Weight Loss fluctuation question

[IndyRnRfan]

One thing that nobody hardly mentions is "what" are you actually losing? Everyone assumes they are losing fat. This is not always the case. If you are losing muscle in the process of losing weight you are not doing yourself any good. This is why, moderate exercise, both cardio and weight training should be done with any weight loss. And weight isn't always what you should be concerned with. If you are putting on muscle, you can actually gain weight or make it seem like you are not losing much weight, but lose inches as a previous poster mentioned. We all know muscle is tighter and more dense than fat. Also, I agree, weighing yourself daily is pointless. Once a week or couple of weeks is more ideal and include taking a full body picture of yourself so you can compare those photos as you progress.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Wouldn't that be 2 pounds per month?

Yea, well, tell my body that. Plus if I go over my calorie count it slows it down a bit.

And if we are going by inches, there is where my issue is, I have to lose 10 INCHES!!!! Aaackkk....

 

[lizabu]

I think many people have a good idea of what is normal for them too. A fluctuation of 5 lbs would be very unusual for most people. My fluctuation is at most 2lbs so if I stepped on a scale and saw I was down 5 or 6lbs there would definitely be some weight loss going on.

 

[lizabu]

Yea, well, tell my body that. Plus if I go over my calorie count it slows it down a bit.

And if we are going by inches, there is where my issue is, I have to lose 10 INCHES!!!! Aaackkk....

I think they were just questioning you math. You said 1/2 a pound per week adds up to 1 pound per month.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I think many people have a good idea of what is normal for them too. A fluctuation of 5 lbs would be very unusual for most people. My fluctuation is at most 2lbs so if I stepped on a scale and saw I was down 5 or 6lbs there would definitely be some weight loss going on.

5 or 6 lbs is not unheard of during PMS.

 

[lizabu]

5 or 6 lbs is not unheard of during PMS.

It would be unheard of for me. 6lbs...I'd have to be pregnant or dear God what did I eat to gain that much in one day? Rocks?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I think they were just questioning you math. You said 1/2 a pound per week adds up to 1 pound per month.

Yes, I got that.

I have my calories set for .5/week which if I held fast to it I might lose 2lbs/month however sometimes I go over which translates less loss.

 

[lizabu]

Yes, I got that.

I have my calories set for .5/week which if I held fast to it I might lose 2lbs/month however sometimes I go over which translates less loss.

If you are working out you may be adding muscle mass which may make it seem like you are not losing. I hate counting calories. On low calorie diets I'm always hungry. I have had better luck with eating low carb. Carbs and sugars are my weaknesses. When I retrict them I lose.

 

[nkereina]

In order to determine true weight loss, you need to weigh yourself at the same time and not every day. I've been losing weight since last summer and weigh myself every Friday morning, as soon as I get up before I do anything. This is about the only time of day where your stomach will be near empty after fasting all night while you sleep.

You can't judge morning til night because your body will retain water throughout the day.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If you are working out you may be adding muscle mass which may make it seem like you are not losing. I hate counting calories. On low calorie diets I'm always hungry. I have had better luck with eating low carb. Carbs and sugars are my weaknesses. When I retrict them I lose.

I am trying to side step that debate to be honest, lol.

You cannot "gain muscle" in a calorie deficit. You would need to be at surplus calories or bulking method and mainly do heavy lifting.

Now you can burn calories with working out, for sure, which helps with weight loss.

At the moment, I am not working out regular basis. So, not even factoring it in yet. I am researching "heavy lifting" and that is direction I am going to in. Something like "strong lifts 5X5".

 

[soccerdad72]

In order to determine true weight loss, you need to weigh yourself at the same time and not every day. I've been losing weight since last summer and weigh myself every Friday morning, as soon as I get up before I do anything. This is about the only time of day where your stomach will be near empty after fasting all night while you sleep.

You can't judge morning til night because your body will retain water throughout the day.

I agree with this - to have any decent comparison from week to week, consistency is key.

 

[marmalade]

When I read something like "I've lost 3 pounds this month" I get so confused. I honestly fluctuate more than 3 pounds in a day. Realistically closer to 5 pounds up or down depending on the day. So I tend to just average it out to determine my weight.
But I could be down 3 lbs tomorrow morning and 3 pounds up tomorrow night.

How do you determine such small weight losses and at what point do you decide you've truly lost weight.

I figure I'ld have to have the heaviest number I see now be lower than the lowest number I used to see to call it a loss (so nearly 10 lbs)

Not trying to knock anyone that's lost 3lbs. Any healthy choices you are making that results in lost pounds is great.

If you usually weigh between 120-123lbs (made up numbers) and want to lose some weight and a few weeks later your weight is now fluctuating from 117-120 then you lost 3lbs. Most people know their approx weight with the random fluctuations.

 

[North of Mouse]

When I read something like "I've lost 3 pounds this month" I get so confused. I honestly fluctuate more than 3 pounds in a day. Realistically closer to 5 pounds up or down depending on the day. So I tend to just average it out to determine my weight.
But I could be down 3 lbs tomorrow morning and 3 pounds up tomorrow night.

How do you determine such small weight losses and at what point do you decide you've truly lost weight.

I figure I'ld have to have the heaviest number I see now be lower than the lowest number I used to see to call it a loss (so nearly 10 lbs)

Not trying to knock anyone that's lost 3lbs. Any healthy choices you are making that results in lost pounds is great.

Weigh on the same scales every morning before eating/drinking (or every week, whatever) in the same clothing at the approx. same time - this will give a fairly accurate picture of your weight.

It's true, we all fluctuate in pounds during the day - before/after meals, etc. - so doing it the above way is the best way for me. Also, if just starting a diet, the first several pounds will mostly be lost fluids, so have to keep up weight loss program to 'actually' lose and also have some type exercise program - this has been my experience (with the 'stubborn' 20lbs. I lose and gain ;-).

 

[BadgerGirl84]

I love, love, love my Aria scale from FitBit. At first, it seemed silly to have a wifi scale, but I really like having the automatic graphs of my weight to look at. I weigh in every day or every other day in the morning. When I started my weight loss (15 lbs since October--whoohoo!) I just started with the highest weight I had recently hit and started subtracting the parts from there. Weighing in every day and having a graph helped me see what fluctuations were normal for me and to identify plateaus.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

OP, salty foods can cause weight fluctuations, since fluid retained is heavy.

 

[Chocolate Cake]

I try not to weigh myself. If I feel like I need to lose weight/tone up, I go and buy a new dress or a new pair of jeans that I can "get on", but is very snug.

I then eat better, exercise more, and try the outfit on weekly. It gives me a good goal to work for.

 

[Carina]

...and include taking a full body picture of yourself so you can compare those photos as you progress.

Great suggestion!