I'm soooo frustrated!

andreachirillo
andreachirillo Posts: 52 Member
in Motivation and Support
Okay, so....I already know my body is different than most women's...I gain water weight the week AFTER my TOM. So, I am always prepared for that. But...this month I gained 11 pounds and it has taken me two weeks just to drop 7 of those pounds. I'm going on week three of drinking the hell out of water, and still trying to do the best I can diet-wise. And, I'm in the gym every damn day. What gives?

Replies

  • Laurie1267
    Laurie1267 Posts: 169 Member
    What's your sodium intake look like? Please open up your diary so we can take a look.
  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
    You've lost 52 pounds? I am SO impressed!

    Anyway - what's your salt like? This time of year - hot and humid - I hold water like a sponge and can easily gain 5 pounds in a day if my sodium is too high.

    I could be wrong, but does potasium also help you hold water? Look at your ankles. How bony are they?

    My husband is on a low salt diet. Good news - most days I'm under 1000 mg of salt. Bad news - he puts his pickles on my plate. Yesterday I had four little tiny pickle slices and found it was 800 mg salt. And yes, my water weight went up this morning.

    Both walking and tai chi (which is essentially, in this context, just rocking back and forth on your legs) help to increase the circulation and shed the water.

    Also - my mom told me this and it really works. Sit in a hot bathtub and drink ice water. I have no idea why, but it will also get your kidneys going and take water from your system.
  • sharongalt
    sharongalt Posts: 5 Member
    I feel your pain. I get mine about every 14-21 days and every time I gain 5-8lbs and a lot of times I don't lose it all by the next time around. I work out 6 days a week and I am a single mom so I run NON STOP. I have been to doctor to check thyroid; its fine. They said probably a hormone imbalance. So I have been tracking my food on here for a week; I am going to keep it up bc I need proof I am busting my but without results.
  • UrbanRunner81
    UrbanRunner81 Posts: 1,207 Member
    Are you lifting weights? Lift heavy weights. Don't let it be all about cardio. You need to lift to keep your muscles and make them stronger.

    Not sure how you are eating, but make sure you are eating enough, like above your bmr.
  • andreachirillo
    andreachirillo Posts: 52 Member
    Diary is open...the last few weeks have a lot of "quick added calories" just because I have been super busy. But, this may give a better idea of what my diet looks like.
  • andreachirillo
    andreachirillo Posts: 52 Member
    I do lift weights, but not heavy. I do just what my trainer instructs me to. I do wonder though if muscle recovery has something to do with my weight gain because my muscles have been sore for two weeks now.
  • khudsoncadm
    khudsoncadm Posts: 4 Member
    I looked at yesterdays diary. Sodium too high. Lower sodium intake and you may see a change.
  • AnisaMG
    AnisaMG Posts: 154 Member
    Hi, I took a look at your diary. Your salt intake seems pretty high, and that will make you hold your water, also with adding the quick calories it's not calculating the sodium, so it's possible it's even higher than what you show.
    I would try looking at low sodium options and continue to chug that water.
    Congrats on over 50lbs, that's freaking amazing and you are SUCH an inspiration!!!
  • sunnyside1213
    sunnyside1213 Posts: 1,205 Member
    Potassium helps you shed water weight. Salt lovers, try Mortons Lite Salt. It is half potassium and half sodium. Awful on popcorn, but I can't tell the difference in cooking.
  • YoungerNextYear59937
    YoungerNextYear59937 Posts: 90 Member
    Took a peek at your diary. In a nutshell--too much fast food, too much sodium, not enough fruits and veggies, not enough protein. Also, it looks like you are not eating back enough of your exercise calories. Remember, it's not about counting calories, it's about making calories count!
  • themedalist
    themedalist Posts: 3,218 Member
    I also retain water easily and am very sensitive to sodium. I've found what works for me is keeping my sodium count below 2000 mg/day and infusing my diet with fresh fruits and veggies. This helps keep my potassium intake high and keeps sodium in check. Do you get at least 5 or 6 servings of fresh vegetables and fruit everyday?
  • erica111676
    erica111676 Posts: 2
    I understand your frustration. After gaining 40 punds in 4 years (20 of those pounds came on in one year!), I went to my doctor to find out what the heck is going on. I am very active with 4 kids, a full-time job, volunteering as a coach for several sports organizations and eat a fairly healthy diet. After my thyroid and everything else checked out fine, he finally put my on a water pill with a potassium supplement. I was very leery at first because I did not think I was retaining water. Well, he was right and I was wrong. I have lost 12 pounds in the last 3 weeks. One of those weeks was during my cycle, and even though I did gain a few pounds during, they immediately came off within two days. Long story short, see if you are a candidate to be on a water pill. As my doctor said to me.... something about you women. Your bodies like to hold on to that water! Good Luck!!
  • Erica27511
    Erica27511 Posts: 490 Member
    I had the same issue. I would gain 8-10lbs in water weight around TOM. I started keeping sodium to 1800mg and below (MFP has me set at 2500) and I only gain 2-3 now. Try and see if that will work for you! Good luck :happy:
  • andreachirillo
    andreachirillo Posts: 52 Member
    I understand your frustration. After gaining 40 punds in 4 years (20 of those pounds came on in one year!), I went to my doctor to find out what the heck is going on. I am very active with 4 kids, a full-time job, volunteering as a coach for several sports organizations and eat a fairly healthy diet. After my thyroid and everything else checked out fine, he finally put my on a water pill with a potassium supplement. I was very leery at first because I did not think I was retaining water. Well, he was right and I was wrong. I have lost 12 pounds in the last 3 weeks. One of those weeks was during my cycle, and even though I did gain a few pounds during, they immediately came off within two days. Long story short, see if you are a candidate to be on a water pill. As my doctor said to me.... something about you women. Your bodies like to hold on to that water! Good Luck!!

    No insurance...think there are over the counter options?
  • PixiePickle
    PixiePickle Posts: 68 Member
    Wow! I just had a look at your diary & your extra calories that you earn are high on some days. What sort of exercise do you do? I'm just interested to get ideas for burning more calories myself
    :smile:
  • HeatherNicoleMomOf4
    HeatherNicoleMomOf4 Posts: 201
    looks like some days you go over your sodium alot. id start out making small changes buy stuff with reduced/low sodium read packages and compare to see which has lower sodium and drink alot of water to flush out the sodium . i know plain water gets old after a bit , but walmart has a brand clear america flavored waterr with no calories,sugar or sodium unlike propel
  • shannonmaria
    shannonmaria Posts: 44 Member
    Not sure what the doctor would prescribe, but a common diuretic is Lasix. The generic is Furosemide and most pharmacies have a low cost prescription plan. At Walmart you can get a 30 day supply for $4. A 90 day supply is $10. It doesn't matter if you have insurance or not, just as long as you have a prescription from your Dr.
  • MMMendoza007
    MMMendoza007 Posts: 157 Member
    First, *hugs*.

    Girl, I feel you. Whenever I stall...and I'm just starting on the site so just know I'm no stranger to this game....the answer is usually found in my diet. Of course, tweaking your exercise routine can help some. But I'd first look to what's going in.
  • andreachirillo
    andreachirillo Posts: 52 Member
    Wow! I just had a look at your diary & your extra calories that you earn are high on some days. What sort of exercise do you do? I'm just interested to get ideas for burning more calories myself
    :smile:

    I really vary my work out depending on what my trainer has instructed me to do. It's mostly wieght training with short bursts of cardio mixed in to get my heart rate up. I also use a heart rate monitor that shows me the number of calories I burn, so I think it is pretty accurate.
  • andreachirillo
    andreachirillo Posts: 52 Member
    Not sure what the doctor would prescribe, but a common diuretic is Lasix. The generic is Furosemide and most pharmacies have a low cost prescription plan. At Walmart you can get a 30 day supply for $4. A 90 day supply is $10. It doesn't matter if you have insurance or not, just as long as you have a prescription from your Dr.

    The only place to see a Dr. without insurance in my area is the ER (not many local drs are accepting new patients without insurance.) I really can't justify an er visit for something like lasix.

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