Sometimes weight loss makes no sense

Francl27
Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Seriously... I don't get it!

I had a 2 months plateau. The month before, I lost 2 pounds. I didn't change anything in my diet and exercise (if anything, started working out a bit more) and just stopped losing. I should have lost 4 pounds in that time, but somehow didn't (I haven't got a period in 3 months, might not help, I don't know). Yes I went over quite a bit, but the month before that I was going over just as much and still lost 2 pounds.

Then I increased my calories, I figured I'm close to maintenance anyway and maybe increasing my calories by 100 would stop my binges. I still had two bad days in the last week, when I went over by 1500 or more.

I lost two pounds this week... One pound overnight!

It makes no sense. I know I tend to stall for 2-3 weeks then lose a couple pounds in a week, so that's not new, but I don't understand why increasing my calories and having two cheat days made me break that plateau (I think my deficit is 300ish calories?). Yes, I bought a stationary bike 3 weeks ago and I've been using it every day, but it's often replacing my 3 miles walk, and even if it's not, I can't see how it would make up for the extra calories from my binges (I do 20-60 minutes at 13/14 mph - I love that thing and should have bought one ages ago!).

Moral of the story... a bad day is not the end of the world.

Replies

  • _KitKat_
    _KitKat_ Posts: 1,066 Member
    Great moral :flowerforyou:

    If you really are asking or for anyone reading, weight fluctuates especially for women. Sodium intake, water retention from working out, hormones and a woman's cycle are just some causes. Plus food and liquids in your system. I weight 2 lbs more every night and have a range of 4lbs. I have even heard of some having a 10lb range.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    Are you pregnant?




    lol, just sayin'.....

    But yeah, moral of the story: weight loss isn't linear and a "bad" calorie day isn't the end of the world.
  • aliakynes
    aliakynes Posts: 352 Member
    Yay for more calories. :flowerforyou:
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Are you pregnant?

    Nope!
  • ravenmiss
    ravenmiss Posts: 384 Member
    Thanks, I needed to read this just now. I've been working so very hard at this for 2 months now and "only" lost 6lb this is despite setting MFP to lose 1lb a week (I honestly get far too hungry eating any less). Today I'd gained 1.6lb despite being an absolute angel the past 2 weeks, I can't work it out but I have also worked out loads as well eating back 50-75% of those calories. It threw me off but I did well and went walk a long hard walk with my bf.

    Then I come home and burn tonight's meal, we have ordered takeaway - sensible choices but still I have gone way over for today. In the past though I'd have been upset from the scale weigh in this morning.

    I feel like weighing every 2-3 weeks now because I can get easily defeated if I see a gain :(
  • Eddygogo
    Eddygogo Posts: 23 Member
    water weight, that is all. to reiterate, people tend to fluctuate their water weight on a daily basis. I am assuming you weighed it every 2 weeks or so as opposed to daily, if thats the case chances are you retained a bit of water right before your second weigh-in and then as your last weigh-in you probably already had it out of your system by then.
  • Everburg16
    Everburg16 Posts: 101
    Are you on birth control or anything to prevent you from having periods? Not having a period for 3 months if you're not doing anything to stop it is not normal. You may want to make an appointment with your Doctor and make sure everything is OK.
  • elliej
    elliej Posts: 466 Member
    I'd say the big thing to remember is that you didn't 'gain' 5lb overnight, or 'lose' 3lb one day to the next - our weights are just not made like that. It's about long term goals, results and patterns - you're slowly losing the weight, thus your weight loss program is working! Congrats!

    It's easy to want quick results and clockwork pound sheddage, it's what the whole diet industry feeds off (if you'll pardon the pun). Be proud of your achievements, don't sweat the bad days - after all are you never going to eat cake on your birthday again etc. It's about changing your over all health and lifestyle. Big picture and all that.

    That said, as mentioned above, the periods thing is not normal - consult a doctor
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    Are you on birth control? How long has it been since your last period?
  • Kenazwa
    Kenazwa Posts: 278 Member
    It really is mysterious sometimes. I recently read about a study that showed what people believed about the food they were given plays a part in weight loss also. I can't remember the details, but the gist of it is that people who were given more calories than they were told actually lost weight as though they really were at the calorie deficit they believed.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    Malnutrition can lead to no periods.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    Good I'm glad you are back on track. This might be one of those times that ingnorance is bliss. Dont question the weight loss, just TAKE IT! Congrats so far wishing you continued success!:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    water weight, that is all. to reiterate, people tend to fluctuate their water weight on a daily basis. I am assuming you weighed it every 2 weeks or so as opposed to daily, if thats the case chances are you retained a bit of water right before your second weigh-in and then as your last weigh-in you probably already had it out of your system by then.

    I weigh daily actually... I've actually lost 4 pounds since last Sunday!
    Are you on birth control or anything to prevent you from having periods? Not having a period for 3 months if you're not doing anything to stop it is not normal. You may want to make an appointment with your Doctor and make sure everything is OK.

    No. I mentioned it to the (not so great) GYN a few months ago after I skipped a period, she didn't seem worried at all. I'm still bleeding occasionally though, I wonder if it's not VERY light periods or something. I'm due for bloodwork in a couple months anyway so we'll see.
    Malnutrition can lead to no periods.

    I highly doubt that I'm malnurished, lol.
  • aliakynes
    aliakynes Posts: 352 Member
    When I first started exercising a lot, I had a period every 90 days. It's not uncommon. It eventually returned to normal.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    that's happened to me as well....welcome to the woosh...

    extra exercise = water retention
    Stress = water retention

    The increase in calories could have helped relieve stress...no worries etc.

    I have also heard people mention refeeds etc helping them as well, I am not familiar with that tho...just mention it as I have seen it referenced.

    ETA: as for missing your period stress can do that...you just had wisdom teeth out as well if I remember correctly which could have added to the stress etc..

    My BC stops mine totally so I can't comment on missing/losing mine.
  • Aaron_K123
    Aaron_K123 Posts: 7,122 Member
    Lack of periods can be caused by low iron. You can eat a lot caloricaly and still be malnourished based on what you eat. Have you had your iron levels checked recently? You might be severely anemic.

    Anemia. low iron, is very common unfortunately especially in women and definitely if you avoid red meat.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    Lack of periods can be caused by low iron. You can eat a lot caloricaly and still be malnourished based on what you eat. Have you had your iron levels checked recently? You might be severely anemic.

    Anemia. low iron, is very common unfortunately especially in women and definitely if you avoid red meat.

    Yup and so can a women's ToM...

    Then on the reverse you can get hemochrmomatosis when they stop...

    but when you are anemic you have no energy..I know as I swing to both extremes...anemic due to ToM...no energy, tired, sleep all the time and so therefore no exercise...to the opposite end of high iron where you have to give blood every week for a month then once a month till they level out...or you can damage your liver...
  • itsadogslife
    itsadogslife Posts: 209
    Great moral :flowerforyou:

    If you really are asking or for anyone reading, weight fluctuates especially for women. Sodium intake, water retention from working out, hormones and a woman's cycle are just some causes. Plus food and liquids in your system. I weight 2 lbs more every night and have a range of 4lbs. I have even heard of some having a 10lb range.

    When I'm about to get my period, and for the entire week, I go up 10lbs +/-. The rest of the time I fluctuate 2lbs up or down. I don't consider 2 lbs weight loss because it could be sodium, water, maybe you didn't go to the loo at the same time that day etc etc.. water retention in your muscles frmo a particularly epic workout..
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I used to have anemia before I changed my diet. I haven't got it tested lately (bloodwork in a couple months). I eat red meat... just not that often I guess. I suppose I'll start taking my multi-vitamins with iron again. I haven't been especially tired or anything though... so who knows.

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