Whoosh effect

lostsomeweightonce

Might make sense that as fat cells decrease in size the fluid-filled space around them will increase for a period as the body attempts to maintain homeostasis. The increase in the fluid-filled space would make the fat under your skin feel different as it is shrinking. Then at some point, you expel that water which would tighten everything up again. So no water in fat cells just more water around fat cells.

kellyw4444

It is truly frustrating when you are tracking, exercising and not seeing the scale go down. I know. I understand the appeal of the "Whoosh" article because it is comforting for people to feel like they understand why their body is not losing weight and any inspiration to just keep on going is good. However, the scientist in me knows that this theory is not really true. Fat cells do not hold water.

The truth is, nobody can tell you why your body is not losing weight, at the moment. Weight loss is as individual as our bodies. Water retention, bowels, time of the month for women, it could be any, all and more. Your weight loss the first month of your journey is not going to be the same the sixth month of your journey. Your body is regulated by a complex mix of hormones and if you are a middle aged woman, it is even worse. Estrogen helps us store fat to give us our "womanly" shape. Menopause is not our weight loss friend. If you are a woman who also suffers from low thyroid hormones, like me, (which seems oh-so-common these days), weight loss will be slow. It sucks, but that is how it is.

The truth is, though, I did not gain this weight overnight - it has been slow coming on and it is very slowly coming off. Patience and downright bloodymindedness (I will NOT give up!) is what is called for. And Non-scale Victories (NSVs) need to be celebrated as well: the chocolate bar that was refused, the healthy choices at the fast food restaurant, lost inches, clothes that fit that didn't before, personal bests for strength training, and so forth. We need to take the focus off the pounds lost when the weight loss is slow.

My Personal Trainer gave me a small notebook yesterday and it says "Kelly, The scale doesn't tell us that you ARE..." and when I open it up each page has a word - like "glorious", "radiant", and "strong". She said every time I step on that scale and it tells me that I have not changed (I have been stuck at the same weight for a month despite a calorie deficit every single day), she wants me to open that notebook and read a new word, and tell myself "I am glorious. I am radiant. I am strong." Instead of "This is too hard. What is the point? I am never going to lose this weight." Let's hear it for positive self talk and bloodymindedness, people. I have done hard things in my life and I can do this. And if I can do it, you can too.

SaraMakingChanges

Thanks for sharing this! So good to understand a little more about what is happening as we lose weight. I’ve been feeling the “hmm is this working?” vibes lately since I don’t feel smaller and some days I feel like I’ve gained but the number on the scale is declining - although not steadily. Living in fear of the unknown plateau or the dreaded “set point” is no fun and does not motivate me to not eat the mini eggs!