1 Cheat = 2lbs
pippin44
Posts: 34 Member
Can you please help me understand the scale?
I eat about 1200-1300 calories a day....I log everything I eat.
2 days ago, I went out to a restaurant and had a "cheat" -- I had a vinagrette dressing on the salad (not on the side) and I shared in a German/Bavarian Pretzel with dipping sauces -- I still tried to log my meal using items that seemed close to matching using MFP. My calories for the day were around 2600.
The next day, I was back on my usual routine.
2 days later -- I get on the scale and I am up 2 lbs.
I don't understand it.
Why does this happen???
I find it very discouraging.....
WHile it's not good for me -- I am very motivated/fixated on the number on the scale and how my "skinny" jeans fit.
I eat about 1200-1300 calories a day....I log everything I eat.
2 days ago, I went out to a restaurant and had a "cheat" -- I had a vinagrette dressing on the salad (not on the side) and I shared in a German/Bavarian Pretzel with dipping sauces -- I still tried to log my meal using items that seemed close to matching using MFP. My calories for the day were around 2600.
The next day, I was back on my usual routine.
2 days later -- I get on the scale and I am up 2 lbs.
I don't understand it.
Why does this happen???
I find it very discouraging.....
WHile it's not good for me -- I am very motivated/fixated on the number on the scale and how my "skinny" jeans fit.
5
Replies
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Water weight. Sodium. Extra carbs. It'll come off.12
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^ this
21 -
I'm gonna bet the pretzel was a big ole salt bomb. Water weight.
And then the usual suspects: are you ovulating, are you about to get your period etc. etc. etc.?6 -
As others have said... it's most likely lingering water weight. It happens. Weight isn't a steady, linear thing - some daily fluctuations are normal and to be expected. I might argue that only 2lbs is pretty low/"good" following a cheat day.
Beyond that, I'd make sure you understand what the number on the scale represents. Scale weight is an easy metric to use to gauge progress, but you HAVE to understand what that number measures, what it represents in order for it to be meaningful.5 -
Beyond that, I'd make sure you understand what the number on the scale represents. Scale weight is an easy metric to use to gauge progress, but you HAVE to understand what that number measures, what it represents in order for it to be meaningful.
^^ And in this case, it's a normal fluctuation in your *water* weight and has nothing to do with your ongoing *fat* loss. Remember, a person has to eat over their maintenance calories (not over your weight loss calorie level) to the tune of about 3500 calories to gain a pound of fat.2 -
Maybe the pretzel was 7000 calories. Was it the size of a bicycle?19
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Now I can't 'unsee' a bicycle sized pretzel lol.8
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Can you please help me understand the scale?
I eat about 1200-1300 calories a day....I log everything I eat.
2 days ago, I went out to a restaurant and had a "cheat" -- I had a vinagrette dressing on the salad (not on the side) and I shared in a German/Bavarian Pretzel with dipping sauces -- I still tried to log my meal using items that seemed close to matching using MFP. My calories for the day were around 2600.
The next day, I was back on my usual routine.
2 days later -- I get on the scale and I am up 2 lbs.
I don't understand it.
Why does this happen???
I find it very discouraging.....
WHile it's not good for me -- I am very motivated/fixated on the number on the scale and how my "skinny" jeans fit.
Body weight fluctuates naturally...2 Lbs is well within the realm of normal fluctuations. To gain 2 Lbs of actual fat in a day, you would have had to take in 7000 calories over your maintenance calories...an even then, your body just doesn't work that way.
Your cheat was likely a sodium bomb which is going to cause water retention. More carbs than normal will also cause you to hold water an replenish glycogen. More food = more inherent waste in your system, etc.0 -
Thanks everyone....
I totally understand that I didn't gain 2 lbs of "fat" in one meal -- but am struggling to understand how 2 days later, I would still see a 2lb increase...
It's really frustrating to me -- esp since I am complete motivated by the STUPID number on the scale.
I appreciate your insights in putting context around it!
And the pretzel was more like the size of the bicycle wheel, not the whole bike.....
1 -
Where's that thread on how sodium affects your weight...1
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gamerbabe14 wrote: »Where's that thread on how sodium affects your weight...
There's a search for that.1 -
Thanks everyone....
I totally understand that I didn't gain 2 lbs of "fat" in one meal -- but am struggling to understand how 2 days later, I would still see a 2lb increase...
It's really frustrating to me -- esp since I am complete motivated by the STUPID number on the scale.
I appreciate your insights in putting context around it!
And the pretzel was more like the size of the bicycle wheel, not the whole bike.....
Weight loss and gain is not linear. Our bodies take time to process what we do with it. Not everything is instantaneous. Be patient and look at the big picture.
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Can you please help me understand the scale?
I eat about 1200-1300 calories a day....I log everything I eat.
2 days ago, I went out to a restaurant and had a "cheat" -- I had a vinagrette dressing on the salad (not on the side) and I shared in a German/Bavarian Pretzel with dipping sauces -- I still tried to log my meal using items that seemed close to matching using MFP. My calories for the day were around 2600.
The next day, I was back on my usual routine.
2 days later -- I get on the scale and I am up 2 lbs.
I don't understand it.
Why does this happen???
I find it very discouraging.....
WHile it's not good for me -- I am very motivated/fixated on the number on the scale and how my "skinny" jeans fit.
Your going crazy over nothing, I have had fluctuations where I would gain 5-6 lbs overnight and other times where I lost 5-6 overnight....all of it is usually water weight, glycogen, sodium, poop and the food still in your system which was caused by a sudden high increase of calories you ate. Daily weighings don't matter, what matters is your average throughout the week.3 -
Thanks everyone....
I totally understand that I didn't gain 2 lbs of "fat" in one meal -- but am struggling to understand how 2 days later, I would still see a 2lb increase...
It's really frustrating to me -- esp since I am complete motivated by the STUPID number on the scale.
I appreciate your insights in putting context around it!
And the pretzel was more like the size of the bicycle wheel, not the whole bike.....
When I fly on an airplane across country it takes 3-5 days for the scale to go back down.
If I eat sushi it can take 2-3 days for the scale to go back down.
It's not real weight.
You KNOW this isn't "real" weight. You KNOW you need to not fret over it.3 -
Thanks everyone....
I totally understand that I didn't gain 2 lbs of "fat" in one meal -- but am struggling to understand how 2 days later, I would still see a 2lb increase...
It's really frustrating to me -- esp since I am complete motivated by the STUPID number on the scale.
I appreciate your insights in putting context around it!
And the pretzel was more like the size of the bicycle wheel, not the whole bike.....
Because you don't drop the water weight that quickly. It tends to linger for a few days afterwards. If I have a way-off-plan food day, I won't take any weigh-in seriously for 5 days.4 -
Thanks everyone....
I totally understand that I didn't gain 2 lbs of "fat" in one meal -- but am struggling to understand how 2 days later, I would still see a 2lb increase...
It's really frustrating to me -- esp since I am complete motivated by the STUPID number on the scale.
I appreciate your insights in putting context around it!
And the pretzel was more like the size of the bicycle wheel, not the whole bike.....
It doesn't clear instantly. I know for me, at least, it is 3-4 days of an increase after a sodium and carb bomb, and I've gotten the sense from reading the forums here and googling that that's pretty common.2 -
collectingblues wrote: »Thanks everyone....
I totally understand that I didn't gain 2 lbs of "fat" in one meal -- but am struggling to understand how 2 days later, I would still see a 2lb increase...
It's really frustrating to me -- esp since I am complete motivated by the STUPID number on the scale.
I appreciate your insights in putting context around it!
And the pretzel was more like the size of the bicycle wheel, not the whole bike.....
It doesn't clear instantly. I know for me, at least, it is 3-4 days of an increase after a sodium and carb bomb, and I've gotten the sense from reading the forums here and googling that that's pretty common.
It is and I eat a ton of carbs. After 5 years of doing this, I don't worry like I used to. I don't even change my diet after a big day of food binging. You understand after all that experience that it's only a minor blip in the radar.4 -
Thanks everyone....
I totally understand that I didn't gain 2 lbs of "fat" in one meal -- but am struggling to understand how 2 days later, I would still see a 2lb increase...
It's really frustrating to me -- esp since I am complete motivated by the STUPID number on the scale.
I appreciate your insights in putting context around it!
And the pretzel was more like the size of the bicycle wheel, not the whole bike.....
Weight loss is commonly thought of as one system: Calories in, calories out. Expenditure should be more than intake, and we lose weight.
If it worked exactly like that on a day to day basis, weight loss would be easy and obesity wouldn't be a thing.
Unfortunately, our body is a multitude of systems that all need the same things: nutrients, water, and energy. So, with the weight gain you saw, there is a system at work being overloaded and it will be allowed to restore it's balance over a longer time.
In this case, it was probably salt. The more salt you intake, the more water retention you have, and that is your muscular system at work (feel free to research how sodium, water, and potassium all work together). Drink more water, and you will see the scale drop again (counterintuitive, isnt it?)
2 -
I had 3lbs of water weight from Saturday from eating salty corned beef and such (um maybe chocolate and bread too perhaps mhm) and the scale didn't show "normal" until Wednesday. At which point I ate some pad see ew so now we are back up a bit.1
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You may want to consider using a weight trend app such as Happy Scale (iOS), Libra (Android) or trendweight.com (web). It's less disturbing/upsetting to some because it allows you to keep an eye on the overall trend rather than the (perfectly normal) daily fluctuations. The trend over time is what matters.Thanks everyone....
I totally understand that I didn't gain 2 lbs of "fat" in one meal -- but am struggling to understand how 2 days later, I would still see a 2lb increase...
It's really frustrating to me -- esp since I am complete motivated by the STUPID number on the scale.
I appreciate your insights in putting context around it!
And the pretzel was more like the size of the bicycle wheel, not the whole bike.....
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I gained 4 lbs from a cheat meal yesterday. It'll go down, keep chugging!2
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fluffyjames44 wrote: »Now I can't 'unsee' a bicycle sized pretzel lol.
Forgot to pack a lunch. Now craving a bicycle sized pretzel.7 -
It's really frustrating to me -- esp since I am complete motivated by the STUPID number on the scale.
Here's where you can make a choice. You can stick with irrational frustration based on emotion, or you can choose a different motivation based on what you are learning and knowing to be true. Knowing stuff helps you choose the type of motivation that makes sense.
For example, I'm betting your real motivation is not the number on the scale. It's probably what you think that number will indicate that you will be able to do - like fit into those jeans, or look more attractive, or be able to do more things physically. If all of those things come to fruition, the scale is just a (potential) indicator. Not to mention that you can do all kinds of other things that will shape your body, including to the point of fitting into skinny jeans carrying more weight than you think (if you strength train).
tl/dr: Choose something other than a number to motivate you. You'll be happy you did. And the number just might follow.11 -
gamerbabe14 wrote: »Where's that thread on how sodium affects your weight...
This one? http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10615700/biochemistry-answers-for-common-weight-loss-questions-sodium-warning-long-and-nerdy/p13 -
Can you please help me understand the scale?
I eat about 1200-1300 calories a day....I log everything I eat.
2 days ago, I went out to a restaurant and had a "cheat" -- I had a vinagrette dressing on the salad (not on the side) and I shared in a German/Bavarian Pretzel with dipping sauces -- I still tried to log my meal using items that seemed close to matching using MFP. My calories for the day were around 2600.
The next day, I was back on my usual routine.
2 days later -- I get on the scale and I am up 2 lbs.
I don't understand it.
Why does this happen???
I find it very discouraging.....
WHile it's not good for me -- I am very motivated/fixated on the number on the scale and how my "skinny" jeans fit.
Likely most of that 2 pound scale increase is due to water retention. Pretzels are high in sodium. Condiments can also be high in sodium. Just continue to log ALL YOUR FOOD INTAKE accurately. Even your cheat foods. Cut back on sodium intake if your dr says you should try it.0 -
I second the recommendation that you add the Happy Scale app to your phone. It's magical and removes the stress of whatever scary number pops up on your scale every morning. Really.
Take photos of yourself, front, back and sides. Next month do the same. See the difference? You'll probably be able to tell that you've changed your body shape following the whole MFP thing. Another cool phone app is PicsArt. You can upload your before/after photos next to each other in a collage. Wow, the improvements you'll see!
Good luck!
1 -
You may want to consider using a weight trend app such as Happy Scale (iOS), Libra (Android) or trendweight.com (web). It's less disturbing/upsetting to some because it allows you to keep an eye on the overall trend rather than the (perfectly normal) daily fluctuations. The trend over time is what matters.Thanks everyone....
I totally understand that I didn't gain 2 lbs of "fat" in one meal -- but am struggling to understand how 2 days later, I would still see a 2lb increase...
It's really frustrating to me -- esp since I am complete motivated by the STUPID number on the scale.
I appreciate your insights in putting context around it!
And the pretzel was more like the size of the bicycle wheel, not the whole bike.....
I've been using Libra for daily weighing to try and figure out if certain foods were behind my seesawing weight loss struggle (I weigh all my food and log meticulously). I also have to watch out for foods which trigger inflammation as I have Hashimotos, Systemic Nickel Allergy and a dysfunctional gallbladder. Inflammation is another factor that can cause a stubborn spike on the scales and identifying your triggers can help control it. My big trigger was egg yolks. Since I IDed and elimated them, the roller coaster trend has changed to a nice, steady downwards one.1 -
1 Cheat = 2 lbs because cheating is expensive!!!
But, if you enjoy occasionally eating out and having a pretzel,You may want to consider using a weight trend app such as Happy Scale (iOS), Libra (Android) or trendweight.com (web).
It's less disturbing/upsetting to some because it allows you to keep an eye on the overall trend rather than the (perfectly normal) daily fluctuations.
The trend over time is what matters.2 -
It can take 3 to 4 days for sodium weight to disappear.
I'm currently seeing the 6th day of a water weight spike since adding new exercise - this is normal. The scale number will drop soon.1 -
It takes me 3 days to lose water weight from a high carb/salty meal. St patricks day had me 2lbs up until Tuesday. I ate under maintenance, but that day I had 3 ciders, sausage pizza, and cheese sticks.3
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