple of pounds. (I think that's why some people aim for a few pounds below their actual goal). It could be water weight as it doesn't seem you would have gained that much fat from a weekend based on what you ate. Don't sweat It too much.

nomeejerome

OP:
In your profile you state you have struggled with disordered eating and struggle to eat 1200 calories. Congrats on learning to eat more than 800 calories. It will be hard, but try to get out of freak out mode. You did not truly gain 5 pounds in 3 days.

pugsleyjean

I just did the same thing! I am so used to eating the same things when we go on vacation and didn't want to give them up. I put on 6lbs and most of the foods had tons of sodium and I didnt have nearly the amount of water I usually do. I started today with more water and some light activity. Tomorrow is the beginning of a Jillian workout. I've never done any dvd workouts before and have heard many sucess stories from others.
Next vacation is in mid July and am determine to loose more weight and keep it off while there. Keep your head up and you will see results!!

littlelouis

Thank you all so much! It means a lot to me that you all took the time to reply. I'll get back on track tomorrow and try not to stress it. Thanks again!