Question! Freaking out!

surromom2010

Stop weighing yourself everyday, it won't make the numbers drop faster and fluctuation is so crazy all it will do is discourage you. Also, could be a scale problem, if you MUST do it every day, weigh yourself multiple times. Mine does that sometimes so I always weigh until it says the same things 2 times in a row. Cheap *kitten* walmart digital scale, lol.

H_Factor

don't ever weigh yourself at anytime other than first thing in the morning when you wake up, after you go to the bathroom, and before you eat. everything else is going to be inconsistent.

also, you should be eating 1200 calories + most of your exercise calories. if you're not eating enough, your body will fight back, go into survival mode, and begin storing everything (which causes weight gain even though you're exercising like a mad woman and eating very little...in short, eating too little can back fire).

and, like others have said, water retention plays a BIG role in your day to day weight. Don't sweat the scale on a daily basis...focus on a once a week number (taken first thing in the morning in the manner I described above). oh, and you haven't build any measureable muscle just yet (nor will you so long as you're eating so few calories).

DiannaMoorer

I am interested in your source for muscle does not weigh more then fat. can you please provide it.

The National Health Association is one. There are many sources on the internet. Here is a good article I copied.


I've seen a lot of posts advising people who are new to weight loss that muscle weighs more than fat. That is not the case.

A pound is a pound is a pound. Five pounds of paperclips weighs the same as five pounds of bricks - the composition is what's different.

A person who weighs 150 pounds and has 30% body fat will APPEAR much different than a person of the same weight but with 20% body fat because of their body composition.

Five pounds of fat will take up more space (volume) than five pounds of muscle; thus the more muscle you build and fat you burn, the leaner you will look.

So, working toward a more fit, muscular physique will certainly pay off, not only in your overall health but in your appearance as well. But please don't make the mistake of thinking that muscle weighs more than fat - it does not.

If I could insert a photo I would, but just Google Image search muscle vs. fat and you can see an illustration for yourself.

autumnpennell

Thank you!!! So you are recommending that I DO eat all of my exercise calories??

autumnpennell

Also, would it be good to do some some sort of eating pattern to trick my body? Like, eat 1600 calories one week then 1200 the next? and so on???

carld256

Comparing volume to volume muscle does weight more than fat.

Pocket_Pixi

A quick search in the forums would tell you its normal..

or there is always google... you should use it.

carld256

Also, would it be good to do some some sort of eating pattern to trick my body? Like, eat 1600 calories one week then 1200 the next? and so on???

That's called calorie cycling, and there's been a lot discussion of it around here. Some people are sold on it, some people (like me), are skeptical. But if you search for it, you should find some good posts and discussion.

marycmeadows

Running actually leans out your muscles so you can 'run' more efficiently.... But no you're not building muscle that fast. Chances are it's just water weight. stop freaking out. take a chill pill. and don't weigh yourself very often if you can't handle the fluctuations. BTW. how tall are you?? and another side -- our weights fluctuate on a daily basis, even through out the day - especially as women, our hormones can cause these fluctuations too. soo yea. take a chill pill.

Christine1110

I would guess your mucsle are holding water.....or it's sodium. It's in everything you eat that is processed or premade...fast food.

ash190489

This happens sometimes for reasons the other MFP members have mentioned, however I would perhaps change up your exercise a bit! It all seems very similar endurance wise. For faster fat burning I have had a few of my trainers say to keep running, bike riding, etc. but do it in a slightly different way - through interval training. Rather for jogging at a consistent pace and for as long as you can go (endurance training) change your focus to shorter periods of time and higher intensity.

You can do this for running, biking, cross trainer/elliptical trainer:

Monday: 1min:1min (1 minute walk - low instensity and 1 minute sprint/jogging fast) for anywhere between 10-30mins.
Wednesday: 2min/1.5min: 30secs - 2 minute walk - low instensity and 30 second sprint as fast as you can) for anywhere between 10-30mins.

You can really do any ratio of time as long as you vary the times throughout the week and ensure you really mix up the intensity levels. This has worked for me.

Also, I would encourage you to do weights... squats is a good start...
These compound movements are sure to show you results - Squats; Deadlifts; Lunges; Push Ups; Sit ups; Bench Press; Dips; Pull Up's; Clean & Press & Bent Over Rows. You will drop body fat and build muscle!

ash190489

Also, would it be good to do some some sort of eating pattern to trick my body? Like, eat 1600 calories one week then 1200 the next? and so on???

Yes, vary your eating patterns too - the trick is variation! But on the weeks your eating more, make sure it's healthy choices - like nuts, eggs, meat, etc. Ensure you're also getting enough protein if you are doing weights.

Good luck

LorinaLynn

I'm always about 3-5 pounds heavier in the evening than I am in the morning. It only makes sense. All the food and some of the drink you've consumed through the day hasn't been "processed" yet.

Cambrendle

If you're interested in tracking your sodium, go to your food diary settings and add in "track sodium"... MFP will calculate a recommended maximum daily allowance for you... other than that a HUGE eye opener for me was reading EVERY label I pick up before I buy it... you'd be surprised on how much sodium is in the same item... processed and packaged differently by another manufacturer ...

i.e. little brick of frozen spinach... 220 mg sodium 1 serving.
big bag of frozen spinach... 60 mg sodium 1 serving...

bnjlindsey

One of the things I noticed in your post is that you weighed yourself at night and weighed 138 and then the next morning you weighed again and weighed 135. You should always weigh yourself at the same time of day. I weigh myself in the morning before I eat anything. Food and water do add to your weight total and it takes time for you to digest them. By the morning you have digested the food you ate the day before, so that is the best time to get an accurate weight reading. Hope that helps.

ashlye08

Hi guys!

So, my start weight was 138, and I slowly but surely have crept down to 133. I've been running/ jogging appx. 4 1/2 miles everyday. Whenever I can't run, I make sure to go for a long bike ride, or do some other form of exercise that will burn calories! A couple days ago I started squatting. Some days I'll go for longs walks. Etc. Etc. I watch my calories carefully! My daily goal is 1200 and of course I eat more when I burn more. So, now, my question. Yesterday and the day before I wasn't able to run (so I watched my calories even more carefully), but last night when I weighed myself I weighed 138 AGAIN!!! And this morning, 135!!! What, the, heck! Is this normal??? I was wondering if I possibly am building up muscle already? (I would say I've been running faithfully for a month now) I need some input cause I am seriously discouraged. I have not splurged at all.

Ok first thing is that your weight can vary but 7lbs during the day. For the most accurate weight it should be first thing in the morning right after using the restroom. At night you are also weighing the food you have eaten that day and any waste that you need to get rid of.

70davis

bump

DiannaMoorer

Also, would it be good to do some some sort of eating pattern to trick my body? Like, eat 1600 calories one week then 1200 the next? and so on???

Today I could NOT eat all my exercise calories back. I was way too full. Do what feels right. If you are famished eat but eat healthy. If full, stop. But I think tricking your body is a good idea. Up calories one day, lower them another another. Like on a rest day.

autumnpennell

thanks ash190489 for all your input!

CyberEd312

muscles need water to repair damage done to them.

Keep drinking, and stop going by numbers and go by how you feel.

Agreed... I am doing single body part weight training with cardio this week to change things up... Heavy weight/ low reps to failure and H.I.T cardio after... I was on the scale 3 times this week was up 4 lbs. after first weigh in, down 2 lbs. the next day and up 5 lbs. yesterday.. I eat in a calorie deficit so I can tell you it isn't fat gain... It is water retention do to muscle repair, so I keep drinking my 130-150 oz of water a day ignore the scale and go by how I feel in my clothes. The scale is not the end all, be all..... Best of Luck... Just keep at it.....