Factors that can affect SCALE weight!

[bbsapphireee]

Before I start, it is well generalized that the mirror should be your primary focus and your best friend when it comes to seeing progress/results.

BUT, we all know that advice is rarely taken, and we all use the SCALE as our primary indicator of our progress/results.

I wanted to compile a list of factors that, anywhere from heavily to slightly, affect the number we see on the scale when we check our daily/weekly progress.

Factors that INCREASE scale weight
- Foods high in sodium
- Lack of sleep
- Medication
- Carb refeeds (if done right)
- Cheat days
- DOMS (sore muscles retain water) **can someone confirm this, I remember reading about it but am not completely sure**
- Menstruation (for women)
- Constipation
- Clothes (lol)
- Undigested food (hope nobody weighs themselves in the evening...)

Factors that DECREASE scale weight
- Diuretics
- Low carb diets (only in the beginning though)
- Dehydration (sauna, sweat suits, bath salts, etc. usually done by athletes that need to hit a certain weight class)


The main point is, there are many many factors that can alter that number you see on the scale. As long as a long term pattern/trend is seen (that you are satisfied with) try not to get discouraged too much and panic when you see a number you don't like!

Feel free to add your own to the list!

[andrewlef]

Factors that increase scale weight

- Sustained caloric surplus


Factors that decrease scale weight

- Sustained caloric deficit


Factors that do not affect scale weight

- Meal timing and/or frequency
- Intermittent Fasting
- Insulin levels

[bigjoe5574]

Factors that increase scale weight

- Sustained caloric surplus


Factors that decrease scale weight

- Sustained caloric deficit


Factors that do not affect scale weight

- Meal timing and/or frequency
- Intermittent Fasting
- Insulin levels

Andrew, I see what you're getting at, but want to argue against the point that meal timing doesn't effect scale weight. I know from experience that if I eat before bed, I'll have some undigested food by morning that would make the scale number be higher than if I hadn't eaten before bed. I weigh myself in the morning after going to the restroom.

[andrewlef]

Andrew, I see what you're getting at, but want to argue against the point that meal timing doesn't effect scale weight. I know from experience that if I eat before bed, I'll have some undigested food by morning that would make the scale number be higher than if I hadn't eaten before bed. I weigh myself in the morning after going to the restroom.

Yeah, I know. If you eat a big meal before bed it'll definitely have some impact. For the most part, though, meal timing shouldn't affect scale weight. As long as one is consistent.

[morninglory81]

All your points are water weight aside from food still in the gut and clothing.

[bbsapphireee]

All your points are water weight aside from food still in the gut and clothing.

That's the point of this post....

to prevent people from panicking when they are shocked to have gained 1-3 pounds even though they are in a deficit.

I'm starting to think people are taking this post the wrong way.

[morninglory81]

That's the point of this post....

to prevent people from panicking when they are shocked to have gained 1-3 pounds even though they are in a deficit.

I'm starting to think people are taking this post the wrong way.

Lol@1-3#'s

DOMS +2#'s
High sodium +3#'s
High carb +2#'s
Tom bloat +5#'s

That's a 12# fluctuation one week a month.

If people are hyperventilating over 1-3#'s they need to relax!

[bbsapphireee]

Lol@1-3#'s

DOMS +2#'s
High sodium +3#'s
High carb +2#'s
Tom bloat +5#'s

That's a 12# fluctuation one week a month.

If people are hyperventilating over 1-3#'s they need to relax!

you'd be surprised

[IK9]

Fiber

[jeffkitchen5]

Everything

[Jacob130]

Does fiber make you retain weight or something? Thanks!

Fiber