Tracking weight loss during your period

I have lost 4 pounds in the 3 weeks that I have been dieting. I am concerned because I gain a lot of water weight during my period. How do you calculate your weight loss when you're gaining at that time of the month? Is it 2 steps forward and 3 steps back?

I get a lot (at least 5lbs, often more ) of water weight then too. I still weigh everyday and log it so that I can see the trends and then when I do hit a higher weight I don't worry too much coz I can see that it'll all come off in a few days anyway.

Keep going you're doing great!

Just log it and make  note... that way you can look back in a few months and see the pattern emerging, if there is one. (I never notice the 'water weight' coming on, but at that time I tend to have a week where I magically lose a couple of extra pounds without changing anything, then my weightloss slows right down again after the water's gone...)

I gain alot as well.  Though it all evens out....it  helps with my momentum if I only weigh once or twice a week.  I used to be finatic about weighing every day but the once a week thing has helped me stay upbeat and motivated b/c the swings (like during my period) are not as noticable.  (incidentally I am weighing right now at the end of my period so the water has come and gone!)

Water retention is also a problem for me.  I found this "Summer Drink" on the web posted by a famous personal trainer.  I forget her name, but she is the dark haired woman from the Biggest Loser.  Anyways, if you drink this everyday for a week it helps naturally shed water weight (all ingredients are natural diuretics) especially around your period.  I found it difficult to find all the ingredients, but they have dandelion root tea at Mustard Seed Markets if those are near you.  Enjoy!

16 oz. distilled H2O

1 tablespoon sugarfree cranberry juice

1 dandelion root teabag

2 tablespoons lemon juice

yeah, the Dandelion root tea is what is the natural diueretic in that tincture.  That and of course the water.  I'm sure the lemon juice and cranberry help to sweeten because good dandelion root tea has sucha roasted strong taste to it!  I couldn't take the taste mucha nd just went to Whole Foods and purchased the extract.  Just a few drops in my tea or juice is  a lot easier than drinking it throught the day for the real benefits. 

Dandelion Root helps to flush the kidneys and kick the liver functions into high gear.  You may find this in a lot of Daily Detox, Live Function,  type teas, as well as Yogi teas Women's Moon Cycle.  Helps with the extra water bloat. :)

I make a note when I enter the weight in my log...P1, P2, etc.  That way I can compare weights at roughly the same point in my cycle instead of feeling like I'm gaining and losing the same 5 lbs.

I gain about 5 pounds during "that time" and choose not to weigh myself because, in my opinion, it's a false weight gain that just gets me down even though I know it'll come back off.

I also don't weigh when I've "overdone" it in the eating department, usually over the weekend, because I know once I return to my normal eating & activities it'll come back off again.

Think about it.  You've overeaten all weekend, and the scale says you've gained 4 pounds.  That means that over 2-3 days, you've supposedly taken in an extra 7000-10500 calories in that time period.  That's just not possible, unless you ate 24 hours a day all weekend long!

Do whatever works best for you, I used to obsess over it but found it very counterproductive.  Good luck!

I track it on a daily basis.

I flucuate a lot before and during my period and even though it gets me down a little to see the increase it makes me realise my progress when I look back at my last month and see how much I've improved since then. I mark the week before and during with a "*" or "*p" in the comment section so that I know it is not my eating habits but just that time for water retention!

Try to cut back on salt during those weeks and always drink lots of water. Drinking more water can reduce bloating/retention. Seems counter-intuitive but it works!

I try to pay more attention to the "Trend Line" weight than the day to day logged weight. Thank goodness for that trend line. It's my favourite thing on this website. 

Each to their own though! Don't let it get you down.