Im having a 'fluctuation' please reassure me!
nooboots
Posts: 480 Member
I am now just at the end of my 8th week and have/had lost 16lbs. My calories are set to 1lb per week.
Previous attempts to lose weight have been hampered by an 'all or nothing' attitude where the slightest deviation in weight loss is seen as failure and then I throw it all away. I am also incredibly greedy and have had to learn that I cant be if I want to get healthy and lose this weight.
I have learnt an awful lot from this website about what the scale does and what your body does on the scale so I have been expecting at some point that I would see a week or two without movement or even an increase.
However, it has now happened and all my preparations of 'I know whats happening, I can deal with it' are starting to wobble.
I started at 282, got to 266, then this week in the week it moved to 268, then back to 267 and there its stayed. Today is my 'official' weigh in day so no recorded loss this week.
Im know Im swollen up as the slightest bit of warm weather and I retain water, my ankles are quite swollen and I feel 'heavy'. I dont know where I am in my cycle as I dont have regular periods so it could also be that.
So logic tells me, this is just a fluctuation, I know it is, I weighing and logging as I should, I havent changed anything since I started, my calorie deficit is as it should be.
But Im wobbling!!! Help!
Previous attempts to lose weight have been hampered by an 'all or nothing' attitude where the slightest deviation in weight loss is seen as failure and then I throw it all away. I am also incredibly greedy and have had to learn that I cant be if I want to get healthy and lose this weight.
I have learnt an awful lot from this website about what the scale does and what your body does on the scale so I have been expecting at some point that I would see a week or two without movement or even an increase.
However, it has now happened and all my preparations of 'I know whats happening, I can deal with it' are starting to wobble.
I started at 282, got to 266, then this week in the week it moved to 268, then back to 267 and there its stayed. Today is my 'official' weigh in day so no recorded loss this week.
Im know Im swollen up as the slightest bit of warm weather and I retain water, my ankles are quite swollen and I feel 'heavy'. I dont know where I am in my cycle as I dont have regular periods so it could also be that.
So logic tells me, this is just a fluctuation, I know it is, I weighing and logging as I should, I havent changed anything since I started, my calorie deficit is as it should be.
But Im wobbling!!! Help!
4
Replies
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If you're weighing everything and being honest with your logging, you're probably right and it is just one of those natural fluctuations that occurs in us all from time to time. Drink a boatload of water today to let your body know it's okay to let some of that retained fluid go!5
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If you're weighing everything and being honest with your logging, you're probably right and it is just one of those natural fluctuations that occurs in us all from time to time. Drink a boatload of water today to let your body know it's okay to let some of that retained fluid go!
Yes I am terrible at liquid intake. I just dont get thirsty and dont like drinking liquids. Im having some water now.0 -
Also remember that it takes 3,500 calories above maintenance (so even higher than your daily calorie allotment in MFP) to gain a pound. Going up 2 pounds in a day would be a hella calorie intake day (7,000 is a lot!). So, it can't really be anything other than water and food weight unless you went all out crazy no-holds-barred.2
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RelCanonical wrote: »Also remember that it takes 3,500 calories above maintenance (so even higher than your daily calorie allotment in MFP) to gain a pound. Going up 2 pounds in a day would be a hella calorie intake day (7,000 is a lot!). So, it can't really be anything other than water and food weight unless you went all out crazy no-holds-barred.
^ yep, this. I wouldn't force fluids either. You body holds onto water for many reasons, and, unless there's an underlying medical condition causing it, there's no need to fight it. Let the water do what it needs to do.2 -
Water water water!!! Try for a gallon a day!!! You will see results!! Just stay the course believe in the process and forgive any mistakes you make!!! It's a process!! You can do this!!! I am in the same spot right now!! Bloated fatigued and mad at the scale hahaha but when this water is gone I'll know it was pms and I will see the numbers reflect the change!!! Women must be patient with the process and stay away from Butterfinger ice cream it's like crack!! So gooooood!! I was bad last night and feeling it today!!! Forgiving myself and moving on!! It's a new day!!! Protein and water!!! We got this!!!5
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I have a slight gain every month like clockwork around the time I ovulate. Annoying for sure, but it’s always off and then some the following week. Trust the process and keep doing what you are doing. 16lbs is great.1
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There are a lot of reasons why one retains water, it's hard to ever pin one down, so it's never really worth trying to. It all ends up evening out over time.
This is my weight loss chart, and as you can, while I am consistently moving downwards, weight loss is not linear and there have been plenty of ups along with the downs. You seem to have a good plan that is working. Stay the course with it and your results will continue.
I've seen you post here and know that you are pretty level headed, so I am sure you KNOW that it is just water weight. You probably would have responded so to someone else if they had asked this question 😉. Sometimes when it is ourselves and not others though it's hard to feel it, but have confidence in what you know and keep on keeping on.5 -
There are a lot of reasons why one retains water, it's hard to ever pin one down, so it's never really worth trying to. It all ends up evening out over time.
This is my weight loss chart, and as you can, while I am consistently moving downwards, weight loss is not linear and there have been plenty of ups along with the downs. You seem to have a good plan that is working. Stay the course with it and your results will continue.
I've seen you post here and know that you are pretty level headed, so I am sure you KNOW that it is just water weight. You probably would have responded so to someone else if they had asked this question 😉. Sometimes when it is ourselves and not others though it's hard to feel it, but have confidence in what you know and keep on keeping on.
Thank you, yes this is exactly what has happened, this all makes sense to me having read quite a lot of the threads and information, although for years of course I knew about water retention and my period I didnt even know that men had this too and women would also get it for other reasons. So over the years when Ive seen the scale go up, I just went into despair and couldnt see to the end, so didnt.
And you're right because it make sense I have replied to other people worrying about it, full of the bunny but now its my turn Im panicking!
Ive also been looking at Lacy's thread with her battle with the scale and its very interesting. I signed up to weight grapher which someone recommended on here and of course the projection of weight loss is 5lbs for the next 5 weeks which is completely on target so I must just stay positive.1 -
There are a lot of reasons why one retains water, it's hard to ever pin one down, so it's never really worth trying to. It all ends up evening out over time.
This is my weight loss chart, and as you can, while I am consistently moving downwards, weight loss is not linear and there have been plenty of ups along with the downs. You seem to have a good plan that is working. Stay the course with it and your results will continue.
I've seen you post here and know that you are pretty level headed, so I am sure you KNOW that it is just water weight. You probably would have responded so to someone else if they had asked this question 😉. Sometimes when it is ourselves and not others though it's hard to feel it, but have confidence in what you know and keep on keeping on.
Thank you, yes this is exactly what has happened, this all makes sense to me having read quite a lot of the threads and information, although for years of course I knew about water retention and my period I didnt even know that men had this too and women would also get it for other reasons. So over the years when Ive seen the scale go up, I just went into despair and couldnt see to the end, so didnt.
And you're right because it make sense I have replied to other people worrying about it, full of the bunny but now its my turn Im panicking!
Ive also been looking at Lacy's thread with her battle with the scale and its very interesting. I signed up to weight grapher which someone recommended on here and of course the projection of weight loss is 5lbs for the next 5 weeks which is completely on target so I must just stay positive.
To the bolded: I think it's pretty common to know the information and still have trouble applying it to ourselves.4 -
If you're weighing everything and being honest with your logging, you're probably right and it is just one of those natural fluctuations that occurs in us all from time to time. Drink a boatload of water today to let your body know it's okay to let some of that retained fluid go!
Yes I am terrible at liquid intake. I just dont get thirsty and dont like drinking liquids. Im having some water now.
If you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated. Try to drink throughout the day, especially before meals. It'll help you feel full and aid digestion. It will help rid the water retention.0 -
If you're weighing everything and being honest with your logging, you're probably right and it is just one of those natural fluctuations that occurs in us all from time to time. Drink a boatload of water today to let your body know it's okay to let some of that retained fluid go!
Yes I am terrible at liquid intake. I just dont get thirsty and dont like drinking liquids. Im having some water now.
If you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated. Try to drink throughout the day, especially before meals. It'll help you feel full and aid digestion. It will help rid the water retention.
I will try but unless Im thirsty I cant really swallow it or get it down me, its a bit of a problem really. Ive got a nice cup of tea in front of me now
I didnt even bother weighing today, my ankles are massive so theres plenty of water sloshing round which would make the scales be even more depressing!1 -
There are a lot of reasons why one retains water, it's hard to ever pin one down, so it's never really worth trying to. It all ends up evening out over time.
This is my weight loss chart, and as you can, while I am consistently moving downwards, weight loss is not linear and there have been plenty of ups along with the downs. You seem to have a good plan that is working. Stay the course with it and your results will continue.
I've seen you post here and know that you are pretty level headed, so I am sure you KNOW that it is just water weight. You probably would have responded so to someone else if they had asked this question 😉. Sometimes when it is ourselves and not others though it's hard to feel it, but have confidence in what you know and keep on keeping on.
Thank you, yes this is exactly what has happened, this all makes sense to me having read quite a lot of the threads and information, although for years of course I knew about water retention and my period I didnt even know that men had this too and women would also get it for other reasons. So over the years when Ive seen the scale go up, I just went into despair and couldnt see to the end, so didnt.
And you're right because it make sense I have replied to other people worrying about it, full of the bunny but now its my turn Im panicking!
Ive also been looking at Lacy's thread with her battle with the scale and its very interesting. I signed up to weight grapher which someone recommended on here and of course the projection of weight loss is 5lbs for the next 5 weeks which is completely on target so I must just stay positive.
To the bolded: I think it's pretty common to know the information and still have trouble applying it to ourselves.
This, definitely. I'll talk all day about perceptions and expectations about body image, but I still struggle with continuing to see myself at the same weight I was when I started.1 -
I hold water weight when it's hot outside, too.
I also hold water weight when I get a sunburn - which is where I am right now - and I am also trying not to freak out at the scale. Even though I know EXACTLY why the scale is up.2 -
If you're weighing everything and being honest with your logging, you're probably right and it is just one of those natural fluctuations that occurs in us all from time to time. Drink a boatload of water today to let your body know it's okay to let some of that retained fluid go!
Yes I am terrible at liquid intake. I just dont get thirsty and dont like drinking liquids. Im having some water now.
If you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated. Try to drink throughout the day, especially before meals. It'll help you feel full and aid digestion. It will help rid the water retention.
I will try but unless Im thirsty I cant really swallow it or get it down me, its a bit of a problem really. Ive got a nice cup of tea in front of me now
I didnt even bother weighing today, my ankles are massive so theres plenty of water sloshing round which would make the scales be even more depressing!
Don't fear the scale. Instead, learn what your fluctuations mean. I keep a daily overall health journal. For example, last week, I took a bad fall. The associated inflammation showed on the scale. So, instead of wondering why I gained a few pounds, I knew what caused it. This puts me, not the scale, in charge of this journey. Don't let the scale win. 😎6 -
It's always good to have an alternate measure instead of just the scale. I also always took my measurements with a tape measure (neck, shoulders, chest, waist, hips, arms (upper/lower), legs (upper/lower))....with chest, waist and hips showing the most progress. What I noticed is that often one week the tape measure would show a loss and the next week the scale would show a loss. Only once in a while would they synch up. So, the weeks where the scale was being ornery, often I'd have something encouraging from the tape measure. While I was a daily scale weigher, I typically only took my measurements weekly. But for me, it was good to have the alternate system to keep my sanity especially during the fluctuations.
The weight trackers will help you feel better too so you can see the real trend. Glad to hear you found those.
Also know that if you have started to do a new exercise program, you will retain water too as your muscles heal from the new movements.
Agree that drinking more water seems to help me flush the water away (YMMV), but I also struggle to drink enough water. I like putting lemon/lime in mine, drinking through a straw, and carrying a water bottle around with me all the time to get more water daily.0 -
quiksylver296 wrote: »I hold water weight when it's hot outside, too.
I also hold water weight when I get a sunburn - which is where I am right now - and I am also trying not to freak out at the scale. Even though I know EXACTLY why the scale is up.
That is very intersting, I am sunburnt, although it came on Saturday rather than before the 'fluctuation'!0 -
It's always good to have an alternate measure instead of just the scale. I also always took my measurements with a tape measure (neck, shoulders, chest, waist, hips, arms (upper/lower), legs (upper/lower))....with chest, waist and hips showing the most progress. What I noticed is that often one week the tape measure would show a loss and the next week the scale would show a loss. Only once in a while would they synch up. So, the weeks where the scale was being ornery, often I'd have something encouraging from the tape measure. While I was a daily scale weigher, I typically only took my measurements weekly. But for me, it was good to have the alternate system to keep my sanity especially during the fluctuations.
The weight trackers will help you feel better too so you can see the real trend. Glad to hear you found those.
Also know that if you have started to do a new exercise program, you will retain water too as your muscles heal from the new movements.
Agree that drinking more water seems to help me flush the water away (YMMV), but I also struggle to drink enough water. I like putting lemon/lime in mine, drinking through a straw, and carrying a water bottle around with me all the time to get more water daily.
Well I took LyndaBSS' advice and have drunk a glass of water. I will keep trying. Yes Im also really achy from some activity at the weekend0 -
If you don’t like drinking water, you can get your fluids from water-dense fruits and veggies. Just weigh and log them.
I used to not like drinking water because I was constantly peeing, but now I love it and usually get in 7-9 8 oz glasses per day. I always have my water bottle with me. Always.
If I eat a meal or soup high in sodium, it shows up the next day as weight gain, but I know it’s just water retention. It’s gone the next day.0 -
Well I weighed myself this morning, still swelled up like a balloon but back down to 266lbs. So no recorded weight loss but the water getting less hopefully.
I dont think body measurements would be that helpful to me the way I swell up. My whole body is bloated, my wrist is so much bigger that my bracelet is not moving around and my ankles are massive.1 -
Sending you some hugs, nooboots! You are doing FANTASTIC to have lost 16 lbs in 8 weeks!
As others have said, it takes 3500 calories to gain a pound of fat, so if you're sticking to your calorie goals, it has to be water weight.
Hang in there. That scale will move again! And if you are tempted to give up, you can try telling yourself over and over that you won't let this knock you off your plan (word it in a way that applies to what you're thinking or feeling). Positive self talk can feel silly, but it has repeatedly helped me keep going during times like this.1 -
bobsburgersfan wrote: »Sending you some hugs, nooboots! You are doing FANTASTIC to have lost 16 lbs in 8 weeks! As others have said, it takes 3500 calories to gain a pound of fat, so if you're sticking to your calorie goals, it has to be water weight.
Hang in there. That scale will move again! And if you are tempted to give up, you can try telling yourself over and over that you won't let this knock you off your plan (word it in a way that applies to what you're thinking or feeling). Positive self talk can feel silly, but it has repeatedly helped me keep going during times like this.
Thank you. I have to keep focused and ignore what Im seeing on the scale. Im in my late 40s now and have been fat all my life, my skin is ruined from it, but it will kill me if I dont do anything now and get rid of this. In the past this scale thing would have just had me throwing the towel in and I cant do that.
Its frustrating but not impossible. I can see in my face this week more definition around my (first) chin so I can see changes for the last week or so there. Its just not showing on the scale yet!0 -
Well just to update, I have now had a pound decrease in the weight record. Im going to stay away from the scale now for a week I think!1
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