[jennyplain]

Hi all,

I have been pretty religiously following the plan for a month now, after a little crazy Christmas break. First week, I lost a pound, next week I was up .6, next week I was down 3.7, week after that I was down 1.2, and last night (after following the program exactly once again!) I was up 1.6!!!

Color me shocked - it's not TOM, I varied my points, drank all my water, ate more veggies than usual, took my vitamins, watched my portions - I did all of it. I'm hoping it's just water retention or something silly, but has that ever happened to you? A truly "shocking" week at the scale when it wasn't just different than what you expected, but a significant gain that just...makes no sense?! My pants felt looser this week, even. It's like a little 1.6 pound barbell was sitting on top of my head, haha.

Any suggestions for varying things this up week to try and kickstart things?

[bargoo]

But you have lost 8 pounds ? That is an accomplishment to be proud of.

[Mom2QJandT]

No matter what I do I gain .5 lb every 4th week. I promise, I've done it all and I gain .5 lb every 4th week. It isn't in my cycle where I would think it would be, it isn't any change in eating, it's just my body and I've accepted that there is nothing I can do about it. I've been pretty successful in spite of it, so I try to just remember that usually the next week I have a great loss. Don't get too worried about it and keep up the good work!

[Rosegarden]

Yep, I always have 3 weeks loss and one week gain - it's frustrating as all get out but I've had to accept it and move on. It does happen.

[crbowles]

I haven't had that happen yet, but make sure you vary the foods you eat. Don't be a creature of habit and eat the same foods all the time.

Congrats on your weight loss so far!!

[jennyplain]

Thanks, everyone. It's reassuring to hear that I'm not the only person out there who experiences the three weeks down/one week up phenomenon. I think it's just extra frustrating when you're super close to your next five pound mark, haha.

[kelijpa]

My mom had that same pattern, down, down, down, up, but overall you're going down, so that's good.

I remember when I was starting out, one week I thought if I drank alot of water it would help me lose weight, well, I drank it right before weigh-in and gained 1 1/2 lbs. You know the saying a pints a pound the world around.

Don't get me wrong, you have to get your water in, most people develop some kind of routine for WI, also if you wear shorts or a skirt and a t-shirt one week and jeans and a sweatshirt the next week there's a difference in the weight of your clothes.

You're still losing weight, you're just not seeing it on the scale. You're doing great, 8 lbs. is wonderful! Congrats!

[caitbeans]

I am the same way. I will lose 3-4pounds, one the next, and then gain up to a pound the third, I don't know why but it drives me nuts.

[dwnloom]

When is your weigh in day? Please keep us posted on how you do this week.

I havent had this pattern yet, but my losses seem to be slower this time around.

Dawn