Help! Question for ladies - I lost 4 1/2 pounds in three days and regained it!!!

[austingirl]

Hello everyone.

I have always been physically fit and in shape. I have maintained a solid weight of 128 lbs at 5'6" for years. I was lean, a work-out nut, but started to notice that I after a two week period, I gained about 8 - 10 pounds in water weight. I became very concerned after I discovered that I was literally starving myself on Slim Fast shakes, drinking two gallons of water a day, and still gaining water weight! My doctor told me to cut out the sugar in my diet, and my father told me to go low carb so I tried Atkins.

I started Atkins last Friday (March 31) weighing 141 lbs. By Monday morning I was 4.5 pounds lighter at 136 lbs! This was a mere joy to experience, and I was now hooked. Then, the following day I noticed that I ballooned back to 141. Keep in mind that I did not cheat. If anything, I became more strict that day by consuming less that 15 carbs that day.

Here is a thing to consider. My menstrual cycle starts tomorrow or the day after. Have any of you women experienced a four pound increase in weight days prior to menstruation? I am really upset, and feel like giving up. If it is just retained water weight from pre-mentruation that will go away in a week...I am still a team-player...if not then what is the use?

Austin Girl

[ladyinred]

First of all, you should wait the full two weeks of induction before weighing yourself as weight can fluctuate up or down. Weighing after the two weeks will give you a clearer picture of how you've done. Otherwise, yes, I always gained 5 lbs in the week or so before TOM (time of the month). I also used to always give up on my diet plans. Because apparently I'm very dense and it took me 20 years to figure out that it was just pre-menstrual water weight gain. duh!!! Ignore it and it will go away. Weigh yourself at the end of two weeks and I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results.

[austingirl]

Thank you Lady in Red. This really helps. I, too, think that staying off the scale for a week and a half is a smart thing. I have been "scale obsessed" for the past four years.

I really like the Atkins philosophy. Of all plans, I think it makes the most sense. I will give it a few weeks and let time to show me good results. I am still super-strict with the carb counting.

[ladyinred]

You'll be happy with the results. Just hang in there. Good luck!

[sadie147]

I usually gain an average of 5 lbs, and a couple of times have gained as much as 8! I have actually not been able to do my jeans up and 2 days later i'm fine....it really sux doesn't it? LOL.


Keep up the exercise, i find cardio really helps me with the water weight, as well, watch your sodium levels. You'd be really surprised when you look at the sodium amounts in alot of foods. pepperoni, lunch meats, bacon are the obvious ones..but check your other foods as well. the RDA for sodium is 2400 mgs max a day, I once saw deli turkey meat that had 1680 mg's in 3 slices!! Drinking at least 64 ozs of water every day will help too.

Dont give up yet!!!

[ValidRouge]

I'm always good for about 4 lbs during TOM. Totally ignore the scale until it's completely gone...and drink water, water, water...it'll pass and you'll be down with a big ole whoosh!

[tabekat]

I am really upset, and feel like giving up

Cultivate patience. Weight fluctuation is perfectly normal. Gaining weight during TOM is normal.

What isn't normal is watching the scale obsessively.

We Atkineers need to put out faith in Dr. Atkins program and leave the scale behind us, never to
trouble our minds again.

For your own mental health I encourage you to stop weighing yourself and find true freedom.

You can lose entire sizes on Atkins and never see any movement on the scale or even see a weight gain on the scale.

Please re-read all the stickys at the top of this forum.
Some great information there.

[sallyseachange]

I usually gain 4 to 8 pounds around TOM time (even though that is sporadic now as I'm menopausal). The added weight sometimes stays ten days! It's a real bore, but I've learned to ignore it (or try to!!). Hang in there. Eat right and you'll be fine.
Sal

[dotsamantha]

Not becoming scale-obsessed is one of the best pieces of advice i've received. Especially around TOM. I began this woe during my week and my weight flucuated so much for the next two weeks, it was hard to tell where i was at. Stick with it and give it time.

[iyamamaschke]

4 pounds would be such a dream to me only 4 pounds I am jealous I am due today ahve been Spotting and I am up 10 pounds this sucks I hate being a woman 1 time a month the rest of the time it's ok. I usually start going up about 10 days before then Balloon up hugely as it starts then taper down as it continues losing it all within 10 days after. It's Hormonal. Try not to weigh if you know TOM is anywhere near you will be happier seeing it go down more after so just stay off the scale till you are totally finished TOM.

Sarah