I eat well. I exercise when I can (I work full-time and am on my feet 8 hours a day). I eat low-calorie and often and don't skip meals.

On sunday, I weighed myself and I weighed a little over 202, which was awesome (And i know it wasn't a scale fluke, I weighed myself on TWO different scales). I was sick that day, and ate fairly normal, a little more than usual, and the next morning, I weighed myself and I weighed 208. I just don't get it. It's so frustrating and I was so happy that I got down to 202, only to magically gain about 6 lbs overnight. Exercising more would be difficult, but other than not exercising more, I just don't get it. I can't lose weight. And I'm at the verge of tears because I didn't change anything and that weight loss went away overnight. I just really don't know what to do.

Arg, that sucks for you. I would guess that something(s?) you ate the day you were sick was pretty high in sodium or at least higher than you had been eating, causing you to retain a few extra pounds of water. There is NO chance you gained 6lbs of body fat; that would require you eating 21000 extra calories!

if you are sick its possible you're retaining a little bit more anyway, and you just happened to weigh yourself before that kicked in

I'm sorry. I understand that COMPLETELY!! This happens to me all the time.


I think it may be water weight. Im not sure every body is different. I just wanted to give you a hug!

And it's wednesday and I'm at 7lbs.

I didn't eat anything particularly high in sodium, I had an egg McMuffin and a hashbrown (which I ended up throwing up 30 min after I ate it due to being sick) and had a turkey sandwich. I can't remember what I had for dinner but it wasn't a lot.

Shouldn't the water retention have gone away by now?

Well, just the egg mcmuffin and hashbrown alone have around 1130mg of sodium according to calorieking. 2,400mg is the maximum advised limit, so you may well have gone over that. Not to mention that Icon is right in saying that being sick does make you retain as well.

Try drinking HEAPS of water over the next few days and see if it helps.

It usually takes me at least a week to shift water weight. Maybe because i find it hard to drink heeeaps of water, but it is possible that you are still retaining a bit

This used to happen to me all the time. I would get so excited only to find out I didn't actually lose the weight OR I thought I put it back on. I started weighing myself only once a week.. Always at the same time and Always with the same clothes on.. it sounds silly but it's the best way to get an even week to week idea.

It sounds like you might have just drank alot of fluids while you were sick, try again next week at the same time to get a better idea.

And WAY TO GO! For being so dedicated even while you were sick, sometimes that's the hardest thing.

Well the good news is its physically impossible to gain 6 lbs of fat over night. I'd guess it was mainly water

Were you dehydrated the first time you weighed?

Did you eat a lot of carbs/salt the day before the bigger weigh? (can cause water retention)

try eating lots of lean protein, veggies, a little caffine and LOTS of water for one day (more water actually makes you retain less) and see if that helps.


Keep your eyes on the prize - you are doing eevrything right, you will see results!

Like readyfreddy said, I think you should try going with the lean protein, veggies, and fruits. When I was at my highest I often didn't eat more than my maintaining calories a day, but I ate it all in the wrong stuff (carbs, heavy proteins, sugary stuff) and it was IMPOSSIBLE to lose weight. Now I eat a lot of lean meats, tons of veggies and tons of fruits and I can't seem to stop the weight from coming off! (not that I want to! haha)

The scale can super-fluctuate for me, too. That's why I try to focus not just on what the number on the scale is, but also inches and how clothes are fitting. The scale can be very fickle, and I know if I rely on it as my only tool, the ups and downs will drive my crazy! Keep up the good work - hope you feel better soon!