Weight GAIN! Help me with the math...
Ok, so I've noticed that over the last few weeks, while generally I'm losing weight, each morning when I go to weigh myself sometimes the number is up by a couple pounds!
Earlier this week, I got down to 216.5 (see previous post). This morning, I was back up to 219. I haven't eaten perfectly, but I've eaten similarly to those weeks when I lost 3-5 pounds. The real issue I have is with the math.
I know my resting metabolic rate is between 2000 and 2500 (probably on the higher end of that). I'm not taking in any more than 1200 calories. How can my body be putting on 2.5 pounds in a couple days? (2.5 pounds=8750 calories)
What's going on inside me? Is i****er retention? Could there actually be fat increase? Any insight is appreciated...
Thanks,
Chad
Earlier this week, I got down to 216.5 (see previous post). This morning, I was back up to 219. I haven't eaten perfectly, but I've eaten similarly to those weeks when I lost 3-5 pounds. The real issue I have is with the math.
I know my resting metabolic rate is between 2000 and 2500 (probably on the higher end of that). I'm not taking in any more than 1200 calories. How can my body be putting on 2.5 pounds in a couple days? (2.5 pounds=8750 calories)
What's going on inside me? Is i****er retention? Could there actually be fat increase? Any insight is appreciated...
Thanks,
Chad
HW: 316 / SW: 294 / CW: 197.5 / GW: 195
First 5K: 29:50 mins. on 3/12/11 (4 month surgiversary)
First 5K: 29:50 mins. on 3/12/11 (4 month surgiversary)
Don't try to estimate your RMR if you want to know it then get it tested. Mine is right under 2100, based on my RMR test.
Unfortunately the numbers don't always work. Remember your body is not a calculator and doesn't follow any rules. I will use my numbers from last week
RMR 2100 x 7 = 14700
Workouts avg was 1000K x 5 = 5000
Total caloric Burn 19700
Calories in avg 1100 x 7 = 7700
Weekly Deficit = 12000
projected loss 3.4 pounds
With an avg daily Deficit of 2000 calories my body is warped enough to compensate for not taking in enough calories to support it's required functions so it slows down my metabolism and holds on to the calories that it does take in.
Other things also contribute to these fluctuations that I and most on the exercise forum have come to accept which is; that has you exercise your will lose slower the closer you are to an ideal weight, and your body has to repair after exercise to help accomplish this it retains fluids to aid in rebuilding muscle.
Another piece is glycogen stores. Your body needs a specific amount of water to store a given amount of glycogen and it required a couple days to rebuild your stores.
If you want to have the Healthy fit lifestyle you need to not care as much about what the scale tells you but go by what your body tells you. You lead a very active lifestyle and probably make improvements every day. This is the key to your success not making it to some number.
It is hard to learn and accept and has taken me a while. I weigh only at the gym and check to make sure I am in my current 5 pound range, which is my weekly fluctuation. If your body is like mine you could take a weekend off and veg watching DVDs eating healthy and drop 6 pounds, only to get 5 back the next week at the gym.
Or you just need to take a 4 pound crap
Unfortunately the numbers don't always work. Remember your body is not a calculator and doesn't follow any rules. I will use my numbers from last week
RMR 2100 x 7 = 14700
Workouts avg was 1000K x 5 = 5000
Total caloric Burn 19700
Calories in avg 1100 x 7 = 7700
Weekly Deficit = 12000
projected loss 3.4 pounds
With an avg daily Deficit of 2000 calories my body is warped enough to compensate for not taking in enough calories to support it's required functions so it slows down my metabolism and holds on to the calories that it does take in.
Other things also contribute to these fluctuations that I and most on the exercise forum have come to accept which is; that has you exercise your will lose slower the closer you are to an ideal weight, and your body has to repair after exercise to help accomplish this it retains fluids to aid in rebuilding muscle.
Another piece is glycogen stores. Your body needs a specific amount of water to store a given amount of glycogen and it required a couple days to rebuild your stores.
If you want to have the Healthy fit lifestyle you need to not care as much about what the scale tells you but go by what your body tells you. You lead a very active lifestyle and probably make improvements every day. This is the key to your success not making it to some number.
It is hard to learn and accept and has taken me a while. I weigh only at the gym and check to make sure I am in my current 5 pound range, which is my weekly fluctuation. If your body is like mine you could take a weekend off and veg watching DVDs eating healthy and drop 6 pounds, only to get 5 back the next week at the gym.
Or you just need to take a 4 pound crap
Paul C.
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
Thanks for the detail Paul.
I know I shouldn't weigh in as often, but on the days that I lose, it gives me mental ambition to put my nose to the grindstone.
I also have a 5 pound range, but I like being at the lower end of that range, thank you very much.
Have a good one.
Chad
P.S. These days, I'd have to be backed up for a week and a half to accumulate enough for a 4-pounder!!
I know I shouldn't weigh in as often, but on the days that I lose, it gives me mental ambition to put my nose to the grindstone.
I also have a 5 pound range, but I like being at the lower end of that range, thank you very much.
Have a good one.
Chad
P.S. These days, I'd have to be backed up for a week and a half to accumulate enough for a 4-pounder!!
HW: 316 / SW: 294 / CW: 197.5 / GW: 195
First 5K: 29:50 mins. on 3/12/11 (4 month surgiversary)
First 5K: 29:50 mins. on 3/12/11 (4 month surgiversary)
What the hell are you doing weighing yourself every day? Have you read any of the posts in here???? I am almost 7 years post and I can fluctuate from 5-10 pounds in a day. You will drive yourself crazy, once a week is too much. I suggest no more than once every 2 weeks for the first 9 months post opp.
Robert
I know. And I don't weigh in every day...but too often.
Either way, I was just wondering how in the world I could gain a couple pounds without taking in enough calories to even account for ONE pound over a couple days...
Thanks,
Chad
Either way, I was just wondering how in the world I could gain a couple pounds without taking in enough calories to even account for ONE pound over a couple days...
Thanks,
Chad
HW: 316 / SW: 294 / CW: 197.5 / GW: 195
First 5K: 29:50 mins. on 3/12/11 (4 month surgiversary)
First 5K: 29:50 mins. on 3/12/11 (4 month surgiversary)
I weigh everyday but don't let the numbers bother me any more. I use my wieght to determine my hydration level since lately my workouts produce a great deal of sweat. I know about what I should way and if I am to far below I know I need to hydrate more.
Paul C.
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
There is always a lot of talk about not weighing daily, and that's another rule I break. I need to weigh each day to keep myself accountable. Much the same way I cannot allow myself to miss my regular gym days ... or blood sugar testing ... or whatever I need to do, but really would like to skip... I weigh each morning and record the weight on a chart. If I have gained, I have to mentally understand that it's not something I've done. But if I don't weigh each day, it will become too easy to skip a second and a third and so on. I've been there before and know my pattern. I cannot control what I cannot see.
As for why or how your body does what it does, it's probably not you, but rather a bunch of blood sucking zombies in the middle of the night playing with your head. OK, that's probably not a plausible explanation, but there is no reasonable mathematical explanation for how our bodies react some times. Just understand that if you are doing enough stuff right, good things will follow (sounds like the plot line for "My Name is Earl").
As for why or how your body does what it does, it's probably not you, but rather a bunch of blood sucking zombies in the middle of the night playing with your head. OK, that's probably not a plausible explanation, but there is no reasonable mathematical explanation for how our bodies react some times. Just understand that if you are doing enough stuff right, good things will follow (sounds like the plot line for "My Name is Earl").
KenHud
RNY 5/17/10 highest: 407 lb - maintaining a loss of 200+ pounds and enjoying life
RNY 5/17/10 highest: 407 lb - maintaining a loss of 200+ pounds and enjoying life
I've found that our body doesn't follow the same calendar that we hang on the wall. I consistently ate 670 calories a day for months.. Mostly I lost weight.. sometimes nine pounds a week.. but a couple of times I gained a pound or two.
It's still a mystery to me.
Although I heard one TV doctor say.. "You want to lose some weight quickly? Then poop!"
Yeah she said that on network tv.
Max wt. 500+ WLS workshop 4/6/09 440 Surgery 9/21/09 324 9/21/10 218
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You started a nice thread of responses with your question. I know from pre-weight loss experiences that weight can fluctuate a great deal based on exercise/fluid loss, etc. So, I expected it to up-down as the process went along, and sure-nuf, it did.
I have one "official" weigh-in every week - same time, same day, and then get on the scale "for fun" a few other times during the week. Sometimes I'm inspired to work the program a bit harder, but mostly I stay with what I'm doing day-in and day-out. I eat about 1100 cal. per day, I exercise 500-600 cals. per day and I try to eat what i'm supposed to eat. I've had weeks when I haven't lost, but none when I've gained. Our dietitian advises us to call her if we have not lost any weight for 3 consecutive weeks - she says she gets very few calls from patients about plateaus that last that long.
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I have one "official" weigh-in every week - same time, same day, and then get on the scale "for fun" a few other times during the week. Sometimes I'm inspired to work the program a bit harder, but mostly I stay with what I'm doing day-in and day-out. I eat about 1100 cal. per day, I exercise 500-600 cals. per day and I try to eat what i'm supposed to eat. I've had weeks when I haven't lost, but none when I've gained. Our dietitian advises us to call her if we have not lost any weight for 3 consecutive weeks - she says she gets very few calls from patients about plateaus that last that long.
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