Weight gain

Hi Amy

I'm gutted for you as it can really get you down. Have you measured yourself like waist etc because you may have lost there rather than actual weight. Or in the first week you may have been more active which for me always makes the difference. Don't forget that drinks hold calories which is annoying but true so be careful there. Don't lose heart though if you want to lose weight you will have good and bad weeks that is just how it goes!

Don't worry, just keep doing what you're doing. Weight loss is not linear, it can fluctuate a lot on a daily basis. If you've kept to your calorie limit (make sure you're counting everything, and measuring accurately) then you won't have put on 3 lbs in fat. The chances are it's water retention. You can retain water from starting an exercise regime, or from eating too much sodium (are you tracking that in your diary?), or as part of your menstrual cycle. Lots of women find they put on a few pounds in the days before their period. I know it's really annoying to see it on the scale, but water weight will come off again quickly.

Just keep at it and you'll see results over the long term. Taking measurements is a great idea - the inches might come off slower than the pounds, but they give you a clearer picture of what's happening. I know it must be frustrating so soon after starting, but with 77lb to lose, it's going to be a marathon, not a sprint. Take it slow and steady and try not to let the scale fluctuations get you down!

Water fluctuation can be a real pain when you're trying to measure exactly how much you're losing. Some people just weigh in once every two weeks or so, but you could also weigh yourself multiple times each day then enter the numbers into some graphs and look at the trends if you want to get your nerd on. If you stick to a consistent exercise and eating routine it can be pretty accurate over time.

I just recently had the same thing happen. I gained 3 pounds back and have finally lost it again. I find that to be a pattern really. I will lose 2 gain 1 and then lose it again before it's finally off. I highly recommend taking your measurements. I didn't at first and wish I would have because I could see the difference the scale wasn't showing me. I took them after losing the first 15 pounds and now I can't wait to check them again next week! Don't get discouraged, I know how hard this is. Try not to weigh every day. Keep eating healthy and exercising and the weight has no choice but to fall off! Whenever I work out and I am sweating like mad I just tell myself that my fat is crying! Keep it up!