Hi all. I hope I am posting in the right place as I am new here and this is my first go.

I am not new to dieting but this time I decided I was going to do it "right". I have some pretty major chronic health problems so I chose the Anti Inflammatory Diet to try to lose weight and help with pain at the same time. I have gone from eating tons of starch and fat and meat to eating almost entirely vegetables, fruits and tofu. Prior to starting this diet about 2-3 weeks ago, I was in a bad period of eating following the loss of a family member. I was averaging 2500-3000 calories a day (a lot, I know!), much of it processed.

The shift in my diet was sudden and drastic. I cut almost all refined starches out, stopped eating meat (except one day a week) and reduced my calories to about 1700/day. My exercise level has stayed mostly the same, however I am as active as I can be given my health.

Here's the kicker: In the last two weeks, I've actually GAINED several pounds! I am so not thrilled! I've been keeping extremely close track of my calories so I am not slipping in any extras. I am drinking lots of water and herbal teas to help flush out any nastiness. I always weigh myself first thing in the morning. I kind of feel like I look thinner, but it's difficult to tell since I am still fatter than I am used to being. I am really confused.

I know that sudden changes in diet can affect water weight, but wouldn't that correct itself after almost 3 weeks??? Is my scale broken? Has anyone else had this experience on a similar diet plan? Should I stick with it or try something new? I really can't comprehend how I can be eating so little and so healthy and still gain! In the past I have lost weight relatively easily on way less restrictive diets. I do feel really good on this diet, pain-wise, so I am hesitant to give it up, but I will if it keeps making me fatter!

Any advice would be much appreciated!

I'll start with the obvious and get it out of the way - you're comparing with only one scale, same time of day, same clothing?

I can't believe you would be gaining weight. There must be an explanation. If you feel better, then I would not stop the diet just because you are gaining. I think it will stabilize eventually.

I have been weighing under exactly the same circumstances - naked, first thing in the morning, same scale.

I'm really stumped, but like you said I can't imagine how this could continue long term! I just can't imagine water weight sticking around for 3 weeks! Am I wrong?

Maybe you could try hiding the scale for a week or so? Sometimes looking at it every day can get you discouraged. Just focus on how you are feeling and how your clothes fit. That always seems to help me. It is hard breaking the scale addiction, though.