Throwing the scale away...

The day before my shoulder surgery I weighed my lowest in years, 173. The next day I weighed 180. I know it was water weight, and freaked a little, but eventually calmed down. My shoulder surgery was on 12-7, and I have been going up and down since. I have been down again to 174, and now I'm back up to 178.5. One day I even went up to 182!!! I am sooo frustrated, I could scream!!! I am thinking this is a fluctuating plateau (my new term. lol). I've been writing everything I eat down, and have increased my water intake. Is this all the surgery is going to do? Before my shoulder operation, I never really fluctuated at all. I would maybe go up half a pound if I ate something really high in calories, but not going up 1.5 pounds from one day to the next! I did not eat enough to cause that! Any ideas Maysters?? I'm getting a little discouraged!! If tihs is it, I guess I'm ok with it, but it's so aggrivating to be this close to goal (150) and still not able to achieve it. I can't wait until my doctor lets me exercise like I did before. thanks, Ashleigh 264 - consult 251 - surgery date 178.5 current 150 - goal

I'm sure that not being able to exercise is having some effect on your body. The body gets used to that stuff. I can have weight swings like you, Ashleigh. I can go up 2-3 lbs in a day. For me, it usually seems to happen if I have carbs. My body just responds that way to them. To me, it isn't real weight since I haven't eaten enough calories to gain half a pound let alone a few. I was 170 for a few days in a row last week. Then Saturday we have some beanie weanies. Yup, ****tail franks. I had 8 I think. That's all it took...the rest of my day was eggs scrambled with ham and cheese, protein shakes, and cheese. Baam...I was 172 on Sunday. Always seems to happen. Had more (leftovers) yesterday but didn't even go near the scale this morning. Pfffft. I'll wait a few days - yea, like that is really going to happen. Put the scale in the trunk of your car or someone else's car. Only bring it out when you really need it! I think patience will pay off. If you look on my profile...you'll see my weight is bouncing around now up and down but it is overall coming down. Just very, very slowly. Hang tuff! Kathy

Thank you for always being such a voice of support, Kathy! You don't know how much I appreciate you! let me ask you a few questions if you don't mind. Do you know how many carbs or calories you eat on average? I take in about 120 ounces of water, and at least 60 grams of protein. I generally stay between 600-900 calories and too darn many carbs! thanks again! Ashleigh

I drink about 80 oz of water a day, get 100 grams of protein a day from shakes alone and don't count anything else. I tend to have more carbs on the weekends since I'm out and about. An average does for me does not include any carbs except for what is incidental in foods, salad dressings, non-starchy vegies and sometimes a little fruit (berries, melon). I basically TRY to avoid bread, rice, pasta, potato, starchy vegies (corn, peas, etc.), tortilla chips (doh!), etc. Hope this helps! Kathy

Ashleigh, I had really been at a stand still weight-wise for about 3-4 weeks until the last three days. It is very frustrating. I've changed my eating a little, I'm paying much more attention to every food I even look at, and I've changed the time of my daily walk and increased it a little. I did some reading about how our bodies adjust to the same old diet and exercise and adjusts itself. Of course your body has been thru some big changes with surgery, so not sure if any of this applies to you, but I would retire the scales for a month and see if you don't see a change then. I know the daily scale-watching can make me go crazy! Hang in there! ~Wanda

Hey Ashleigh, Just my two cents, but maybe you need to eat a little more. I tend to get about 1200 calories a day. Im a slave to the scale and usually weigh on a daily basis and my weight fluctuates. I try not to let that discourage me and only count the weekly weight. As long as you are getting plenty of water and protein and enough calories, thats about all you can do for now. I know its hard to be patient when our bodies dont do what we want them to do. Take care and dont give up, Candy

You may be on to something. I think my problem is I am relying on things like protein bars, string cheese, and ready made things. I need to get out the ol' cookware and make some baked chicken, etc. I think I am getting enough protein, but it may not be high quality protein like meats. I took the first step this morning and put the scale up. My husband will be home for lunch soon, and he will hide it from me. I will weigh once a month or once every two weeks if the monthly thing is too long for me! I think getting back to cooking and eating quality protein versus shakes, bars, string cheese, will help. Thanks to all of you for your advice!!! Keep up the great work! I'm proud to be in such a great group of Maysters!!! *hugs* Ashleigh Free from the scale!!!