Help Why is my weight fluctuating???

[carpediem_cs]

Okay yesterday was my last day of induction. I was down 8 pounds. When I woke up I was down 7 but I went to the gym and weighed again when I got home and was down 8. I ate very little yesterday and went to bed hungry. I wake up this morning thinking that I would be down another pound but I AM UP 2!!!! I am getting ready to go work out again. Spin class kicks my butt! This is difficult especially if my weight keeps fluctuating. What is happening?

[pagliaccia]

Re: Help Why is my weight fluctuating???

Ok, reality check time. Your weight fluctuates because you're a human and not a robot. I've attached an image of my Wii Fit graph that I took a couple weeks ago. The green/blue dots are my weights for those days. As you'll notice, the dots often move up and down slightly. But guess what? The overall trend is downward, and that's what we all care about. There are many factors that can cause you to weigh a little more one day: TOM, the time of day you weigh (are you weighing at exactly the same time day after day?), salt intake, etc. What does your menu look like?

Also, I would really recommend you try to make a weekly treat out of weighing in, because I don't want to see you get frustrated and quit. Best of luck!

[pagliaccia]

Re: Help Why is my weight fluctuating???

Also eat the proper amount. Don't starve yourself! If you keep undereating, that could actually make weight loss more difficult.

[neutronnorman]

Re: Help Why is my weight fluctuating???

Carpediem stay away from the scale unless you truly are bodybuilding to the extreme! Weigh yourself every 2-3 weeks. My weight fluctuates 8-10 lb weekly and after a heavy weight training session I may lose up to 6-7 lb. It's mostly water.

If you want to control water weight fluctuations seriously consider restricting sodium intake. But I highly recommend that you do not drop below the DV% of sodium. If you opt to use a salt substitute, consult your physician first! Potassium chloride can kill you if your kidneys do not function optimally.

My suggestion is to look at weight loss realistically. Get your body fat percentage measured now, then after a 30 day period. You'll never drop a ton of weight in a few days unless you are chemically enhanced or genetically gifted. Genetics plays a key factor, diet and exercise come next.

You've only been dieting for 14 days. If you are lucky, you probably dropped, at max, 3-4 lb of pure fat. The rest, I'm sure was water weight. You are at 207 lb, you are not morbidly obese. So expect a realistic goal of 1.0-1.5, at max 2.0 lb per week of weight loss. Hopefully, 90% of it will be fat. If you crash your caloric intake too low, you will wreck your metabolism. It will then take quite a bit to correct your metabolic rate. I'm pretty sure you did not gain the excess weight in a couple months. How do you expect to lose it in an equivalent time scale?

[liv]

Re: Help Why is my weight fluctuating???

That is a great picture Pagliacca. That is absolutely how this works. There is a long term downward trend but in between there are plenty of little ups. Thanks for posting that.

[pagliaccia]

Re: Help Why is my weight fluctuating???

That is a great picture Pagliacca. That is absolutely how this works. There is a long term downward thread but in between there are plenty of little ups. Thanks for posting that.

You're very welcome! I find it keeps things in perspective for me when I just seem to lose and gain the same two pounds every now and then.

[stephanee]

Re: Help Why is my weight fluctuating???

i see the same thing with my scale and am now weighing no more than once a week, actually tryingto wait two weeks. i dont want to get discouraged

[Alaskansonya]

Re: Help Why is my weight fluctuating???

I think this has to be my favorite thread now! I love the picture!! That really brought it very clear to my mind how weight loss should and does work! Wow! On my way and will not get depressed if I have little ups and downs now! Thanks so much!

[imagood1]

Re: Help Why is my weight fluctuating???

I ate very little yesterday and went to bed hungry. I wake up this morning thinking that I would be down another pound but I AM UP 2!!!! What is happening?

You can't starve yourself -- you are defeating everything by "eating very little" -- eat either 3 large meals and 2 snacks daily OR 5 smaller meals during the day but don't ever let yourself be hungry - you're body will take control and show you it's boss like it did this morning.

We say this over and over and over and over.......stay off the scales on a daily basis...once a week maximum -- every other week would be even better. How about joining the 6 week exercise challenge -- you weigh and measure at the beginning and not again until it's over....

[IrishIrish]

Re: Help Why is my weight fluctuating???

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-extended-induction/5090-weight-loss-not-linear.html

One of the former mods posted this and it rings true several years later.

[Sherri]

Re: Help Why is my weight fluctuating???

Hello,
Welcome to Atkins and ADBB
As you go along your Atkins journey you will recognize a weightloss pattern. It's not unusual for you to lose a couple of pounds, gain a pound, then be down another three pounds. (maybe not in that order) This is your natural rhythm to weightloss. Your weight will fluctuate throughout the day. As does your blood pressure and glucose levels as well as other metobolic levels.
Keeping a food diary at home along with logging weight, measurements and exercise, you will recognize how your body reacts to your food, water, sodium and exercise intake. Be consistant, make sure you're getting all your net carbs allowed. The majority of your net carbs coming from veggies. Do not scimp or skip on your meals. You're only discouraging weightloss when you do this. It's very important to keep a steady glucose level in your body without dives or spikes in your glucose levels. THIS IS IMPOTANT! So eating on a scheduled meal plan is important. I eat every three to four hours. Always with portions of protein, fat and carbs. Remember, Fat burns Fat!
STAY OFF THE SCALE!! Weighing yourself once weekly is plenty. The scale is evil. The tape measure becomes a better friend than the scale.
Try starting a journey board. On a peice of poster board, place a pic of yourself each month along with logging weight, measurements and exercise and watch how your body transforms. It's very encouraging. Something to look forward to each month.
Whatever you do, don't give up! Keep with it, you will be rewarded from all your hard work you put into yourself.
Wishing you much success in your Atkins journey.
Sincerely, Sherri