No, you probably didn't gain weight...

stuffinmuffin

A great post - thanks! :flowerforyou:

bkthomas2004

Thanks for this!!!!!

bkthomas2004

Thanks for this!!!!!

TourThePast

It saddens me that there has to be a thread, which will probably be read by only a tiny proportion of the members, that "states the bleedin' obvious" so to speak

Wouldn't it be great if new members, on registering, received an email saying "You need to read this" which contained all of this basic information, and corrected a lot of the misconceptions that people have?

kimmerroze

It saddens me that there has to be a thread, which will probably be read by only a tiny proportion of the members, that "states the bleedin' obvious" so to speak

Wouldn't it be great if new members, on registering, received an email saying "You need to read this" which contained all of this basic information, and corrected a lot of the misconceptions that people have?

I agree, kinda like a short book,. and then it could be a tab up at the top that is easily accessable for those who need to go back and re read things.

ladyhawk00

Nice post

Jonicha26

I really do wish MFP had a sort of orientation manual that explains all of this when you first join. Most of us on the site just want to lose weight... we didn't come in already equipped with the mathematical "how to." As someone who hates math and numbers, I really enjoyed reading this! It made it so simple and understandable... I'm really trying to get better at all these formulas and things so I am not just guessing and supposing. It makes everything seem much more attainable when you know how it works.

Thanks for posting!

TDGee

Nice post! I do want to point out one other variable that you eluded to in one of your responses, but it can make a lot of difference in the numbers. The amount of bodily waste that is retained at any given time will affect what your scale will show you. *Alert potty talk* 1 pint/473ml of urine weighs roughly one pound. Stool is another thing that will change your scale reading. Ask any old wrestler about that.. A good rule of thumb that not everyone seems to know or follow is to weigh in the morning, AFTER going to the bathroom. Anyway, just wanted to be a part of this awesomeness!! Thanks for posting!!

taso42_DELETED

I really do wish MFP had a sort of orientation manual that explains all of this when you first join.

That would be great. It would also weed out 85%+ of the people here who can't be bothered to do any reading or self-education, and instead rely on old wives tales, superstition, and what their friend's trainer said.

kimmerroze

Nice post! I do want to point out one other variable that you eluded to in one of your responses, but it can make a lot of difference in the numbers. The amount of bodily waste that is retained at any given time will affect what your scale will show you. *Alert potty talk* 1 pint/473ml of urine weighs roughly one pound. Stool is another thing that will change your scale reading. Ask any old wrestler about that.. A good rule of thumb that not everyone seems to know or follow is to weigh in the morning, AFTER going to the bathroom. Anyway, just wanted to be a part of this awesomeness!! Thanks for posting!!

so true. I think that is why mathmatically it all works out, but not always 100% in real life. there are so many factors, how much food you just ate, or water you just drank, or how long ago you went to the bathroom, are you weighing naked or clothed? etc... weight is such a variable thing, but I think people stress the most when they have eaten a bad meal so they know that the scale is going to rise, but they didn't realize it would effect the scale that much. And I think lots of people hold very many misconceptions about how working out effects your body in regards to weight loss... and while there is some truth in all things, lots of stuff is taken waaay out of context and twisted. which leaves all of us less knowledgeable people dumbfounded and confused.

sfmathews

Definitely will refer to this post and the articles down the road when that plateau invariably hits.
Thanks!

Forensic

Very good post, bravo!

I definitely agree that there ought to be a newbie 'list of important threads' that could include easy to understand and helpful threads like this one.

If you ate 3500 over your maintenance (and weren't violently ill, :laugh: ) I'd bet you'd actually 'gain' more than a pound, purely from the actual weight gain and all the water you'd hold with the extra sugar and sodium and such in all that extra food.

bethrs

Nice post! I do want to point out one other variable that you eluded to in one of your responses, but it can make a lot of difference in the numbers. The amount of bodily waste that is retained at any given time will affect what your scale will show you. *Alert potty talk* 1 pint/473ml of urine weighs roughly one pound. Stool is another thing that will change your scale reading. Ask any old wrestler about that.. A good rule of thumb that not everyone seems to know or follow is to weigh in the morning, AFTER going to the bathroom. Anyway, just wanted to be a part of this awesomeness!! Thanks for posting!!

Man, I am glad I didn't have to be the one to say this. I feel like I do an inordinate amount of pooh preaching around here!

emeraldpearl

thanks for nthe insight.....my scale changes everyday....now i know here is no need to flip out

ChitownFoodie

I tell people this all the time and they think I am nuts! Thank you for proving it!

Black_Swan

I can only agree!

RiaLucia

Not only would I like to see this as some sort of "Newbie Reading", I'd like to post this inside the stall door of every ladies' restroom in my office.

carmenstop1

Very well stated!!

irridia

I inherently know all of this, yet it is good and reafirming to see it in print from someone else. I didn't know the exact figures but I did know there is no way to lose or gain1-2 lbs of anything other than water/waste weight. overnight. I only started weight daily after we got a digital scale. I don't really pay too much attention unless it stays exactly the same for a couple of days or so. I do, however, need to measure this weekend.

Schwiggity

obligatory bump

Bigpelly8

Once I figured all this out, everything took a turn for the better!! I no longer "punished" myself for bad days. Well written with two great examples!! Now I;m craving bbq...thanks ;-)

kimmerroze

Once I figured all this out, everything took a turn for the better!! I no longer "punished" myself for bad days. Well written with two great examples!! Now I;m craving bbq...thanks ;-)

Bahahah Sorry about that... I actually don't like bbq which is why I put it as the example. lol

soshotout

Thanks for explaining that so well. I have gone from a pretty much sedentary lifestyle to working out regularly and my muscles are certainly feeling it. However, when I peek at the scale, I am seeing an increase instead of a decrease and was beginning to wonder what on earth was going on. I also noticed that since I started with all this exercise, even with the usual 12 plus glasses of water I drink daily, I have not had to pee nearly as much as I used to.

FabiolaEnvy♥

bumping great info.

RiaLucia

*BUMP*

tataylllor

Glad I found this article!! I know Im late, but it really helped!! Thank you!