DISgusted

[dkostel]

Hi,
Sorry but I have to vent. I have been, for the last month, waking up at 4 AM to exercise, and adding about 4 miles of extra walking to my day. In addition to that I've been eating better (no sweets, potatoes, etc). I have only lost about 2 lbs in that month. This AM I get on the scale & found I've gained 3 lbs - IN ONE DAY. Yesterday my calorie intake was somewhere around 1200 (with the worst thing I ate being a table spoon of peanut butter because I needed the protein). I walked 5 miles, did strength training for 30 mins and even did 40 mins of cardio before weighing myself. It is also a good 2 weeks away from when a 3lb gain could be because I'm retaining water.

It shouldn't even be possible to gain 3lbs in one day if the only movements I make all day are to move the spoon to my mouth and then back to my endless supply of Ben & Jerry's. This is so discouraging!

Sorry, rant over!

 

[lovinaz]

I can also gain 3lbs+ in a day, any time of the month. Some women are just like that unfortunately... Did you eat more sodium the day before? Did you drink less water than you usually do? There are lots of things that contribute to that pesky overnight gain.

But hang in there, because usually when the lbs appear overnight they are quick to go away. Also, are you taking measurements? That is a much better gauge of your progress. If you are gaining muscle and losing fat the scale will go up a little, but your body will be slimmer.

Keep it up, it sounds like you are really dedicated!

 

[dkostel]

Thankyou lovinaz. Its nice to know this happens to someone else. Usually people think I'm lying about what I ate, or I have a friend who works in a hospital's diet office and reminds me that you must take in (I forgot the actual # but something like 2500 more cals than you burn to gain a pound). That's simply not true (not in my case anyway).
Hopefully tomorrow will bring better news.

 

[NCRedding]

I hope tomorrow brings great news on the scales.

I agree with you about the calorie intake--that formula never works for me--I can gain at the drop of a hat, but takes me forever to lose it!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

In addition to what has already been suggested I wanted to add:

Don't give up! You can get over this bump. It could be many things. Give it some time, keep up your exercising, and healthy eating choices. Things will improve.

 

[disneybride2007]

Okay, when patients that has undergone WLS it's a plateauing moment, they are advised to to increase their protein intake, usually by an additional 5-10 grams per day. Although, I have not had WLS-had considered it, but decided that it was mainly their diet that helped them to lose the weight-I follow their weight loss plan (calorie intake, having drinks 45 minutes after meals, getting in enough water and remembering one of the most important things is to get in, at least 80 grams of protein in every day, etc.). This really helps me a lot and because I know the results of WLS and their diet, I know their diet plan is not a fad because it works and it's not easy.

Long story short, try increasing your daily protein intake. Hope this helps

 

[I Love Pluto]

I can also gain 3 pounds just by looking at cake, cookies, M&M's etc. Drink lots and lots of water. Lots of water - lots! Your diet will work.

 

[deany]

3500 calories makes a pound and there is no way that you consumed 10,500 calories. I can also "gain" 3 lbs for no apparent reason, but the OP is right, it usually comes off right away. I know it is frustrating but hang in there. You seem to be doing so well with your diet and exercise. The way your clothes fit would be a better indicator as you are probably losing fat and gaining muscle (which weights more than fat). Keep up good work.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Count me among those who can gain weight while eating the right things and exercising like mad. I can fluctuate by 1-2 lbs from one day to the next. What helped me get my mind right was to buy a scale that not only gives my weight but also my % body fat and % hydration. I can actually see a weight gain and a drop in total body fat (total weight x %body fat = total body fat) right before a weight loss.

In 3 months, I've lost a little over 10 lbs. Certainly not the rapid weightloss that I thought I would see. But, if I've gone from 33% body fat to 24%. It roughly comes out to a loss of 16 lbs of fat.

Please don't get DIScouraged and don't be DISgusted. You're eating right and exercising, which all helps to make a healthier YOU. Keep up the good work. Once your body gets past this bump, the weight will come off. You're just a slow loser, like me.

 

[kaysmommie]

I'm also like this and it is very discouraging! I think you exercise more than me though. After 2 years of trying to lose the baby weight I gave up and joined Jenny Craig yesterday. I hope it works. Dh is pretty mad about the price as it more $ then we spend on groceries for the family. But I just can't do it on my own. I hardle eat and exercise Daily and don't lose any weight!

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

Wow, I came to this forum today to find out why this exact same thing is happening with me. I understand at muscle is heavier, but come on! I got off the couch the second week of may and joined a ladies only fitness center, which I love! I am walking the treadmill about 45 min/day - 4x/week, and using the machines and have lost maybe 5 pounds.

But then, I'll get on the scale, and it's only 3 pounds, then another day it is 4, and another day 6! grrrr! (very DIScouraging!) Thank you all for posting, and for being encouraging.

Slightly OT, speaking of DIScouraging. When my SIL heard I joined a gym (we weigh about the same) - My husband would talk to his brother, and I keep hearing her "reports" - cindy lost 10 - cindy lost 15! Cindy lost 20! Hmmm. she is not doing anything physical, supposedly "cut out the chips and there is went!" - So....I was ready to throw in the towel, but maybe it is that muscle being heavier thing going on with me! (Note: I haven't actually seen her since Memorial Day, but I will at a grad party this Sat. - (Note to self: I do hope she has lost it, and I promise (to myself) that I will try my best not to be jealous.

I feel good, even great. Maybe I will try the measurement thing to track my progress that way. Thanks DIS
-mary

 

[disykat]

I hear you - I seem to have the same problem! I'd try upping your calories a little. With the amount of exercise you're getting, your body might be hoarding.

 

[dkostel]

Thank you all for the encouragement. Well 2 of the 3 lbs were gone this AM. I do have a fat % scale, I haven't used that feature in a while because the number was really scarry (I was afraid I'd be 103% body fat). I'll try to track that as well, that should tell me if I'm gaining muscle weight. Thanks everyone & I hope we are all successful!

 

[JMD]

Your bodywieght fluctuating 2 or 3 lbs in one day is not unusual, and is mostly likely from your diet. Certain foods like dairy, foods high is sodium, etc, can cause the body to retain water which results in the few extra lbs. Considering the your weight went up 3lbs one day and was gone the next day, its definitely water weight.

How do you know that you are eating around 1200 calories a day? Do you weigh and measure all your food? Do you count calories?

Also, peanut butter is not a good source of protein. Yes, it does have protein in it, but its mostly fat, which makes it high in calories. Even though its healthy fat, and natural peanut butter can be quite good for you, its not a good source of protein.

 

[Naisy68]

DKostel - I was going to suggest that you not step on the scale every day. I can't do that because my mind starts to play games with me and I start to feel defeated. So I go to my weekly weigh-ins at WW but make myself stay off the scale otherwise. It's really hard but I just know that is what works for me. Everyone is different though. You might very well be on a different program than me. So if this is the case just ignore my suggestion.
Hang in there, it sounds like you are doing the right things, you should start to see a difference in your clothes and how you feel. I know how you feel about needing the protein. I crave Jiff peanut butter pretty badly sometimes. I just know it'll make me feel stronger. It doesn't really fit in with my WW plan though so I try to stay away from it. You need that protein though if you are really active. So don't feel bad at all about it. If that's how you get your protein then go for it.
Take Care and try not to be discouraged, Renee

 

[babywewe]

To OP.... Your body might be at a "stand still" after lossing some weight.
Also sounds like your gaining muscle. I would measure myself daily, you may notice yourself lossing inchs but not weight. I would also try having a "cheat day" this may trick you body into lossing weight again.