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Weight Loss Forum / Low Carb / March 2005Sudden weight gain confusion
In a matter of 2-3 days, I gained about 4 lbs. (my middle number in my sig is the average of the last 7 measurements and is slow to reflect such changes). In the last 3 weeks or so, my wife gained about, drumroll, 13-15 lbs. We both were quite upset at this development and are now walking to train together (5 miles per day), I am trying to be more mindful about what I eat, etc. (I will become stricter if this issue does not get resolved). I am somewhat incredulous about this, as, first, my wife is relatively small and her gain would be more apparent than it is. Second, we did not do anything special to gain so much weight, although everything is possible. It's not like she or I were binging on ice cream or cakes. There is a hypothesis that the scale is bad, but, on the other hand, if the scale was the culprit, how come it shows only 4-5 lbs gain for me and whole 15 lbs gain for her. Besides, I replaced a battery in the scale. At walmart yesterday, I experimented with several analog scales that they had for sale, again getting inconsistent numbers (these analog scales are junk), but mostly lower than what my home scale showed. We also have an analog scale at home, also complete trash (I use it mostly to weigh heavy things that I sell on ebay), it shows a smaller weight gain for me (1-2 lbs, which could be understandable). We'll see if you wife's weight change is really 15 lbs or not, tonight. It is also quite possible that our weight gains are real. I am curious if anyone has any experience with that stuff or any suggestions on how to check scales. I have some weights on my barbell that I could try to weigh on the scale. The barbell is approximately my body weight. A few thoughts: * Women gain water weight monthly; having that coincide with another reason for water gain (or scale oddness) may cause the drastic numbers. * Size doesn't always predict water gain from glycogen, as glycogen is more affected by muscle mass, liver size, and depletion. * This is why I don't trust electronic or spring-based scales ;-) * I can bounce many pounds per day from water retention changes. That's why I graph my weight daily and only worry about the long term trends. To calibrate a scale: Weigh both one and two known weights on the scale, verify they give the proper numbers. Weigh yourself with and without a known weight, verify that the difference is correct. > Weigh yourself with and without a known weight, verify that the > difference is correct. I will try that, thanks.  Signature223/174.1/180 :: In a matter of 2-3 days, I gained about 4 lbs. (my middle number in :: my sig is the average of the last 7 measurements and is slow to :: reflect such changes). In the last 3 weeks or so, my wife gained :: about, drumroll, 13-15 lbs. How do you know the analog scales are trash and the digital one isn't? The display of a number is not really what counts. I would weigh one or some of the plates you have on your barbell and not try to put the entire barbell on the scale. Could some of your weight gain be water weight? The change for you could indeed be water weight under the right conditions, but 15 lbs in 3 weeks seems like a lot of weight gain to me. So your numbers don't bother me but those of your wife seem really strange. Do her clothes fit tighter? She certainly should notice that amount of weight gain in how her clothes fit. >:: In a matter of 2-3 days, I gained about 4 lbs. (my middle number in >:: my sig is the average of the last 7 measurements and is slow to [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > How do you know the analog scales are trash and the digital one isn't? The > display of a number is not really what counts. The analog scales are not very consistent. > I would weigh one or some of the plates you have on your barbell and not try > to put the entire barbell on the scale. Good point, thanks. > Could some of your weight gain be water weight? Sure, it could be water weight, fat weight, or a combination. > The change for you could indeed be water weight under the right > conditions, but 15 lbs in 3 weeks seems like a lot of weight gain to > me. So your numbers don't bother me but those of your wife seem > really strange. Exactly. > Do her clothes fit tighter? She certainly should > notice that amount of weight gain in how her clothes fit. She says that they are tighter, but she is still wearing the same clothes. Her gain is over 10% of her body weight 3 weeks ago, she would need to switch to the next size. Signature223/174.1/180 Quoting Ignoramus19234: > > Do her clothes fit tighter? She certainly should > > notice that amount of weight gain in how her clothes fit. > > She says that they are tighter, but she is still wearing the same > clothes. Her gain is over 10% of her body weight 3 weeks ago, she > would need to switch to the next size. For a relatively small woman, 15 pounds weight gain (fat or water) is going to be a change of at least one full clothing size, more likely two. > In a matter of 2-3 days, I gained about 4 lbs. (my middle number in my > sig is the average of the last 7 measurements and is slow to reflect [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] > I have some weights on my barbell that I could try to weigh on the > scale. The barbell is approximately my body weight. Could be that the strain guage has gone bad or an environmental change has occurred. Has the scale been moved to a colder or warmer location as temperature can affect the accuracy of the strain gauge? >> In a matter of 2-3 days, I gained about 4 lbs. (my middle number in > my [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] > has occurred. Has the scale been moved to a colder or warmer location > as temperature can affect the accuracy of the strain gauge? The scale is still in the same place, however, it became a lot warmer outside (20-30 F change) and could coincide with a large humidity change in the house. Signature223/174.1/180 > In a matter of 2-3 days, I gained about 4 lbs. (my middle number in my > sig is the average of the last 7 measurements and is slow to reflect > such changes). In the last 3 weeks or so, my wife gained about, > drumroll, 13-15 lbs. Has she gone up a pant size or 2? Also, a 15 lb gain on a smaller frame in a short time would be hard not to notice. > We both were quite upset at this development and are now walking to > train together (5 miles per day), I am trying to be more mindful about [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > not do anything special to gain so much weight, although everything is > possible. It's not like she or I were binging on ice cream or cakes. Higher salt intake by adding a new food? > There is a hypothesis that the scale is bad, but, on the other hand, > if the scale was the culprit, how come it shows only 4-5 lbs gain for > me and whole 15 lbs gain for her. Besides, I replaced a battery in the > scale. We had a digital scale about 2 years ago that suddenly would not read the same measurement. Each time I went on it (within seconds of each other), the scale was either down 5lbs, or up 5lbs. An analog scale seems more accurate to me. It could still be out by 2 lbs, but it is usually consistent over all ranges. > At walmart yesterday, I experimented with several analog scales that > they had for sale, again getting inconsistent numbers (these analog > scales are junk), but mostly lower than what my home scale showed. When I bought our new digital, I weighed at work first on a beam scale, and then bought the one that read closest to that one. > We also have an analog scale at home, also complete trash (I use it > mostly to weigh heavy things that I sell on ebay), it shows a smaller > weight gain for me (1-2 lbs, which could be understandable). We'll see > if you wife's weight change is really 15 lbs or not, tonight. > > It is also quite possible that our weight gains are real. You would be able to see a 15lb gain on your wife if it is true. > I am curious if anyone has any experience with that stuff or any > suggestions on how to check scales. > > I have some weights on my barbell that I could try to weigh on the > scale. The barbell is approximately my body weight. >> In a matter of 2-3 days, I gained about 4 lbs. (my middle number in my >> sig is the average of the last 7 measurements and is slow to reflect [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Has she gone up a pant size or 2? Also, a 15 lb gain on a smaller > frame in a short time would be hard not to notice. Not as far as I know, she did not yet have to change her clothes. The change in question is over 10% of her starting body weight. >> We both were quite upset at this development and are now walking to >> train together (5 miles per day), I am trying to be more mindful about [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Higher salt intake by adding a new food? Could be, I ate some cheese, which makes me gain some weight, but not as much. >> There is a hypothesis that the scale is bad, but, on the other hand, >> if the scale was the culprit, how come it shows only 4-5 lbs gain for [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > to me. It could still be out by 2 lbs, but it is usually consistent over all > ranges. Thanks. >> We also have an analog scale at home, also complete trash (I use it >> mostly to weigh heavy things that I sell on ebay), it shows a smaller [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > You would be able to see a 15lb gain on your wife if it is true. Yep, I could believe 5 lbs, but not 15. Signature223/174.1/180 > Yep, I could believe 5 lbs, but not 15. It sounds like the scale is way off. I don't know what would be a good purchase on a new one. They all seem cheaply built so as not to last more than a couple of years. I am reluctant myself to spend alot of money for a new one, and the beam type seems to big for our bathroom. Hehe. What to do. > -- > 223/174.1/180 > > Yep, I could believe 5 lbs, but not 15. > > It sounds like the scale is way off. I don't know what would be a good > purchase on a new one. They all seem cheaply built so as not to last more > than a couple of years. I am reluctant myself to spend alot of money for a > new one, and the beam type seems to big for our bathroom. Hehe. What to do. I've owned a Tanita brand scale (with the body fat function) for the last 3 or 4 years and it's been very reliable. It's accurate to within 0.2 lbs, and if I step off and step back on, I get the exact same reading nearly every time. This morning, for an experiment, I first weighed myself twice, getting the same reading both times. I then drank a large glass of water (approximately 12 oz). When I stepped back on, my weight had gone up by 0.8 lbs. Here's a Tanita model with body fat functions that is similar to the one I use: http://tinyurl.com/49swe The Soehnle brand scales look pretty cool too. Supposedly they're accurate to 0.1 lbs, and I really like their high tech look (though they are somewhat more expensive). http://tinyurl.com/3t6kt SignatureGG http://www.WeightWare.com Your Weight and Health Diary > > -- > > 223/174.1/180 >> > Yep, I could believe 5 lbs, but not 15. >> [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > and if I step off and step back on, I get the exact same reading nearly > every time. 0.2? Mine only reads in 0.5 increments. (Not that I care -- my weight can easily vary by 1-2 pounds per day.) > This morning, for an experiment, I first weighed myself twice, getting > the [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > http://tinyurl.com/3t6kt SignatureBob in CT > and if I step off and step back on, I get the exact same reading > nearly every time. Note that many digital scales do that on purpose - they don't actually re-weigh you, they just report the old numbers. They look really reliable that way. Marketing :-P Try holding a 4oz cup of water when you get on the second time, and see if it shows you've gained 1/4 lb. > > and if I step off and step back on, I get the exact same reading > > nearly every time. > > Note that many digital scales do that on purpose - they don't actually > re-weigh you, they just report the old numbers. They look really > reliable that way. Marketing :-P I really doubt that to be true. Most digital scales are inherently more accurate and repeatable than analog models. I doubt they would go to the trouble of "fudging the numbers" - it would require additional programming in the scale to get it to do that, and the consumer has already purchased the product so why bother? > Try holding a 4oz cup of water when you get on the second time, and > see if it shows you've gained 1/4 lb. That's exactly what I did this morning when I drank a large glass of water and stepped back on. The 0.8 lb "gain" was what I would expect after drinking about 12 oz of water. FWIW, my 4 year old Tanita is highly repeatable, and never varies by more than the 0.2 lb resolution from measurement to measurement (unless I change my weight by drinking some water or putting on clothing). GG >> and if I step off and step back on, I get the exact same reading >> nearly every time. > > Note that many digital scales do that on purpose - they don't actually > re-weigh you, they just report the old numbers. They look really > reliable that way. Marketing :-P that's what mine does. I have to change my weight by about 1.5 lbs, or more,to make my scale forget the old number. i > Try holding a 4oz cup of water when you get on the second time, and > see if it shows you've gained 1/4 lb. Signature223/174.1/180 > >> and if I step off and step back on, I get the exact same reading > >> nearly every time. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > that's what mine does. I have to change my weight by about 1.5 lbs, or > more,to make my scale forget the old number. Time for a new scale, Ig. My 4 year old Tanita definitely does *not* exhibit that behavior. GG > i > > > Try holding a 4oz cup of water when you get on the second time, and > > see if it shows you've gained 1/4 lb. >> >> and if I step off and step back on, I get the exact same reading >> >> nearly every time. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > Time for a new scale, Ig. My 4 year old Tanita definitely does *not* > exhibit that behavior. We discussed this, I think in alt.support.diet, about a year ago. Some scales do that and some do not. Mine, a Taylor model, does it. No big deal, I can always fool it by weighing with some weight, and then again without weight, when necessary. Signature223/174.1/180 > >> and if I step off and step back on, I get the exact same reading > >> nearly every time. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > that's what mine does. I have to change my weight by about 1.5 lbs, or > more,to make my scale forget the old number. BTW - does your scale exhibit that same behavior when you "re-boot" it (my Tanita has a button for each user, and I click that button with my toe to let it know I want to weigh mysefl). GG > i > > > Try holding a 4oz cup of water when you get on the second time, and > > see if it shows you've gained 1/4 lb. >> >> and if I step off and step back on, I get the exact same reading >> >> nearly every time. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > Tanita has a button for each user, and I click that button with my toe to > let it know I want to weigh mysefl). It does not have those buttons, no. I can switch between users for bodyfat measurements, but it is a real pain. Signature223/174.1/180 > > Higher salt intake by adding a new food? > > Could be, I ate some cheese, which makes me gain some weight, but not > as much. What about potassium intake, have you guys been getting less of it recently? SignatureNo Husband Has Ever Been Shot While Doing The Dishes > In a matter of 2-3 days, I gained about 4 lbs. (my middle number in my > sig is the average of the last 7 measurements and is slow to reflect [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] > I have some weights on my barbell that I could try to weigh on the > scale. The barbell is approximately my body weight. I'd calibrate it. If you have access to a Doctor's office, it is likely they will let you in quickly for a minute, to get your weight on their professional unit, then walk out and weigh yourself immediately on your unit. This is how I calibrated my new Tanita. As for the weigh gain, it is very possible and frustrating. I had dealt with a sudden gain of 3 to 4 lbs over a couple of days, doing nothing different. However, I did not indeed write down every ounce of water, bite of food and so on. Nor did I monitor my level of activity exactly. It is a good idea never to lose control. Do the Fitday thing. (I'm guilty. Things are going well and I've slacked on using it.) But it is a pain. I'm trying to develop a lifestyle where monitoring is a secondary thing and does not take over my life. And life - is a bitch:) Perdu >> In a matter of 2-3 days, I gained about 4 lbs. (my middle number in my >> sig is the average of the last 7 measurements and is slow to reflect [quoted text clipped - 51 lines] > > Perdu I'm trying not to do the Fitday/program thing. Instead, I'm trying to simply eat less. I used to count calories all the time, and it's not easy to do. You have to have multiple scales, be highly diligent, avoid going out, etc. I'm trying to eat less (and drink less beer -- my major downfall). SignatureBob in CT Try eating less. SignatureMost people are dumb as bricks; some people are dumber than that. -- MFW > In a matter of 2-3 days, I gained about 4 lbs. (my middle number in my > sig is the average of the last 7 measurements and is slow to reflect > such changes). In the last 3 weeks or so, my wife gained about, > drumroll, 13-15 lbs. > Try eating less. I will, if it becomes necessary. I want to see if I can re-lose without purposely "eating less". Signature223/174.1/180 >> Try eating less. > > I will, if it becomes necessary. I want to see if I can re-lose > without purposely "eating less". It's doubtful. |
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