discouraged and confused about scale jump

GretaGirl8

I know there are a hundred posts a day on this subject, and I know I sound like I am whining--but I need to ask for guidance/support. In the last 7-10 days the scale has jumped about 5 pounds and seems content to settle there. I just started my TOM and am hoping that is the culprit for at least some of the fluctuation. Though, I don't always see such a fluctuation during my TOM so I am skeptical. I am being especially diligent about my intake and logging the last few days. I admit I haven't been a consistent logger in the days previous. However, I don't think my eating was out of control or anything. Additionally, even if I was eating more those 7-10 days...could that really result in such a gain? confused and feeling defeated. Thank you for reading and any advice or kind words you can give.

gypsy_spirit

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/ihad/view/the-path-of-success-631437

There are so many variables to why you may be up a few pounds. You've named a couple and they are the most likely culprits. Check out the link above.

The number one tool for weight loss is the hardest. PATIENCE

silmarilliane

don't be discouraged, i was up half a stone with my last TOM. also any day eating take away or high sodium type foods make my weight jump around all over the place. definitely stick with patience, and also learn to rely on the tape measure and the fit of clothes over the scales.

GretaGirl8

Thank you for the positive words. I especially liked the line chart. I guess I am a little scared because I had been pretty steady for a while...this jump seems out of place. but maybe my body is going through something...stress, a cold--hormones out of whack. I guess I need to accept and move forward.

jstout365

Breath.....you have listed many factors that can effect the scale. Give it a week or two of consistent and accurate logging. If you weren't good for a week or so, that added to TOM, can be the 5 lbs. A person's weight can go up or down 5 lbs in a day. Weight loss isn't linear....and so on and so forth. Patience will get you through this minor bump in the road. Keep doing the right things and you will get to where you want to be.

GretaGirl8

I agree that there are factors out of my control in play. however, I need to get real with myself. I had been tracking my weight for many months...then stopped. I looked back at those months and such a high fluctuation for as many days just didn't happen. I must have been over eating these last ten days. but still confused by how it jumped in such a short period of time. I will be more diligent!

negator5543

A lot of factors could have effected your weight. The time of day you checked, how much undigested food is in your stomach, how much water etc.

Small example one liter of water weighs approximately 2lbs...I personally drink 2-3 liters of water per day, that means at night 1 weigh 6lbs more plus the weight of any good I've eaten minus whatever I've lost using the bathroom.

Additionally it takes your body about 33hours to fully digest good and excrete the waste, this is why it's best to check your weight once per week first thing in the morning, after using the toilet.

lizarddev

This is one of the most talked about fluctuation in forums and not just in MFP. I will say this factors and more factors play parts and more parts. I would do this and it may help in the ever changing scale weight. Get on the scale and jump up and down on it and break it. This will help in the change in weight. Start measuring your body areas so you can see changes this is usually done every two weeks. Like most people that will weigh in 2 weeks is the minimum cause it gets the body a custom to the fluctuation. But measurements are used as a good way to meet your goals. I hope this helps. To be strong we have to move past the minor deficit in our actions. Eat right and drink plenty of water.