Extreme/rapid weight loss; what's going on? :S

meggiemaye

Hey guys...

So I weigh every day but only record once a week because I know how weight fluctuates.

A week ago, I weighed in at 221.7. Two days later, I weighed in at 214. It's a week later and time to record, and my weight hasn't changed, so I assume it's close to correct.

How is it possible to lose almost eight pounds in two days? This happens to me all the time and it never stays off...I've only kept off .7 pounds in the past four months, because I gain just as extreme as I lose.

Halp!

therobinator

This may sound silly, but if you are using a digital scale....does it need a new battery? That's how my scale was acting when it's battery was near dead.

rmhand

Could be a lot of water or a glitch in your scale. Do you feel like you had done enough working out and watching your food to lose that much?

3LittleMonkeys

Are you weighing at the same time with the same clothes/no clothes?

meggiemaye

Yep, weighing at the same time (in the nudie!! :P)...I don't think there's a glitch in my scale, because like I said this seems to happen to me a lot. I swear I can eat a meal and it'll show up as an extra ten pounds on the scale.

therobinator

Yep, weighing at the same time (in the nudie!! :P)...I don't think there's a glitch in my scale, because like I said this seems to happen to me a lot. I swear I can eat a meal and it'll show up as an extra ten pounds on the scale.

Weight can certainly fluctuate throughout a day, anywhere from 0-5 pounds even. But I still say it can't hurt to change out that battery.

starboardzor

It's funny people mention glitchy scales.... my cats like to bat things (like hair rubber bands) underneath the scale. So I'll stand on it and it'll say I'm 15lb lighter and i'm like WHAT!! So I have to lift it up, clear out all the stuff under it, set it back down, and then it reads the correct weight

If it's not the scale's fault, not sure what it could be! Rapid loss and gain of water weight?

NikkisNewStart

If you have started to eat cleaner (i.e. less processed, lower sodium) and are drinking more water... the loss is more than likely primarily water weight loss.

There is a lot that goes into that number on the scale... the actual weight of the food sitting in your stomach (how late did you eat last night will influence the scale if you still have undigested food in your stomach), the amount of water you are retaining (depends on your food choices or your muscles could be inflamed due to an extensive workout), you could have waste in your colon that hasn't been expended (i.e. poop), the weight of your actual bones and internal organs, and of course... the weight of fat.

Some of that weight, of course, we can't do anything about... I think everyone probably starts out with a goal to reduce fat. I'm not trying to be Debbie Downer but unfortunately, you didn't lose that much fat in 2 days. You could have lost SOME of the weight in actual fat (no way to tell exactly how much) but the rest is probably a combination of water, poop, and food weight (or lack thereof) compared to the weight 2 days before.

I would suggest, if you don't already, eating in a regular pattern... i.e. I have breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner around the same time every day. I usually weigh in once a week under the same conditions (around the same time, after using the rest room, in the nude). If I have any extreme things going on... then I have my handy diary and exercise log to find out the reason... you have all the data you need right here you just have to analyze it and use it for your benefit.

There is a reason for everything. I have noticed patterns in my weight following intense workouts, leading up to tom, mornings after I have higher sodium, etc... but everyone is different.

Is your diary open? If so, and you have logged everything completely and honestly, yourself or a friend (myself included) could help you analyze the data.

Remember- using MFP and keeping this data is worthless if you don't use it to continue behaviors or change ones that aren't working out.

spicegeek

Is the scale on a level hard surface ? Try relocating it

MzBug

Make sure your floor is level and the scale is in the same spot every time. I found that if my scale gets moved (the boyfriend moves it) it is off. Just 2 inches closer to our toilet will make one of the sensors on the bottom not connect with the floor completely and it shows anywhere from 5 to 10 pounds different. A good part of the weight could be water retention too. If I weigh before bed, and again in the moring after an up and down night, I can weigh 4 pounds less...

jaimejean478

I have a wonky scale too (and also cheat and do a daily morning weigh in, but only count 1x a week). I can step on it 4x in a row and get 3 different readings. I think it is time for a new battery though. I never did consider the placement of it - i have a tile floor, so I can see that if I get one of the sensors off balance how it could throw it off.

Great suggestions everyone!