Took a scale break

92019start
92019start Posts: 80 Member
edited November 27 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi there! I took a three week break from weighing to focus on solidifying habits and I ended up 1 lb more than before. How depressing! Does anyone have any insights or encouragement?

Replies

  • mkculs
    mkculs Posts: 316 Member
    edited July 2018
    Are you weighing the food you eat? If so, remember that the scale can fluctuate on any given day, by quite a few lbs, due to water weight. Eating more sodium/salt, eating out, being in humid weather, menstrual cycle, etc., etc., etc., are all things that influence water weight. So if you are weighing food and being careful not to overestimate cals burned, the number on the scale very well might not mean fat gained.

    I find I'm less obsessive about the number on the scale by weighing everyday--I got used to the fluctuations and just record the new lows. A trend app would be good, too, for daily weighing. For me, the randomness of one day's weight in a week--due to fluctuations--would be harder to take.

    Give it another week or so and see if you notice a new low soon. If you've been in the humid weather gripping parts of the nation, remember that causes water retention (counter-intuitive).
  • 92019start
    92019start Posts: 80 Member
    I didn’t know humidity could cause water retention. Huh! That’s good to know because yesterday I flew in from an area with low humidity to home where it’s a swamp.

    I could see I ate higher carb yesterday as well. That could certainly contribute.

    As you say, I think weighing daily might be more helpful because you get used to the fluctuations and then you can rely on the trends from one of those apps.

    Thank you!
  • mkculs
    mkculs Posts: 316 Member
    Op, flying totally messes with me--I don't even care what the scale says for several days after. Dehydration, then compensating with extra fluids, etc., yay; kind of a perfect storm, flying from dry to humid! Good luck, whatever you decide.
  • Pipsqueak1965
    Pipsqueak1965 Posts: 397 Member
    1 pound is nothing! Everyone's weight varies all the time.
  • 92019start
    92019start Posts: 80 Member
    Thanks for the encouragement, everyone!


    At least according to my Apple Watch, my TDEE was about 1,750 and MFP my food was 1,650, logging as accurately as I can. I also started weight lifting. So weight lifting, humidity, travel and natural fluctuations. I should just keep pressing on and try to log as accurately as possible and aim for 1,500, right?
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    edited July 2018
    From a different thread, just for FYI:


    Water can be retained in the muscles for repair, if you've done new-to-you exercise.

    In females, hormones cause lots of water weight issues.

    Eating more carbs or sodium than your body is used to will cause water weight. (I can't remember the scientific reason behind it.)

    Travel/flying can cause water weight. I gain like 8 pounds in one flight.

    Excessive temperatures/humidity can cause water weight.

    Sunburns and other inflammatory-type injuries can cause water weight.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    92019start wrote: »
    Thanks for the encouragement, everyone!


    At least according to my Apple Watch, my TDEE was about 1,750 and MFP my food was 1,650, logging as accurately as I can. I also started weight lifting. So weight lifting, humidity, travel and natural fluctuations. I should just keep pressing on and try to log as accurately as possible and aim for 1,500, right?

    Sounds good!
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