Scale fluctuations... What is my "real" weight? :(
Hi all,
Hopefully someone who's been here too can help. I've had silly amounts of fluctuations in my weight recently, and would like opinions on whether I'm getting "false" high or low readings. I weigh first thing when I get up, the usual. Take several readings and choose the one where the needle keeps returning to zero (I'll shell out for a better scale when I have the £££s). Thing is, I can always get SOME kind of sensible reading out of it, and I don't think this upwards trend is a scale problem.
About the graph, the up-down 201-202 for a week before the big drop was TOM. The 196 was a beautiful day I don't know what the random spike in the middle is. I did just TWO DAYS of strength training when it went back down, that was about a week ago, and overall I gained 5lbs and am now hovering at 200-201. I've been eating at a deficit every day. Mostly protein, fat, whole carbs inc veg. I NEVER drink straight water but I do drink a lot of unsweetened tea. I don't put salt on anything, checked my sodium intake and it's low, and I have the occasional sugar "binge" but it never knocks me over my calories.
Where am I at? What am I doing wrong? Will I ever lose any more weight, or am I done? Help, this is making me so miserable
Scale fluctuations are perfectly normal. Actually, I don't know anyone who doesn't have them.
What creates the fluctuations? First, the scale isn't a perfect instrument to begin with and it can be affected by all kinds of factors. Second, if we aren't consistent in when and how we weigh, we see fluctuations. Finally, the scale really is an imperfect instrument for assessing FAT loss, because it weighs ALL of us: fat, water, muscle, bone, hair... And since most of our composition is water, much of the fluctuation is about the water we are retaining or not for a number of reasons.
So, short answer? Relax. Be consistent. You'll lose fat in the long run!
Looks like normal fluctuation to me. As for your "true" weight, I guess that's kind of up to you. I usually just average. I was 135.8 yesterday but after a wonderful lifting session last night I'm up to 138.0. In my head I think of my weight being somewhere around 137ish.
I think that scales are also subject to the weather and humidity too. So its a combination of alot of stuff. I notice that when I weigh myself (my scale is in my Bathroom) right after I shower... well extra 2 lbs sometimes. So that happens. You are doing everything you can to get to your destination and that is the important thing. You know you are doing good and would like to see the results be what you expect (we all do I am sure and it also frustrates the Cr*p out of me when the scale goes up for NO reason). But you are doing what you need to do. It will change over time and I bet if you have measured yourself... you have lost inches and that is the best answer. When I get really angry at my scale.. I measure my waist and hips and see a difference in the tape and that settles that.
Shiv.. you are doing really well. Truly. I know you know you are doing the correct thing. Just remind yourself.
Have a great day and may it be peaceful and relaxing
Last edited by wannaskipandlaugh; 02-21-2013 at 10:02 AM.
Hey Shiv, you're doing great! Just keep at it, what is happening is completely normal. You know, I thought I would be storming that next thread along with you and guess what.....I'm still stuck at 204! I have been at this weight now for 2 weeks. I'm just considering it a stall right now and hoping to see a whoosh. I've been doing this a year now and this is my third "stall". So believe me when I say what you're seeing on the scale is absolutely normal. You're doing great!
Last edited by thnknthin1; 02-22-2013 at 10:58 AM.
I think regardless of calories, a sugar binge can show up on the scale. Just hang in there and it will come back off. Frustrating though, esp. when it happen right at Onederland!
I think regardless of calories, a sugar binge can show up on the scale. Just hang in there and it will come back off. Frustrating though, esp. when it happen right at Onederland!
I know! I'm having quite the onederland adventure
Thanks for pointing this out - I have now learned another hormonal thing which I will remember for next time:
Refined sugar overload ---> extra insulin ---> sodium retention ---> water retention.
Shiv, for what it may be worth, I have been where you are, I just didn't know it. The last few times I have made a conscious effort to lose weight, the scale would tick up for a bit, or hover, and I would think, 'well, all this work I'm doing is useless!'
Your posting here, and the other folks chiming in and saying this has happened to them too, made me realize this is normal and when it happens to me this time (as it surely will) I will remember that this is normal, and patience and perseverance are called for.
Scale fluctuations... What is my "real" weight? :(
I don't know what the random spike in the middle is. I did just TWO DAYS of strength training when it went back down, that was about a week ago, and overall I gained 5lbs and am now hovering at 200-201. I've been eating at a deficit every day. Mostly protein, fat, whole carbs inc veg. I NEVER drink straight water but I do drink a lot of unsweetened tea. I don't put salt on anything, checked my sodium intake and it's low, and I have the occasional sugar "binge" but it never knocks me over my calories.
As for your "true" weight, I guess that's kind of up to you. I usually just average. I was 135.8 yesterday but after a wonderful lifting session last night I'm up to 138.0. In my head I think of my weight being somewhere around 137ish.
