why am i so sensitive?

I lost 28 lbs last year with a deficit at about 1700 calories.
I now eat 1200-1400 calories per day, and if i stay true to this, i do lose a pound every week/week and a half.
BUT if i go over by 200-400 calories one day, the next day my scale puts me a pound or two up and it takes me SO long to lose it, pretty much a full week. this has slowed down my progress WAY longer than it should have. i never had this issue when i lost the first 28lbs. i used to have frequent cheat days when i lost that weight.
anyone else have this issue?

Replies

Ninkyou

Your deficit has become smaller and your body requires less calories without that extra 28 lbs. Which means going over (though it's not true weight gain) will make your deficit even smaller and even the slightest increase will replenish your glycogen. But it's all temporary.

peopletalk

so basically don't go over at all, if i want to keep this going strong.

ncboiler89

peopletalk wrote: »

so basically don't go over at all, if i want to keep this going strong.

Going over by 100 - 200 calories in one day will not show up on the scale. 200 calories is about 0.06 pounds.

peopletalk

ncboiler89 wrote: »

peopletalk wrote: »

so basically don't go over at all, if i want to keep this going strong.

Going over by 100 - 200 calories in one day will not show up on the scale. 200 calories is about 0.06 pounds.

it honestly does. i think partially due to sodium intake or bloating, but it takes like a full week to get rid of it.
like the title implies, i'm super sensitive when it comes to the scale it seems

Ninkyou

You'd have to eat over your maintenance to actually see true weight gain.

The gains you are seeing are temporary glycogen replenishments and higher sodium and carbs, etc.

I'm just saying your deficit is smaller so going over will make your deficit smaller or make you stay closer to maintenance.

Sued0nim

Weight loss isn't linear

Scale weight isn't linear

If you map over 6-8 weeks you can see your average loss but you cannot judge day by day

You do have to be more accurate with your calorie counting as you get closer to goal but should aim for half a pound a week

And don't sweat minor scale fluctuations they come and they go ...I'm personally up 4lbs on last week's weight due to exercise induced DOMS and my period being due

Please don't get overly obsessed

There are apps that give you a trend line ..like happyscale or libra

I use trendweight because it links to my fitbit

See? Fluctuations a-go-go

cwolfman13

peopletalk wrote: »

ncboiler89 wrote: »

peopletalk wrote: »

so basically don't go over at all, if i want to keep this going strong.

Going over by 100 - 200 calories in one day will not show up on the scale. 200 calories is about 0.06 pounds.

it honestly does. i think partially due to sodium intake or bloating, but it takes like a full week to get rid of it.
like the title implies, i'm super sensitive when it comes to the scale it seems

Because you have natural fluctuations in weight anyways...and the smaller you are, the more these fluctuations show up in general. When you go over and eat a little more, you're going to retain a bit more water to metabolize those calories...you're also going to top off some glycogen and you will have more inherent waste in your system. All of that shows up on the scale. The number on the scale isn't just fat.

ncboiler89

peopletalk wrote: »

ncboiler89 wrote: »

peopletalk wrote: »

so basically don't go over at all, if i want to keep this going strong.

Going over by 100 - 200 calories in one day will not show up on the scale. 200 calories is about 0.06 pounds.

it honestly does. i think partially due to sodium intake or bloating, but it takes like a full week to get rid of it.
like the title implies, i'm super sensitive when it comes to the scale it seems

That may be but that's not because of calories. As you say, it might be due to sodium. Going over by 100 - 200 calories is nothing and it doesn't matter who you are. There are many other thing's involved including your ability, and people in general, to memory bank the negatives.

jemhh

peopletalk wrote: »

ncboiler89 wrote: »

peopletalk wrote: »

so basically don't go over at all, if i want to keep this going strong.

Going over by 100 - 200 calories in one day will not show up on the scale. 200 calories is about 0.06 pounds.

it honestly does. i think partially due to sodium intake or bloating, but it takes like a full week to get rid of it.
like the title implies, i'm super sensitive when it comes to the scale it seems

If you eat excess sodium or carbs or a combo, it is completely normal to see a bit of a spike and it can take awhile for it to come off. But that's just water weight.

BigLifter10

cwolfman13 wrote: »

peopletalk wrote: »

ncboiler89 wrote: »

peopletalk wrote: »

so basically don't go over at all, if i want to keep this going strong.

Going over by 100 - 200 calories in one day will not show up on the scale. 200 calories is about 0.06 pounds.

it honestly does. i think partially due to sodium intake or bloating, but it takes like a full week to get rid of it.
like the title implies, i'm super sensitive when it comes to the scale it seems

Because you have natural fluctuations in weight anyways...and the smaller you are, the more these fluctuations show up in general. When you go over and eat a little more, you're going to retain a bit more water to metabolize those calories...you're also going to top off some glycogen and you will have more inherent waste in your system. All of that shows up on the scale. The number on the scale isn't just fat.

SO true. Frustration being almost at goal, then EVERYTHING you eat just appears again - particularly if you eat too much or there is too much sodium, etc. I compensate by a little change up in cardio, drink more water and/or don't pig out too much (I pay dearly when I do). Love that...more inherent waste. Yep.

peopletalk

rabbitjb wrote: »

Weight loss isn't linear

Scale weight isn't linear

If you map over 6-8 weeks you can see your average loss but you cannot judge day by day

You do have to be more accurate with your calorie counting as you get closer to goal but should aim for half a pound a week

And don't sweat minor scale fluctuations they come and they go ...I'm personally up 4lbs on last week's weight due to exercise induced DOMS and my period being due

Please don't get overly obsessed

There are apps that give you a trend line ..like happyscale or libra

I use trendweight because it links to my fitbit

See? Fluctuations a-go-go

thank you for showing me this. this made me feel so much better. i am getting a little obsessed, and i'm starting to weigh myself like 2-4 times a day to see the fluctuations.

peopletalk

thank you so much everyone for the replies. i was getting frustrated with these fluctuations but you're right, it's completely normal. i knew this. i think i just needed some sense talked back into me.

Ninkyou

peopletalk wrote: »

rabbitjb wrote: »

Weight loss isn't linear

Scale weight isn't linear

If you map over 6-8 weeks you can see your average loss but you cannot judge day by day

You do have to be more accurate with your calorie counting as you get closer to goal but should aim for half a pound a week

And don't sweat minor scale fluctuations they come and they go ...I'm personally up 4lbs on last week's weight due to exercise induced DOMS and my period being due

Please don't get overly obsessed

There are apps that give you a trend line ..like happyscale or libra

I use trendweight because it links to my fitbit

See? Fluctuations a-go-go

thank you for showing me this. this made me feel so much better. i am getting a little obsessed, and i'm starting to weigh myself like 2-4 times a day to see the fluctuations.

Don't weigh yourself more than once a day. Your weight changes so much throughout the day, it's ridiculous. You'll only drive yourself crazy.

peopletalk

Ninkyou wrote: »

peopletalk wrote: »

rabbitjb wrote: »

Weight loss isn't linear

Scale weight isn't linear

If you map over 6-8 weeks you can see your average loss but you cannot judge day by day

You do have to be more accurate with your calorie counting as you get closer to goal but should aim for half a pound a week

And don't sweat minor scale fluctuations they come and they go ...I'm personally up 4lbs on last week's weight due to exercise induced DOMS and my period being due

Please don't get overly obsessed

There are apps that give you a trend line ..like happyscale or libra

I use trendweight because it links to my fitbit

See? Fluctuations a-go-go

thank you for showing me this. this made me feel so much better. i am getting a little obsessed, and i'm starting to weigh myself like 2-4 times a day to see the fluctuations.

Don't weigh yourself more than once a day. Your weight changes so much throughout the day, it's ridiculous. You'll only drive yourself crazy.

i know, my friends keep telling me that. yeah starting tomorrow i'll only weigh myself once in the morning.

GreenIceFloes

This might help you: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10152741/i-hit-goal-today-after-27-months/p1

radiosilents

I tell you what, I was a diligent daily weigher when I realized it really was driving me nuts – even if I liked collecting the data and seeing how the fluctuations worked. If you're that bothered by the numbers right now, switch to a weekly weigh. I was skeptical at first, but it's made everything much easier somehow. I'm certainly not so obsessed with end results and focusing more on establishing and maintaining good habits.

sir_randall

Weigh yourself weekly under the same conditions (first thing upon waking). Your weight fluctuates daily. I wouldn't put too much stock in it. I used to weigh daily and it was making me nuts. Up 2 lbs, down 4 lbs, down 1/2 lb, up 1 lb, down 2 lbs. Don't get caught up in that. Scale weight also does not account for your muscle mass changes.

Keep it up!

peopletalk

just downloaded happy scale. so stoked to start using it.

Sued0nim

peopletalk wrote: »

just downloaded happy scale. so stoked to start using it.

:bigsmile:

brianazo

You *have to* weigh yourself in the morning after you've been to the bathroom and had your shower, or it's categorically invalid. That's what I was told, that's what I lived by when I lost my weight. A tall glass of water weighs about a pound.

janejellyroll

brianazo wrote: »

You *have to* weigh yourself in the morning after you've been to the bathroom and had your shower, or it's categorically invalid. That's what I was told, that's what I lived by when I lost my weight. A tall glass of water weighs about a pound.

I can understand the bathroom part, but why the shower?

ncboiler89

janejellyroll wrote: »

brianazo wrote: »

You *have to* weigh yourself in the morning after you've been to the bathroom and had your shower, or it's categorically invalid. That's what I was told, that's what I lived by when I lost my weight. A tall glass of water weighs about a pound.

I can understand the bathroom part, but why the shower?

For REALLY dirty people

jemhh

I weigh myself before showering. I don't want the added weight of wet hair.

Apud85

peopletalk wrote: »

just downloaded happy scale. so stoked to start using it.

I love happy scale! It's really motivating to see a downward trend, even when I have a couple of heavier days here and there. Good luck and don't obsess!!

editorgrrl

peopletalk wrote: »

I lost 28 lbs last year with a deficit at about 1700 calories.
I now eat 1200-1400 calories per day, and if i stay true to this, i do lose a pound every week/week and a half.
BUT if i go over by 200-400 calories one day, the next day my scale puts me a pound or two up and it takes me SO long to lose it, pretty much a full week. this has slowed down my progress WAY longer than it should have.

A healthy, sustainable deficit is 250 calories for every 25 lbs. you're overweight. The less you have to lose, the more slowly it comes off. That's just the way the human body works.

Food is fuel, and we should all be looking for the maximum number of calories at which we lose—never the minimum.

peopletalk

editorgrrl wrote: »

peopletalk wrote: »

I lost 28 lbs last year with a deficit at about 1700 calories.
I now eat 1200-1400 calories per day, and if i stay true to this, i do lose a pound every week/week and a half.
BUT if i go over by 200-400 calories one day, the next day my scale puts me a pound or two up and it takes me SO long to lose it, pretty much a full week. this has slowed down my progress WAY longer than it should have.

A healthy, sustainable deficit is 250 calories for every 25 lbs. you're overweight. The less you have to lose, the more slowly it comes off. That's just the way the human body works.

Food is fuel, and we should all be looking for the maximum number of calories at which we lose—never the minimum.

completely agree with you, but anything above 1400 doesn't seem to work for me, and i've been testing out my calories for quite some time now.