Hi everyone. I have lurked for a while but have never posted. I joined WW at the beginning of the month. I lost 5 lbs the first week, 2.2 the second, and 2.2 the third. I just weighed in this morning, and I gained .6 lbs this week! I was so stunned, I just stood there. The leader asked me if I always weighed in my shoes, and I think I said yes, but she sort of blabbered about how her shoes weigh a pound and I was thinking "Hello?! I said I always weigh in these shoes, I don't think THEY gained weight this week?!" WHAT HAPPENED? I was so upset, I wanted to cry. I felt stupid, like the people in line behind me all heard this exchange and I was so embarrassed. I got my stuff and left (I don't enjoy the meetings a whole lot anyway but I couldn't stand to stay there after that).

What gives? Have any of you had this happen? I drink two huge jugs of water a day. I usually do not use my flex points, maybe 3-4 per week. I even use the point target for the next weight range below me just to get used to that range since I will be eating in that range anyway. I journal everything. I have started exercising. The first week, I did my "The Firm" tapes twice. Last week, 3 times. This week, 4 times (including this morning before I went to meeting.) I could scream! I'm so down over this. I really had it in my head that I would reach the 10 lbs down goal I had set for myself and I totally didn't.

Any ideas, anyone? The ONLY thing I could think was that it was my "time of the month" this week and I did feel bloated earlier this week but yesterday and today did not feel like that. My husband said that I am building muscle and that weighs more, which I know, but I cannot believe that I gained .6 lbs of muscle in one week. I really need some perking up here. We are supposed to go out with friends tonight, I don't want to spend points on beer and snacks, I just don't even want to go and put myself in the situation of explaining to others why I am not having beers.

I promise to post frequently from now on and not lurk if someone will just pull me out of this funk. Thanks in advance.

First of all, you need to relax. Weight gains happen. Sometimes for good reason, sometimes for no reason at all. That's the way it goes. Accept it now. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Gains will happen for various reasons, some that you mentioned. .6 is nothing. If you said you gained 6 lbs, I can see. This isn't a quickie diet. It's a permanent lifestyle change. Nights out with friends are going to happen for the rest of your life. Why on earth would you want to miss out on that? Have a light beer or have a mixed drink with a diet coke. Or have a real beer and count the points and have some pretzels with it. Those are low points. Chances are no one will even notice, and if they do, so what? You don't have to trumpet "I'M ON A DIET!?!?!" If anyone notices you're eating differently, just mumble something about trying to make better choices or whatever. They are FRIENDS, aren't they?

You've lost roughly 10 lbs in 3 weeks. That's awesome. This was likely a temporary blip on the radar, and if you continue to follow program, you'll continue to lose at a steady pace...a half to 2 lbs a week. You won't keep losing like you did the first 3 weeks.

I've had gains of 2-5 lbs in one week for no apparent reason. I've also had losses when I didn't follow program as well as I should have. Like I said, this is the rest of your life. Even "normal skinny" people don't stay the same weight all the time.

Go out and have a good time and don't worry so much about what the scale says.

I agree with everything that was said. Not to trivialize it but .6 is not a huge gain. It could be TOM or any number of factors (time of day you weighed, weighing in on the same scale) so don't freak.

When I know I am going out with friends and drinking will be involved, I plan my day for eat -- eat lots of veggies throughout the day and use my points (Flex) for the night. NOT all 35 but you know what I mean. I also eat a snack or a dinner BEFORE I go out so I am not temped to snack.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Hi everyone, and thanks to everyone who had kind words. Well, I just got back from being out with friends and I did pretty well; I had 2-3 light beers and several handfuls of cheese popcorn (delicious) and didn't go over the edge too badly. I had a lot of flex points to use since I'd only used like 2 this week.

I really apologize for my losing it earlier. I guess when you take a step back, .6 is really not a big deal; it's just the initial shock of gaining, when I have been losing, really threw me for a loop. I still don't really understand what would have caused it, because I was wearing the same clothes I always wear Saturday mornings when I weigh in. I have to weigh in on Wednesday this week instead of Saturday, so I am hoping things will be better then.

I have a big event this summer that I am trying to lose for in the small picture, but in the big picture, I know I won't be totally at my goal by then. That is okay. I am trying not to be unrealistic about my short term goal but patience is not one of my strong points. I really want to set a good example for my daughter Abbie as she grows up. I don't want her to have the struggles of weight I have had my whole adult life. I don't want to worry about having something to wear to a special event, or not getting to wear the clothes I want, or not being able to go to a spontaneous summer party or winter vacation because of the swimsuit issue.

A quick question--do you all use your flex points regularly, and if so, do you usually use them throughout the week, or do you save them for big splurges (like a big dinner out one night). Do you notice a difference in your loss when you use them versus not using them, or in the way you use them? I am just wondering. I haven't been using mine during the week but usually use them on a big splurge. I am thinking maybe I need to dip into them here and there during the week to keep my metabolism from getting to used to one amount everyday. What do you think?

First I want to say a couple things. Eat more now (even if it slows your stalls your weight for a few weeks --- you need to give it 3-4 weeks before deciding you can't use your FPs). Remember the more you eat while losing the better and more points you'll have/do at maintenance.

Also even being 100% OP during a week can show a gain or loss..depending on many factors. The average loss OP are .5-2 pounds a week. You've lost 8.8 pounds in 4 weeks and that is 2.2 still over the average.

Many things can factor into a small weight gain like you had and it is usually water weight/retention.

I am glad you are feeling better though.

I started two weeks ago, I was very excited I lost two pounds the first week and I didn't lose anything this week. I didn't exercise the first week but I excercised the first week. I got up this morning a little discouraged but I know I can do this and I agree with everyone else, it is a lifestyle change. I am just so tired of being like this. But I keep telling myself If I stick with it, I will finally make to where I want it to be! We can't give up. Keep your head up. I know I am trying to. :dizzy:

Hi all I have been low carbing it whether it be Atkins or SS. Unfortunately it seems nothing was happening. I would lose 5 gain 5. This went on for about 2 years. Started WW about 2 weeks ago. Found I am a diabetic so now I have two problems. I have been on the treadmill walking 1 mile in the am and 1 mile in the pm. First week looks like I lost maybe 2 pounds. I weigh in on Monday but of course I jumped on the scale today and it looks like I have gained a pound. Very discouraging. I have a good 75 pounds or even more to lose so it is that I am not near my goal. I keep telling myself no to get on the scale but it so hard. My glucose numbers are good but I am so confused as to why I am not losing. I am 58 years old and I know it is a difficult age to lose as it is. I guess I am just looking for encouragement. So tired of this weight thing. Lo

First a few things about exercise...we all know it is great but when you first start or even do a change (increase or decrease time, increase or decrease intensity, change the activity) your muscles tend to retain water they need to help repair and rebuild themselves. While this is more prevalent with weight/strength training it happens with cardio also. Do not get discouraged. The more exercise you do will eventually pay off but increasing your metabolism thus changing the muscle to fat ratio. Muscles burns calories even at rest and fat does not. So keep exercising.

Keep doing the program, keep exercising and it does pay off.

Hi everyone,

Well, I weighed in on Wed. night this week (only 4 days after the Terrible Weigh In Meltdown Of January 2005) and it said I was down .4 from the .6 I had gained on Saturday. I am hoping that means that I was actually down more than that since I was weighing at night (i usually weigh in the mornings b/f eating) and I had to pee. I had at least 3 or 4 oz of pee in me I am sure b/c right after I weighed, I went. a lot. whew. So, I am saying a very hesitant Hooray.

I tell ya, though, I feel like I should have lost more in 5 weeks, with all the exercising and stuff, because I see people with tickers that have lost 10-15 lbs by now, but I am going to fight comparing myself. All this exercise has to be good for me, and I lift weights, which should eventually kick in and burn more fat for me.

I have to go out of town this weekend to a retreat where I have no control over what food is going to be served, so I sure hope I can find something to eat. <worried> I will let you know how it goes.

Abbiemom