HELP ONLY 4 MONTHS OUT

i am only 4 months out  and something is going on.  i almost got out of twoterville and then bam gained 3 pounds.  I was exactly 200.0 now 2 days later i am 203.2  what the hell is going on?  Some insight would be wonderful.   Nikki

Is it that time of the month?  My weight goes crazy every month so I've learned to avoid the scale  :)  Also, with summer upon us are you getting enough fluid?  You could be retaining water too???

Just finished with my monthly visitor but i have noticed i am not getting in as much water.  Thanks for that insight. Nikki

The best time to weigh yourself is when you wake up ( I aways do it with no clothes on before I get in shower).   During the day you gain a pound or 2 with your fluid intake and such.  My weight always varies throughout the day.  So Don't weigh yourself in the morning one day and then in the evening another day because it will never be the same.   3 pounds really is nothing,  When I get home from work I weigh 167 ish and when I wake I'm back down to 165.  I can go 2-3 weeks with no weight loss at all then all of a sudden I would have a 4 -6 pound drop then stall for another few weeks. So I suggest  is,  Weigh yourself once a week at the same time of the day, most accurate weight is when you wake up. :)

Same thing happened to me around the same time - and I freaked just like you.  You will have weight fluctuations - and I've been retaining water the past few weeks for absolutely no reason.   So, moral of the store, these things happens from time to time.  That weight WILL come off. Things you can do that generally help:  A)  Increase water intake, espeically if you are low  B)  Change up your foods.  If for instance you normally eat chicken, switch it up to dairy or what not.  C)  Vary your exercise routine.  Your body is very good at settling into a routine - it learns what to "expect" you to eat and to "put out" and very quickly figures out how to hold onto as much of it as it can.  Therefore, if you change calories, where the calories are coming from, and how you are getting rid of them (exercise) it keeps the body guessing.  Even small exercise changes like taking a different direction in your walk, (meaning walking in the neighborhood to your left instead of your right for instance) can supposedly make a difference. Hang in there!  It's soooooo annoying. Pam

Thank you everyone.  I do know all of this.  I guess i just need to hear a little reassurance from time to time.     I guess since i am so close to onderland i am just too anxious.   Nikki

Nikki, Take your scale and put it deep into your closet and leave it there until you are at least 9 months out.   There could be many reasons for your gain.  I know that making the milestone is important and you will make it and keep going down.   Good luck to you and hide that scale. Jeanne

Before you have a mental meltdown, analyse your daily intake of fat, carbs and protein.  If your taking in manmade carbs, cut them out.  If you are taking in fruit, cut it back to the minimum, if you are taking in more than 1000 calories a day, don't let your protein exceed your prescribed amount.  If you are taking in a lot of dairy, cut it back.  Your carb total should fall within 4-5 grams of your prescribed fat total.  If your calories are under 1000 then its okay to go higher on protein grams. 

Now is the time to trick your body into a new routine, change up your daily menu every 3 days.  Don't take in more than 3 oz. of low fat cheeses a day.  Start posting your daily menu and if your going off track, we will let you know. Portion sizes should not exceed 1/2 cup per meal.

If you follow my advise the scale will start going down.  Although most will tell you to ditch the scale, I use mine repeatedly throughout the day.  It keeps me on track and motivates me regardless of the outcome.  At 6 mos. out your appetite may increase, this is the time to give up sliders.  Stick with dense dry protein and you will be satisfied longer.  After 6 mos. weight loss will slow down, so don't waste these next two months.  Alter your exercise program regularly.

Just a quick question - I just did a rough estimate of average daily carbs vs. average daily fat. On a typical day I average 90 g of protein, 47 g carbs and 11 g fat (more or less). Should my carb intake reduce to be within 4-5 grams of the fat total or should I eat more fats?  May sound like a stupid question (no one wants to eat more fat than usual) - but I just want to make sure . The equation you posted may alleviate those long plateaus I have and I want to be sure I'm getting this right.  I did hear that if you want to lose weight you shouldn't eat more than 20 g of carbs a day. (I love fruit, especially cantaloupe in the summer time but it may be sabotaging me!) Thank you... your posts are always very educational!

If you are only eating 11 grams of fat a day you are probably constipated and telling your body to store whatever it can.  The example is:  my fat guideline is no more than 11 grams per meal.  Daily guideline is 28 minimum to 42 maximum.  My carb guideline is 39 for the day.  I know fruit can be very pleasing, but if you find your self getting hungry sooner than you should, its the sugars in the fruit.  The sabatouge is coming from not enough fat.  Everyone needs a minimum amount of fat to keep the plumbing greased and to survive.