"Real Deal on Menstrual Cycle and Weight Loss.....Frustrated"

Please see my journal for any background info...anyway...I started my cycle this past Saturday...before that, I weighed in consistently for 2 days at 171.6 (from 174 start)...after Saturday, the scale has read 174 again...and again this morning! I weigh in daily, same time each day...I won't change that, I KNOW I do better personally with my loss weighing daily...at any rate, should I just "ignore" the scale until at least Saturday??? The last day of my cycle will be Thursday of this week...this stall will not make me abandon my plan, but I will admit, I get ALOT of motivation from the scale on a weekly basis and I "hate" to start the week like this...I feel better and I "feel" smaller...that scale is just validation though....help please.

I also weigh myself every day even though it's probably not the best method! I would chalk th extra weight up to water retention that a lot of women experience during their period.  One way to combat this is to restrict your salt intake and drink lots of water!  Don't beat yourself up...you're doing great!

Really don't pay attention to it, you already answered your own question: it's your periods, it can make you gain up to about 5 lbs! Just look forward to the drop afterwards

The same thing happens to me every month....without fail. Just keep going with your plan and ignore the scale for a few days. Like soliwit said, look forward to the big drop you'll see after you're feeling better in a few days. It is frustrating, but just keep telling yourself that all the hard work will payoff in the end--even if it seems hard at the moment.

AMEN - to all the above - I wanted to toss my scale out the window when I saw my fluctuation at my cycle time......but decrease your salt intake and drink tons MORE water than you are accustom and you'll see a difference the week after you return to 'normal'

Chin up!

That happens to me each month too, and I feel really discouraged.  I think we need to put the scale away for a little while, but make sure we still keep good habits (chocolate is my downfall at that time). 

Thanks ladies for the support...you helped me get through the day...and really rest of the week with a smile...I'll update you on the weigh-in next week! Take care!

ever so welcome and I keep an eye on you now of course

I'm in the same predicament as you! I'm worried that my cycle will make my first week's 2.2 lb loss seems paltry at best!

I know Courtney...my cycle ends tomorrow,  maybe Friday...i weighed in this morning...173...I'm disgusted...still on plan, but disgusted...171 staring back at me for two days last week...and then...back to where I started instead of being around 168 by now....that's life...sometimes I wish I could "fast-forward" times like these...but I guess we have to keep things in perspective...all I know is that I'm not changing my 1st goal date: Febuary 15th - 160 lbs for "nature's sake", so there's a lot of work to do over the next 18 days...(realistically, I may end up settling for 165 for the 1st goal date, now that I look at a calendar :) !

I swear on all accounts, it's harder for women to diet!

Good luck!

I know this post was a couple of months ago, but it really helped me today!!!  I started my period yesterday and when I weighed myself yesterday, I was up 3 lbs!  Then today another 3 lbs up.  I was sooo discouraged.  Almost to the point of tears.  I have been struggling in my weight loss anyway, so to be up 6 lbs in two days was horrific.  I know that I had a larger than average dinner last night since hubby and I went out for our anniversary, but 3 lbs?  I am hoping it is salt and water retention.  I am going to drink lots of water today, try to get a good walk in tonight and get back on track.

Thank you all for reminding me that our cycles make our bodies go wacko in this area.

i can fluctuate like 7 pounds, so cheer up, everybody.  the scale will look better next week, really!