Frustrated and upset...
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CattOfTheGarage wrote: »I'm afraid that if you come into a forum where people are working hard to lose large amounts of excess weight and dealing with struggles like gaining 5lb overnight for no reason, or binging on 2000 calories in one go and trying to find a way through the fallout from that, or worrying whether they can afford loose skin surgery after losing 150lb over three years of hard work and faith and ups and downs, and you declare that you are a failure because you saw an upward fluctuation of 1lb within the healthy weight range and declare that you're taking refuge in the bottle because things didn't work out exactly as you expected after *one week*...
...you are going to put some backs up.
I have every sympathy for people who come here looking for advice about losing small amounts of weight. It's a great place to access a lot of knowledge and experience from people who have learned the hard way what does and doesn't work in weight loss. People will be very keen to help you, and to sympathise with the frustrations that go with any weight loss attempt.
All you need offer in return is a little basic sensitivity, humility and a sense of perspective. Like not declaring that gaining 1lb makes you a 'failure'. I'm 28lb overweight. If you're a failure, what does that make me?
I get all of that, and it was clearly reflected in some comments. Nevertheless, I thought the issue at hand was one most have experienced regardless of weight situtation - "why is the scale not moving".
Also, I do think everybody acts from their own starting point. You don't need to be filing for personal bankrupcy for financial issues to be bothersome, if you know what I mean? A lot of people complain about their situation even if I think they're objectively better off than me, I just don't take it to heart.
Anyways - I should have written 'vanity pound' in the thread title, but I can't find a way to edit it now.
OP - I think you got people's backs up after you disregarded the initial answers to your question - it's water weight. It's common for people to not know why the scale is doing what it's doing, but then when you disregard the answer in favor of looking for another solution, it's odd.
Perhaps the reason that you seem to dislike the explanation of normal weight fluctuations is because they are something that you largely can't control and it's difficult to accept something that you can't do anything about? I could very well be off base here, but if that's the way that you approach your body/weight, it may be worth exploring some additional coping skills with a professional. There will always be things that are out of your control - both in your life and on the scale.
My best advice in the short term is to have some nutritious food and enjoy your vacation! I'm sure you'll look amazing
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"You don't need to just weigh once a week, though I used to subscribe to that too. In fact, if that weigh-in happens to fall on a high day for you, it can be quite discouraging"
I didn't say that I did. I said it's what we're told. ;-)0 -
LizbethHeller wrote: »"You don't need to just weigh once a week, though I used to subscribe to that too. In fact, if that weigh-in happens to fall on a high day for you, it can be quite discouraging"
I didn't say that I did. I said it's what we're told. ;-)
Lol... I usually try to avoid the word "you" and just use "a person", but I slipped up there!
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Here's the thing -- the mirror lies to you. What you see when you look at you isn't what everyone else sees when they look at you. Check out Mama Gena's school of Womenly Arts for some really great perspective on what sexy actually is -- and it's not being miserably hungry and hating yourself all the while worrying about what you look like while you are on holiday in the middle of the South of France! OMG!!!
Ref: www.mamagenas.com
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I have an extremely athletic girl friend that is ripped. She stresses when she cannot get off the 5# that has creeped on, it's so hard to relate when I need to loose at least ten times more, but she has made me realize it's just as important to her.
I'm a numbers girl too. I've been known to weigh myself EVERY HOUR for the entire time I'm awake on a weekend. Do it for a day- it will show you just how stupid a scale is. Your bathroom scale is not a scientific instrument, even though they are now digital with a 00.0 readout, they are not accurate to within a tenth of a pound. Humidity also affects your weight. (So do farts....seriously, I can loose a pound just by farting! Sorry if this it TMI! )Op, breakout the measuring tape, it will show you the numbers that scale sometimes won't. Record your measurements, and check back next month. You most likely will see the difference
Measurements are more accurate as they don't fluctuate as easily. Now put the wine down, you've had enough 2 -
There's no way a fart can make you lose weight. They're air and methane gas. If a fart weighed a pound, it would fall to the floor and bounce. Your scales are messing with you, @seramachickens4
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Agreed and that's my point! But seriously, I do weigh less after passing gas.1
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Perhaps the reason that you seem to dislike the explanation of normal weight fluctuations is because they are something that you largely can't control and it's difficult to accept something that you can't do anything about? I could very well be off base here, but if that's the way that you approach your body/weight, it may be worth exploring some additional coping skills with a professional. There will always be things that are out of your control - both in your life and on the scale.
That's probably true. I am okay with some thing being unpredictable, but I feel like weight loss should be one of the more controllable things. Someone once told me that the great thing about the gym is that it's the one relationship where you get out of it what you put in (unlike romantic relationships, in which you may be wasting time...).
So I figure this is where I can have control when other things seem chaotic. Physics, right? Love logical solutions.
I haven't had this same issues in the past, that's why I don't want to accept it. Last time I attempted the same style of weight loss, I noticed a decrease in weight pretty quickly. Now I am wondering whether age plays a part too (27 vs. 19). Or choice of contraception (used the pill, now have a copper IUD).
I don't know. But I will try my best to stick with it and not lose motivation, although today and yesterday haven't been my best..2 -
here's an example of why weight loss isn't controllable...
the last week, my daily weights have been 147.3, 148.2, 150.3, 149.1 and 151.4 -I haven't changed anything drastic with my eating habits (aside from the pizza I had yesterday) - they are typical weight fluctuations. I know that I haven't put on 3lbs of fat - it is all water weight0 -
The scale is brand new - bought yesterday. ... (meaning that not only have I not lost weight, but gained).
You're weighing yourself on a different scale. There is always some variation from one scale to another. If you weigh yourself on your old scale, and the new one, right after the other, you will probably see that this is the reason there is a difference.
Ugh. The other scale is not old either, though. I'm renting out my flat and staying at my parents' place and decided to get a scale here too.
I feel like a failure and am drowning my sorrows in wine (in lieu of dinner though).
Still got a week until I'm leaving on vacation. Perhaps I can make a difference in the final seven days - from tomorrow on.
It's a pound! Lighten up on yourself! You know you didn't overeat 3500 calories over your maintenance, so it can't be fat. Please, please, get some perspective, I realize you want to look a certain way for your vacation, but you're stressing yourself out over nothing. It's water retention. My weight goes up and down every day depending on what I've eaten, how I've exercised, hormones, waste. It's a change in weight, but not fat.0 -
CattOfTheGarage wrote: »There's no way a fart can make you lose weight. They're air and methane gas. If a fart weighed a pound, it would fall to the floor and bounce. Your scales are messing with you, @seramachickens
Actually, since air, gases, etc. have mass, you absolutely can lose weight.......technically. Just not that measurable.....hopefully.....for those around you at least.......0 -
Lol, my weight went up almost 5 lbs in 24 hours!! 1 Pound?? Seriously?? A little dairy (not intolerant but do bloat) and a little too much sodium in some Spanish food and here we are.......
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Silentpadna wrote: »CattOfTheGarage wrote: »There's no way a fart can make you lose weight. They're air and methane gas. If a fart weighed a pound, it would fall to the floor and bounce. Your scales are messing with you, @seramachickens
Actually, since air, gases, etc. have mass, you absolutely can lose weight.......technically. Just not that measurable.....hopefully.....for those around you at least.......
Only if said gas is heavier than air. If it's the same weight, it's weight is cancelled out by its buoyancy (yes, things have buoyancy in air - that's why helium balloons float) - there would be no change on the scale.
If it's lighter than air, you will actually get heavier on the scale when it leaves you. But I'm don't personally know anyone who farts helium. That could be a nice little moneymaker.
ETA this has now become the general topic of conversation at a family party and as a result I can give you the startling news that farts can be up to 50% HYDROGEN.
So farting does not make you lighter. It probably makes your heavier. Also, your butt is basically the Hindenburg.3 -
CattOfTheGarage wrote: »Silentpadna wrote: »CattOfTheGarage wrote: »There's no way a fart can make you lose weight. They're air and methane gas. If a fart weighed a pound, it would fall to the floor and bounce. Your scales are messing with you, @seramachickens
Actually, since air, gases, etc. have mass, you absolutely can lose weight.......technically. Just not that measurable.....hopefully.....for those around you at least.......
Only if said gas is heavier than air. If it's the same weight, it's weight is cancelled out by its buoyancy (yes, things have buoyancy in air - that's why helium balloons float) - there would be no change on the scale.
If it's lighter than air, you will actually get heavier on the scale when it leaves you. But I'm don't personally know anyone who farts helium. That could be a nice little moneymaker.
With the assumption that respiration continues exactly the same, if gas leaves your body and is not replaced, which for the most part it's not, then the body does not contain as much mass afterward as before...it doesn't matter if it's lighter than air or not. When you let the air out of a balloon, there is less air in the balloon after than before. Whatever was in the balloon had mass. The mass of the balloon doesn't change.0 -
Silentpadna wrote: »CattOfTheGarage wrote: »Silentpadna wrote: »CattOfTheGarage wrote: »There's no way a fart can make you lose weight. They're air and methane gas. If a fart weighed a pound, it would fall to the floor and bounce. Your scales are messing with you, @seramachickens
Actually, since air, gases, etc. have mass, you absolutely can lose weight.......technically. Just not that measurable.....hopefully.....for those around you at least.......
Only if said gas is heavier than air. If it's the same weight, it's weight is cancelled out by its buoyancy (yes, things have buoyancy in air - that's why helium balloons float) - there would be no change on the scale.
If it's lighter than air, you will actually get heavier on the scale when it leaves you. But I'm don't personally know anyone who farts helium. That could be a nice little moneymaker.
With the assumption that respiration continues exactly the same, if gas leaves your body and is not replaced, which for the most part it's not, then the body does not contain as much mass afterward as before...it doesn't matter if it's lighter than air or not. When you let the air out of a balloon, there is less air in the balloon after than before. Whatever was in the balloon had mass. The mass of the balloon doesn't change.
If you were solid, this would be true, but you are soft and squishy, meaning your body inflates and deflates with gas pressure. If you fart out a cubic centimetre of air, your body volume will reduce by about a cubic centimetre, so you will lose a corresponding amount of buoyancy. This will cancel out the reduction in weight and leave the scale weight unchanged.
Buoyancy is my specialist subject.2 -
Lol... and I thought I had seen some strange thread derails... 11
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Hate to break it to you honey, but the scale is not on the list of predictable things. Fat loss is, but that is not directly measurable. I am twice your age with twice the experience in this.5
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DharmainHeels wrote: »vespiquenn wrote: »If you're seeing results physically, why are you concerned by a number? Especially an increase that could be nothing more than a normal fluctuation.
Yes I thought that too, but I am numbers person, and I am starting to doubt whether it is real if I don't see it.
I know that people tend to get a little 'blind' in regards to their own bodies, and now I am worried that I haven't actually lost anything
I just read an article that weight loss has nothing to do with recent behavior but is actually a result of previous weeks that eventually catch up. The day to day has no bearing on your weight loss or gain. It changed my whole perspective on scale fluctuation.
@DharmainHeels Would you pretty please provide a link to that article?1 -
Sorry about the derail. Back to business.
OP, I totally identify with needing something to feel in control of, but weight loss isn't a good choice. It's not physics, it's biology, with all the unpredictability that goes with that. Trying to control it precisely gets a lot of people into psychological trouble. Find something else to give you that sense of control, and let the scale be just a number.3 -
Just to put it in perspective OP. I "gain" 1.1kg (2.6lbs) after drinking just one cup of coffee and 1 cup of tea, no other food or beverages. Daily fluctuations are a normal, everyday part of life.1
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I just think you'll spoil your holiday stressing about your weight like this.
You've clearly got the tools/knowledge to manage it, go enjoy the holiday and lovely French food and simply employ the tools again when you get back!0 -
When did you weigh yourself? Always weigh yourself in the morning before you eat anything and after you go to the bathroom. That will give you the most accurate results imo. Anyway, a small amount of fluctuation in weight is normal from day to day.0
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I'm a numbers person as well. It's funny how stress can affect our bodies...or lack of sleep or anything really. I've started tracking my measurements because I'm able to see results that way.0
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Not being snarky but 3-4 lbs to lose is not noticeable on you. That's your mind trying to fool you. When someone is overweight and starts to lose and loses 3-4 lbs they can't notice it being gone yet just as you wouldn't notice that gain. I get the whole vanity thing but I would honestly be happy if I had just 10 lbs of weight to lose and wouldn't worry about it. I was always a thin person and remember all too well how hard I would be on myself if the number on the scale wasn't what I thought it needed to be. Give yourself a break.0
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deannalfisher wrote: »here's an example of why weight loss isn't controllable...
the last week, my daily weights have been 147.3, 148.2, 150.3, 149.1 and 151.4 -I haven't changed anything drastic with my eating habits (aside from the pizza I had yesterday) - they are typical weight fluctuations. I know that I haven't put on 3lbs of fat - it is all water weight
This.
Not to mention the human body is doing a lot more inside it than just gaining/losing weight.0 -
I like all the input about weighing and if it is good or not for someone. Thanks!0
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JeromeBarry1 wrote: »DharmainHeels wrote: »vespiquenn wrote: »If you're seeing results physically, why are you concerned by a number? Especially an increase that could be nothing more than a normal fluctuation.
Yes I thought that too, but I am numbers person, and I am starting to doubt whether it is real if I don't see it.
I know that people tend to get a little 'blind' in regards to their own bodies, and now I am worried that I haven't actually lost anything
I just read an article that weight loss has nothing to do with recent behavior but is actually a result of previous weeks that eventually catch up. The day to day has no bearing on your weight loss or gain. It changed my whole perspective on scale fluctuation.
@DharmainHeels Would you pretty please provide a link to that article?
@JeromeBarry1 here you go!
http://100down.org/the-whoosh-effect/
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Thanks for all your responses.
I actually met with my mother after not haven seen her in a few weeks and she commented that I looked skinny. So I guess it was not my imagination.
I have decided not to weigh in again before going on vacation (which is tomorrow) and trust the feedback (my mum is a harsh body critic, so I doubt she's lying!). Got a new bikini and sarong and will make the most of it.7 -
OliveGirl128 wrote: »The scale fluctuates daily due to all sorts of things, not fat related. This is normal and it shouldn't surprise or discourage you. Water retention due to sodium/exercise, hormones/pms/tom, digestion periods, constipation, what time you weighed yourself/how you weighed yourself, if you took a shower before you weighed yourself (seriously, this can affect the scale), if you had something to drink before you weighed yourself, if your scale's batteries are getting old etc etc etc.
Yes I thought about fluctations, but I thought I had though of everything.
The scale is brand new - bought yesterday. My period is 10 days from now, so not PMSing yet. No shower, water or food before weighing.
Might be sodium, some of the stuff I had yesterday was a little high in sodium...Bothers me that it should account for so much though (meaning that not only have I not lost weight, but gained).
How long for the body to get rid of water weight?
So, you're saying this scale weighs heavier than your previous scale?
Edited: I am a bad person for failing to read the other 2 pages before posting.0
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