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traineo Community / Diet & Nutrition Tips / Weight gain when sick?
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Braden Bartlett
traineo Newbie
Posts: 11
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 # Posted: 24 Oct 2007 16:25 - Edited by: brazzle


Hey all.

I was very disappointed these last few days. I have been making great progress, lost about 7 pounds in the last 2 weeks I have been dieting; however, this last weekend (after my diet day off), I noticed that I had gained about 2.5 pounds!

I didn't understand it. Even with my days off I track my calories and I made sure not to go over 2100 calories (I am 5' 11" and 238 pounds).

I normally eat about 1700-1800 calories per day with exercise.

The only thing that I can think of that really could have a big effect is that I've been sick. Starting this last weekend I have had a cold with a possible sinus infection (sore throat, runny nose, the works).

Could this have any effect on my weight loss/gain? I noticed today that since I've started to recover, my weight has started to go back down.

Thanks for the help.
Matt D
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 103
Post History
 # Posted: 24 Oct 2007 20:15 - Edited by: adabesie


Are you weighing yourself at the same time of day each time? In the same situation?

I weigh myself every wednesday after I wake up, before I eat breakfast. Keeping all the outside factors the same seems to be the most accurate in getting my weight.

The reason I ask is because losing 7 pounds in 2 weeks seems like a lot. By chance, did you weigh yourself after a workout for one of those weights? Because of how much I sweat, I know that if I weigh myself after a workout I will have "lost" tons of weight, but it's mostly just water.

I doubt being sick is the reason for the 2.5 pound gain, I bet it's more of an inconsistency in weighing yourself.

Also, after looking at your page, you shouldn't weigh yourself every day. By weighing yourself every day, you are seeing how volatile your weight can be in a few days span, so I would suggest weighing yourself once a week at the same time of day. If you look at my page, it shows that I lost 2 pounds over the past 2 weeks, but if I weighed myself every day, the chart would be more volatile, looking more like yours.

Hope this helps.
Minu ~
The Master
Posts: 2592
Post History
 # Posted: 24 Oct 2007 20:25 - Edited by: Minu


Here's hoping...

I too am often down nearly 1 kg after a good workout, and like you, Matt, I always weigh myself under the same circumstances, and always in the morning fresh outta the sack.
THE NEW ME
The Master
Posts: 2856
Post History
 # Posted: 24 Oct 2007 20:57


i get weighed by a professional once a week b/c as minu and matt stated weight can fluctuate so much over a weeks time. so much can affect ones weight.
-what did you eat on your off day?
-what TYPES of food did you eat-even if you stayed in your calorie range if they were all carbs or all high sodium foods they could retain water
-exercise(did you stop exercising while sick?)
- fluid intake-have you been drinking more or less-you could be retaining due to dehydration or sodium.

give your body time to recover from your illness and if you go back to what you were doing you should probably be fine
Braden Bartlett
traineo Newbie
Posts: 11
Post History
 # Posted: 24 Oct 2007 23:27


i do weigh myself at the same time each day under the same conditions (in the morning, after workout, before eating).

I will take your advice and not weigh myself every day to not stress myself out.

I didn't eat too many carbs or sodium on my free days, but I could be wrong. I did drink lots of extra water from being sick.

Thanks for all the tips. Hope I can get back on track.
Matt D
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 103
Post History
 # Posted: 25 Oct 2007 08:08


I would recommend weighing yourself before you workout, not after, because the amount you sweat can vary greatly with your workout. I know that this adjustment might make your weight shoot up when you first start using this method, but I prefer it. I know that I feel kind of guilty if I weigh myself after a workout, because I know it's not accurate with the rest of my logs. It's your choice though.

Good luck.
Pbot 5000
traineo Newbie
Posts: 8
Post History
 # Posted: 25 Oct 2007 23:32


I weigh myself after I take a shower. Usually in the morning. Always before I eat breakfast.
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