A [weight] math problem of sorts...

Okay...so my stats:

I'm 5'8, I have a small frame and weigh about 150.9 lbs. I'd like to lose another 10-15 lbs (From April to September I lost 25lbs and have been maintaining 150 lbs since October 1st...so just need that last 15lbs).

I'm moderatley active (Cardio/2 week, Weight training 2/week, Yoga 1/week) and according to all of my stats, in order to lose that 10-15lbs I should be eating about 1550 calories per do.

So for the last week I was eating roughly 1550 calories a day (some days as low as 1200 and some days as high as 1700),  made up of 30% protein, 30% fat, 40% carbs (pretty healthy) but for the entire week on average ate about 1550/1600 calories per day.

Now here's where it gets tricky... on Friday I weighed 147.9 and today I'm back up to 150.9 (yes there may have been some movie popcorn and a couple of beers involved over the weekend).

So my question I pose is this... over the week I ate 11,150 calories which seems to be a-okay for my weight loss.... I didn't eat an extra 10,500 (or 3500 (1lb of fat) calories x 3) calories this week.

I know water retention/sodium intake may be a factor but what's another plausible reason? How did I gain weight?

Why is water retention not a good enough answer? That can cause a "huge" leap in the scale, depending on your body - 3lbs wouldn't be crazy at all.

Same thing happened to me! I gained 1.5 pounds and I work out every day and eat well. Who knows????? By my math I should have lost over a pound, so to gain is frustrating.  I am not going to worry at this point and see what the scale says next week. From what I've read on these forums, it seems like the body fluctuates a lot weight-wise on its own based on a lot of different factors. If you haven't changed anything drastic then it seems like an anomaly. That's what I'm hoping in my case!

If you want a long explanation of all (or at least, a bunch of) the factors, you could read Why The Scale Lies.

Personally I do not think you gained weight.  The body fluctuates and for me I will toss a couple of pounds back and forth before they stay off.  The first time it happened I really freaked out about it.  Well, this time I woke up Sunday morning 2 pounds lighter than I did today, Monday morning.  But I didn't work out Saturday and did work out Sunday.  Maybe I pigged out on too much junk, or my muscles are retaining fluid or who knows.  But I have come to believe that if I stick with it and follow the guide lines I will loose those 2 pounds permanently  and a lot more to come. 

So hang in there - not to worry!!  It sounds as if you are on track!!

Lauri

same thing happened to me! sunday: 132 monday: 133.6!!! I ate around 1900 calories on sunday night but spent around 2100, so I figured I should be even in the morning!! Doesn't work like that!!! It's also true that for me in order to lose a couple of pounds, I have to see it on the scale a couple of times for it to happen.... so, i'm guessing I should be back to 132 pretty soon this week.

Oh, and by the way, I'm in the middle of TOTM, so that can explain a lot....

I ask because I've been bouncing back and forth between 147 and 150 for months now. It just never seems to stick.

I was just looking for some tough love!

I think though sometimes water retention/sodium intake is just an easy answer. As someone who's seen consistent weight loss it can be a bit weird, since I'm doing everything I should be.

I think it's also a mental thing too... that magical thought in your brain that somehow turns 3 beers into 3 lbs, because that's what I'm always thinking when I veer off course!

Well, maybe it is time to examine a few habits.  Give up the beer for awhile and increase the activity.  Maybe your body has grown accustomed to the routine and is not responding and is ready for change!!!  I would increase exercise and examine the quality of what I am eating.  Too much fast food, hidden sugar or calories.  How much refined flour, sugar and processed foods are you eating? Are you eating empty calories as opposed to nutrient rich?  Are you getting enough protein or stocking up on pasta?  I do believe that it is calories and the quality of the food in addition to exercise that makes the changes.  That is what I am learning anyway.  

Must agree with amethyst girl here. Water is a fickle bitch and can cause fluctations sometimes up to 5 pounds or more believe it or not factor in TTOM and Yikes. Don't sweat the small stuff IT"S JUST WATER. Stay hydrated watch your sodium and keep pluggin!

Hey there!

We're mostly in the same boat, so I thought I'd weigh in.  I went from 169 to 152 2 years ago, managed not to gain any weight back, and now I"d like to get another 10 lbs off, but I've been trying for the last 2-3 months, only I'm not really trying that hard.  I did recently add a weight training class to my (lack of) routine, with yoga 1x a week that I've been doing for a year.  My goal is weight training/yoga twice a week, and cardio if I can ever manage it/get off my lazy bum to do it.

I'm also 5'7" :D

Good luck.  Let me know if you figure out a good solution.

TOM, ovulation, sodium retention, too many carbs, too much heat, lifting weights and not enough sleep all make me retain water.

There are 4 things you need to keep in mind when you weigh yourself.

1. Weigh yourself at the same time everyday. Why ?  It sets up a constancy as to where you are in your daily eating and drinking habits. 

2. Weigh your self preferably in the morning after you have relieved yourself. Why? Well...because colon waste is weight, and so is whats in your bladder.  You can "loose" a good pound or two this way if you weigh your self before and after. Too see just weigh a sealed bag approximately 17 to 18 ounces (500 to 530 ml) of water.

3. Hormones, we woman of child bearing age retain water for reproduction reasons to help a potential new pregnancy. Simply, this is for the required fluid during the beginning stages. Just a fact of life, So don't sweat it if this is where you are at that time in your cycle. And remember if you drink more water your body doesn't need to retain as much for any anticipated pregnancy.

4. Keep the right food and exercise coming, Your body has an inert survival agenda. I.E. If your starving it will reduce your caloric needs, and if its thirsty it will retain any fluid it can and this will include waste. This is why your skin looks great and your not as "puffy" when you drink the recommended amount of water each day.

Tarapartee,

 Thanks for the bit about the water and your skin.  That is beyond a shadow of a doubt the very best reason I have heard to drink water.  I am not good with my water drinking and have been working on my weight for three weeks and not once have I had anywhere close to the recommended water not even on the light side.  I have been working on sugar addiction and that seems to be under control.  Next stop - getting into the habit of drinking enough water.  Thanks for the post.