Everyday Systems

So while I know there are many ways to handle weigh-ins, I choose to weight daily (first thing in the morning, without clothes for as much consistency as possible). I do this in part so that I can see the short term fluctuations in my weight as well as the long term trend. And its not necessarily unusual to see a gain of 0.5-1 pound in a day (which I know isn't true gain) and then to see that disappear.

However, over the last month or two, I've noticed that the weight fluctuations have dramatically increased. The overall trend has (perhaps surprisingly) stayed the same, but the large jumps in weight (both up and down) are happening more frequently and their magnitude is larger. The gains don't seem to be in response to large meals, S days, or bloating and the losses don't seem to be in response to small meals or the normal bodily functions.

As I mentioned, the overall trend is still downward, and still at the same rate - so I'm not particularly concerned. But I am curious. I don't think I've made any significant dietary changes, although with the warmer weather I think I've been getting in a little more natural movement. I suppose it could be because I weight closer to my goal weight now than I did 6 months ago?

Does anyone else have any theories on wild weight fluctuations?

No theories, but similar experiences. Mine can fluctuate by more than a pound in a day. I can usually see a connection to the amount of salt I've eaten but it won't stop me from having some salty foods sometimes. I know it's just water. There are so many things that can affect how much water we're storing at any one time, and water is the main element in weight change. Our fat storage is much more stable. Even a 500-calorie deficit is "worth" only about two ounces of fat. Not that we're counting calories or living by the scale.

This is why I stopped weighing everyday. I just can't handle the fluctuations. I also avoid the scale during my period...talk about a shocker!

I don't ever really weigh myself, but I notice that when I eat a lot of white flour or white sugar foods that my pants feel a little more snug the next day. I know these foods can cause some bloating; I figure I'm just a little sensitive to that since I don't eat those things too often.

I quit weighing myself every day because of the fluctuations; however, I used to weigh daily. My weight could change by 3 lbs from one day to the next. If I wanted to have a good weigh in, I found that drinking water in the evenings reduced my weight the next morning. My theory on that is that the water flushes out all the bad stuff, but really? I have no idea, but it consistently worked.

I also figured out that the later I ate in the evening and the more I ate for the evening meal, the more I weighed the next day.

So basically evening fluctuations in habit seemed to affect the morning weight the most.

Drinking water helps you flush out salt, and causes you to release the water your body retains to balance the sodium. It's not "bad stuff," but it does affect the scale if you care about seeing a lower numbe when you weigh.

I always find it funny/interesting/ironic that some people weigh less frequently for the same reason I weight frequently - just goes to show how different our mindsets can be even when we have the same goal!

Water fluctuations make sense, except that I haven't had any change in water consumption levels that would explain why the small fluctuations have shifted to large fluctuations.

I guess I'm just a mystery

I'm wondering about the scales used. I weigh daily using electronic scales. I sometimes wonder if the batteries, as they age, produce quirky scale behaviour, including somewhat wilder weight fluctuations.

I also stopped weighing myself every day, because in my case the reading seems to fluctuate in a +/- 3lb range. Even though I know in my head to look at the trend rather than the daily reading, it can be dispiriting to see that you've "gained" 4lb in a day or two. Somehow this is worse than the equally fake euphoria you feel when you miraculously "lose" 4lb overnight. So now I just weigh once a month (ideally three readings averaged over three consecutive days, for more accuracy).

Graham wrote:I'm wondering about the scales used. I weigh daily using electronic scales. I sometimes wonder if the batteries, as they age, produce quirky scale behaviour, including somewhat wilder weight fluctuations.

I use the Wii Fit for a scale, so its electronic. But I have the rechargeable battery pack and I keep it plugged in and charging.

But that is something I hadn't considered...hmmm