Extremeish weight fluctuation?

stargirlhorse
stargirlhorse Posts: 45 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
How much weight fluctuation is normal? Because I counted my calories, ate 1500 or less every day (with only ONE exception) when the internet says my BMR is 1600, and gained ONE AND A HALF F***ING POUNDS OVER FIVE DAYS? I also gained a HALF INCH (yes you read that right. a HALF INCH when measured in the morning with no food and after having used the bathroom) around my waist both at the bellybutton and smallest point.

This is literally the opposite of what I'm trying to do. My lowest weight was at 121 a few months ago and then it decided to go up to 122ish. Now I'm 123.6 (my scale doesn't do odd decimals for whatever reason). Or 122.8. Depending on the way I stood on it... but that's beside the point. Scales might be wack but waist measurements don't lie. It's freaking 27.5"/32" and I am literally abdominally obese.

I don't want this big waist measurement anymore and I don't understand what I'm doing wrong. I admit I wasn't drinking enough water, but that shouldn't be too bad over 5 days... and gaining 1.5 pounds? (Maybe 2.5?) And while my period IS late for 8 days, I am completely sure that I am not pregnant since I'm still a virgin. While doing everything RIGHT??

I tried eating 1200 when at 121 and couldn't lose a SINGLE pound for a month. How do I lose these pounds?

5'5, 18 years old, Asian female.
35 (bust), 32 (under bust), 27.5 (waist at smallest), 32 (waist at bellybutton), 35 (hip).
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Replies

  • stargirlhorse
    stargirlhorse Posts: 45 Member
    Tomorrow is also my friend's birthday and they're expecting me to eat a slice of ~500 calorie ice cream cake. Her mom is also buying us all starbucks so I have to get a drink from there. AND I think we're going out to eat and I don't know what I'm gonna do tomorrow.
  • weight3049
    weight3049 Posts: 72 Member
    stargirlhorse wrote: »
    It's freaking 27.5"/32" and I am literally abdominally obese.

    I don't want this big waist measurement anymore and I don't understand what I'm doing wrong.

    You are normal BMI.. if you want to lose weight around any part of your body you just need to exercise that area.

  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    This should help

    https://physiqonomics.com/the-weird-and-highly-annoying-world-of-scale-weight-and-fluctuations/
  • stargirlhorse
    stargirlhorse Posts: 45 Member
    kimny72 wrote: »
    This should help

    https://physiqonomics.com/the-weird-and-highly-annoying-world-of-scale-weight-and-fluctuations/

    At the bottom of the article the author suggests "Instead, focus on body measurements"
    I gained a half inch around my waist.
  • stargirlhorse
    stargirlhorse Posts: 45 Member
    hipari wrote: »
    stargirlhorse wrote: »
    weight3049 wrote: »
    stargirlhorse wrote: »
    It's freaking 27.5"/32" and I am literally abdominally obese.

    I don't want this big waist measurement anymore and I don't understand what I'm doing wrong.

    You are normal BMI.. if you want to lose weight around any part of your body you just need to exercise that area.

    I know spot reduction's a myth. If it wasn't, I'd have abs since I've been doing abs stuff for months.

    You have abs. Maybe not visible to the naked eye, but you definitely do have them.

    Apart from menstrual cycle issues, which definitely cause random bloats and swelling that affect both weight and measurements, you could have just eaten something unsuitable... (cut).

    I don't have any food allergies/reactions, though?

    @Mithridites and @springlering62 - I know there are some things that're absolutely unreasonable to ask of an everyday person. Some things just don't look real and celebrities get called on it ("[random number] of photoshop fails"). HOWEVER, it IS possible to have a thin body. It IS possible to have a small waist. I know several people, all of whom I have seen in real life, with small waists. I have seen these people both posing for pictures and standing normally in body revealing clothes, and they still have small waists. I have even seen them straight after eating with- you guessed it! small waists. So my expectations aren't actually unreasonable... maybe not a 24" waist, but I feel I could get down to 25".

    On another note, why has eating at "maintenance" caused me to gain weight? Yes, I'm accurately logging everything. MFP maintenance is 1,660. Someone else said 2,000+. And a third set of numbers gave me 1596. So, naturally, to be safe, I set it at 1,500.

    And here I am with my extra pounds consistently over a few months. (May, June, July, now August.) Whaaaaaaaaa
  • AshHeartsJesus
    AshHeartsJesus Posts: 460 Member
    Strength training and eating cleanish probably would help. I would focus on being healthy and happy and grateful you don't have a real weight problem. I have been down the unhealthy body image road you don't want to go on. You can't spot train only overall body fat matters. What does your diet and workouts look like?
  • stargirlhorse
    stargirlhorse Posts: 45 Member
    Hanibanani2020 wrote: »
    Can we flag this post because I feel like it’s heading into/currently floundering in ED waters

    I am literally abdominally obese as defined by the world health organization. I make sure to eat at least 1,200 calories per day. And finally, I've never touched a laxative or made myself throw up. Therefore, I do not have an eating disorder.

    -
    Maxxitt wrote: »
    1. A couple of pounds is not either "extreme" or "extremish."
    2. Measurements may fluctuate because of tape location differences, water weight, posture, food being processed through your digestive system
    3. You are 18 and your body has not yet settled into "adult female"
    4. Compassion for oneself is not an over-rated quality :)

    I've made sure to measure my waist at the exact same point every time I do it. For the smallest point, I suck in as much as I can, find the point, and place the tape. For the other part, I do it in the middle of my bellybutton. Both times, I'm standing as straight as I can, and I make it "official" when I breathe out.

    -
    josh2452180 wrote: »
    120 lbs is on the lower end of ideal, depending on how tall you are. (cut)Seek out a trainer at the college that can help you with this, because you really need to strength train. It wont take a few days, or a few weeks. It might take a year or so, depending on where you are at. (cut)

    I will definitely be joining the "go to the gym club." I have a friend who's a super slim and into fitness, so I might ask her for a workout plan even though she's going to a different school. Also, I'm 5'5.5.
  • stargirlhorse
    stargirlhorse Posts: 45 Member
    edited August 2020
    kshama2001 wrote: »

    As a female with a menstrual cycle, what would be abnormal would be NOT having water weight fluctuations in that range.

    How long have you been tracking your weight? I can tell from looking at my chart when I was ovulating and premenstrual.

    Since about April 6, but not on a super consistent schedule. However, I DO remember one day stepping on the scale during the front end of my period, thinking "jfc this number's probably gonna be higher" and then it came out lower. And then I went "wtf... but okay? Yay!"

    -

    AshHeartsJesus wrote: »
    Strength training and eating cleanish probably would help. I would focus on being healthy and happy and grateful you don't have a real weight problem. I have been down the unhealthy body image road you don't want to go on. You can't spot train only overall body fat matters. What does your diet and workouts look like?

    I'm trying to strength train but I'm having to rely on youtube workouts (like I do Chloe Ting's arm 10 minute arm workout on arm days) to get anything done since we don't have weights in my house and I don't officially start college for a few weeks. I try to do some sort of exercise each day, whether it be a walk or youtuber fitness girl workout (Chloe Ting/Madfit, those people). But with each of those, I aim for 100 "active' calories.

    As for my diet, since I started wanting to lose weight and got MFP, I have been eating 1500 calories or less (with the exception of a day or two once a month). I keep my macros somewhere in the "acceptable macronutrient daily range" and try to eat as much protein as I can. I try to eat as little saturated fat as I can and keep the sodium and added sugar intakes low. (I ignore it when I add a fruit and it says "this food is high in sugar.")

    Also, as for your "real weight problem" comment, as I've said before, I'm abdominally obese, so, actually, I do have a real weight problem.


    (Edit: spotted a typo oops. Fixed it!)
  • age_is_just_a_number
    age_is_just_a_number Posts: 631 Member
    Like many other replies, I agree that you’re measurements are normal.
    I’m not Asian, but I do know that in Asian culture, your measurements would seem large in comparison to the typical extreme lean young Asian female frame. And in that culture the pressure for perfection goes beyond waist measurements. So, I understand why you believe you should be able to reduce your waist by another 7 inches.
    The reality of it, is that your body may not be built for a 25 inch waist and if you are able to get there, it may be an overall detriment to your health.
    Having said all that to continue to make progress I suggest:
    Weight training — add more muscle to your frame
    Monitor your macros — you may need more protein
    Here’s a strange one — you may need to eat more calories. You’ll need that to build the muscle.
    Keep and open mind. Take care of yourself.
  • meharmahshahid
    meharmahshahid Posts: 107 Member
    Tell me about it... I'm also asian and 18 AND 5'5, and my current weight is 134, goal weight is 120ish. It's so frustrating when weight fluctuates...
  • stargirlhorse
    stargirlhorse Posts: 45 Member
    Maxematics wrote: »

    I don't post here often anymore but I do read posts daily. I have to comment though as I am concerned for you. I have seen you make posts similar to this one quite often and you kind of remind me of myself when my way of thinking and eating was disordered. I'm not saying this as an insult, but as a suggestion for you to take a step back, breathe, and reassess.

    Abdominal obesity starts at a waist measurement greater than 35 inches for women. That isn't you; you are not abdominally obese. Furthermore, you've stated your period is eight days late. That, and general stress causing a rise in cortisol, can be contributors to water weight gain thus resulting in your waist measurement and scale weight being larger than they actually are.

    You're only 18, so your body is still growing and changing and many people have written this to you. You trying to resist and manipulate that may be causing additional stress on your body; I'd say the eight day late period is pretty good evidence of that stress. In fact, at your age, this is the prime time to start working on your body composition by incorporating resistance training on a regular basis. You won't get bulky and will probably come closer to the body type you're aiming for this way.

    [cut]

    Your weight is currently at the lower end of the BMI scale; getting on the cusp of underweight shouldn't be the goal. Your body is most likely trying to tell you it really doesn't want to be there either. You can be 115 pounds but have more bodyfat than at 125 pounds with more muscle. Your weight is just one part of a much larger picture.


    You incorrect; I am abdominally obese. As I mentioned in my original post, I am Asian, and for some reason, we are abdominally obese at smaller measurements than other people. This link from Harvard Medical states that 80 cm is where one becomes abdominally obese. This is 31.4961 inches according to Google's conversion. My waist is 32, and therefore, by definition and waist measurement, I am abdominally obese.

    The World Health Organization also states "Chinese and South Asian men and women display a greater amount of visceral adipose
    tissue for a given waist circumference than Europeans (Lear et al., 2007b). Similarly, a
    higher percentage of body fat across a range of waist circumference values has been
    documented in East Asia (Kagawa et al., 2007)." (page 10 of the linked document above)

    I have been trying strength training as mentioned before, but again, as I have said before, we do not have weights. I am using YouTuber workouts.
  • stargirlhorse
    stargirlhorse Posts: 45 Member
    I also don't understand why my stupid body won't burn calories. I have a friend who's the same height as me and only like 20 pounds heavier than me and can burn like 900 "move" calories on the apple watch just by existing, doing her everyday activities, and going for a ~3-4 mile run. I went for a 3.43 mile run at a 12'29" pace and only burnt 341 move calories??? I think her biggest burn was 2,100 in a single day. And I have never been able to burn more than 6-700, even when I spent like an hour in the gym? We are both women, the only real difference is the 20-pound weight difference.
  • L1zardQueen
    L1zardQueen Posts: 8,753 Member
    stargirlhorse wrote: »
    I also don't understand why my stupid body won't burn calories. I have a friend who's the same height as me and only like 20 pounds heavier than me and can burn like 900 "move" calories on the apple watch just by existing, doing her everyday activities, and going for a ~3-4 mile run. I went for a 3.43 mile run at a 12'29" pace and only burnt 341 move calories??? I think her biggest burn was 2,100 in a single day. And I have never been able to burn more than 6-700, even when I spent like an hour in the gym? We are both women, the only real difference is the 20-pound weight difference.

    Did you spend all day with her? Or is this what she tells you she did?
  • GaryRuns
    GaryRuns Posts: 508 Member
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