Most people who wish to lose weight can’t avoid the temptation to jump on the scale. They need immediate gratification, even if they risk the disappointment of the scale, informing them that they have gain weight or not lost any weight. For some people, this disappointment can even lead to the end of their weight loss goal. Don’t let it happen to you.
As for what you should do, weigh your weight right now and record it. Then you will not weight yourself again until you begin our program, ( Don’t worry I will be reminding you again later). This is because, particularly in the first two phases, you will be gaining water weight, and these extra pounds of water will hide the fact that you are losing body fat.
By understanding what’s happening to your body and your weight, you will be able to determine if you are on the right path, and you will avoid the frustration when the scale is not budging or -even worst - when it moves higher. Trust me, at the same point, this will happen! It’s simply part of the weight loss process.
The Many Reasons That Your Body Weight Can Be Erratic And Unpredictable:
Your weight can go up, go down, or plateau for a number of reasons. Some fluctuations you have control over and some you do not. You should become familiar with everything that affects your body weight so that you can know what’s taking place when you weigh yourself and avoid the frustration when the scale is participating in your weight loss goal.
- Water Fluctuations
Be forewarned that when you first become active or increase the amount or intensity of your exercise, you will retain extra water, Gaining this extra water weight can be disheartening and, as I mentioned before, has caused many people to give up their exercise routine. The truth is that gaining this extra water weight is a very good sign.
As you become more active and drink more water, your muscles will act like sponges and will become more fully hydrated. In addition, you may also add a little new muscle, which in turn will even store more water. The more active you are, the more glycogen (a stored carbohydrate), your muscle will retain. Each gram of glycogen stores an additional 2.5 to 3 grams of water.
Finally. The better shape you’re in. The more water stored in your bloodstream. This additional water weight gain can be significant and is most pronounced when you increase your level of fitness. This explains why physically fit individuals store considerably more water within their bodies than unfit individuals. This also explains why a very fir person can weigh much more than their appearance would suggest.
When you exercise regularly, you're sending the message to your body that water needs to be stored in relatively large quantities. Your body responds by finding creative ways to store this additional water. The fitter you become, the higher your percentage of water weight will be, and the lower your percentage of body fat. Don’t let this additional water weight frustrate you. it’s a good sign. It means that your metabolism is increasing as well as your potential to burn fat.
That is why it is good to see you on this initial water weight, it usually means that good things are about to happen --- that is if you remain patient through the first four to six weeks.
In addition to the initial water weight gain that you will experience when you become more active, your body has various water cycles that influence the retention and release of water weight. There are daily, weekly, monthly and even seasonal water cycles. These cycles occur for a variety of reasons, and they are not all fully understood. There are also times when these cycles converge to reach their respective highs, at which time you will experience a significant increase in your water weight and consequently, your total weight, It is at these times when you reassure that as long as you are consistently following your steps for the goal, there will be a gradual reduction in your body fat -- even if the scale doesn’t confirm it.
By the same token, there will be times that the various water cycles converge at a low point, resulting in your body retaining less water. This will lead to a decrease in your total body weight. This is also somewhat of an illusion and should or cause you to become overconfident.
Water Retention
Another cause of “water retention” is the result of too much salt in your diet. It is the consequence of consuming monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is a common food additive that contains sodium (salt). This weight is temporary and will be lost as soon as your body eliminates the sodium. Many quick-fix diets will recommend that you completely avoid salty foods. A primary reason for this is so that you will appear successful on the diet when you weigh yourself, regardless when you are actually losing fat weight or water weight. Keep in mind that although your body needs a little amount of sodium, most people are getting enough by getting a balanced diet (without adding salt to their food)Caffeine,
Caffeine the other hand, is a diuretic and causes your body to rid itself of water, consuming too much caffeine can lead to dehydration. Therefore, food and beverages that contain caffeine (such as tea, coffee, chocolate, and certain sodas) should be kept to a minimum. Also, keep in mind that caffeine is always present in many quick-fix weight loss supplements and diet drinks - for the obvious reason.
Certain vitamins, nutritional supplements, and medications can also cause the body to retain or release water and will affect your body weight. Your physician or pharmacist can give you specific information on the water retention effects of any substance that you may be taking.
- Menstrual Period
Most women experience a temporary increase in water weight just prior to their menstrual period, water weight can cause bloating and may affect the way a woman’s clothes fit temporarily. By the time the woman’s period is finished, the weight has usually disappeared.
Many people experience a significant increase in water weight just because they drop far weight. Why this happens is not fully understood. One explanation relates this temporary water weight gain to a person’s monthly water cycle. Yet another theory states that when you lose fat, which takes up a relatively large amount of space, your body retains water to temporarily fill their space until your body can accommodate the change (I’ll talk about this in a little more detail later). Regardless of why this happens. It’s just one more way your body can play a practical joke. Don’t let it get the better of you.
Water weight gain is commonly responsible for the scale not budging -- or even moving higher. Remember that each time you improve your level of fitness your body holds more water. Don’t worry about it, In reality, increasing your water weight is a sign that good things are about to happen to everyone and are nothing to be concerned about unless you let them affect your emotions.
If you suspect that you’re retaining water, just examine how your clothes fit. If despite the increase in your weight, your clothes fit the same or even more loosely, water is probably to blame. When you lose weight the right way by being active, the rules change a bit, It is common to be losing fat, but gaining weight. As frustrating as this can be, my advice is to a simple focus on how good you feel, how your clothes fit and the other positive changes that are happening to you.
