can someone explain this???

Ok...first off, I weigh everyday.  That isn't the issue.  I like to see the daily fluctuations, it makes me feel not so bad when I see a slight gain.

However, we went out of town for a couple of days.  I still got in most of my protein, all of my water, etc.  I did eat more carbs than normal.  I logged all of my food both days, etc.  I didn't go over 1400 calories per day.  Normally I get in about 900. 

I come home and I am 2.6 over what I was when I left.  In less than a 24 hour trip.  On a normal day I can fluctuate about 1 pound (I know this from watching patterns over time). 

I guess my question is...why did I gain so much when I ate far less than what I would call "average".  Will I ever be able to eat a "normal" diet?  I'm not too concerned about the extra pounds.  I know since I am home today and things are back to normal they will come off again.  But why does such a small change in eating have such drastic (or should I say "abnormal" effects on the scale?

Number one, the "gain" HAS to be water weight, even if your "normal" fluctuation is less than that, since you clearly did not eat the extra 10,000 calories it would have taken to gain 2.5 pounds!  (Even with having had a hysterectomy years ago, and therefore no periods, I can fluctuate as much as 5 pounds in a single day, so it surprisesd me that your nromal fluctuations are only a single pound.)

My best guess is that, since you were traveling, you were probably eating out more... and restaraunt meals usually mean a lot more sodium than home-cooked meals.

Lora

It's normal for your weight to fluctuate more than one pound.  That was not abnormal at all.

As far as whether you'll be able to eat a  normal diet, I guess it depends on what you  mean by normal.  You won't ever be able to eat like you did before surgery.  You won't even be able to eat just like most people that haven't had surgery.  Like, you'll never be able to eat a huge plate of pasta followed by a huge dessert.  However, you'll be able to eat most foods in small portions.

To me, normal would be around 1200-1400 calories.  And from what you ladies have said...that is exactly what my feelings were as well (especially the sodium one).  Thank you!

Oh yeah, you should be able to eat that.  I eat about 1500 calories a day.  I was close to two years out before I could eat that much, though.

That is so good to know, Kelly.  Thank you!

Every 4 days I have to go out of town.  On those days it is easy for the scale to jump more than normally.  I think it is caused by me sitting for long periods of time in the car and the fact I don't get as many liquids in while traveling.  Also, it is hard to stay on my eating plan because we are  updating a house, and the kitchen is out of commission at this time.  So I think the extra sodium and sitting for long periods attribute the the fluctuations.

That is what I was thinking the problem was, too.  It is good to hear your experience.  The bad thing is...its soooo hard to get back on track after just one weekend!!