what is wrong with me? ladies only please

mykahlio1
mykahlio1 Posts: 40 Member
edited November 12 in Motivation and Support
okay so im new to myfitnesspal and just starting to try and lose weight and get into shape. so my first week went great i lost 4 lbs :bigsmile: , then the next day my monthly cycle :mad: started which usually only last a few days well that few days is up and i get on the scale this morning and im up .6 lbs its really ticking me off :explode: and discouraging me. tommorrow makes two weeks and i was really hoping for atleast a pound more off but im up. im working out 60-90 minutes a day doing aerobics and eating way better and staying under my calorie and carb limits im even drinking 4 glasses of water per day which before i started i didnt drink water ever. its killing me im busting my but to eat better and fit exercise into my day and i get nothing :brokenheart: ! am i doing something wrong? does this happen to everyone? i need results and i need them soon !!!!

please ladies if you have any advice or ideas that will help me out im desperate. thanks

Replies

  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    My advice is to give it a bit longer. Reassess when you've stuck to your routine for at least a month.
  • cutethang1
    cutethang1 Posts: 239 Member
    I have seen lots of posts were some women will gain 1-10 lbs on their monthly and it should just level off eventually. Try to drink lots of water during that time as we do retain sounds counteractive but helps get it out. Watch sodium during that time as well. You could add the sodium tracking to your diary just to make sure. Sodium during our monthly can also cause more retention. Good luck.
  • SaharaZaraMorocco
    SaharaZaraMorocco Posts: 136 Member
    It may be that you are still retaining water from TOM. I agree with melaniecheeks - give it a bit longer and track how your body reacts.
  • Keep going, IGNORE the scales, try a tape measure, take your measurements and log them too, it can take a while for your body's metabolism to kik start and get used to the new routine you are putting it through, keep it up, and the weight will drop, be strict about what you are logging, log everything, accuratly, exercise when you can, and drink plenty, please don't be discouraged, these thing can take time to get started, nearly all women put on lbs at that T.O.M, then it goes, last week I put on 5lb, and this week it has gone, plus more!!
    Keep your chin up, you can do it, keep positive, MFP works, the success pages are testament to that.
    :smile:
  • Shelbert79
    Shelbert79 Posts: 510 Member
    I had the same thing happen to me, was losing about 3lbs every 2 weeks then (during my cycle) I was only down .8:grumble: ! But when I weighed in today I was down 4.8lbs in a 2 weeks span. I'm trying to stay at around 1300-1400 cal a day and I exercise almost every day (doing Jillian Michaels 30day shred). I understand that it gets discouraging, but don't quit! Also, try measuring yourself, I ended up losing 10" but only losing 2lbs in the same time period. The measurements have kept me motivated more than the scale. Good luck!:happy:
  • Zsquared
    Zsquared Posts: 54
    How much under your calories are you eating? Believe it or not I had a friend with the same problem and it turned out she was eating too few calories!! Stick with it, no matter what the scale says you are doing yourself a favor by being a healthier, better you!!
  • I don't know why you have to lose weight "now" but that is unrealistic. Hopefully your goal is to lose weight and keep it off. In order to do that you need to look further down the road. Don't weigh yourself too often. Do what you know will work: fewer calories and more exercise. It will work. Best Wishes.
  • MindyG150
    MindyG150 Posts: 1,296 Member
    I am always up 1-3 pounds during my cycle and it takes 3-5 days after the fact to get back to where I was.

    So really I only lose 2 weeks out of the the month!:cry:
  • apretz1
    apretz1 Posts: 18
    Give it more time and drink plenty of water. All that exercise and the time of the month without the proper amount of water will cause a large amount of water retention. Most people don't realize just how heavy water is.
  • mrssmith636
    mrssmith636 Posts: 80 Member
    There is no fast fix. Just keep doing what your doing. None of us gained weight over night and it's not just going to fall off overnight. I would double up your water. A 4 lb. weight loss is incredible but don't expect that every week.
  • heleflump
    heleflump Posts: 57
    NOTHING is wrong with you - it's just the mysterious frustrating ways of the bodies we are given! There is no rhyme nor reason when it comes to weightloss - I have been an absolute angel for two ages and lost not a jot - then it comes off quickly - then - for no apparent reason I gain. But - all the time clothes feel different and that is what i judge it by.

    I sometimes think women have a hamster in their genetic makeup as we store it all very easily (only in my case it is usually my butt cheeks as well as my facial cheeks!) we must also have some sort of sponge related to us as we soak up and retain water at the drop of a hat. Just persevere - there is no quick fix (not permanent one anyway) and if you are doing everything right - it will even out over time.

    good luck xx
  • jlr_12
    jlr_12 Posts: 170 Member
    To add to everything said above, often people lost a bunch their first week (water weight), and then struggle the 2nd week. Just keep doing what you've been doing and BE PATIENT. This is about the time a lot of people quit...don't be one of them! Push through and you'll start seeing results soon. What's better, losing 10 lbs in a month and gaining it back right after...or losing 10llbs in 4 months and keeping it off forever? Patience is really the key here.
  • There is nothing "wrong" with you...we all go up and down depending on that time of the month...the key is DON'T GIVE UP!! You can do this but it does take time.

    I would also suggest drinking more...I do the very best when I drink tons of water. Before each meal I drink a glass of water... just keep it flowing and you will see great results!
  • rw4004
    rw4004 Posts: 157
    Some really great replies here.Gaining during TOM is normal.Your doing great be patient and you will see results that last!Drink more water,eat more fiber and protein,change up you're food and workouts so your body plateau.
  • donna_glasgow
    donna_glasgow Posts: 869 Member
    okay so im new to myfitnesspal and just starting to try and lose weight and get into shape. so my first week went great i lost 4 lbs :bigsmile: , then the next day my monthly cycle :mad: started which usually only last a few days well that few days is up and i get on the scale this morning and im up .6 lbs its really ticking me off :explode: and discouraging me. tommorrow makes two weeks and i was really hoping for atleast a pound more off but im up. im working out 60-90 minutes a day doing aerobics and eating way better and staying under my calorie and carb limits im even drinking 4 glasses of water per day which before i started i didnt drink water ever. its killing me im busting my but to eat better and fit exercise into my day and i get nothing :brokenheart: ! am i doing something wrong? does this happen to everyone? i need results and i need them soon !!!!

    please ladies if you have any advice or ideas that will help me out im desperate. thanks

    Theres nothing wrong with you, It happens to me all the time (and my cycle is erratic so Im never sure when its going to arrive) during your cycle ignore the scales, and the tape measure for that matter, look at the over all trend of your weight loss over a month, instead of week to week or day to day (like i do :blushing: ....... if the over all trend is going down then your doing it right

    keep with the health eating the exercise and the water, and the scales will start behaving again in no time .....

    Good luck and eat well :happy:
  • praktis
    praktis Posts: 1
    Give it a little more time but log everything and I mean everything that crosses your lips. Coffee, sugar, creamer, life savers, gum, everything. It's amazing how it adds up. Stay away from packaged foods and restaurants as much as possible.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    There are a lot of women here who will tell you that they don't even look at the scale during their TOM. I always gain a pound or two at that time, myself. I just know it's going to happen and know that a few days after it's over I'll be back to my "normal" weight.
  • i'm new here too, and I'm not sure how well this logic is accepted here, but muscle weighs more than fat, so if you're working out a lot, and didn't in the past, you could be building muscle, which is good. I agree that you should take measurements. That might show a smaller waist and toner legs or arms. Good luck. I'm trying to stick with this too, and it is hard, but I hope to see results too.
  • lschuttem
    lschuttem Posts: 82 Member
    yeah i hardly lot any during my TOM (i was able to lose .5lb tho because i have a lot to lose) but then the week after I lost twice as much as i do on a normal week (almost 4 lbs) so it works itself out. Drink tons of water!
  • PattyfromToledo
    PattyfromToledo Posts: 74 Member
    You can't expect it to come off in a week... how long did it take you to put it on? Don't get discouraged...it won't happen over night. You are doing everything right... building muscle is a good thing!! Keep up the good work!!
  • jlr_12
    jlr_12 Posts: 170 Member
    i'm new here too, and I'm not sure how well this logic is accepted here, but muscle weighs more than fat, so if you're working out a lot, and didn't in the past, you could be building muscle, which is good. I agree that you should take measurements. That might show a smaller waist and toner legs or arms. Good luck. I'm trying to stick with this too, and it is hard, but I hope to see results too.

    This logic is sort of right, but most likely not what's going on here. When you are eating at a deficit (a low amount of calories) then it is very hard to build muscle (there's not enough extra calories to use for that purpose, since there's only enough coming in to really maintain the important functions). And even if the OP is eating a high amount of calories, in only the 2nd week there probably wouldn't be that significant of a gain in muscle. It is more than likely water weight from TOM, or from exercise (the body retains water after strenuous exercise). Either way it's temporary and if you guys are doing everything else right, the general weight trend should be in a downward direction.
  • SMarti030
    SMarti030 Posts: 13 Member
    Hey darlin I have been right where you are. I have always worked my tail off and stayed around the same weight. what helps motivate me is taking my measurements bi weekly. Everyone says muscle weighs more than fat and bla bla bla but it's true. When I measured every week the loss was to small to really see but bi-weekly measuring helps to keep me motivated. I'm new to this site to and the fact that we are here means we have the motivation for change and we are willing to do the hardest thing which is swallow our pride and ask for help. Keep at it. make sure you drink 8-10 glasses of water a day. If you have water add some Mio or a touch of crystal light for flavor. your body will retain water if it's not getting enough especially if your working out a lot. Good luck lady!!!
  • jennkess
    jennkess Posts: 86
    it is really hard for women to not pay attention to the #'s on the scale - our society has put such an emphasis on it- try to judge by how you feel. are your clothes starting to fit looser? is your skin complexion improving, are you feeling more energic overall?

    measurements are awesome- try to weigh in once a week if you can help it ( i have days i weigh every day- but i just stress myself out- if i can wait a week I am more excited by the #'s on the scale.

    4lbs in one week is unrealistic if you want to keep the weight off.

    make sure you fuel your body for the exercise you are putting it thru - proteins- fruits and veggies- nuts

    perhaps if your gym has it get your body composition done. it only cost $17 at my gym. I did it... went back 3 months later and had it re-done even though I was upset because the scale said I only lost 3.5lbs I lost 16% of my body fat, tons of inches and was down a whole dress size.

    the number on the scale is just a number- and TOM is always always Really poopy

    good luck and add some of us a freinds, watch what we eat... how we exercise.. how the scale moves great and then not so great. having a community of women can help us thru these emotional ups and downs

    good luck and big cyber hugs it will get better I promise :flowerforyou:
  • quill16
    quill16 Posts: 373 Member
    I've been at this for 15 months (over 150 lb loss) and the scale bounces around a few lbs here and there due to salt intake , TOM, plateaus, muscle building and sometimes I can't even figure a reason. It's hard not to get discouraged,but I just grit my teeth and don't give up. It balances out with days in a row of "magical loss" when the scale is "my friend". I weigh daily,but only use my 1st of the month day as my official loss day.
  • powersofmagnitude
    powersofmagnitude Posts: 5 Member
    I agree with the posts regarding the monthly cycle (below), salt, muscle weight gain, etc. Do watch out for things like sodas or even diet sodas--a lot of really bad things in carbonated drinks, not the least of which is salt. I have lost 89 pounds and still have a long way to go. I have learned that the true course of dieting never does run smooth--you might lose 10#s hit a plateau for 2-3 weeks, then start losing again. Or you might lose 3-4 pounds, exercise and stay under your calories and still gain 1-3 pounds--up and down, up and down, up and down. Your weight will fluctuate. To start with, only weigh 1-2 times per week, and (second) be determined to stay the course--no matter what obstacle (or weight gain or discouragement) is thrown up at you. Here's a favorite quote of mine by Christian Larson: "Believe in yourself and all that you are. KNOW THAT THERE IS SOMETHING INSIDE YOU THAT IS GREATER THAN ANY OBSTACLE." (I put a copy of this on my wall.) I believe the difference between success and failure is that you just keep going in the face of adversity--don't give up. Find something that inspires you and repeat it to yourself like a mantra when you are discouraged. And talk to someone who is supportive. I send my love and good wishes to you (and all of us trying to lose weight). --Sharon ( AKA powersofmagnitude).
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