Feeling confused and discouraged

hannahbealer
hannahbealer Posts: 4
in Motivation and Support
Maybe less than a week ago, I weighed myself after a run (after I'd clearly lost all my fluids from sweating) and I weighed 183. I was happy with this because before this weigh-in, I was weighing more around 186-187.

Now, randomly, I've jumped up to 188-189 these past couple mornings! My plan allows me about 1300 calories so if I do go over slightly it's not a big deal (because I end up in the 1500 range), and I've been following it very well. I only drink wanter with the occasional tea or coffee. I've followed a vegetarian diet for nearly 6 years now and I've weeded out a lot of the carbs and am eating a lot of fruits and salads these days. Am I eating too few calories and my body is in starvation mode? I did just finish ovulating a couple days ago, and I know some people tend to retain water around that time. I bought a new scale and everything because I was convinced my old one was broken. A 5-6 pound fluctuation just feels like a lot, especially since I've had it for the past few days.

Replies

  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    You were probably dehydrated at 183. I won't use that as a base number. A 2 to 3 pound fluctuation is normal.
  • howardheilweil
    howardheilweil Posts: 604 Member
    What Lizzy said! Weighing yourself immediately after running, or any exercise for that matter, is not really a great idea.
  • LiveLifeLogically
    LiveLifeLogically Posts: 41 Member
    How tall are you and what is your goal weight? How long have you been running? You could be gaining muscle mass.
  • amandapacenza
    amandapacenza Posts: 1
    Don't feel discouraged! It's actually normal for women to flucuate about 8lbs, I know it seems like a lot but it's true. Do you think that you discouragement can be coming from obsessing about the number? Maybe stick to your diet, keep hydrated and continue you workouts, but stay off the scale for awhile.
  • hannahbealer
    hannahbealer Posts: 4
    How tall are you and what is your goal weight? How long have you been running? You could be gaining muscle mass.

    I'm 5'9" and my first goal weight is 165. I run off and on quite a bit, but I'm currently on week 4 of the couch to 5k program.
  • mreeves261
    mreeves261 Posts: 728 Member
    1 - NEVER weigh yourself after exercise and believe that is a factual number.

    2 - My weight fluctuates roughly 5-8 pounds almost everyday. I weigh about 172, the other day after a 6 mile run I weighed 178. Last night after 1/2 a medium pizza I weighed 173. Which one is more correct? Hell I don't know. The ONLY weight I use is my weight on Saturday mornings after I have been awake for about 30 minutes.

    3 - Save yourself some heartache and rely more on inches lost instead of pounds on a scale. No one actually sees the scale weight but you and your doc. Everyone sees when you've lost inches.
  • GingerLolita
    GingerLolita Posts: 738 Member
    Make sure that you always weigh yourself at the same time of day. It's best to weigh yourself in the morning so recent food and exercise have less of an effect, which can alter results. It definitely could have to do with your cycle because that happens to me as well. I'm assuming you have your goal set to a pretty quick weight loss, which may not be ideal for you, especially if you're getting close to your goal. I was at a plateau for a long time before I switched to losing half a pound per week and now I'm very close to my goal.
  • alanlmarshall
    alanlmarshall Posts: 587 Member
    Re: starvation mode

    http://www.aworkoutroutine.com/starvation-mode/

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