Hate Setbacks

Nysportsred

Normally when I have a setback I know exactly why and fix it, but this time around I am not sure what it is.

I have been watching the calories (even double checked each day this past week), getting my normal exercise in, and I have actually been getting more sleep than I have in at least a year!....yet I weigh 2.5 pounds more and my waist is up 1/4 of an inch from Monday the 6th.

The only difference with me at all is I had to start taking iron supplements a month ago as my iron was extremely low. This, from what I have found online, would not cause weight gain. It can cause constipation which will show more weight, but I don't think that's it.

Ugh, any setback makes me feel like the 47 pounds I've lost and the 8 inches off my waist aren't good enough. Any setback I feel like I am as big as I was when I started MFP 6 years ago.

Anyone ever feel this way and can relate?

tulips_and_tea

Yes, particularly when you're not exactly sure what is causing the setback, as you mentioned. Good thing is you're on it right away and 2.5 lbs is a very small amount. As is 1/4 of an inch.

Keep doing what you're doing and give it a bit more time. Looking back at the past week is great, but it may be something from two weeks ago that has caused the slight increase. Don't get discouraged! You can easily over come this.

AnnPT77

Any chance your non-exercise activity is down a little? This can make a surprising difference.

I find I need slightly fewer calories in Winter (I live in the North) vs. Summer, because I do a bit less in the way of random strolling outdoors, puttering around the garden, etc., and instead focus on more sedentary pastimes like reading and crafts.

Other things can make a difference, too: Minor changes on the job (change of office location in the building so fewer stairs, for example), change in child care arrangements (less time playing with the kids), change in hobbies/pastimes (sports-watching season on TV vs. sports-watching in person (let alone sports-playing!)) etc.

What, if anything, is your "more sleep" pushing out of your life? Sleeping is necessary to weight loss (of course), but if more sleep means less of some routine activity, that could be part of your answer.

It can be so subtle that it's hard to notice, but 100 calories a day is going to add a pound a month. Studies have found that fidgety people can burn as much as 300 more calories daily than similar-sized placid ones, so this stuff adds up.

Just a thought!

Nysportsred

More sleep didn't push out any physical activity.

Funny that you mentioned the kids thing because one thing I couldn't figure out is that I have actually gotten to play with my kids more the last 2 weeks.