fat vs water weight?

To correct myself, MrM27, what probably happened to make it type that was I found myself thinking from a nursing diagnosis standpoint and only meaning to say you may not understand where I was coming from because it's a nurse thing, not that you were incapable. I do rememeber feeling defensive because you were attacking a harmless post and wanted me to explain myself scientifically to address a question that it wasn't necessary for. Medical theory, nursing theory, pathophysiology is complex and when you teach the general public you must take into account that the average American reading level is somewhere on junior high level. Not to say this poster was average either, just part of standard practice. Best to keep things simple and address the signs and symptoms. Of course people in the know are thinking a thousand things when someone asks a question such as this. You're obviously very passionate, hopefully you see that in me as well. Maybe we can change opinions of each other now that we've devoted so much energy into this blog today and possibly have a better understanding of each other...would that be nice.

arditarose wrote: »

Leslierussell4134 wrote: »

To correct myself, MrM27, what probably happened to make it type that was I found myself thinking from a nursing diagnosis standpoint and only meaning to say you may not understand where I was coming from because it's a nurse thing, not that you were incapable. I do rememeber feeling defensive because you were attacking a harmless post and wanted me to explain myself scientifically to address a question that it wasn't necessary for. Medical theory, nursing theory, pathophysiology is complex and when you teach the general public you must take into account that the average American reading level is somewhere on junior high level. Not to say this poster was average either, just part of standard practice. Best to keep things simple and address the signs and symptoms. Of course people in the know are thinking a thousand things when someone asks a question such as this. You're obviously very passionate, hopefully you see that in me as well. Maybe we can change opinions of each other now that we've devoted so much energy into this blog today and possibly have a better understanding of each other...would that be nice.

Yeah, we can't all achieve "prefection"

Isn't that the truth, and how boring that would be if it were so.

@Leslierussell4134

Save this thread and come back to it in a couple of years. It'll be amazing to you how much you've grown.

About half of the new grads I've worked with think they know it all too. They think nursing diagnosis are the s***. They think they know more than the CNAs and paramedics because they have some shiny new letters after their name.

I obviously don't know you from Adam. But the things you've written are very typical of those new nurses. Try and listen more than you talk, or here to read more than you write, and you may learn a thing or two.

In nursing school, they teach you how to pass boards. On orientation, they teach you how to avoid killing your patients. The first several years after that is when the real learning starts. Try and be humble for the time being. You don't know what you don't know.

A lot of the statements you've made have been factually incorrect. Your hubris and attitude have not endeared you to many people in this thread. Don't make the same mistake professionally.

Leslierussell4134 wrote: »

To correct myself, MrM27, what probably happened to make it type that was I found myself thinking from a nursing diagnosis standpoint and only meaning to say you may not understand where I was coming from because it's a nurse thing, not that you were incapable. I do rememeber feeling defensive because you were attacking a harmless post and wanted me to explain myself scientifically to address a question that it wasn't necessary for. Medical theory, nursing theory, pathophysiology is complex and when you teach the general public you must take into account that the average American reading level is somewhere on junior high level. Not to say this poster was average either, just part of standard practice. Best to keep things simple and address the signs and symptoms. Of course people in the know are thinking a thousand things when someone asks a question such as this. You're obviously very passionate, hopefully you see that in me as well. Maybe we can change opinions of each other now that we've devoted so much energy into this blog today and possibly have a better understanding of each other...would that be nice.

You might want to get more familiar with this community before you start making broad generalizations about the possible knowledge other posters may or may not understand. You might find that you are not even the only educated medical professional here. There are quite a few of them, possibly even right here in this thread.

To the OP, welcome to MFP and best of luck! There is a lot of info here on the forums and it can take a while to get it all straight. I try to read on the forums at least a couple of times a week, learn something new all the time

MrM27 wrote: »

Leslierussell4134 wrote: »

To correct myself, MrM27, what probably happened to make it type that was I found myself thinking from a nursing diagnosis standpoint and only meaning to say you may not understand where I was coming from because it's a nurse thing, not that you were incapable. I do rememeber feeling defensive because you were attacking a harmless post and wanted me to explain myself scientifically to address a question that it wasn't necessary for. Medical theory, nursing theory, pathophysiology is complex and when you teach the general public you must take into account that the average American reading level is somewhere on junior high level. Not to say this poster was average either, just part of standard practice. Best to keep things simple and address the signs and symptoms. Of course people in the know are thinking a thousand things when someone asks a question such as this. You're obviously very passionate, hopefully you see that in me as well. Maybe we can change opinions of each other now that we've devoted so much energy into this blog today and possibly have a better understanding of each other...would that be nice.

What makes you think I won't understand nursing stuff?

I guess nothing, but from your comments I could tell you weren't a nurse because you said hosptial and real life anecdotes were different. And if you are a nurse than this is a prime example of you attacking your young. Nurses tend it lift each other up and understand where we each are coming from. Most people who are as educated as yourself do that as well, you just seem to like to pick until someone says something you can dive for. I not into the back and forth kind of thing, but somehow you managed to suck me in today, good job, you won.
I'm sure you're an awesome person from behind the key board, even if we'd never interact in outside cyberspace.
So many things to do, no more energy for this post. Take care.

MrM27 wrote: »

UltimateRBF wrote: »

Leslierussell4134 wrote: »

MrM27 wrote: »

Leslierussell4134 wrote: »

The simple way is to only weigh yourself once per week or once each 2 weeks. As long as you don't have a fluid retention issue and you're not dehydrating your body to see loses, this interval should work well to determine the difference.
1 liter of water weighs 2.2 lbs. It is unsafe to lose and gain more than 2 pounds of water per day regularly, it messes up the electrolytes in your blood stream; potassium, sodium etc. Focus on consuming the recommended water each day and on days that you weigh, make it the first thing in the morning at the same time, with the same cloths on or naked, after your morning bathroom visit. I'm a nurse and this is how we weigh people in the hosptial when we are monitoring their fluids.

Sorry but none of that has anything to do with distinguishing fat loss from water loss. Weighing once a week or every other week tells you nothing. Also, your patients aren't running on treadmills or lifts weights. Real life works different than an in hospital setting.

I won't argue because you won't understand it likely.
However, for this poster, if you consume enough water...continue to pee...and are not dehydrated...and continue to lose weight...you're either losing fat or muscle...there is nothing else it could be.
And the great thing is "healthy bodies" tend to work mostly the same. No one will ever be able to lose a pound a day consistently...that's water and you will die...period. You're probably letting go of some excess water, don't worry, it will level out. Again, if you have no medical problems and aren't doing any of the other things I mentioned.
Good luck!!!

LOLOL

That was cute wasn't it.

Arguing medical with you.. riiiight.

Leslierussell4134 wrote: »

MrM27 wrote: »

Leslierussell4134 wrote: »

The simple way is to only weigh yourself once per week or once each 2 weeks. As long as you don't have a fluid retention issue and you're not dehydrating your body to see loses, this interval should work well to determine the difference.
1 liter of water weighs 2.2 lbs. It is unsafe to lose and gain more than 2 pounds of water per day regularly, it messes up the electrolytes in your blood stream; potassium, sodium etc. Focus on consuming the recommended water each day and on days that you weigh, make it the first thing in the morning at the same time, with the same cloths on or naked, after your morning bathroom visit. I'm a nurse and this is how we weigh people in the hosptial when we are monitoring their fluids.

Sorry but none of that has anything to do with distinguishing fat loss from water loss. Weighing once a week or every other week tells you nothing. Also, your patients aren't running on treadmills or lifts weights. Real life works different than an in hospital setting.

I won't argue because you won't understand it likely.
However, for this poster, if you consume enough water...continue to pee...and are not dehydrated...and continue to lose weight...you're either losing fat or muscle...there is nothing else it could be.
And the great thing is "healthy bodies" tend to work mostly the same. No one will ever be able to lose a pound a day consistently...that's water and you will die...period. You're probably letting go of some excess water, don't worry, it will level out. Again, if you have no medical problems and aren't doing any of the other things I mentioned.
Good luck!!!

I lost 9 lbs. in my first 10 days of working out. Same scale at the gym. My boyfriend always weighs 150-151 and his weight was dead on so I think the scale was functioning just fine.

It can happen. It probably is water. But I'm not dead.

Take measurements rather than relying solely on scales. Choose one time of day, once a week. Don't rely on your BMI, but use it and other fitness measurements, such as your waist to hip, and waist to height ratios to see where your body fat composition is likely to lie. Together with your BMI they'll give you a better idea of where you fall-it won't be specific, but it should be close enough to maintain a healthy and safe loss.

Scales will only take you so far, as sooner or later you will hopefully be gaining muscle mass which will affect your weight. You can add these measurements to your check in, and you'll be able to get the reports for them. For example, I gained 1lbs in the last 3 weeks, but I've lost an inch from my waist and hips in the last 3 weeks. Water weight will fluctuate a lot, I gain up to 2 lbs throughout the day and at the beginning could lose as many as 3-4 overnight. But the inches continue to decrease even when I stick in a weight area for a week or so here and there. I can see that in the reports, which helps maintain motivation even when the scale is "stuck."

Hope that's helpful.

Measure with a tape measure as well as weighing weekly or monthly at the same time of day in the same clothes or without clothes. My scales give body fat % too.