[Azure]

What happened over the last week is exactly why you ladies (and gents) shouldn't pay too much attention to fluctuating numbers on the scale! Just because you had a slip up yesterday, doesn't mean that you gained a gazillion pounds!

This past week I was so stressed that I decided that I'd HAD it with my life. I took four days off from work and decided that I was going to RELAX. I wouldn't do anything or think about anything that made me anxious--and that included dieting. I didn't binge, surprisingly, with my free reign--I just ate whatever sounded tasty and I had a few drinks two of the nights and a margarita with my mom on the day we got manicures and pedicures and went to the movies. So, I'm on Atkins--and a 4 day break eating whatever I wanted meant that I was expecting some gain due to water/glygogen from eating more carbs than I had been.

I wasn't prepared for 160 on the scale yesterday morning! Yes, folks! That's a 6 pound gain in 4 days! But, I shrugged it off and got right back on Atkins Induction yesterday--I ate on plan and drank a TON of water (4.5 liters!). This morning, I had already dropped to 155. So, a 6 pound gain in 4 days and a 5 pound loss in ONE day. Know what that means? At least five of those "gained" 6 pounds weren't FAT, but water/glycogen.

That's what happens when you don't drink enough water, drink booze and eat without monitoring yourself for four days. I was likely dehydrated (retaining water) and had full glycogen stores because of the four days of eating way more carbs than I do on Atkins. So, I may have gained a single pound of fat...but I'm almost positive that another day eating on plan will have my glycogen stores very low (where they were) and I may find that because I wasn't binging those 4 days, that I didn't gain much fat at all when I step on the scales tomorrow morning. I was 154 when I took my break--I was 155 this morning. I have a feeling that I may see 154 staring up at me in the morning.

So, don't get freaked out if your scale says you're a pound or three heavier after a single (or couple) days of not-so-on-plan-eating. Just pick yourself up and start over again! You didn't ruin all your efforts! You may have had more salt than you were used to and didn't drink enough water--it could be as simple as that!

Just thought I'd share

[lumifan4ever]

Great insite to the workings of the body!! Thanks for sharing your story with us. Also, hope you are feeling less stressed now after taking a 4 day holiday. I don't believe you can gain 6 pounds of "fat" over a couple days of not really eating on plan either. Maybe one in a couple days but not 6. Congrats on not losing all your motivation after seeing that gain!!! Way to go!!!

[JayEll]

Absolutely true, Azure! And a good experience for everyone to think about! Daily fluctuations aren't a big deal--bimonthly or monthly are.

Jay

[Azure]

Lumifan-- I'm feeling MUCH better! I think taking that break and just giving myself permission to not be stressed/anxious about anything really benefited me. I feel like tackling the rest of the weight I want to lose with a vengeance now--and I've lost the wishywashiness that I'd had before. I guess two years almost constantly on a diet had worn me out--and whenever I went off plan prior to this, I'd feel anxious and guilty about it. But anxiety and guilt weren't allowed for those 4 days!

I feel refreshed and ready to face the upcoming college semester

[Jasmine31]

Glad to hear you are back on plan. I always heard atkins was notorious for gaining 5 pounds when you go off plan! lol