What's going on here?

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TrefG
TrefG Posts: 112 Member
in Success Stories
So I lost most of my weight in the first 8-10 months of my journey, but even back then I remember noticing that when I was hitting the gym hard, my weight would remain the same for a couple of weeks followed by a big loss almost overnight.

I can't work out why this happens?

For the last 6 weeks I've got majorly back into running - around 5k every 2 or 3 days - however for the last 2 weeks I've been stuck at around 257.....then suddenly I get on the scales today and it's 249.......if anything I should be heavier as I normally weigh in the morning when I'm empty, but today I weighed early evening.

More puzzling is that I normally stick to between 1500-1600 cals a day.....but the last 3 days have been terrible - I'm talking curry, cake, chocolate, roast dinner etc etc etc. I was expecting an small increase not a giant loss - it's not like at the start when it's water weight either. I don't know why it happens?

Puzzled!
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Replies

  • mandylgibbs
    mandylgibbs Posts: 185 Member
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    I can totally identify. Mine does that too! It is the CRAZIEST thing! I can't see any medical explanation for it. I just chalk it up as a mystery of the universe.
  • IndiaGuerita1983
    IndiaGuerita1983 Posts: 98 Member
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    Seriously?? I thought I was alone in my phenomenon!! I usually go two to three weeks without losing a single ounce and then BOOM: I lose 5-7 pounds. That's how my whole journey has been.

    It's fine...as long as I continue to lose...but I've always been curious as to why this happens.

    -Laura
  • TrefG
    TrefG Posts: 112 Member
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    Oops wrong section too. Doh....suppose it's a little success even if unexpected :laugh:
  • daniellegwilliam
    daniellegwilliam Posts: 122 Member
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    I know its strange, but you probably DO neat to eat more calories in a day. running also burns a whole lots of calories!!
  • daniellegwilliam
    daniellegwilliam Posts: 122 Member
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    and try your TDEE -20%

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/912920-in-place-of-a-road-map-3-2013
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,229 Member
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    Glycogen...
  • sweetpea03b
    sweetpea03b Posts: 1,124 Member
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    OK - I can relate. I have been on MFP for 3 months and lost 5#. Guess what? 3 of those # was directly following my vacation weekend where I did not exercise and drank LOTS of alcohol (although i did make mostly reasonable food decisions the rest of the day) and went over my normal 1500 calorie count... by alot.

    Which... makes no sense because isn't that how people get fat to begin with? Here I am back from my FL trip for 2 weeks and I haven't lost a # despite healthy eating habits, limited alcohol, and regular exercise.
  • AdrienneinTO
    AdrienneinTO Posts: 111 Member
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    I've noticed the same thing, a significant weight loss shortly after eating above my maintenance calories. I saved this link because it has a good scientific explanation:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Russellb97/view/leptin-feast-or-famine-the-truth-about-the-anti-starvation-hormone-185745

    Leptin is a hormone that regulates your metabolism. Eating less gradually slows your metabolism. Eating above your maintenance calories for just one day boosts your leptin levels, which boosts your metabolism.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
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    Increased metabolism for one day isn't going to burn through thousands of calories to cause a loss.
    Depleting glucose stores would just top back off again, and would be about max 3 lbs if you use ALL the glucose in ALL the muscles.

    Different effect.

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/of-whooshes-and-squishy-fat.html

    http://www.leangains.com/2010/01/how-to-deal-with-water-retention-part.html

    http://www.leangains.com/2010/01/how-to-deal-with-water-retention-part_28.html

    Carb refeed usually, or some good stiff drinks. Usually indicating you've been going in a very depleted state for some time.
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,229 Member
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    Increased metabolism for one day isn't going to burn through thousands of calories to cause a loss.
    Depleting glucose stores would just top back off again, and would be about max 3 lbs if you use ALL the glucose in ALL the muscles.

    Different effect.

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/of-whooshes-and-squishy-fat.html

    http://www.leangains.com/2010/01/how-to-deal-with-water-retention-part.html

    http://www.leangains.com/2010/01/how-to-deal-with-water-retention-part_28.html

    Carb refeed usually, or some good stiff drinks. Usually indicating you've been going in a very depleted state for some time.

    This is what I was thinking but didn't have the links to share. Thanks.
  • LibertyBelle89
    LibertyBelle89 Posts: 275
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    I've noticed the same thing, a significant weight loss shortly after eating above my maintenance calories. I saved this link because it has a good scientific explanation:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Russellb97/view/leptin-feast-or-famine-the-truth-about-the-anti-starvation-hormone-185745

    Leptin is a hormone that regulates your metabolism. Eating less gradually slows your metabolism. Eating above your maintenance calories for just one day boosts your leptin levels, which boosts your metabolism.

    thanks for this...gonna take a look at it!
  • AdrienneinTO
    AdrienneinTO Posts: 111 Member
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    Increased metabolism for one day isn't going to burn through thousands of calories to cause a loss.
    Depleting glucose stores would just top back off again, and would be about max 3 lbs if you use ALL the glucose in ALL the muscles.

    Different effect.

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/of-whooshes-and-squishy-fat.html

    http://www.leangains.com/2010/01/how-to-deal-with-water-retention-part.html

    http://www.leangains.com/2010/01/how-to-deal-with-water-retention-part_28.html

    Carb refeed usually, or some good stiff drinks. Usually indicating you've been going in a very depleted state for some time.

    Yes, you are correct. One day will not cause you to suddenly burn through that weight. Mine was a quick reply, and I wasn't thinking cause & effect, more of a long-term weight loss/maintenance strategy.

    One of my main pieces of advice to people is to eat a decent amount of healthy food, even (especially?) when trying to lose weight. I've seen too many people eat too little and fail to achieve their goals. I'm always searching for evidence to support the concept of eating well for health. It worked for me - I lost 40 lbs and have kept it off since Sept 2012.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
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    Yes, you are correct. One day will not cause you to suddenly burn through that weight. Mine was a quick reply, and I wasn't thinking cause & effect, more of a long-term weight loss/maintenance strategy.

    One of my main pieces of advice to people is to eat a decent amount of healthy food, even (especially?) when trying to lose weight. I've seen too many people eat too little and fail to achieve their goals. I'm always searching for evidence to support the concept of eating well for health. It worked for me - I lost 40 lbs and have kept it off since Sept 2012.

    And the best reason for following that great advice related to this topic - is less chance of that effect in the first place, besides the crazy amounts of water weight fluctuations.

    I guess the only positive to carrying around extra unneeded water weight is the fact your calorie burns for any movement will be higher moving more mass.
    Not a great reason to desire it though.
  • libelluler
    libelluler Posts: 31 Member
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    Wow. I thought I was the only one who did this. I will lose like 5 - 6 lbs in a week, sit at the same weight or fluctuate 1 - 2 lbs for 2-3 weeks, then drop again. It's frustrating too, but a mystery of the universe to me. :)
  • eep223
    eep223 Posts: 624 Member
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    "As folks get very lean, down to the last pounds of fat, the skin and fat cells that are left will often change appearance and texture. It will look dimply (as the fat cells which are supporting the skin shrink and the skin isn’t supported) and feel squishy to the touch. This is bad in that it looks really weird, but it’s good because it means that the fat is going away. I have nothing truly profound to say about this topic, just realizes that it happens and usually indicates good things are happening."

    Very interesting. I still have quite a bit to lose, but I feel like this has begun happening with me. Maybe I can expect another "whoosh" soon.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
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    bump to read later
  • TrefG
    TrefG Posts: 112 Member
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    Thanks for all the varied and interesting replies. I will read through the info some of you guys have kindly posted.

    Cheers

    Tref
  • lambchristie
    lambchristie Posts: 552 Member
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    bump (to follow convo later) thanks!
  • SarahSmilesCA
    SarahSmilesCA Posts: 261 Member
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    Increased metabolism for one day isn't going to burn through thousands of calories to cause a loss.
    Depleting glucose stores would just top back off again, and would be about max 3 lbs if you use ALL the glucose in ALL the muscles.

    Different effect.

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/of-whooshes-and-squishy-fat.html

    http://www.leangains.com/2010/01/how-to-deal-with-water-retention-part.html

    http://www.leangains.com/2010/01/how-to-deal-with-water-retention-part_28.html

    Carb refeed usually, or some good stiff drinks. Usually indicating you've been going in a very depleted state for some time.

    This...I refeed for this very reason, and often LOSE weight either right afterwards or a big loss the week afterwards. I took a break for a week, ate like a pig during that time (well ok, not crazy but above maintenance) came back to the gym and when I weighed int I had lost 2 lbs...was afraid it was muscle tissue but the caliber is not much different so I can only assume this was water/fat loss. I don't care I will take it.

    I lose in "wooshes" too...I think most people do.
  • yamsteroo
    yamsteroo Posts: 480 Member
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    "As folks get very lean, down to the last pounds of fat, the skin and fat cells that are left will often change appearance and texture. It will look dimply (as the fat cells which are supporting the skin shrink and the skin isn’t supported) and feel squishy to the touch. This is bad in that it looks really weird, but it’s good because it means that the fat is going away. I have nothing truly profound to say about this topic, just realizes that it happens and usually indicates good things are happening."

    Very interesting. I still have quite a bit to lose, but I feel like this has begun happening with me. Maybe I can expect another "whoosh" soon.

    My skin doesn't change appearance as such but I definitely know if I'm about to lose a lb or two after a couple of weeks of nothing as the texture feels .... weird. It feels really soft like risen bread dough if that makes sense lol

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