Is this water retention?

[faithstar 3]

I am five months out and so far have been losing pretty consistently. I lose around 2-3 pounds every week.

The last two weeks, I've had some odd changes on the scales and am unsure of the reasons. I lost 1 pound in a day and the next day I put on 2 pounds, which took me almost a week to lose again. In the next week I lost nothing.

My periods have stopped for ten months because the GP said it was due to sudden weight loss and weight gain but I'm sure I've been having premenstrual symptoms for nearly two weeks now. My abdomen and fingers are swollen, which makes me think it may be Fluid retention, as nothing else can explain a pound weight loss and then a sudden one day weight gain.

I'm eating mainly Proteins and today was very constipated, even though I take stool softening tablets. I was in agony this morning.

In terms of my food, I eat from around 800 calories to 1100 and have started an exercise routine the past two weeks of one hour a day on the epilictical machine and treadmill. I also walk a lot but I don't drink enough water! I know it's terrible and I find excuses but I'm pretty forgetful I suppose. I have a litre a day, if that!

[coops 1,790]

Hiya Faithstar,

yea, it does sound like water... I can bounce 1-3 in a day or over several days!

Sounds like you are doing well... keep up the good work and it will settle soon... =]

[Eureka-C 20]

I also bounce around a lot in my weight. Some factors I have noticed:

TOM - I always gain about two days before, and hold onto it all week.

Allergy pills make me retain Water

Sodas, or too much salt make me retain Water

Constipation makes me stall

Exercising - when I haven't been - makes me retain water - sore muscles often retain water as they need the nutrients to heal.

And other times, it seems as if there is no rhyme or reason, maybe I have a gremlin in my scales.

[faithstar 3]

thank you for your responses! It does help to read that other people have the same issues and this is all part and parcel of the process. It's so easy to get frustrated with the scales and because I weigh every day, it feels like a week is a month!

I've been a bit scared about having a stall and having it last for months and months...I've heard of that happening to people on occassions with no apparent reasoning and I think that worries me whenI hit a stall!

I've just realised, I started drinking flat diet coke over the last 3 or 4 weeks and not as much water...

Also I suspect I might be having pms without the actual deal...if that makes sense? lol...my hormones are a bit messed up at the minute!

[Rev Me Up! 75]

SOunds like you have been dealing with some hormonal shifts and that can TOTALLY cause weight gain / stall. I woudl recommend that you start getting some more Fiber in your diet to get the bowels moving regularly. Eat a 1/2 cup of oatmeal every day if you can. I am also really bad about Water intake, but it doesn't seem to stall my progress.

I also find jusy changing up what I eat can keep my weight moving. I was eatign the exact same thing every day for the first couple of months - since I started to change it up, I have been losing more every week.

I would also go back to the doc and talk about the dysmennhoria (no periods). It is not normal to have that for a long time. At this point in your weight loss journey, you should be getting back to normal. You might have to go on a hormone suoplement (birth control pill) to get the periods under control until your body can regulate on its own.

Good luck!