Feeling really discouraged weight gain

Ok so I have been on this journey for almost 2 weeks. In the first week I dropped 5 pounds. The second week nothing, and now I seam to be gaining weight. I understand that the scale can fluctuate from day to day but for three days in a row it has been up since last week based on this mornings weigh in I have gained 2 pounds. I'm feeling so down and discouraged and just want to quit and go back to my unhealthy crappy way of life! ughh I just feel like this mountain is far to high and I didn't bring the right equipment. I have been very good with my calories always staying within or just under the calories. I try to eat back some of my exercise calories but I find that hard sometimes because I'm not hungry. Could it be I'm not drinking enough water? to much salt? and it's just water retention,I mean logically spewing I would have had to have eaten 7000 calories more then my body needed to actually have gained 2 pounds and even thou I know calorie counting can be off a bit I'm most defiantly sure I was not off by that much lol.

Any support I can get would be so helpful right now I just feel like quitting!! All the success stories I see are so amazing but in my head I feel like that can never be me and I will just be in the same place next year wanting to loss the same 100 pounds + more. ughhhhhhhhh Dammit I just feel like I SUCK!!!!!!!!!!

ok vent over thanx to anyone who reads/comments and anny suggestions or inspirational thoughts would be much appreciated!!

Happy Saturday everyone!
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Replies

  • For my 1st week, I dropped about 2 pounds, then to my dismay on the second week I gained it all back plus a few more pounds. And I still exercised almost everyday and watched my diet.
    I told myself, THAT'S IT. NO MORE WEIGHING. And boom weeks later when I suddenly felt like weighing myself I actually dropped about 6 pounds :)

    The number on the scale isn't that important, if it bothers you, then just decrease the frequency of weighing yourself, definitely not daily, but maybe weekly or even monthly.

    Whenever you feel like giving up, ask yourself, a year or two later after giving up, do you want to start again? Knowing that if you didn't give up, you could actually be at your goal weight by now! :D

    Small progress is better then no progress. Don't rush it! :)

    Keep it going!!
  • deevatude
    deevatude Posts: 322 Member
    how many calories are u eating? if its not enough then you will definitely stall
  • I hear your pain on the weight gain. I've been on a diet for 30 days. I also lost weight right away (5 lbs), then I stalled, lost a few more and my latest weight showed a gain of 2 lbs. I also think about quitting everyday because I gained weight AND I feel like I"m hungry all the time. But I have noticed some little changes that will help in teh future. Portion control is one. I cook less then I use to because the portions are smaller. I drink more water. I feel better because I exercise and miss when I don't. I use to get winded but now could keep up with the best of them. I started this diet because I was diagnosed with diabetes and out of whack cholesterol that could mean metabolic syndrome. I don't want to take insulin or any more meds. So I have to remind myself its not just the scale I should worry about.

    I think my next step is going to be to throw out my scale. It's the source of my frustration., Weight varies everyday and dieting is a long-term thing, not immediate gratification. I wish I could drop the 51, 70 or 121 lbs others lost but not that lucky. At least not yet. We'll see whether there is progress in three months when I go back to the MD.
  • MrsSWW
    MrsSWW Posts: 1,585 Member
    I've been using MFP for two whole years and I don't think I've EVER had two weeks where my weight consistently dropped on a daily basis. If you give up now you will never be able to go into Reports and look back at, say, 3 months, and see that graph gradually lower.

    Weight loss is not linear. That is all.
  • poopoomonkey1978
    poopoomonkey1978 Posts: 108 Member
    this is exactly what I was going to post today. I am up 6 lbs in 2 days. I have eaten under my calories just starting working out again this week and am on water pills for blood pressure. I always stay within my sodium levels because I know I have to watch that. I never eat over my calories and am actually usually around 200 under everyday. My workouts are anywhere from 30-60 minutes. It is very frustrating but I keep thinking even if I gain weight at least I know I am healthier. I ran for 7 minutes yesterday and before it was hard to get through 1 minute so ya I am very happy with my progress in that regards just wish there was a way to make the weight match my efforts in eating and working out
  • eyeshuh
    eyeshuh Posts: 333
    tumblr_lo9k5j8SE31qhtggqo1_500.jpg

    Just keep going. You can't judge your weight loss over such a short amount of time. Stick with the plan and you'll get there!
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    The first few pounds lost were probably water weight. You should wait a few more weeks to let your body relax into the lifestyle change. Sodium will definately play with your numbers. I know that if I eat a lot of sodium to expect some water retention the next day and to expect the scale to be up. That being said, I do combat it with more water...but I listen to my body and once I start peeing clear/light yellow again I know I am good to go.

    Weight loss from day to day is not what you should be focused on. Weight lost isn't linear. It is progress over time, so to judge it on a 2 week basis is only setting yourself up for failure. Weight loss goes up and goes down. What you want is loss over time...meaning a downward trend. You can't get a trend with only two weeks.

    Stick with if for a few more weeks and then decide if what you are doing is working or not.
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    tumblr_lo9k5j8SE31qhtggqo1_500.jpg

    Just keep going. You can't judge your weight loss over such a short amount of time. Stick with the plan and you'll get there!
    This is exactly what I mean in my post!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Weight loss isn't linear...you didn't gain 2 Lbs of fat unless you consumed 7,000 calories above your maintenance level of calories. That means if you're eating what MFP recommends, it's impossible to gain 2 lbs of actual fat because MFP's goal has a substantial deficit built in...

    The initial 5 Lbs lost was primarily water...again, 5 lbs of fat would be 3,500 calories x 5 = 17,500 calorie deficit for the week...frankly, you'd be well on your way to being dead if that was the case. Water retention/release plays a huge role in body weight fluctuations...I can easily fluctuate 2-5 Lbs day to day. For example, my scale tells me I lost 2.2 Lbs from yesterday...bull ****...I didn't lose 2.2 Lbs of fat over night...it's mathematically and scientifically impossible. I just released a lot of water I was retaining. i'll be you money I'll bet up tomorrow...and no, it won't be fat.

    Two weeks is a drop in the bucket on this journey...you need to buck up...it takes way longer than 2 weeks to really see what kind of progress you're making...make sure you are netting to MFP's established calorie goal...weigh and measure all of your food...log it and do so consistently...Do those things and MFP works.
  • My weight fluctuates so much too. I like the idea of not weighing but maybe once a month. That number on the scale really does mess with my head. Actually, maybe 3 months would be better. I'm afraid the number would throw me into depression or binge. Skufahl is right. It is about more than a number. It is about health too. When I attended weight watchers before, we used to celebrate non-scale victories. Like tracking food, making a healthy choice vs a non healthy one, exercising, it is a process. I have to remind myself all the time. You are not alone. Just keep on keeping on.
    Melissa
  • My first week of weight loss, I lost 4 lbs, and then the next week, I had gained 7 (including the ones I had lost). It felt really counter-intuitive and I felt extremely discouraged. However, 2 weeks after that, I was back on track. Now I know not to consume myself with the scale. I would even recommend hiding it so that you dont feel compelled to weigh yourself too often! Especially for the first few weeks, maybe you should only weigh yourself once (rather than every week).

    There are many reasons for an increase on the scale:
    1) Water retention
    2) Your muscles holding on to water because of starting a new exercise program
    3) Water/salt balance in your diet
    4) Muscle building
    5) Your body's natural weight fluctuations
    6) etc.

    SO the point of this, and like many others have said, weightloss is not linear, and you WILL get there! Just stick to it keep working hard, and hide your scale! It may be a few more days, or even weeks before you see number drop, but in the meantime, you will be doing great things for your body- so don't stop!!

    Good luck! :flowerforyou:
  • mamasmaltz3
    mamasmaltz3 Posts: 1,111 Member
    Did you start a workout program?
  • Tatiyanya
    Tatiyanya Posts: 255 Member
    If you will quit you will only get fat and more depressed.

    Never give up, never surrender.

    Almost 2 weeks is really short period of time, dont worry about 2lbs, best yet dont weight yourself more often than once a week.

    Eat to be healthy, eat to be stronger, dont obsess over results. They follow good habbits you are geting via clean healthy eating.

    Eat your healthy calories, dont starve yourself. You'll only get hungry and binge or worse, slow your metabolism down.

    Move. Little steps, i lost 50kg/110 lbs mostly on walks and yoga with casual bike riding.Couldnt believe I'll ever do it too and it took me barely 18 months, think much less if i only count the time when I stick to logging and moving. But it took over year, you wont loose more than 8 lbs a week and that borders on unhealthy if you aint very obeese.

    Giving up and eating crap will make you way more depressed than not geting the fast results makes you now.

    One step at the time, focus on the road rather than destination.

    Dont obess.

    Be prepaired for months long plateu too. Metabolism is a funky thing but you can outsmart it.:)

    Focus on being healthy and happy with yourself /now/. Results will follow by themselfs as long as you WONT GIVE UP

    .
  • How do you not let the numbers on the scale brother you cause they do with me? For anyone that needs support I am here I need support I am new at this. Good Luck EVERYONE!!!!!
  • ron2e
    ron2e Posts: 606
    I totally agree that you shouldn't get discouraged by day to day fluctuations. I started dieting (well cutting out the snacks and unhealthy food really with the help of hypnotherapy) three weeks ago, and have been two weeks on MFP and am consistently below my calorie target. I have weighed myself every day just to keep a record and have lost 6 lbs in the two weeks. My weight sometimes stays static or even goes up day to day but the overall trend is down. I have also lost a small amount on my measurements and can already walk a lot further without getting breathless than I could before, so I know it's working

    Stick with it, and good luck!
  • Tash128
    Tash128 Posts: 66 Member
    tumblr_lo9k5j8SE31qhtggqo1_500.jpg

    Just keep going. You can't judge your weight loss over such a short amount of time. Stick with the plan and you'll get there!


    Love this!! This made me laugh and feel so much better because it is true!
  • mfdl1
    mfdl1 Posts: 24
    hi,its sounds like you exercise every day,i don't think its weight you are putting on,i think its your body turning up more muscle as muscle weighs heavier than fat,take your measurments in inches and you will find that you have lost inches instead of weight,fat turns into muscle.
  • Guamybear
    Guamybear Posts: 1,061 Member
    I wish we all could drop weight regularly.. first month I would only lose a pound every other week..next month was Christmas..You know how that works...LOL

    January..2lbs a week basically.. Feb..NOTHING!!!


    I am trying to change things up and just be patient..I lost some inches so that's what matters.. just don't give up...
  • Mikkimeow
    Mikkimeow Posts: 1,282 Member
    Like these wonderful people have said, don't let this be the end. One thing I always stress is that you need to measure yourself. You will be amazed at how the scale "lies" about your weight.
  • Tash128
    Tash128 Posts: 66 Member
    Thanx everyone,
    I'm feeling much much better!! I worked out and had my hubby hide the scale, He is only going to bring out on weigh day. It's about getting healthy! Not numbers on a scale I will continue no giving up here!!!
  • Guamybear
    Guamybear Posts: 1,061 Member
    How do you not let the numbers on the scale brother you cause they do with me? For anyone that needs support I am here I need support I am new at this. Good Luck EVERYONE!!!!!

    because as one poster wrote..Unless you actually at over 3500 cals or more in a day it isn't actual fat gain.. you could be bloated, ate to much sodium.. Us females are cursed with a number of factors that can make our weight fluctuate.

    I occasionally go up but never worry about it being actual gain because I know I am on a deficit...I just go and look at my diary and see what could have caused it..Once it was because I added a lot of fiber for a week..talk about bloated...

    by the way.. I weigh daily..I have to know where I stand.
  • Tash128
    Tash128 Posts: 66 Member
    So true! I did measure and I'm down .5 inch in my waist!! That is great!!
  • 366to266
    366to266 Posts: 473 Member
    I lost 19lb and then suddenly this week I have gained 3lb, on the SAME diet.

    But I read all the posts on this thread, and I don't worry about it.

    Give it a few more weeks. AND post your menus on here!
  • peacefulsong
    peacefulsong Posts: 223 Member
    Honestly, it's only been two weeks. To my mind the absolute hardest thing about losing weight is not letting yourself get discouraged. That first week is cruel to everyone because you drop a lot of water weight suddenly and you think hey, wow, this isn't that hard! And then after that things start settling and those high hopes get dashed upon the rocks of reality, and you've just got to hang in there and trust that if you're eating a healthy amount, exercising, doing anything that you might need to do for your specific health issues or whatever, you will eventually succeed. Try not to let setbacks or days when you might not do everything you think you should be doing bring you down. Just keep going. The only way out is through, as they say. :)

    For me, weighing daily instead of weekly and tracking it on an app that charts both daily weight and my weight trend has done more to keep me from getting discouraged than anything I've ever done. With the way my weight fluctuates from day to day it's hard to feel like I'm making progress, even if I only look at my "official" weekly weigh in days. But I've actually averaged a bit more than a pound a week this year. Seeing that trend line going steadily downward (aside from a few slight bumps here and there), has been incredibly helpful in keeping what I've accomplished already in sight. Maybe you could try something like that.
  • MicroHez
    MicroHez Posts: 125 Member
    I've been at this month, and I've been up and down a bit, too. I literally lost 12 in my 1st week, gained back 4 my 2nd week, lost 7 my 3rd week, then have lost 4 over weeks 4 and 5. I can almost guarentee that the 1st 15 lbs was almost entirely water weight.

    Don't let the scale be your deciding factor of success; focus a bit more on how your clothes are getting progressively baggier and your body is getting just a bit stronger everytime you do something. I was pretty upset with that gain in the 2nd week, but I also came to realize that making changes for the better in my life was a bit jarring to my body after 10 years of flat out not caring. Give it time, and things will even out. :glasses:
  • kokaneesailor
    kokaneesailor Posts: 337 Member
    tumblr_lo9k5j8SE31qhtggqo1_500.jpg

    Just keep going. You can't judge your weight loss over such a short amount of time. Stick with the plan and you'll get there!

    Awesome picture, that's it in a nutshell. 3 steps forward, one step back or sideways.
  • Vailara
    Vailara Posts: 2,466 Member
    It's normal for your weight to go up and down by a couple of pounds from day to day. I find that sometimes I will have gained weight over the week. What I do that helps is weigh every day. I know this isn't for everybody, but it means that when I get a gain of a couple of pounds I just think of it as a normal daily fluctation instead of thinking "I've put on 2 pounds this week". Then I look back at my weight over the month in the MFP reports. I always find I've lost some weight over the month. I like seeing the graph go down! I'm a slow loser and I find this helps keep me motivated.

    Anyway, you've done really well if you look at your progress over a fortnight instead of just this week!
  • aliciagetshealthy
    aliciagetshealthy Posts: 946 Member
    Weight loss isn't linear...you didn't gain 2 Lbs of fat unless you consumed 7,000 calories above your maintenance level of calories. That means if you're eating what MFP recommends, it's impossible to gain 2 lbs of actual fat because MFP's goal has a substantial deficit built in...

    The initial 5 Lbs lost was primarily water...again, 5 lbs of fat would be 3,500 calories x 5 = 17,500 calorie deficit for the week...frankly, you'd be well on your way to being dead if that was the case. Water retention/release plays a huge role in body weight fluctuations...I can easily fluctuate 2-5 Lbs day to day. For example, my scale tells me I lost 2.2 Lbs from yesterday...bull ****...I didn't lose 2.2 Lbs of fat over night...it's mathematically and scientifically impossible. I just released a lot of water I was retaining. i'll be you money I'll bet up tomorrow...and no, it won't be fat.

    Two weeks is a drop in the bucket on this journey...you need to buck up...it takes way longer than 2 weeks to really see what kind of progress you're making...make sure you are netting to MFP's established calorie goal...weigh and measure all of your food...log it and do so consistently...Do those things and MFP works.

    Exactly! Weight loss and over-all health are not a short-term quest. Quitting gains you nothing, except exactly what you had when you started. Don't lose heart. Just make the best out of each day...take measurements...use the scale as nothing more than a trending tool <and I'm talking week/month trends, not day-to-day>. You most certainly CAN do this if you don't use the number on the scale as the be-all end-all factor for determining success.
  • tmauck4472
    tmauck4472 Posts: 1,785 Member
    I think the best thing I did was not weight for the first 3 months of my beginning. I just kept being persistant with my food and my clothing kept getting looser and looser. I still have days where my weight will go up a lb every day for 3 or 4 days and just stay there and then slowly go back down. Novemeber and December were horrible months for me, felt like I had to pry those lbs off me. They were stubborn little boogers to say the least, but now I'm back on it and losing like before. Just keep at it and be persistant.
  • realme56
    realme56 Posts: 1,093 Member
    I've been using MFP for two whole years and I don't think I've EVER had two weeks where my weight consistently dropped on a daily basis. If you give up now you will never be able to go into Reports and look back at, say, 3 months, and see that graph gradually lower.

    Weight loss is not linear. That is all.

    Very well said! People think if they eat 800 calories they will lose but more often it is the folks eating 1400-1600 who have the best weight losses. Your body needs fuel,it needs proper eating schedules. When you get to your goal weight what are you going to do??? Go back to your old eating habits????

    This is for life!