I have been on a slow gradual weight loss program for almost 9 months now. I run 20-25 miles per week and do a few free weights as well. For the most part, I have achieved my goal, having gone from 175 pounds down to 145, basically losing around one pound a week using about a 500 calorie per day deficit. As you can imagine, progress seemed painfully slow at times but I convinced myself that this was the best way to achieve permanent weight loss. I also lowered my blood pressure, raised my HDL and lowered my LDL.
Last weekend I travelled to a family wedding and didn't exercise for three days. My calorie intake was higher than usual though nothing particularly excessive, and my alcohol intake was definitely higher. Imagine my shock when I stepped on my bathroom scale the first morning back home and found I had gained five pounds! I was shocked to say the least. How could I gain in three days the weight that took me 5-7 weeks to lose?
I went back to my usual exercise and nutrition regimen and a week later my weight had returned to what it was prior to my three day holiday. My theory for this was my higher than usual sodium intake during my break. This caused my body to retain water and artificially inflate my weight reading. I can easily see how something like this might cause many people to throw their hands in the air and abandon their fitness and nutrition programs. I didn't because I have seen this sort of thing before and I firmly believe in the general rule that it takes 3500 extra calories to make a pound of fat.
Maybe its time to stay away from that bathroom scale, at least after deviating from your usual habits for a few days. I am a 51 year old who has learned his lessons about fitness and nutrition through decades of trial and error. If I was a beginner at this it is quite likely I may have given up my healthy ways. I hope my example can be of some benefit to someone who is struggling to get slimmer and healthier. Don't let one weekend torpedo your goals.
Last weekend I travelled to a family wedding and didn't exercise for three days. My calorie intake was higher than usual though nothing particularly excessive, and my alcohol intake was definitely higher. Imagine my shock when I stepped on my bathroom scale the first morning back home and found I had gained five pounds! I was shocked to say the least. How could I gain in three days the weight that took me 5-7 weeks to lose?
I went back to my usual exercise and nutrition regimen and a week later my weight had returned to what it was prior to my three day holiday. My theory for this was my higher than usual sodium intake during my break. This caused my body to retain water and artificially inflate my weight reading. I can easily see how something like this might cause many people to throw their hands in the air and abandon their fitness and nutrition programs. I didn't because I have seen this sort of thing before and I firmly believe in the general rule that it takes 3500 extra calories to make a pound of fat.
Maybe its time to stay away from that bathroom scale, at least after deviating from your usual habits for a few days. I am a 51 year old who has learned his lessons about fitness and nutrition through decades of trial and error. If I was a beginner at this it is quite likely I may have given up my healthy ways. I hope my example can be of some benefit to someone who is struggling to get slimmer and healthier. Don't let one weekend torpedo your goals.
