sick and losing ground

kk_140
kk_140 Posts: 518 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have a terrible cold that has knocked me on my butt. Sore throat, congestion, migraines, the works. And to add to my misery, weight gain? Yesterday and the day before all I have eaten is soup (140 calories total a day) and water (my usual 100oz or so). Spare me the "that is not enough food" conversation, I feel terrible.

Well anyway I have gained a little over a pound and the gain shows no sign of stopping. Does this happen to anyone else while sick? I know it is water weight, but damn how sucky is this? Miserable and gaining weight!

Replies

  • lucylousmummy
    lucylousmummy Posts: 348 Member
    i've got a stomach bug so i'm pretty sure i'm empty lol but put 1 lb on since yesterday morning, bearing in mind i only had 2 slices of toast with 2 eggs for dinner yesterday, god knows what thats all about
    hope your feeling better soon x
  • froggiebecky
    froggiebecky Posts: 24 Member
    I pretty much ignore anything that happens, weight-wise, when I'm sick. Eat and drink what you need, and don't worry about it. I figure that because I feel terrible, I'm not exactly fighting against eating two whole cakes or a case of beer.
    If your body's holding on to fluids, so what? It'll come right off again when you feel better.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    stop weighing yourself while you're ill!
  • steve0820
    steve0820 Posts: 510 Member
    Try and not stress about it. I was in a similar boat a couple of weeks ago. My wife, kids and myself for a nasty stomach virus and were throwing up a lot. Almost 5 days of no eating, was horrible. I lost 5lbs!! (i'm bulking, so this was a big set back, or so I thought)
    2 weeks later, i'm now back at my original weight and strength.

    Just threat it as a speed bump and not a derailment, you'll be fine :)
  • David_AUS
    David_AUS Posts: 298 Member
    Seems odd don't it. You are running a fever so you metabolism is slightly up than base. Your intake is lower because you cannot stomach food and you gain weight. Are you on any medication - if so you must run the course but if it is a viral infection without a secondary bacterial infection the antibiotics cannot target the actual virus.

    If nothing else I would recommend steam inhalations to clear out the air ways this reduces congestion, speeds recovery and lowers the chance of secondary infections and / or ear infections. If you can manage to lower your head of the steam it really helps!

    As you suggest your overall weight gain is likely fluid retention and "waste build-up". The body is putting its energies towards running that fever and has decided to ramp down the digestive track - keep your fluids up this will help your system flush out and reduce congestion. Chicken soup is the best for you when you have a cold.

    Don't worry about what your body weight is etc... - Your best bet is to give yourself the time out to heal and recover first - you can re-focus on your diet when you feel better and in the right frame of mind.

    As you start to feel better your systems will start to fire back up and the digestive tract kicks back in and you feel famished! As a guide for when you are starting to feel better eat some yogurt (if your stomach can handle it - natural or greek as you want the probiotics not the sugar); other than that stick to simple foods nothing with spice etc... avoid too much fatty food.
  • kk_140
    kk_140 Posts: 518 Member
    I'll have no problem avoiding fatty foods. All I've managed today is peppermints and water.
  • writergeek313
    writergeek313 Posts: 390 Member
    Eat what you're able to in order to maintain your strength, and keep staying hydrated. Beyond that, don't worry about anything besides getting better. Obviously you're not downing thousands of extra calories right now, so any weight gain/change you're seeing is just water weight. Things will sort themselves out when you've recovered and are back to your normal eating habits.

    I hope you feel better!
  • toronto_j
    toronto_j Posts: 206 Member
    Well, as you said, it's water weight, so it'll pass. Don't stress about it, just allow yourself to get better and nourish yourself in whatever way works for you.

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