Do not understand Weight Fluctuations

Dhathri
Dhathri Posts: 323 Member
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I have been member since October 2010. However, I started actively participating in MFP since Dec 1st 2010. In the first week, I started logging what I ate. Slowly in the second week, I started exercising. The weight was 197.2 Lbs until yesterday. Starting yesterday I included elliptical for 110 min and walking for 15 min. I measured my weight today and its back to 199.2Lbs.

I am going to continue exercise and watch my diet. . I do not understand the weight fluctuation. May be I am missing something. Can you please clarify?

Replies

  • doublexhelix
    doublexhelix Posts: 199 Member
    yeah it's generally not something you're doing. your weight just naturally fluctuates, with all the food and stuff going in and out, it would be pretty weird if our weight stayed the exact same from day to day! if you eat too much sodium, for example, your body will hold onto extra water in order to maintain the same concentration of sodium. the body wants to try to keep the intracellular conditions as constant as possible! but yes, do keep doing what you're doing and over time you will see it come off.

    for example, last week i only went over my calories once (but it was pretty damn bad, dang parties!) but the rest of the week, while i ate within my calorie limit or under, i wasn't eating the most healthy of foods. so last week i started monday at about 183.2, went up to 184.4 and leveled out at 184.0. i thought it would be a result of eating over my calories that one day AND all the excess sodium, so as i drank more water and stuff i went back down to 183.4. However, I weighed myself today and i was 181.8! the lowest i've seen it!!!!! though i will take note of it, i am not going to log it. i do like weighing myself daily to see the fluctuations and remind myself of my goals, but i only log it on mondays, so i can see the overall trends.

    make sense? i hope so :D
  • iplayoutside19
    iplayoutside19 Posts: 2,304 Member
    Don't worry about 1 or 2 pounds every 24 hours. You're looking for a downward trend.

    Especially after you've excersised more than you usually do.

    Be Patient.
  • KatWood
    KatWood Posts: 1,135 Member
    You weight can naturally fluctuate by 5lbs so don't weight yourself daily; weekly or monthly is sufficient.
    Starting an execise routine can initially cause water retention which will show as a weight gain. It is temporary. Stick with it and you will get the results you want.
  • championnfl
    championnfl Posts: 324 Member
    Fat is less dense then muscle/toning. Most times when starting exercising you gain some weight, your losing you just don't see it yet! How do your clothes fit? How do you look in the mirror? Taking measurements? The scale can be a negative factor when losing weight. Try putting the scale away for a month and keep doing what your doing and will start to see results in 30 days! You 1st lose weight mentally and physically later. Don't let the scale derail everything your doing because it isn't always a true indication of a healthy lifestyle change.:wink:
  • ProTFitness
    ProTFitness Posts: 1,379 Member
    Watch what foods your are eating! 1-2 lbs is normal fluctuation is normal it can be more during that time of the month. PEOPLE IT DOES TAKE TIME AND BEING CONSITAN! Make sure your eating a good breakfest and 3/4 of your calories before dinner! Eat 4-6 times a day depending on your schedule. Main meals should be 300-400 calories if not more depending on your calorie needs. All this falls into play. CONSITANCY IS THE KEY! Eating about the same times everyday and every 3-4 hours. Meals and snacks should contain healthy fats, lean protien and complex carbs
  • turbojanem
    turbojanem Posts: 285
    2 hours of exercising is a LOT of stress on a body. yes, those on the Biggest Loser do it. but that is all they do: eat, exercise, get massages, sleep on special beds, use c-pap machines...and i'm sure many other behind the scenes stuff. that is their job/focus/only function while they are on the ranch...to lose weight. they don't even have time for family. and they have trainers making the most of every minute of their exercise.

    yes, movement is good. it is needed. Cardio is good for the heart/body and to burn calories. but, referring back to BL, the body needs more than cardio. you must do light weight lifting/sculpting a few times a week to get your metabolism to burn 24 hours a day. you don't have to pump iron with the big guys at the locally owned gym. i use nothing more than 10 pounds at this time. and have NEVER had bis and tris like i do today.

    the scales. they will go up and down for various reasons: salt/processed foods/eating out/stress/lack of water/restricting your calories/not getting enough variety in your eating plan/not sleeping enough.

    there isn't anything magical about losing weight....each individual has to find what works for them. let me know if i can help you find your pattern that will work for you.

    cheering you on!
    Jane
  • jimmydeanbakker
    jimmydeanbakker Posts: 333
    Don't pay any attention to that scale. If you're counting your calories, exercising, and you don't go over your calorie count, you'll lose weight. Your weight fluctuates back and forth all the time, so don't get frustrated because the scale doesn't read the way you want it to. Your friends and family will start telling you when you start to lose weight. They'll notice it in your face first. When you start losing weight, the first thing to go is that excess water weight. Once you get rid of the extra water, you'll start to see the real pounds leave your body.
  • Dhathri
    Dhathri Posts: 323 Member
    Thank you for all your inputs. I will certainly keep going with diet and workout. Will log weight once a week.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories