Illness

About a week ago I became ill - doctor diagnosed it as H1N1 - and I've spent the last few days feeling like i've been hit by a freight train.  I've essentially been living off of broth, gatorade, and soda crackers due to the fact I can't keep much of anything down, and this has come with all of the unpleasantries of a bad flu - namely the wonders of vomitting and (grossly) diarrhea. 

I'm finally on the mend and recovering, and today I managed to eat toast and keep it down (thank you gravol).  This morning I stepped on the scale and it turns out i've lost five pounds in this time frame, which technically puts me at my goal weight but the dissappointment is that it wasn't how I wanted to do it.  My question is; could some of the loss just be water weight?  Will it come back on when I begin to eat regularly again?  Or is this an actual body mass loss? 

I'm focusing on getting better, of course, and my weight really isn't a top priority right now, but part of me hopes that the weight loss is only temporary, so I can get back to a healthy routine to lose those final pounds. 

Most of that loss will be down to fluids. 'Easy go, easy come' to coin a phrase.  Your priority is now to get your strength back and that will involve eating good food in reasonable amounts.  So expect to regain most of the 5lbs and then take it from there.

It's most likely fluid loss, especially if you're vomitting and have had diarrhea.

I concur that most of it is water weight, but probably not all of it.  I often end up with a net loss of a pound or two after a nasty bout of flu.  I'd advise you not worry too much about your weight until you're feeling strong and free of symptoms for a week or so then see where you are at.  Just be sure to eat plenty of fruits and veggies for the vitamins and stay hydrated.