serious weight fluctuation questions
rlzwakenberg
Posts: 64 Member
So, my weight fluctuates a lot. I always weigh in the morning and naked. Always. After my first pee. Most accurate time so I've heard.
However, my weight, day to day, can fluctuate by 10lbs. I've heard 2-3 is normal and 5 is pushing it. Should I be concerned about a 10lb fluctuation. Up and down and I can never tell if I've genuinely lost weight.
?????
However, my weight, day to day, can fluctuate by 10lbs. I've heard 2-3 is normal and 5 is pushing it. Should I be concerned about a 10lb fluctuation. Up and down and I can never tell if I've genuinely lost weight.
?????
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Replies
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Just weigh in once a week. Don't use the scale as the only measurement of success. Take all your measurements including your body fat percentage. Take pictures in a bathing suit or tight work out clothes. These are not for publishing, but for your peace of mind. The scale has so many things that effect it, that I wouldn't put alot of stock in what it says. For example, if you are working out with weights and trying to tone your body, you will gain muscle. A pound is a pound, but muscle take up less space. Your measurement will improve and your clothes will be looser, but the scale may stay the same or even go up.
Don't only trust your scale.0 -
I will weight 4-8 lbs more at the end of the day than the morning. Its normal.0
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I will weight 4-8 lbs more at the end of the day than the morning. Its normal.
But what I'm saying is I'm not weighing throughout the day. We're talking 257lbs at 6:00am one day and 242lbs the next day at 6:00am. I know through the day food and water can weigh you down. That's why I only weigh in the mornings.0 -
I will weight 4-8 lbs more at the end of the day than the morning. Its normal.
But what I'm saying is I'm not weighing throughout the day. We're talking 257lbs at 6:00am one day and 242lbs the next day at 6:00am. I know through the day food and water can weigh you down. That's why I only weigh in the mornings.
The day before a higher number are you eating a lot more sodium? Is there some other food you have the day before that you could cause water retention?0 -
Is your scale on the same surface everyday? You will weigh differently on a hard suface than you will if your scale is on a carpet.0
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Have you double-checked that your scale is calibrated properly?0
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I will weight 4-8 lbs more at the end of the day than the morning. Its normal.
But what I'm saying is I'm not weighing throughout the day. We're talking 257lbs at 6:00am one day and 242lbs the next day at 6:00am. I know through the day food and water can weigh you down. That's why I only weigh in the mornings.
The day before a higher number are you eating a lot more sodium? Is there some other food you have the day before that you could cause water retention?
To be honest, I'm not entirely sure. I've been trying to get used to jsut counting calories before I add in macro counting as well. It's a little over whelming.
Would water weight account for that level of fluctuation?0 -
Is your scale on the same surface everyday? You will weigh differently on a hard suface than you will if your scale is on a carpet.
Yes same exact spot everyday. And I've weighed myself 4 times in a row and got consistent results, so I assume it's calibrated fine. Even had my fiancee do the same thing and he gets the correct numbers as well.0 -
I agree that looking only to the scale for progress isn't the best approach - there are plenty of non-scale indicators, too.
However, I disagree that one should only weigh in once per week or some other arbitrary metric that is right for everyone. I think what works will depend on how you react to the scale. I personally like to weigh in every day -- seeing how wildly my weight can fluctuate day to day lessened its impact when I was starting out -- now I don't have much more than a wry smile when I see 4 lbs gone or 4lbs added overnight. For others, seeing those fluctuations is heartbreaking and adds much more stress on a daily basis.
Maybe experiment with everyday, then once a week, then at random days? Find what works for you if the daily fluctuations are causing unneeded stress or distractions.
As for 10 lb fluctuations -- seems high, but I know women often experience greater swings. Still seems high, but I am not sure I'd be "worried" per se. Are you drinking a fair bit of alcohol and getting really dehydrated some days? Or really wildly different sodium intake levels day to day? That much movement really has to be tied to water weight shed and gained, I would think.0 -
We're talking 257lbs at 6:00am one day and 242lbs the next day at 6:00am.
15 lbs? That seems pretty extreme. That's almost 6% of your body weight in 24 hours. Seems extreme to me but I am no expert by any stretch. Wish I had more to offer. :flowerforyou:0 -
We're talking 257lbs at 6:00am one day and 242lbs the next day at 6:00am.
15 lbs? That seems pretty extreme. That's almost 6% of your body weight in 24 hours. Seems extreme to me but I am no expert by any stretch. Wish I had more to offer. :flowerforyou:
That level of change only happened once. it's usually 10lbs or under. But it does fluctuate a good bit0 -
How long has the scale been fluctuating like this? I don't have any reason behind it, because that's a lot even for water weight, and it couldn't possibly be fat at that rate.
Try having your husband weigh himself for a couple days (rather than just the once), if this seems to be an everyday occurrence. If it's both of you, there's something wrong with your scale.0 -
How long has the scale been fluctuating like this? I don't have any reason behind it, because that's a lot even for water weight, and it couldn't possibly be fat at that rate.
Try having your husband weigh himself for a couple days (rather than just the once), if this seems to be an everyday occurrence. If it's both of you, there's something wrong with your scale.
It's a brand new scale. Only a few months old. My weight fluctuates like this and did even with my old scale. I really don't think it's the scale itself. Could be though, I don't know.0 -
I am going to guess that much difference could be either the scale needs new batteries or perhaps replaced. I have certain foods even if they are in my calorie limit for the day will give me a uptick on the scale due to sodium and water retention...every time.
I agree with the good advice to use more than just the scale to measure and track your success.
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Haven't read all the answers so forgive me if I am repeating anything. What kind of scale do you have? Could be defective, need batteries etc. Also, be sure if you are going to weigh every morning put the scale in the exact same place.
I do however advise against weighing every day, that shish will make you crazy. Also, rely more on how you feel, how your clothes fit, progress pictures, and measurements before a number on a scale (that sounds as if it may be posessed btw
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Hope this helps you in some way, have a swell afternoon!:flowerforyou:0 -
How long has the scale been fluctuating like this? I don't have any reason behind it, because that's a lot even for water weight, and it couldn't possibly be fat at that rate.
Try having your husband weigh himself for a couple days (rather than just the once), if this seems to be an everyday occurrence. If it's both of you, there's something wrong with your scale.
It's a brand new scale. Only a few months old. My weight fluctuates like this and did even with my old scale. I really don't think it's the scale itself. Could be though, I don't know.
Just caught this, if it is only a few months old maybe look into if it has a warranty. Cause this does not seem right at all. LOL! Noticed that your S/O has helped you try to calibrate it. Maybe have him weigh in every day at the exact same time as you and see if it fluctuates for him. IDK, this has me stumped. Not that I pretend to know it all or anything, just seems a bit extreme.0 -
Sleep, stress, water, exercise, hormones, salt, carbs, all can affect your weight.
Make yourself an Excel spreadsheet and track your weight. Or use the Reports here. Weight loss is NOT linear for anyone. Just keep doing the right things most of the time, and believe.0 -
Sleep, stress, water, exercise, hormones, salt, carbs, all can affect your weight.
yep all of the above was what I was going to say ^^
The time of the month can impact on your weight too - track the number and you may see a pattern emerge. I am always lighter two days before TOM.
Things that have made me weigh heavier in the past - too much sodium, sunburn (random but my entire legs were burned to a crisp!), heat wave, DOMS0 -
Sleep, stress, water, exercise, hormones, salt, carbs, all can affect your weight.
yep all of the above was what I was going to say ^^
The time of the month can impact on your weight too - track the number and you may see a pattern emerge. I am always lighter two days before TOM.
Things that have made me weigh heavier in the past - too much sodium, sunburn (random but my entire legs were burned to a crisp!), heat wave, DOMS
yup. Any illness that involves inflammation or infection will lead to water gains. The body retains fluid to aid healing.0 -
my weight fluctuates bet. 2 to 5 lbs. not including after a re feed. I do weigh myself everyday and then average it after every two weeks to see if my adjustment for that fortnight did some fat burning or not. I agree with using the reports on here to see your weight graph, it will show you how your weight gets affected depending on what you did that day. If it only happened once i wouldnt worry about it. Like others said plenty of things to measure progress, have your bodyfat percentage measured to see if your composition is changing, it could me muscle mass gain, it could be anything really, it wont be just fat gain though i doubt it.0
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Fluctuating by 10 lbs in a day is totally normal. I retain a LOT of water, and I have had days where I will weigh 8-10 lbs heavier at different times of the day if my body decides to retain water.
People actually don't believe me when I tell them this, but I've measured on different scales & at the gym. It's just how my body is. I only track my weight once a month, even though I weigh myself every morning, I don't keep a record of it because it fluctuates so much.0 -
I weigh multiple times a day. Mornings, after a potty break, before my shower.... I see up to 10lb differences regularly and have found first thing after going in the am is not the lowest average for my weight in a day. I know a lot of people can't even handle once a day on the scale, but weighing multiple times a day has really helped me not worry so much about what the scale says.
Since I started weight training, it's almost seems as if my weight loss stopped going by the scale. I'll stay in the same 10lb range for what seems like forever, often 2 months. Thankfully, I started long enough ago that I've got so much data available now to see that isn't really true. I'll hover in a 10lb range for a couple months, like now at 195lb-205lb. No matter what time of day, what I'm wearing, what I've eaten, I'm going to fall in there somewhere. After a month or so at TOM I'll even go up as much as another 5lb, then about 3-4 days after I'll have a whuoomp down. Then I'll get to do it all over again for a couple months bouncing around 190lb-200lb.
My clothes continue to get looser, my measurements continue to go down and my long-term reports show a downward trend. Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about what the scale says.0 -
Sounds like you could be holding onto ALOT of water weight.
How much water are you actually drinking?
If I was you..........I was make water your best friend for the next few days and see if anything changes on the scales!
Maybe high sodium foods in your diet... If you eat them of course!0 -
If she were weighing in the evening, or throughout the day, the 10 pounds wouldn't be unusual. She's weighing herself in the morning though, right after getting up and before breakfast. Her weight shouldn't be fluctuating that much day to day when she's weighing right away in the morning. There aren't as many variables then, such as if she had a big lunch or dinner since she's had time to digest.
The most I've heard of just plain water weight fluctuations (again, taking into account that she weighs in the morning only, not throughout the day) is a few pounds. I don't have any sort of explanation for it, but it just seems surprising. While it's probably not a concern, it would be an interesting thing to ask a doctor or nutritionist about.0 -
I found my weight fluctuations (+3lbs in a day) to be really demoralising at first. Now, I agree with other posters; I also judge by clothes and how I feel. Overall, if I'm eating at or below my calories and exercising in addition, I know I'm not putting weight on, despite what the scales tell me! Keep your chin up even when the scales are being brutal. Just keep going and your hard work will show. Good luck x0
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From a guy with over a year's worth of daily weigh ins I would seriously suspect the scales. I started @ 257. The largest single change I have ever seen (first thing, naked) was 6 pounds and that was only one time after a super high sodium day. 2-4 pounds is a normal variance for me. for about $30 check out EatSmart scales on Amazon or at the very least check your scales against a doctors or at a gym. Weight right before leaving the house wearing the same clothes you will weigh in and don't eat, drink or pee on your way there.0
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It's probably glycogen depletion and replenishment. If you eat different amounts of carbs on different days, or exercise more on some days this will effect glycogen levels. Link to a nice explanation as to what is going on here.
http://justinowings.com/understanding-bodyweight-and-glycogen-de/0 -
Maybe change your batteries ??0
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