So, I'm back from my trip to Missouri and I have awful news to post: I've gained 6 lbs!!

All my work and I nearly gained it all back. So frustrating, especially considering I really worked against weight gain. I walked probably close to 15 miles during that time, and stayed very close to calorie range most of the days I was there. We did three buffets, but the last one I only had one plate of chicken and rice so I wouldn't even consider that "buffet eating". But what gets me is that a 6lb gain essentially equals 21,000 EXTRA calories... or nearly 2000 extra calories per day. That's not even possible for me. Oy.

However, this is overall not a huge surprise to me. I visited my twin sister several months ago for 6 days. We ate nearly IDENTICAL (haha, being twins and all, haha) and yet I got home with a 5lb gain and she didn't gain anything. I feel its my traveling curse.

With all that said, does anyone else experience similar? I'm back on track now and hoping to see loss soon. But what a frustrating experience.

Even when I stay on track when I travel, I will generally gain weight. It's bloat and water from my routines being disrupted. It's particularly bad if I travel on airplanes. I know it's frustrating but it will come off.

Yeah, I'm sure a lot of that is water given what you are explaining.

Extra sodium in resteraunt foods equals water weight, as does changes in climate. Airplane travel also tends to make people retain water since the planes are kept very dry, tends to dry out the skin so the body retains extra water, this can also be caused by the drastic changes in altitude in a short period of time on flights.

give it a few days and it'll flush out, perhaps with a little more to boot

Thanks all! That's encouraging to read, and hopefully is true. Stayed on track today with my calories, plus forced myself to jump into my mom's freezing pool and swam several laps. =)

I'm glad you're on track and feeling better. Weight loss is so mental. I think you should take a break from the scale for a few days and drink lots of water.

I had two parties to attend at the weekend - wine, food and lots of cake. While I did demonstrate self control I still managed to gain three pounds! I think most of it is water retention from salt in the restaurant food - I tracked every calories and only went over my daily 1200 allowance by 2000 in total over the weekend.

No snacks for a few days!!