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Alcohol consumption/ Scale playing Jedi Mind tricks?

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RhiannonBecks
RhiannonBecks Posts: 189 Member
edited November 2024 in Social Groups
Hi all,

So I tried searching for a discussion in regards to this, but not sure If I missed it or it hasn't been discussed (though hard to believe it hasn't).

Regardless, I think I am just being overly cautious/concerned and I understand this is long term goal.

But nice to meet you, I'm Neurotic. :) With that said, I will get to the actual question.

So Saturday I had a bachelorette party and I pre-planned my entire day, including budgeting a few drinks while we were out. I had 3 Michelob Ultra (2.9 NC each) and then I had a White Wine spritzer (that wasn't planned but still had room to budge).

So I have been steadily dropping, (even an ounce or two here or there), And monitor my weight daily, just for the sake of tracking; but since Saturday my weight is slowly creeping up, ounce by ounce! What Gives! Is my body holding onto the Alcohol still? From Friday's weigh in (AM) I am up 1.3 pounds. I know that I haven't eaten excess cals to gain said weight.

So is this all in my head, am I making a mountain out of a mole hill? (I think that's what the saying is).

Just need some perspective. Thanks in advance!

Replies

  • tcunbeliever
    tcunbeliever Posts: 8,219 Member
    Everyone is probably a bit different, but alcohol definitely makes me retain water for about 3 days...if I drink on a Saturday evening, I won't see the scale adjust back to normal until Wed AM...
  • RalfLott
    RalfLott Posts: 5,036 Member
    edited August 2017
    1.3 lbs doesn't seem like a reason to go on the wagon. I'm in maintenance mode, yet my weight fluctuates within a 5-lb range over the course of a week, even a couple days sometimes.

    PS. Your scale is not on your side!
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1l0415166/scale-why-should-i-dump-thee-let-me-count-the-ways
  • Smoked33
    Smoked33 Posts: 186 Member
    Just a tip...daily weighings(or any weighings) really only work to provide information on how your body responds to stimulus...if you are going to fret/stress/lose sleep/kill your diet/etc..because of a scale reading you really should consider ditching it for calipers or a measuring tape or just good faith and a mirror. (ps, not suggesting you're over-reacting, just a general tip :) ).
  • baconslave
    baconslave Posts: 7,048 Member
    Alcohol disrupts the electrolyte and water balance in the body, so it affecting your water balance/retention isn't so surprising. You can't gain real weight that fast, unless you are packing in 3500 cal per day OVER maintenance. So it's water fluctuation. Give it time. :smile:
  • RhiannonBecks
    RhiannonBecks Posts: 189 Member
    baconslave wrote: »
    Alcohol disrupts the electrolyte and water balance in the body, so it affecting your water balance/retention isn't so surprising. You can't gain real weight that fast, unless you are packing in 3500 cal per day OVER maintenance. So it's water fluctuation. Give it time. :smile:

    Thanks @baconslave I figured as much! I want to track daily just so I can see the natural fluctuations, but sometimes its hard when it is moving up to psych myself out. I have been at cal deficit/carb goal so I know I haven't eaten that 1.3 pounds on. But sometimes logic goes out the door when worry takes its place, lol. :)
  • kpk54
    kpk54 Posts: 4,474 Member
    After all these years on MFP through weight loss and and 3+ years of maintenance, I finally decided to read that link above about "dumping the scale". I clicked on it (just now) and found "discussion not found".

    I guess that is telling me that I need to keep doing what I am doing which is accepting that weight fluctuates for any number of reasons and if I don't eat over my calories day in and day out, I won't get fat again. I do weigh every day. I always have. When the scale goes up I say "hmmm". :/ When the scale goes back down I say "hmmm." :)
  • baconslave
    baconslave Posts: 7,048 Member
    edited August 2017
    kpk54 wrote: »
    After all these years on MFP through weight loss and and 3+ years of maintenance, I finally decided to read that link above about "dumping the scale". I clicked on it (just now) and found "discussion not found".

    I guess that is telling me that I need to keep doing what I am doing which is accepting that weight fluctuates for any number of reasons and if I don't eat over my calories day in and day out, I won't get fat again. I do weigh every day. I always have. When the scale goes up I say "hmmm". :/ When the scale goes back down I say "hmmm." :)

    there's something wonky with the link (typo). Gimme a min to track it down.

    ETA:
    Try this one:
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10415166/scale-why-should-i-dump-thee-let-me-count-the-ways
  • swezeytba
    swezeytba Posts: 624 Member
    I always give a least 3 days for an adjustment period after any event I think might have a negative effect on my weight. That seems to be the magic window for me for my body to return back to the correct weight.
  • RhiannonBecks
    RhiannonBecks Posts: 189 Member
    Thanks all for the responses, I think I was feeling a bit like whaaaat, bc I did "plan" for the intake, but I guess I just didn't plan for the few days after. Onward & Upward. Going forward I know if I allow a drink, don't step on the scale for a few days, lol.

    Thanks again! :)
  • RhiannonBecks
    RhiannonBecks Posts: 189 Member
    Welp - ya'll were right. Patience is my friend. Just thought id update, that 1.3# I was worrying about is a total non issue. Today is 3ish days out and hopped on the scale, down 1.2#

    Back to last weeks weight & feeling great!
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