GOING BACKWARDS... :-( HELP?

Pifflesmom

Ack!

After a very successful weekend (although I did exceed my intake by maybe 500 calories all weekend - if that) I weighed myself this am and I've gained 4 lbs. I could just cry.

I have PCOS and a metabolic disorder, so losing weight is extra tough - but setbacks like these make me want to just throw in the towel. Seems like all that hard work for nothing.

Any words of wisdom, thoughts, ideas, support - ANYTHING to get me over this hump would be most appreciated.
:sad:

gregpack

It what you say is true about being within your caloric intake, don't sweat it. You have to eat roughly 3500 calories more than you burn to actually put a pound of fat back on. It's most likely water retention. I've read that your body require 3 g of water for every g of glycogen it stores.

I weigh daily, but I track their weight on a spreadsheet and average the last ten days weight reading. This gives me a stable weight and allows me to spot true trends in increases to be worried about.

JennetteMac

I SOOOOOOOOO empathise with you. Only I don't have the reason of a metabolic disorder.
I have lost over 3 stone in 3 years but seem to have got stuck. I only really want to lose the Christmas weight and maintain my pre holiday levels, but after a good start in January I am now going back up. And I really don't know why. I log all my calories and exercise and for the last 2 weeks I keep adding rather than losing. It is driving me nutty.
But I keep reading wise words on these forums and know that these things happen to all of us. I need to check my salt intake, drink more water and chill about it. If I keep working and stay positive then the weight loss will get back on track.
I wish you all success. Just keep going, and it will happen for you.
Good luck.

Lesa_Sass

Dont give up. The extra weight could be excess water weight or fecal matter. Try doing a cleanse if you have not done one already and going from there.

If it is not this, throwing in the towel and not trying to be healthy would make you gain more weight, right? You will never regret making the attempt to get and stay healthy!

Hang in there!

sandy2006

This happens to me a lot. I weigh one day and all of a sudden Im up a couple pounds OR 5!!. I did finally realize it was water retention, maybe from eating something salty the day before. I also have pcos. I do get discouraged a lot but it helps me to get out the tape measure and check my measurements. The days I have the "water retention" my measurements are the same.
Dont give up. You can do this.

175fit

Pifflesmom - I also have PCOS and have been fighting it for 12 years. As you said, it's tough. However, what I have found is that when I combine carbs with a protein at every meal, for example eat raw nuts with a pretzel or pita chip, if desired. I believe this helps lessens the lack of processing of the carb intake (as you know the whole idea behind insulin processing foods oddly, especially carbs).

Years ago I manually counted calories and I pretty much cut out processed carbs - I know - feels like deprivation. However, I would replace, e.g. white/italian bread, with whole wheat pretzels, sweet potato or other carb. Another thing I do now is eat more raw, dry roasted nuts to keep protein processes active in my metabolism, which if you're exercising, helps to rebuild muscle and offset carbs being stored (as fat) for later processing.

Continue with your goals. I seemed to have maintained my weight this week - I attribute to eating at restaurants although I cut the portions in thirds and halfs as not to overeat???

Symphony6

I am lucky enough to not have a metabolic disorder or PCOS, but let me share a little story with you.

My mom has had some very serious health problems over the last couple of years. She has osteoporosis and arthritis and is about 60lbs overweight. She's tried many times to exercise to lose weight, but pain in her knees and feet always sabotage her exercise efforts. (She is terrified of water, so the pool is out).

Last year, my mom found out that she has high blood pressure and that one of her arteries is 60% clogged. She immediately got on her old treadmill and started walking. She has walked 6 days a week, 45 minutes a day for the last 14 months. She's lost 40lbs and says that as long as she can still walk, she's not stopping. At her most recent checkup, her blood pressure was not only normal, but even lower.

It has taken her over a year to lose that little amount, but her resolve is as steely as ever because she is healthier than she was before, and that is what really matters!!!

Pifflesmom

Thanks, all. I appreciate your support and words of wisdom! Just have to get over this hump...and yes, I can do it. I just need to remind myself of that. Rome wasn't built in a day, blah, blah, blah...

rockbass

I added my sodium intake to the main screen of things tracked on the website. It helps inform my decisions, and I've noticed a more consistent drop when I try to keep it in check.

Personally, I tend to drop a lot of weight (3-4 pounds), gain part of it back, and lose it again slowly. Once I hit the original drop number, the cycle starts again. Point being, everyone is different, and you need to keep a realistic idea of how your body functions as you're doing this. Keep plugging away, be realistic with yourself, and temper the weight gain with the understanding that you're working towards a lifestyle change.

GetFitWilliams

I started my diet 2 weeks ago and have been working out with it. I lost 13lbs only to gain 9 of them back. I was so discouraged until I asked the trainer at the gym and she advised me that my body is not used to dieting or exercise and because of this my body is in shock. She says my body is trying to hold everything it can because its used to my old ways. Eventually my body will catch up to my new routine and I will begin to see results again.