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Did I REALLY Gain 12 Pounds In 2 Days?

PugBug20
PugBug20 Posts: 55
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi, all, I hope you enjoyed your holiday. I began my health and fitness journey in July, and as of Monday, I had lost almost 40 pounds. I had been good all holiday season (I didn’t over-indulge at holiday parties, I kept up with my exercise routine, and I even managed to lose 2 pounds since Thanksgiving), so I decided to enjoy myself on Christmas Eve and Christmas. Well, I went a little overboard (and by a little, I mean a lot), which was my first mistake. My second mistake was stepping on the scale this morning. To my horror, I weigh a whopping 12 pounds more than I had on Monday. Did I really gain 12 pounds, or is some of it water weight? I know I ate a lot (i.e., I completely gorged myself, which I am not proud of), but I didn’t think I ate that much. Any advice to give me peace of mind?
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Replies

  • funchords
    funchords Posts: 413 Member
    You can always go back to the mathematics ... 12 lbs of fat would be 3500 calories x 12 = 42000 extra calories. If you didn't eat 42000 extra calories, then it's not fat.
  • Juvenica
    Juvenica Posts: 460 Member
    Its normal to gain a bit during the holidays , nothing to stress yourself over , but 12 pounds in 2 days , I don't think so. once your colon cleanses you'll see that you probably didn't even gain half of that , so chill . But just keep in mind that losing weight ain't that easy , so lay low on the future couple of days, if u can. :) Merry Christmas !
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Maybe a couple of pounds, but mostly water retention. Just give it a couple of days.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    Naaaw I'm feeling ya xx I ate more in one day at Christmas than I have in a whole day in 3mths, plus we have a boatload of leftovers and cheescake in the fridge :( I'm too scared to weigh myself :s Give it a week or two and you'll be back to normal.
  • nosebag1212
    nosebag1212 Posts: 621 Member
    water weight/thread
  • pineapple_jojo
    pineapple_jojo Posts: 440 Member
    Nah, it's just water and sodium!
  • ketorach
    ketorach Posts: 430 Member
    Yes, it's definitely all fat. :wink:
  • So you think at least half of that is just water weight? I didn't eat anything that salty, though, mostly carbs and sweets, which is why I'm so concerned. I can live with gaining 5 pounds, but 12 is a major setback. I know it's my own fault, but I'm just freaking out.
  • ketorach
    ketorach Posts: 430 Member
    I'm sure it's mostly water weight and waste. It seems like you ate a high volume of food, which will take some time to, uh, clear from your system. Drink a lot of water. Weight again in a week.
  • dramaqueen45
    dramaqueen45 Posts: 1,009 Member
    I agree- drink lots of water, go back to eating at your deficit and wait a week to weigh again. I have been losing very slowly lately due to all the holiday parties and people bringing in sweets at work, and then yesterday I made fudge and cookies so those have been getting eaten (by me). I don't think it's possible to gain that much in 2 days. I'm hoping I just at least maintained this week with all of my holiday sweets being around.
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  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    Im astonished you have lost 40lbs and been dieting since July and this is your query. You still arent listening to what people are telling you or undestanding why.
  • PugBug20
    PugBug20 Posts: 55
    edited December 2014
    I'm back on track today and I feel so much better already. I don't know how I used to eat like that all the time! A few more questions:
    1. When do you think the scale will be accurate again and show the actual damage done and not water weight, undigested food, etc.?
    2. Is it possible that I'm so bloated (I literally look 6 months pregnant) because I ate a lot of refined carbs and full-fat dairy, which my body isn't used to anymore? Or should I blame it all on sodium?
    3. What can I do to reduce bloating? I plan on eating as "clean" as possible for the next week or so to help my body detox, but what else can I do?
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    PugBug20 wrote: »
    I'm back on track today and I feel so much better already. I don't know how I used to eat like that all the time! Two questions:
    1. When do you think the scale will be accurate again and show the actual damage done and not water weight, undigested food, etc.?
    2. Do you think I'm so bloated (I literally look 6 months pregnant) because I ate a lot of refined carbs and full-fat dairy, which my body isn't used to anymore? Or should I blame it all on sodium?

    Wait about 5 days and you'll have a good idea.
  • Aviva92
    Aviva92 Posts: 2,333 Member
    i'm thinking no, but wow, didn't realize someone could even gain 12 pounds of water weight. the most i've gained is maybe 2 pounds of water weight that quickly.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    edited December 2014
    I just weighed and I put on 4.2lbs in two days. Who knows if it's real or not!
  • Aviva92 wrote: »
    i'm thinking no, but wow, didn't realize someone could even gain 12 pounds of water weight. the most i've gained is maybe 2 pounds of water weight that quickly.
    I'm surprised, but not that surprised. I usually gain 3-4 pounds (including water weight) from just one cheat meal, so you can imagine what 2 full days of eating like garbage has done to me.
  • higgins8283801
    higgins8283801 Posts: 844 Member
    I put on 3lbs but it's tom next week. Lol so talk about me getting the holiday and tom whammy!

    It will probably go back to more normal in a few days.

  • mrsKOrtiz
    mrsKOrtiz Posts: 949 Member
    NO!!!!
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  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    MrM27 wrote: »
    I just weighed and I put on 4.2lbs in two days. Who knows if it's real or not!

    Math

    My least favourite subject :p

  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,488 Member
    Heck, I am away from home, eating like a pig, drinking like a fish, not logging, not weighing.
    This is an occasion, I will let it flow and weigh myself before new year ( on the 31st) when my body has stablished once more, then carry on that number, whatever it is, into next year.
    The couple of pounds that such a good time adds is really a drop in the ocean of life.
    Happy holidays, h.
  • mymodernbabylon
    mymodernbabylon Posts: 1,038 Member
    This is why one should NEVER weight themselves after a holiday. Give it a week, weight again (as long as you don't overeat the night before) and then you'll see more of the reality.
  • PugBug20
    PugBug20 Posts: 55
    edited December 2014
    I weighed myself again this morning at the same time I usually weigh myself (I shouldn't have, I know, I know, but I couldn't help it) and I'm still 5 pounds heavier than I was before Christmas. Is this the real damage, or could I still be hanging onto water weight? I got back on track yesterday and most of the bloat is gone, so shouldn't I be back to my normal weight by now? I just feel so disgusted with myself.
  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
    auntrhon66 wrote: »
    PugBug20 wrote: »
    I weighed myself again this morning at the same time I usually weigh myself (I shouldn't have, I know, I know, but I couldn't help it) and I'm still 5 pounds heavier than I was before Christmas. Is this the real damage, or could I still be hanging onto water weight? I got back on track yesterday and most of the bloat is gone, so shouldn't I be back to my normal weight by now? I just feel so disgusted with myself.

    Please stop with the pity party and move on...you DID NOT put on that much fat in a couple of days.

    This! Really, people told you to go on with life and give it a week or so, but you insist on getting on the scale every day and whine about the same thing! :#
  • LAWoman72
    LAWoman72 Posts: 2,846 Member
    PugBug20 wrote: »
    I weighed myself again this morning at the same time I usually weigh myself (I shouldn't have, I know, I know, but I couldn't help it) and I'm still 5 pounds heavier than I was before Christmas. Is this the real damage, or could I still be hanging onto water weight? I got back on track yesterday and most of the bloat is gone, so shouldn't I be back to my normal weight by now? I just feel so disgusted with myself.

    It's only been a couple of days. :) I would give it a couple more and then weigh again. Try not to worry. From here on out, you are moving forward. :)
  • johnnylakis
    johnnylakis Posts: 812 Member
    herrspoons wrote: »
    the rest is temporary water weight. You'll be back to where you were inside two weeks.
    correct

  • Cortneyrenee04
    Cortneyrenee04 Posts: 1,117 Member
    Wasn't Christmas just the other day...? Just wait to weigh in, or weigh yourself knowing that's not your true weight. It takes about a week for me to get back to normal after eating way more than normal on a holiday.
  • fatcity66
    fatcity66 Posts: 1,544 Member
    PugBug20 wrote: »
    Hi, all, I hope you enjoyed your holiday. I began my health and fitness journey in July, and as of Monday, I had lost almost 40 pounds. I had been good all holiday season (I didn’t over-indulge at holiday parties, I kept up with my exercise routine, and I even managed to lose 2 pounds since Thanksgiving), so I decided to enjoy myself on Christmas Eve and Christmas. Well, I went a little overboard (and by a little, I mean a lot), which was my first mistake. My second mistake was stepping on the scale this morning. To my horror, I weigh a whopping 12 pounds more than I had on Monday. Did I really gain 12 pounds, or is some of it water weight? I know I ate a lot (i.e., I completely gorged myself, which I am not proud of), but I didn’t think I ate that much. Any advice to give me peace of mind?

    Nope. Just drink lots of water and up your fiber. Have a couple of BMs and you'll lose most of it. LOL
    I gained about 3 lbs over the Christmas week, but I expect much of that is water retention, and just the extra food sitting in my colon. In actual fat, I doubt I gained more than a pound in the 2-3 days I overate. My weight has already started going down again.
  • missiontofitness
    missiontofitness Posts: 4,059 Member
    PugBug20 wrote: »
    Hi, all, I hope you enjoyed your holiday. I began my health and fitness journey in July, and as of Monday, I had lost almost 40 pounds. I had been good all holiday season (I didn’t over-indulge at holiday parties, I kept up with my exercise routine, and I even managed to lose 2 pounds since Thanksgiving), so I decided to enjoy myself on Christmas Eve and Christmas. Well, I went a little overboard (and by a little, I mean a lot), which was my first mistake. My second mistake was stepping on the scale this morning. To my horror, I weigh a whopping 12 pounds more than I had on Monday. Did I really gain 12 pounds, or is some of it water weight? I know I ate a lot (i.e., I completely gorged myself, which I am not proud of), but I didn’t think I ate that much. Any advice to give me peace of mind?

    Did you eat a calorie surplus of 42,000 calories?
    If not, it's mostly water weight.
    You need to factor in how much you ate both of those days. Food has weight to it, so when you consume it, that factors into your weight. You also need to factor in the bodily waste that is produced from that food after; that has weight to it too. You also should factor in that sodium probably is contributing to water retention as well. It's only two days out from Christmas. Allow your body a few days to rid itself of the retention and go through a few cycles of waste elimination, and try again in about a week or so. Just jump back on the wagon and continue where you left off before Christmas!
This discussion has been closed.