Weight gain. Upset and confused.

Hey I need some advice.  Be warned though, I'm super, duper depressed right now.  We got home from Florida yesterday morning.  We had a great time.  I couldn't wait to go because I've been really stressed at work.  I've also been hovering around the 180 lbs mark for over a month.  I've lost 140 lbs.  I made my personal goal to weigh 170 lbs.  My surgeon's goal for me is 150 lbs.

I couldn't wait to go on vacation so I could have time to get things back on track, you know?  I haven't been eating like I should and I haven't been getting in nearly enough exercise.  I was hoping the vacation would be just what I needed to get me motivated again.  Don't get me wrong.  I never eat badly.  I just don't always eat breakfast.  I don't always eat protein first.  That sort of thing.

While we were on vacation, I ate breakfast every morning.  I made sure to do this.  It was decent things too like sf oatmeal or eggs or something like that.  My lunches and dinners were always high protein, grilled or baked foods.  I didn't eat any bad carbs like bread or the like while gone.  All of my snacks, which I held at two a day, were either raw fruit or fresh veggies.  I did at least one hour of high impact exercise a day.  Usually swimming but not just floating.   I did laps until I couldn't breath anymore.  I'd rest then do more.  I walked and walked and walked. 

The only "splurge" I allowed myself was one Star Bucks cuppacino a day.  It was Venti size (the biggest) but it was fat free, sugar free and caffiene free so I don't really see it as all that bad.

I couldn't wait to get home and get on the scale.  I just knew I was finally going to be in the 170s.  I waited to weigh myself until this morning because I always weigh myself at the same time of the day, 7:00 a.m.  I got on the scale and it said I GAINED 7.6 lbs while on vacation!

I just don't understand.  I did everything I was supposed to do.  This is the first real gain for me too.  I mean I've had one or two pound fluctuations here and there but never this many pounds. 

I'm really upset about it.  My head keeps telling me I'm meant to be a big girl forever.  Surely that's not true.

Does anyone have any advice?  Encouragement?  I'm so lost right now.  I am really confused.

Thanks for listening.
Jacqui

Jacqui,

Other than your weight gain, I hope the rest of the vacation was good for you. How's your clothes fitting now as opposed to pre-Florida? With all the extra exercise, I would hazzard a guess that you were busy building up muscles while you were gone. muscles is very compact and dense. Think of fat as feathers and muscles as brick. You could have a pound of each, and each still be only a pound but the amount of space feathers/fat takes up is much more than a brick/muscle.

Also, you didn't mention water..so I am hoping you got in plenty for all that extra exercising you were doing. It can be so easy not to go through bottle of water when you are on vacation...we need tha****er to flush out the fats.

So...I'd continue the exercising is possible, and increase your water. Keep an eye on your measurements. The scale does NOT tell it all.

huggs!
Sherri

Jacqui,

Great job on losing so much weight. That is so fantastic.

I'm sure you are super frustrated. It sounds like you did all the right things, and to gain weight im sure made your heart sink.  I think I've heard somewhere though that when you travel, it makes your body hold on to weight.  I can't remember why, but it was something to do with your body thinking "hey, im in a new area, im not going to lose what i've got..."

Just keep doing what you are doing, and im sure eventually the scale will show you the results.

BIG HUGS!! 

How upsetting would that be!?!?! I would go with Sherri's suggestion. There could be other fluctuations too. Maybe you're retaining some water now or something. Don't be too hard on yourself,.. just do the best you can. You know we're proud of you :-)

Jacqui,

I think traveling also tends to cause some water retention.  You should see a few of those pounds just fall off over the next couple of days.

I came back with a few extra pounds from spring break too.  It doesn't mean you're meant to be a big girl forever.  Ya know what?  Normal people usually gain a few pounds on vacation.  I've never been normal.  I could always gain like 10-20 in a week, but not this year.  I only gained a few.  Just refocus and it will come off.  Like I said, I think some of it's probably water from the traveling too.

Love ya!