One day scale reads a loss then next a gain

FastFoodFanatic
FastFoodFanatic Posts: 11
in Health and Weight Loss
I am struggling right now, I have given up all take out and junk food. I exercise 4-6 times a week and I've only lost 5 pounds.

I eat less than half what I used to and keep track in this app.

Feeling frustrated!

Replies

  • vismal
    vismal Posts: 2,463 Member
    Day to day fluctuations in weight are normal and basically meaningless. Your weight is affected by so many different things (sodium, food in your belly, glycogen, hydration, etc). For this reason try not to pay any attention to day to day changes. Try weighing yourself and taking weekly averages. Compare the averages over the course of the month. There should be a downward trend. How long have you been using MFP?
  • FastFoodFanatic
    FastFoodFanatic Posts: 11
    I've only been using it for a couple weeks. I seen a huge drop at first but then went back up! It is just frustrating, kicking my a** at the gym everyday and gaining 3 pounds!

    I am going to stop weighing each day. It was just nice to see it go down at first.

    I am not giving up, just frustrated.
  • Cortneyrenee04
    Cortneyrenee04 Posts: 1,117 Member
    Not a true gain :) good idea not to weigh every day until/unless you can handle the fluctuations.
  • FastFoodFanatic
    FastFoodFanatic Posts: 11
    Apparently I can't! :)

    Thanks!
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    Everyone goes up and down all the time. Get used to it. :)
  • SingRunTing
    SingRunTing Posts: 2,604 Member
    Weight fluctuates. That's just part of the deal.

    What matters is the overall trend. You can't see a trend in a few days. It takes weeks (plural) and months to see a trend.

    Solution: stick to your plan and be patient. Only after you have a few weeks to a month under your belt should you consider if your plan is working.
  • fobs13
    fobs13 Posts: 1,080 Member
    Try to not weigh yourself too often. I used to weigh daily but not limit it to 2 times a week but only log weight loss weekly.
  • MomTo3Lovez
    MomTo3Lovez Posts: 800 Member
    Don't weigh yourself everyday it'll drive you crazy as weight does go back and forth. Also if you are new to exercise or have changed your routine at all you are more then likely holding onto some water that will come off in a few weeks. Good luck!
  • stacyjh1979
    stacyjh1979 Posts: 188 Member
    You'll probably be able to better handle fluctuations after you've been at it a while. Fluctuations are normal and it can be hard not to get too excited over a "loss" or too disappointed about a "gain" but to look at the trend over time. Keeping track of my weight daily but averaging it shows me that I've lost on average 1.33lbs/week but by no means did I go down by 0.19/day...know what I mean? Some weeks I stayed the same or "gained" and then other weeks I had larger losses. I like to weigh daily because it has really taught me a lot about how my body loses weight, there is a definite pattern. For example the weekend of the 4th and 5th my weight got down to 184 then on Monday the 6th is was 184.5, during most of last week it was 185-185.5 then by Sunday I was down to 183 and today 182...now I know I'm likely to fluctuate from 182-184ish all this week and it will likely be another 7-10 days before I'll hit a new low weight. It's actually helpful kind of knowing what to expect. Hang in there, it will come off if you keep at it. Feel free to add me if you'd like.
  • FastFoodFanatic
    FastFoodFanatic Posts: 11
    Thanks everyone! Wow, this app is the best! It is good to know this happens to everyone! I am finally doing this the "healthy" way! I will giver beans again this week and hopefully see some positive results!

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