Confused and Upset

[becka]

I took about a 3 week break in June only to come back to WISH 2 weeks ago. In that 3 week period I gained about 1/2 pound and I was happy with that considering the way I was eating.

Well after one week back on program I lost 6 pounds. I was so excited. I worked hard at it and I had an amazing loss. This past week was more difficult for me since I went to my parents for the 4th and there was so much good food there. I did let myself eat lots of goodies because this was a vacation and I wanted to indulge. I still watched what I ate and did not go overboard. Well yesterday I weighed-in (and again today just to make sure) and I am up 6-7 pounds for the week - that is almost a pound a day.

I really just don't understand why it is fluctuating so much. I know water can have a lot to do with it but I have never had water gains and losses like this. It is usually just 2-3 pounds at most. This is unprecedented for me and I don't know what the difference is.

It is really un-motivating. I just feel like 'why bother?' and I know the answer to that question but I still feel confused. It is not easy to see the scale go up that many pounds. I know it will eventually come off but it just looks like a huge mountain to climb right now. I am probably just tired and worn out from vacation but I don't feel like I have the strength to tackle it right now.

Well thanks for letting me vent and reading my little pity party. I will get over it but it sure is no fun to be stuck in the same place for almost 2 months. *blah*blah*blah*blah

 

[lmhall2000]

I think after this holiday- you're going to be in good company!! I bet you'll see alot of folks noticing a gain this week. And you ARE right- it's water mostly- what's important is that it's a new day today- the 4th is not for another 362 days- so you've got that much time to get where you want to be.
Maybe sitting down and writing out some goals- it always helps me to visualize "Hey - if I lose 1-2 pounds a week- by February 1, I can be at 160!" I don't think as much about the number I'm at now- and I started thinking how funny it was that I stayed around 240 for 4 years and how in a matter of 2 weeks I whizzed right by 230 and am now in the 20X single digits! So you won't be at this weight for long- keep your eye on the goal- (mini-goals help!) I liked Tammy (Party of Six's) approach of taking 10% goals
if you weigh 230- your first goal will be to lose 23 pounds
once you're at 207 your second goal will be to lose 20.7 pounds
then from 186.3 you'll need to lose 18.6- see your goals get smaller as you do!!


You can do this!!
Tara

 

[Kabuli1]

You know, I know, we all know it's water weight! But why so much this time? Because the 4th of July treats are loaded with salt! Look at bratwurst, which I love on summer holidays - something like 800mgs of sodium in one brat! Add to that with it being summer we all tend to get dehydrated, and if some of the treats were alcohol - that just adds to the dehydration. I don't know how it is we retain so much water when we get dehydrated - but I guess that's one of the great mysteries of life! All we can do, all of us who enjoyed the weekend so much is get back OP and start guzzling water! It will whoosh away (unless you've got TOM in which case you'll be waiting a bit longer for the whoosh!)

Hang in there! There's lots of us looking at our scales after the weekend wondering what happened!

Karyn

 

[Christine]

If it makes you feel better, it IS water.

Now, I've never been much of a "water retainer" person, at least not in my 20s and early 30s. Now, I'm 39 and I seem to be puffing up everywhere. It used to be that I could weigh myself in the morning and in the evening and only see a 1 lb difference if any. These days, I weigh in the morning at 146 lbs, but in the evening I am up to 150 lbs.

It seems to be worse now that it is hot out. I'm getting strap marks on my feet from my shoes and when I go out walking it feels as if my hands and feet are swelling. I think a lot of it has to do with the temperature outside and how much outdoor activity you are having. Over the 4th of July holiday weekend I walked for a hour every morning (each day was well into the 90s with a 'humiture' of about 100) and I walked last night. As much as I was sweating, the water weight was there in the evening. It is very discouraging.

And then if I eat anything sodium-laden, it is a LOT worse. The other poster was right--4th of July food tends to be the worst for that. So give it another few days and see where you are. Drink lots of water and eat water containing foods.

 

[mowsie dreamer]

{{{{{Hugs}}}}} Becka. I know this situation is soooooo frustrating, but hang in there. I'll bet next week you will see a loss.

I agree that it must be water gain. I know for me it is so important that I drink plenty of water EVERY day. When I miss a day, I will show a 1-2 lbs gain the next day! On Saturday, I didn't drink much water and when I weighed on Sunday I was up 3 LBS!!! I was dreading my Monday WI and WW but started chugging down the water on Sunday and by Monday night I had a 2.75 loss. So water gain could be masking your true loss!

Also, I notice that it does make quite a difference if I eat a lot of salty food or even drink several soft drinks. I have just about given soft drinks up completely because every time I drink them I puff up!

Hang in there, Becka. You are doing great! This WILL get better!

 

[CamColt]

I tend to be that way too. I will be doing really good, then take a couple days off(usually a weekend) and Ill have an unusually large weight gain in just a couple days. However, after getting back on track for a few days most of it will come right off.
This weekend was the perfect example. I started out Friday by going to Krispy Kreme, and it just went down hill from there. By Monday, according to the scale I gained about 6 lbs in 3 days. However as of this morning I already dropped 3.5.
Just get back on track and hopefully it should come off fairly quickly. Good luck!

 

[TigH]

Sending you some hugs, Becka!

There is NO WAY that you gained 6 or 7 pounds of fat in a week, especially if you stuck to the program and only had some indulgences at your parents. NO WAY is it fat, NO WAY!

Hang in there! You know if you give up now that it won't come off, so that isn't an option.

How did you feel BEFORE you got on the scale? That is important! And how did you feel after you break when you got back on plan and lost? Try to remember how great you felt and KNOW that those feelings are just around the corner.

You are doing a great job - I missed you alot when you took your break but I know it's important to take a break now and then. Please don't let this temporary gain throw you off balance. It *IS* worth it to stick with the program!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bad days like this suck, but then they usually don't last very long and soon you'll have your motivation back and you'll be posting a great message - like a clippie change celebration, or a compliment from someone you know, or how you fit into the next size down, or some new exercise accomplishment you made!!!!!!!

Hang in there!

 

[MelanieC]

Becka,

Hang in there! Its tough seeing that weight flucuate, but you definately did not GAIN 6 pounds in those few days. Just get back on track, think about all that you have accomplished and in a few days you will probably see that water weight come off.

Melanie

 

[Debbie]

Ah, becka, I'm sorry that you are so down. But let's look at this logically. You say you gained 6 pounds? Well, if I remember a pound is @ 3500 calories. 6x3500 is 21 000 (that's right, 21 thousand) calories! And that would after and more than the close to 3000 calories that your body uses just by living! D'ya think that you ate 42, 000 calories last week. (I know, I know, sometimes it seems like we do, but we just don't!) Give it a couple of days of water, water and water, and I'm pretty sure that you will be back to where you belong before you know it.

Oh, and becka? STAY off that scale!

 

[marydmjj]

Becka,

I can completely understand your frustration. I'm up 6lbs this week which basically puts me right back where I started. Now I know I cheated lots over the last week and I really enjoyed drinking a few beers on the 4th. And now because of your thread I know some of my gain is water retention! Thank you!!!

Hang in there. Next week will be much better.

 

[perfectmatch300]

{{{{HUGS}}}}Becka! Hang in there. As everyone who has already postes has said, It's water weight & it will come right off. Stick to your program & I know you'll do fine.

 

[Luvinit]

Becka....I can't tell you for SURE what it is...BUT what I can tell you for sure...YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!! Look how many others (myself included) are going through the SAME thing!! Isn't wish awesome!! We can get through this one girls...come on...everyone DRINK YOUR WATER!!!

Tracy

 

[geetey]

{{{{{BECKA}}}}}

I am sorry this is happening to you. It is just so frustrating!! I bet you were outside more than typical though. Right? I think our bodies retain a LOT more water if we spend time outside when it isn't the 'norm' for us. Like on the 4th of July! BBQing... sitting around chatting outside.... maybe hitting the pool.... watching the fireworks.... It all adds up to more than typical hours in the heat and humidity and our bodies react by grabbing that water and holding on to it. Of course, this is all just a theory on my part but it certainly makes ME feel better! LOL! >wink<

 

[Nancy]

You should really drink more water than you normally would. I find that after I've had a bad day, I increase my water for the next few days and it seems to help. Stay away from ALL carbonated drinks, even the diet ones and try to drink only caffiene free tea or coffee if you have to have it. If you only indulged for a few days over the 4th you did not gain that weight. Weigh yoursef in another 3 or 4 days and see what happens. Just don't get discouraged, we all have our up and down days.

 

[RaySharpton]

Great info from everyone. Everyone is different. I am still on induction after my ninth week. I started off with less than 20-grams of carbs. per day for the first 2-weeks. Then zero carbs. for one week, and now I'm less than 15-carbs. per day.

Here is how many pounds that I lost and gained each week. -6, +1, -2, +1, -4, -8, -2, +4

It is frustrating to see the scale, BUT I am not hungry, I sleep better, I feel better, my clothes are feeling looser.

God bless you, best wishes, and encouragemet, RaySharpton (insert smiley face here...lol)