Weird things are happening?

[Invisy]

Ok so I started last week alternating water and soft drinks and have noticed that I have almost completely stopped drinking sodas. This weekend I started cutting back on my calorie intake and really watching what I eat.  I feel healthier already however I have been weighing myself every morning and the weirdest thing is happening... One day I weigh a certain weight and then the next day I drop 5 pounds... the next day I gain the 5 pounds back.. the day after I drop it again.. What in the world could possibly be going on?  Surely I am not dropping 5 and then gaining it back every other day!  At first I thought it might be water gain or something because it has been my time of the month but now that it's over I'm not so sure... I'm also really tired this week and I figure it's because I have cut my sugar and caffeine but who knows..

[Invisy]

(cont) Has this kind of thing ever happened to anybody?

[PrettyKitty1]

I believe everyone experiences the same thing. Weight isn’t a constant number. It fluctuates all the time based on water intake and calorie consumption. For us women, it is a bit harder to keep a constant number because of our hormones. Some women tend to retain water when they ovulate. Others, like me, retain water with their period. Some women gain up to 10 lbs during their period. It’s perfectly normal. Everything plays an important role in your weight and how much/fast it changes, from stress to hormones (genetics) to just food or water intake.

There are some scales out there which give you your weight broken down into: fat, water weigh, and muscle. They are expensive but if you really want to work towards burning fat or getting rid of excess water then it MIGHT be a good idea. I have never tried them. I cannot give testimony of how good/bad they are.

Just focus on burning fat. At least that’s what I do. When you burn fat, it is easier to see your muscle distribution better.  Keep drinking water but just remember (and this is in case you’re doing it) that you do not have to necessarily drink a whole gallon of water to lose weight. Finding the balance will definitely help you at least stay in the (+-) 3 range.


Also, if you'd like to share what exactly you eat, it might give us a hint as to why your weight fluctuates a lot; but the 5 lbs range is absolutely normal, ok?

Good Luck!

[twehner5]

Are you sure your scale is good?  Could it need new batteries?  My weight fluctuates a lot, but I make sure I weigh at the same time every morning (in my birthday suit, right before my shower).  Plus, while I DO weigh every morning, I only officially record my weight once per month.  We have a weekly weigh-in on here, which I participate in.  But in my book, I write my weight only once/month.

BTW, did you happen to take down your measurements at the beginning?  I record my waist, hips, right thigh, right calf, r. upper arm, and bust.  I record these measurements, too, on the first of every month.  What an encouragement to see those inches come off!  If you haven't taken your measurements, I cannot recommend this highly enough!

Fluctuations are normal.  Eventually, you WILL see that # go down.  Hang in there.

[Invisy]

Well my friend at work followed this diet and he lost over 75 pounds in a year so I thought I would try my hand at it. So far it's not too bad but I am noticing I seem to be tired alot.  

1.) No Soda's PERIOD - Not even diet drinks.
I have tried this before and end up failing so I have been alternating water and soda and notice that I have gone from 5 + sodas per day to 2.  I may end up having one after I get home from work but I try not to.

2. No eating out - Unless it's a salad and watch the dressing..

3.  Eat a fiber cereal in the morning - I chose Honey bunches of oats with almonds
4.  Eat a lean cuisine or similar meal for lunch
5.  Eat whatever you feel like (keep in reasonable) for dinner.

Also he said to remember to bring a snack to work in case I get hungry after lunch and before dinner so I have been bringing a single serving apple sauce or a stick of cheese with me.  I know it's only been a few days but I notice that my stomach seems to be shrinking lol but the scale is still very mean to me haha.  

I did cheat today though :(  We had a tornado warning and I got scared and ended up eating a Ho-Ho right before I left work...  Up until that though I have been doing really good with staying away from junk food.

[twehner5]

That doesn't sound like a bad plan.  Depending on when you exercise and how much you exercise, that doesn't sound like many calories...have you figured it out?

Some people advocate 0-tolerance for sodas, even diet, because the sweet flavor of fake sugar causes some people to crave sweets/carbs.  You would have to experiment if that's true for you.  For me, in order for me to drink enough water, I don't have enough room to drink anything else.  Funny thing is that for the first time in my life, I actually WANT water.  Yeah, this is the person who used to sit down for dinner and realize that I hadn't had anything to drink ALL DAY except for 1 cup of coffee!  Yep, there's hope for everyone.

AND, don't beat yourself up too much re: the Ho-Ho.  Do you really plan to go the rest of your life without Ho-Ho's, or other treats?  I wouldn't!  Just don't do that every day and you should be fine.  NOW, do  50 crunches!  JK!  Really, KIDDING!  You're doing great and be patient with the scale if you think it's accurate.

[Got_To_Do_It]

The problem with soda is not just calories and sugars but the carbon dioxide which irritates your digestive system when it is working more efficiently through a better diet-  it encourages bloating and sluggishness...

Cutting it out completley is the best way -  if you need to do that slowley then cut out one can/glass a day and replace with water-  for me I cut it out totally but I do have one glass of soda if I go out to eat which is maybe once or twice a month if I am lucky...

[medimanda]

#1 Weigh yourself at the same time every day. I don't actually even own a scale, but plan on buying one soon!

#2 I only drink 1 can or maybe 2 cans per week of Coke, any decrease in this will help you tremendously. I used to be a 5 can/day girl.

#3 Easiest remedy to cut calories when eating out is always order a water (it's free and with a slice of lemon, it's very refreshing!)

#4 Keep a bag of individually wrapped chocolates (or other sweets you fancy) in your desk at work. Make a promise to yourself that you will only eat ONE when you get a craving. Once you eat one, walk alway from your desk, or changes tasks to keep you busy, and to avoid wanting another. This will save 100's of calories from a hoho or entire chocolate bar or bag of chips being consumed.

Cutting sugars and caffeine out of your diet (or at least reducing) will make you tired for about a week or so until your body adjusts to the difference. Try not to cave during these times, as that just makes it harder for you and your body to make the adjustments.

Good luck!

[Barb135]

I would add one comment to manderbomb's comment about the wrapped chocolates or other sweets you prefer:  When you eat the chocolate (or other sweet), stop everything that you are doing and concentrate ONLY on what you are eating.  Suck on it, if possible, rather than chewing it as that will let you really get all of the flavor.  If you continue working while you eat it, you won't even feel like you had a "goody" and will mindlessly reach for another, then another, then another.  

I would also suggest that maybe it would help to NOT keep the candies in your desk.  If you keep them some place else (maybe a co-worker's desk, cabinet, fridge, etc), you will have to actually get up from your desk to go get one.  This will make it less likely that you will eat more than one, because you will have to make that many more trips to the spot they are stored.  In addition, if you keep them in your desk, it's quite likely that they will be so accessible that they will be constantly calling your name.  

Good luck.  

[Invisy]

All of these are great suggestions. Thanks for all the tips.

[Ranaesheart]

You guys are amazing!  Agree with everything that has been shared and really have nothing to add .. except keep up the great work!