Seriously, what the heck?!?!

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Replies

  • I think you are concentrating on short term numbers, maybe? Do everything you know is right and only weigh yourself once a week. Probably water weight. The body fluctuates weight on a pound here or there. Your weight loss will never be a straight line (x,y).
  • One pound of muscle weights the same as one pound of fat. Muscle is just denser tissue so it takes up less space than fat (sorry, pet peeve).

    Weight varies day-to-day, minute to minute, etc, as the scale-jumpers know. Try not to let yourself get discouraged over it. It sounds likes you are doing the things you need to do. You are right that you probably have not gained 1.3 pounds of muscle in a week, but if you have been working your muscles it is quite possible that your muscles are retaining a little extra fluid as they repair themselves. Keep going, and they'll eventually release that fluid. The best part about getting used to working your muscles is that they recover faster and faster, to the point where you won't feel sore like you do in the beginning. I can't wait to get back there, cause being sore SUCKS!!! I've also "gained" a little over a pound the past few days, but even if TOM is not soon, just remember he's a mean sob that messes with you throughout the cycle, not just at the end.
  • SparkleShine
    SparkleShine Posts: 2,001 Member
    It's not muscle this fast and while eating at a deficit. But it has only been two weeks. Often you will see a good loss the first week, and then not the next - could be water weight, could be your body adjusting to new eating habits and calorie intake. Give it time. And yes, measurements are a great idea - often the scale will show no loss, but the tape measure will.

    Just keep at it and don't let the scale get ya down.

    Ditto!!!

    Keep at it. You'll see a drop very soon!
  • Thanks for the replies everyone! I feel a ton better! I knew it wasn't muscle, but I didn't think I could be holding on to that much water weight in my muscles. I only weigh in once a week so I don't obsess of weight fluctuation, but that was just discouraging after waiting all week for a loss just to get a gain! I'll keep on top of my measurements and just keep rolling with it. THANK YOU everyone! You all rock!
  • determinedbutlazy
    determinedbutlazy Posts: 1,941 Member
    It's either 1lb of water or 1lb of poop. Whenever you start a new exercise programme, your body will tend to retain water to repair muscle, once your body has adjusted to the exercise, you will notice the scale drop again.

    Do not expect that to happen any time soon, though. You're best off taking before photos and measurements rather than going by the scale.
  • VelociMama
    VelociMama Posts: 3,119 Member
    Thanks for the replies everyone! I feel a ton better! I knew it wasn't muscle, but I didn't think I could be holding on to that much water weight in my muscles. I only weigh in once a week so I don't obsess of weight fluctuation, but that was just discouraging after waiting all week for a loss just to get a gain! I'll keep on top of my measurements and just keep rolling with it. THANK YOU everyone! You all rock!

    At my highest weight, I could fluctuate a solid 10 lbs over the course of a week. Water weight fluctuation can vary by your current size, so don't sweat it. It sucks, but try to work on focusing on your fitness and nutrition goals instead. Let the weight come off as it wants. It never comes off in a linear fashion for anyone.

    Good luck to you.
  • millzy64
    millzy64 Posts: 50 Member
    I started dieting back in August but only started weight training about a month ago. Prior to that the weight was coming off pretty regularly. When I started working out the weight loss stopped and fluctuated for weeks. Today I recorded my first real loss in a while so I feel your pain. Just stay with it and you'll break through and when the weight starts coming off, you'll have toned muscles waiting underneath. Stay with it.
  • Crankstr
    Crankstr Posts: 3,958 Member
    open your food diary.

    also, what the others said about retaining water from exercise..keep at it
  • tlnurse
    tlnurse Posts: 229 Member
    I found that when I ate "ALL" my exercise calories back, I would gain weight as well. I think they are overestimated sometimes. I generally eat "1/2" back and that has helped!

    Remember....you are only on "week 2" of a lifetime jouney....don't get discouraged....just keep going!:flowerforyou:
  • alexveksler
    alexveksler Posts: 409 Member
    Yeah, everyone's saying it, but it's just so true. My weight fluctuates like crazy, whether it's TOM or not. And it can swing up to 5 pounds. So yeah, unfortunately it takes patience.

    So agree with you. I've seen just about everything in weight fluctuations in the past 18 months :)
  • hansea47
    hansea47 Posts: 353 Member
    If you are using the Wii check you have it on a level surface and check that the batteries are okay in the board. Mine were going the other day and it told me I'd gained 3lb (in one day?) I replaced them and my weight went back to what it had been the day before.

    THIS! My weight fluctuates greatly with my Wii Fit. I use the scale at work (I work in a physician's office.) for my official weigh-in. You might want to find a scale that doesn't require batteries....or replace them frequently.
  • nancycaregiver
    nancycaregiver Posts: 812 Member
    Don't get so worked up after just 2 weeks! You're doing great! I agree with determinedbut, it's a pound of poop, a pound of water, or a combo! You're going to fluctuate. Just keep it up and even if you go up and down some, in the big picture, you will be down and look great!!
  • apriltrainer
    apriltrainer Posts: 732 Member
    I find after a really intense workout..especially if I get DOMS, I will go up a pound or two...(inflammation + water!). It's transient. It will go away. I doubt it's 1 lb of muscle. Not yet. not within a week! People actually gain muscle in grams over time which will lead to gaining lbs in muscle. Whoever responded telling the OP she gained 1.2, or whatever lbs of muscle within a week...not possible.

    Would be nice though...

    But could be just inflammation. Even if you weighed yourself in the morning, the day before could have been intense. And your body could be just a bit inflammed.
  • aseymour13
    aseymour13 Posts: 767 Member
    Very well said. I would also suggest not eating back your exercise calories. Your body is adjusting to exercise and diet. A thought might be to vary your exercise routine if you're not already. Focusing more on cardio one day and weight training the next or the type like walking then cycle or what ever works for you. You are doing really well and you' ll get there!
  • aseymour13
    aseymour13 Posts: 767 Member
    Exactly!
  • cindyjoesousa
    cindyjoesousa Posts: 87 Member
    Idk exactly but it happens to all of us..it comes back off as quickly as it went on..I think its a combination of everything you mentioned..increase muscle mass, a little water weight, maybe a little too much sodium somewhere..who knows..don't fret..it'll be gone before you know it!
  • BondBomb
    BondBomb Posts: 1,781 Member
    Very well said. I would also suggest not eating back your exercise calories. Your body is adjusting to exercise and diet. A thought might be to vary your exercise routine if you're not already. Focusing more on cardio one day and weight training the next or the type like walking then cycle or what ever works for you. You are doing really well and you' ll get there!
    I would suggest the exact opposite if you want to retain the lean body mass you already have. Please continue to eat back your exercise calories. If you create too much of a deficit you will burn through muscle. And I think everyone will agree that it is much easier to lose fat than to gain muscle.
    I think you should keep doing what you are doing and give it some time.
    I am lifting heavy and notice a 5 lbs fluctuation week to week.
  • I have to eat back my exercise calories, otherwise I would be netting about 800 calories a day, which is just plain unhealthy and dangerous,
  • BondBomb
    BondBomb Posts: 1,781 Member
    I have to eat back my exercise calories, otherwise I would be netting about 800 calories a day, which is just plain unhealthy and dangerous,
    Good girl! :)
  • It's still a loss in total total though xx
  • lauraniwa
    lauraniwa Posts: 131 Member
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  • BurtHuttz
    BurtHuttz Posts: 3,653 Member
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  • harlanJEN
    harlanJEN Posts: 1,089 Member
    I'm no expert, but I'm confused. If you are eating your BMR plus you are eating your calories burned through exercise, why do you expect loss? You have to have a net loss in there somewhere. Also, unless you know your own actual BMR, remember that it's only an estimate. And sites often give GROSS calories burned during exercise rather than net. Try not eating back your exercise calories - at least not all of them.

    Also - make sure that you are taking in enough water. When you do that consistently, you will be less likely to retain water

    Also - PLEASE REMEMBER that women of child-bearing age have monthly weight fluctuations caused by water weight as a result of hormonal changes. Once you've been dieting for a few months, you will clearly see your pattern and be able to remember to NOT weight yourself during the predictable weight-gain times.
    BMR is the minimum your body needs to live off. TDEE is what you actually use in a day. OP is right to be eating BMR + exercise cals as this still gives a deficit from TDEE.

    EXACTLY!

    The goal is to eat less than TDEE, but more than BMR. If exercising and burning significant calories, need to ensure you are eating to fuel that activity - which means eating enough to ensure you are eating, at a minimum, BMR. I like to aim for a minimum of BMR + 100 caories.

    And yes, if it has only been a couple weeks - way too soon to get anxious about results. Stay consistent and stay on course.

    And no, I WISH one could gain a pound of muscle in a week - on deficit. But alas, NO : ) Could certainly be water and glycogen stores from the increase in exercise.

    EAT, EXERCISE, REPEAT - live Life !