20 lbs in one day...please help

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Replies

  • MomTo5Wow
    MomTo5Wow Posts: 17
    I am scale obsessed so I know hard it is to walk past one without stepping on. I weigh myself everytime I go into the bathroom at home, and every day when I come into work (the one at work is much friendlier and always has me at about 3lbs less than the one at home).

    But the only # I pay attention to and log is my morning naked weight.

    The rest of my self checks are just done for self torture :-)
  • ilyahna
    ilyahna Posts: 96 Member
    1300 calories or less a day is really low for you, my dear!

    Find an online calculator and establish your RMR (resting metabolic rate) and then try to eat about 500 less than that to lose 1-2lbs per week.

    If you go too low you will cause your body to worry it is starving, and it will retain fat. I know the calculator on MFP when you plug in numbers tends to be pretty low in its suggestions.

    I am 200lbs and my RMR is ~2000. I eat 1550 calories a day and I have been steadily losing weight.

    Not going too low is also far less stressful psychologically and will help you stick to your plan (I think!).

    Good luck!
  • terrappyn
    terrappyn Posts: 324 Member
    The carpet is the culprit. I made the same mistake once and then realized what happened! Its a good way to trip the spouse though to make him think you lost weight and he didnt notice. lol
  • Brittany3914
    Brittany3914 Posts: 258 Member
    I weigh myself once a week, completely naked, in the same area of my bathroom. The flooring in my house isn't level everywhere, so the numbers are different in the kitchen, living room, bedroom, etc. Don't sweat it. Just be consistent with where you weigh yourself. It's always best to compare apples to apples.
  • NWCountryGal
    NWCountryGal Posts: 1,992 Member
    obviously the scales are wrong, throw the dang thing out! Just move into this new lifestyle, drink water, eat healthy foods and do a walk 3-5 times a week. Your whole attitude will change and losing fat will accompany it. denise
  • BabyLeila23
    BabyLeila23 Posts: 410
    Maybe try weighing yourself once a week. Don't get discouraged, you're doing great! Keep up the good work :)
  • amandajam2012
    amandajam2012 Posts: 82
    I have noticed my scale will say I weigh less if it's touching the wall so I always make sure to keep it moved a few inches away from the wall
  • Molly_Maguire
    Molly_Maguire Posts: 1,103 Member
    One of those scales is probably wrong. It's a good idea to only weigh yourself on one scale, whether it's the one at the gym, drs office or the one you have at home. If you do it at home, make sure you have a decent quality scale, and that it's calibrated correctly.
  • ACPotter88
    ACPotter88 Posts: 4
    Scales need to be balanced meaning set to zero when there is no weight on it. Old school scales have a way and electronic scales have a way. If you have the manual's that came with them, look to see how to zero it out before you believe you gained 20lbs in one day. Its possible to gain that in a week, in a month, but in one day? I have high doubts about that. Even with water weight, I don't believe its possible. Also, only use one scale and have it on a hard, flat surface. Otherwise, it won't be as accurate and reliable.
    Its best to weigh yourself once a week or so. Not everyday. With water weight, menstrual cycles, different foods each day, etc, your weight will fluctuate day by day regardless. Have a set day each week to weigh yourself. If you do it everyday, it will drive you crazy.
  • Molly_Maguire
    Molly_Maguire Posts: 1,103 Member
    And at least your husband doesn't sneak up behind you and press his foot down on the scale while you're on it, adding 20 lbs and laughing when you freak out! Such a d*ck, I owe him, now! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
  • MaybeAMonkey
    MaybeAMonkey Posts: 247
    20 lbs in one day is not a weight gain I think is possible for most people (if any!). If your scale takes batteries then you should check them. Also, the scale should be on a HARD flat level surface, not carpet. If you're wanting to check the accuracy of your scale take your hand weights (assuming you have some) and weigh those to see if your scale is correct. Because my scale is battery operated I periodically check the accuracy it this way using my two 5 lbs hand weights and my two 3 lbs hand weights, so if the scale doesn't say 16 lbs when those four weights are on it then I know something's wrong. Good luck!
  • illuria
    illuria Posts: 24 Member
    I knew there was a good reason why I do not have any carpets in my apartment :bigsmile:
  • dove61k
    dove61k Posts: 1
    Please dont weigh yourself at night time..I know..the numbers move on the scale but in the opposite direction. Not in a good way. But during the day you acculumate water weight hence weighing more during the night than the day. To get an accurate weight on the scale, weigh yourself in the moring and after you go to the bathroom. Weigh yourself once a week and at the same time. If your exercising, its gonna take a little while before you see any improvements on the scale. But you will!! Stick to myfitnesspal and document everything. Even a chip... :) which you shouldnt eat but you know we all cheat a little :) If your lifting weights, remember muscle weighs more than fat. We all are in the same boat and our boat will not sink! Keep chin up and keep striving. :)
  • stargazer008
    stargazer008 Posts: 531
    Never place your scale on a carpet, it messes up the readings! A HARD FLOOR is the best!
  • linda1243
    linda1243 Posts: 166
    Check the batteries too! My scale started acting like a poltorgeist when the batteries were getting low. I would probably have become a nutcase if I didn't figure out the issue.
  • SparkleShine
    SparkleShine Posts: 2,001 Member
    It's the carpet! You should weigh yourself on a hard flat surface (bathroom). TRY to just weigh once a week. I know it's hard though. Remember too that us women tend to flucuate at certain times of the month too.

    Hang in there!:flowerforyou:
  • Kazenouta
    Kazenouta Posts: 27
    If your scale is still telling you that you've gained 20 lbs in a day after moving it to a flat, level surface then I'd really go see your doctor. It is possible to gain that much weight in a day if your body is not getting rid of water/regulating it properly
  • letscallitsteven
    letscallitsteven Posts: 1 Member
    You shouldn't weigh yourself every day, there's really no need as your weight can go up and down depending on things like water and glycogen levels.

    As has been said the reason for 20lbs gain is your carpet, just weighed myself on a wooden floor and then the carpet in another room and I gained 15lbs in the space of 30 seconds.
  • pataroo1
    pataroo1 Posts: 4
    I would buy a new scale!!!!
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    It's definitely the carpet. After reading this thread I decided to try it out of curiosity - weighed myself at my usual spot (scale on a hardwood floor), then moved the scale onto carpet in the next room. On the carpet, the scale read 21 lbs. lighter than it did on the hardwood floor.

    If you want any kind of consistency, weigh yourself on the same scale, at the same location (on a solid, firm, hard surface), wearing the same clothes (or lack thereof) at the same time of day. Anything else is going to yield inconsistent results that aren't worth a thing as data points.
  • jvelko
    jvelko Posts: 1
    Hi I just kinda was searching around and saw your post. I am 50 years old and have been on and off programs most of my life and at one time start of 2003 I weighted 265 so I know what that feels like I lost about 80lbs over a period of a year or two have kept most of it off but gained back about 22 lbs and was miserable sorry I am sure you didnt want my story but I wanted to tell you that I think you may not be eating enough food. Remember that muscle weighs more than fat so you really do need to measure. I am a firm beleiver in weighing evryday some people think that is to much but please dont weigh at different times of the day. Chose a time and stick to it and if you eat something high in salt or fall off plan dont weigh give it a day or two. Also you cant get ac acurrate wieght on carpet of any kind it need to be a flat surface. Anyway I am back on track have lost 15 lbs but want to go for about 20 more. Good Luck to you and dont get discouraged and make sure you are eating enough!
  • senyosmom
    senyosmom Posts: 613 Member
    First thing - dont use multiple scales. Use oen and stick with it. Even if that one is off a bit when you lose it will show that loss accurately even if the actual number is off.

    Second - take measurements and also check teh fit of your clothes as additional measurments. I haven;t been losing as much in pounds recently as I have in inches....

    Third - Hang in there honey! Consistant work WILL pay off - just try to be patient.
  • Kenzietea2
    Kenzietea2 Posts: 1,132 Member
    Either the scales you stepped on were really poorly calibrated, or you have some sort of crazy medical condition and should probably go see a doctor. But for now, test your scales :) That is probably all it was.
  • mushfroom012
    mushfroom012 Posts: 9
    don't weigh yourself at the end of the day! your weight fluctuates throughout the day and this can make you freak out. I recommend weighing yourself each morning before breakfast - your true weight.

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