We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

How is it possible to gain 3lbs in one day?!

skarnder
skarnder Posts: 2 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I had been doing so well with my weight loss and then one day last week I ate Chinese food, the next day I woke up and I'd gained 3 pounds - I know I didn't eat 10,200 calories in one day - but now I'm stuck at this weight - I haven't lost anything since and I've continued to calorie count and restrict. I'm drinking plenty of water and exercising. What am I doing wrong???

Replies

  • sunnyside1213
    sunnyside1213 Posts: 1,205 Member
    Chinese food has a lot of salt/msg. And lots of carbs.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    Yep, water....unless....ahem.....you did eat 10,200 over your TDEE (total daily energy expenditure). :D:)

    Patience. It will go away.
  • Angierae75
    Angierae75 Posts: 417 Member
    Absolutely sodium. Give it a few days, drink some extra water.
  • SCoil123
    SCoil123 Posts: 2,111 Member
    If you're sensitive to bloating or digestive issues, like I am, you can see up to a 5lb jump on the scale after one bad day. It isn't real though so don't panic. For me it always evens out after about 3 days.
  • TJnTexas
    TJnTexas Posts: 44 Member
    From my Boy Scout days: "A pint's a pound the world" meaning that a pint of water weighs about a pound. If I weigh in after an 8 mile hike on a hot day, I can easily be down a couple of pounds. If I drink two bottles of water, I can be up 2 pounds.
  • swezeytba
    swezeytba Posts: 624 Member
    Pizza does it to me!
  • Raptor2763
    Raptor2763 Posts: 387 Member
    chinese food is notorious for MSG, which - among other things - makes you retain fluid, hence the overnight weight gain. best thing is to pound water to flush out the MSG. and next time you have chinese -- cook it at home.
  • BarbieAS
    BarbieAS Posts: 1,414 Member
    I've always found that water weight is one of those things where it can spike after just one meal/day of too much sodium and carbs (I don't like Chinese food much, but my certain doom is going out for Mexican food - chips, salsa, and margaritas will get me to the same place) but take up to a week or so to come off. It's frustrating, but just keep doing what you're doing, maybe add in a little extra water and/or water-heavy fruits and vegetables (cucumbers and melons always seem to help me a little), and give it a little more time and patience.
  • tracymayo1
    tracymayo1 Posts: 445 Member
    I had the same thing happen yesterday - only I didn't eat really salty foods - our weather has been very hot and humid - even with drinking a lot, I barely have to go to the bathroom - and this morning even though my calories are below what they need to be - and I did a LOT of walking (amusement park) yesterday - today my scale was up 3lbs.
    In my case I should also be starting my TOM in about 5 days - so I am sure that is also playing a role...
  • DebSozo
    DebSozo Posts: 2,578 Member
    SCoil123 wrote: »
    If you're sensitive to bloating or digestive issues, like I am, you can see up to a 5lb jump on the scale after one bad day. It isn't real though so don't panic. For me it always evens out after about 3 days.

    Me too. The sodium flushes our in a couple days along with the water weight.
  • bebeisfit
    bebeisfit Posts: 951 Member
    I can go up and down a few pounds even without a sodium rich meal. So many factors are involved, try to look at it long term, stay the course and keep the faith and wait another few days.
  • This content has been removed.
  • akf2000
    akf2000 Posts: 278 Member
    I had the same thing yesterday after smoked salmon which was SO salty, I get that the whole smoking thing needs salt but jeeeeeeez!
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    We had chinese on Sunday night, I didn't bother weighing myself on Monday morning...
  • dragon_girl26
    dragon_girl26 Posts: 2,187 Member
    Water weight. One if the things that helps, funny enough, is drinking water to flush it out. Mostly just need patience, though.

    Also, I wouldn't worry so much about daily fluctuations on the scale. It'll end up making you crazy. Body weight is never a constant stable number; even throughout the day it changes. Instead, pay attention to the trend..as long as it's trending downward over the weeks, you're good to go. :)
This discussion has been closed.