Need some advice.

aebell22
aebell22 Posts: 2 Member
in Getting Started
I've been logging on consistently for 5 weeks now; I'm entering my 6th week. I've been losing about 2 lbs/week. However this week, I gained 1 lb., for all my effort it's a bit disheartening. I haven't changed my diet or exercise routine. Has this ever happened to anyone? Any suggestions on what I should do?

Replies

  • 1Cor1510
    1Cor1510 Posts: 413 Member
    Probably just water weight. Don't be discouraged, if you're consistantly eating at a deficit you WILL lose weight. I don't know anyone losing weight that doesn't have scale fluctuations. Be patient, you're doing remarkably well!
  • Shropshire1959
    Shropshire1959 Posts: 982 Member
    Weight loss is not linear..... go with the trend.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    I've been logging on consistently for 5 weeks now; I'm entering my 6th week. I've been losing about 2 lbs/week. However this week, I gained 1 lb., for all my effort it's a bit disheartening. I haven't changed my diet or exercise routine. Has this ever happened to anyone? Any suggestions on what I should do?

    That is not uncommon, especially at 4-6 weeks. It is just the water weight regulating itself. Sometimes you lose more water weight at the beginning and it takes a couple of weeks for your body to put it back on, and sometimes it puts a little more back on. Just keep doing what you are doing and you will see losses again soon.

    like Shropshire195 said, weight loss is not linear and you will have these times when the scale doesn't budge for a week or two. If you are doing everything like you should, it is just temporary.
  • aebell22
    aebell22 Posts: 2 Member
    Thank you for your responses!
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    keep on keeping on. Look at it on an overall basis. You've lost. Give yourself a high five. :)
  • StrawberryJam40
    StrawberryJam40 Posts: 274 Member
    I've been logging on consistently for 5 weeks now; I'm entering my 6th week. I've been losing about 2 lbs/week. However this week, I gained 1 lb., for all my effort it's a bit disheartening. I haven't changed my diet or exercise routine. Has this ever happened to anyone? Any suggestions on what I should do?

    I did 2 pounds a week for 3 weeks..then gained one pound a week for 2 weeks. I freaked. But, as everyone is saying...it isn't linear and it is going to happen. I've learned to look at the overall picture. At the same time I look forward to a new week, each week, a week at a time. Keep moving forward.

    Good luck. You can do this!
  • JeanieBean1074
    JeanieBean1074 Posts: 29
    I would say not to freak out, don't give up, an keep on keepin on :)
    If you plateau for a while then maybe you should start to look at your macros and/or maybe kick your exercise intensity up a notch. Don't be discouraged if your results come to a standstill it can't be permanent as long as you are continuing on the path of healthy eating and exercising.
    :flowerforyou:
  • ana3067
    ana3067 Posts: 5,623 Member
    1) Water weight
    2) Inaccurate logging
    3) eating far too little

    Personally, I would say change the weight loss goal to 1lb a week, as it will be more sustainable and help reduce any under-eating you've probably been doing. Also, drinking a lot of water (until urine is clear) helps with water weight for me.

    ETA: I don't rec using exercise as a weight loss tool. It's a fitness tool, perhaps body compositional tool if you lift weights. But if you are not losing weight, then it's much easier to control losses via a deficit with food. But since you're goal is set way too high (2lbs a week is more than 20% deficit for pretty much everyone - although initially more weight may be lost due to water weight), it will be a lot harder to create a larger deficit. Especially if you don't already eat back 50-75% of exercise cals.
  • shadowloss
    shadowloss Posts: 293 Member
    No worries, I'm in the same boat. I was doing awesome, kickin some fat butt! Then this week happened. I haven't changed my eating or exercise. But I've lost 10 lbs in 3 weeks I'm feeling pretty good about it.

    The other option is your scale my be broken? Pick it up and shake it about 100 times, like the new "Shaker weights" and then try it again. Worse case scenario, you have some stress relief and probably burned 100 calories? You may also need a new scale, so try at your own risk!
  • itsbasschick
    itsbasschick Posts: 1,584 Member
    always weigh yourself first thing in the morning after going to the bathrooms. eliminate some of the variables that may be affecting what you see on your scale - my workout clothes with shoes weigh 3 pounds, my jeans, shirt and boots weigh 9, so weigh yourself in the same undies or without clothes.

    also ignore your weight on days after a heavier sodium meal. you almost surely will be holding plenty of water weight.

    having an accurate scale is also important if you're keeping track. remember that most electronic scales will not show the correct weight after being moved even a tiny bit. you have to step on them a couple times, weigh yourself and let them turn off. after that, you should be able to get your correct weight. if you're not sure, weigh yourself 10 times in a row. on my scale, i always get the exact same weight to the tenth of a pound. if you don't, get a new scale.

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