Question:
What am I doing wrong?

I weighed myself 2 weeks ago and I had lost 42 pounds total. Well, I went to weigh myself today and I have gained 3 pounds in 2 weeks. I dont get it. I have been exercising everyday with walking or digging in my yard(landscaping). I want to cry. I am only 5 1/2 weeks post op. I dont think I should be gaining any weight now. I would be happy if I was on a plateau, not a positive. If anyone has any suggestions, please email me. Whats do I do now?    — Melodee27 (posted on June 8, 2005)

June 8, 2005
You are so early out that there is no reason to be too concerned by such a small gain. I go up and down 3# regularly and I'm nearly 16 months out. As long as you are following the protocol you were given and are moving your body (as you say you are) things will work out fine.
   — Linn D.

June 8, 2005
What is your supplement, water and food program. You have lost much more than I had at that point, but of course, we can take a look at what we are doing to be sure you stay at that good pace
   — vitalady

June 8, 2005
It could be your first plateau in combination with you building muscle during your exercising that caused the weight gain. I hit a plateau as well just after week 4. Within month 2-3 seems to be a common time for many people to have one. At that point I was down 50#. I think its just the bodys way of saying "WTF" and halting all loss till it realizes that this isnt a short-term starvation and we are gonna continue to eat/exercise the same so then it gives in and lets start the weight loss once again. Hope this makes some sense. lol
   — ImANewDee

June 9, 2005
I was just like you...worrying every time I gained a pound. Well...I'm a year and a half post-op, lost about 145lbs total, still have 50 to go to reach goal and haven't lost any weight since Christmas. I'm happy at my current size but the scale jumps a lot. I don't stress over it because weight loss can be attributed to a lot of things and most of them are things like water weight (especially in the summer)or muscle gain. For instance..I went out of town to meet my future inlaws and was only gone 4 days. When I got home I weighed myself and went from 187 to 196. Imagine the shock. You know..the get off and on the scale a few times because you just know there has to be something wrong with it. Well...his mom doesn't have the slightest clue as to what protein is. When I got back home I cut back a little on my way of eating and stepped up the exercise just a bit and after 10 days am back at 191.5. I've reached the point where weight loss is a constant struggle again but at least I have the surgery as a tool. Don't stress out..the scale will get moving again in the right direction. We're here for ya if you need us. Good Luck!
   — boonikki29

June 9, 2005
A 3# weight gain could just be water weight. Fluctations in weight up to 5# are perfectly normal for anyone...not just those losing weight. If your overall trend is losing weight, then there is absolutely no need to stress over such a small gain. Good Luck.
   — kccjer

June 9, 2005
Hello, boy does this bring back memories! I am 3 years post op and I recall in the 4 week mark, I gained 3 lbs after struggling with hardly any food intake...I had no idea where it could have come from. The following week, I lost 4 lbs bang off the bat. Give your body a chancve to atch up with itself. You will have loss weeks and gain weeks, and hopefully will lose all the weight you need to, as I did eventually. My longest plateau was 3 weeks with no loss. My biggest gain was 4 lbs in 2 weeks. Relax. Right now, try to drink more water if you can. That will help. Best wishes on your journey, Kathy in MA
   — Kathy A C.

June 9, 2005
Well dear anytime you start to exercise you will lose fat but at the same time gain muscle. And muscle does weight more than fat, more muscle added to your body is a good thing because it helps to raise your metabalism and burn fat. Don't get discouraged this is a good sign that you are changing your life. You might want to talk to a Physical Therapist or Personal Trainer to show you how to work out to tone your muscles to increase the burning off of fat... Good Luck and CONGRATS...
   — Kari J.