Monday, September 8, 2008

Killing Me Softly


I have been doing really well with food lately. My life has been very hectic and I have been extremely busy, too busy to eat! I have been sure to get in all three meals with a bite or two of a snack in between, and I have been downing quite a bit of unsweetened green tea. I have also been able to squeeze in some nightly exercise and I have been achieving my goal of no eating after dinner. It's been kind of nice to be too busy to worry so much about food.

So here's the killer....
I stepped on the scale yesterday, after 3 days of wonderful, on-track eating and the scale showed a whopping 264. WHAT? I was just 260 3 days ago. THEN...when I stepped on the scale this morning, again after another day of good eating, it showed 265.4. Are you kidding me? I am gaining? Now, I really, Really, REALLY don't think I have gained 5 pounds of muscle. So, seriously, what in the heck is going on here? I am completely bewildered.

14 comments:

Lynn said...

Weight loss is such a pain, isn't it? The whole thing would be much easier if we understood it. If I do X, Y will happen. Doesn't work that way.

Sometimes you gain muscle, if you just stepped up your workout routine. I know I did. Have you done measurements? I found those help me a lot when I'm gaining for no appreciable reason. Also, various other biological things can get in the way. Retaining water (too much salt, time of the month, etc) can also change your scale numbers. Surprisingly enough, you may also be eating TOO LITTLE. My husband has a real problem with that. If he doesn't eat ENOUGH, he'll gain weight. Don't ask me, it doesn't make sense...

All in all, I don't really have any helpful advice. I'm still figuring the whole thing out myself. What I can say is this: nothing anyone else says will help you "feel better" about it. Keep working on your eating plan and eventually the weight will come off. You can't schedule it, or predict it, but it will eventually come off :D

Good luck

Cristina said...

Ditto what Lynn said. Basically it sucks...but you know our bodies do weird things and we can be up 3lbs and then 6 hours later we can be down 3lbs.
I know it's easier said than done but try not to stress too much about it.
You're probably retaining water for some reason or something weird is going on but if you've been on track with eating...I'm sure the scale will reflect that soon.
Besides, how do you feel? Are you feeling good because you've been on track? I bet you are...so don't worry...the numbers will align soon. :)

SeaShore said...

I agree with Lynn & Cristina. It's probably water retention, due to any of a number of reasons: sodium, your ToM, sore muscles, stress, humidity, etc.

Keep going with your plan! The weight will come off!

Fat Free Me said...

Well all the other ladies offered more than I could...and I figure they're correct :) So, it's advice I need to take as well. Working our butts off just to see the numbers go UP does do a number on our confidence...Hang in there. We'll be twirling eventually :)

Natalia said...

OK listen to me very carefully. Pick up your bleepin scale with both hands. Hold it over your head and throw it out the window. WAIT....I forgot to tell you to open the window first. Phew. OK NOW throw it out the window.

How do your clothes feel? It doesn't matter what the scale says if your clothes feel the same it's not a true gain. Could be water retention, could be time for a new scale. Hang in there! Remember throughout the week your weight will fluctuate wait until your actual weigh in day and see what it says.

You said you've been drinking a lot of green tea, have you been drinking your water too?

Anonymous said...

I agree, don't put too much stock in the scale right now if you are doing well with eating. Stress does funny things to our bodies (it makes me lose my hair). It's a huge weight loss killer so if you have a lot of stuff going on right now - which it sounded like you might- maybe that could be a contributor? Try not to get too discouraged though, it sounds like you are on a great track. Things will eventually balance out.

Lynn said...

Thank you all so very much for your positive encouragement and words of wisdom! I greatly appreciate all of you.

Deb said...

Your post mentioned "3 days". Are you weighing yourself more often than once a week? If so you might want to try to cut back to no more often than that. The senseless fluctuations can make you crazy.

new*me said...

I agree with Deb....the scale fluctuates so much with sodium, pms.......etc. Also, you mentioned you hadn't been eating much...could be that your body senses starvation approaching and won't let anything go :) Check your calories to make sure you are target. You may need to eat 5 or 6 little meals to keep the metabolism up :)

Love the pic :)

Buffedstuff said...

hang in there I promise you the scale is only tells a partial story. I wish you the best on your journey.

elife said...

I just realized I hadn't been reading your blog...and then I remembered I updates my links, so clearly I forgot yours (D'OH). Anyways, good to catch up on you again. CONGRATS on your 25 lbs!! Don't worry about the fluctuation, it will come off.

MargieAnne said...

Sorry the scales freaked you out.

I am new to your blog so won't comment other than something I am learning too.

The scales don't matter if you like yourself, like the way you are eating, drinking, exercising. The scales are a simple tool that only tell part of the story.

Blessings and hope the rest of your week continues well.

Martha said...

Everyone offered really good advice. Have you taken your measurments? Inches are more important than pounds!

MargieAnne said...

Now I've read your blog from the beginning I can say I'm impressed by your thought processes and your faith. I have copied one paragraph into my own notes to remember. "It is so clear, even when I am tempted to fall back into my old behaviors, that my obsessions are healthy obsessions now. I would much rather worry about what I am going to eat and making sure it is low in calories and healthy than having to worry about all the things I used to worry about. I would much rather obsess about something that will yield a healthy result, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually."

I too, sometimes begin to wonder if I am out of balance, i.e. obsessed. Now that your words have brought awareness I can leave that anxiety behind because I also would much rather obsess about something that will yield a healthy result.

Blessings.