Surprise weight gain:(

[LBDD]

I've been low carbing for over a year now with a couple of breaks at Christmas and Easter but pretty strict since then (thanks to Biwi's bootcamp threads).
My weight has stayed constant for months, at one point I was annoyed by this but not enough to actually cut out dairy as I eat far too much cream and cheese so decided I was happy with my weight.
Yesterday I weighed myself and I'd put on 4lbs overnight and it hadn't gone today. I haven't eaten anything different or drunk alcohol. It may be coming upto my TOM soon but I haven't retained water for months so don't know why that should change.
This is a bad time for this to happen as cold weather makes me crave cups if tea and biscuits or cake (comfort food), and it's taking all my willpower to resist.
I'm sure I will lose it again, just having a moan really as it's made me feel quite gloomy. DH is alone suggesting that your body becomes resistant to low carbing eventually and you have to eat carbs again for a bit. Does anyone think there's any truth in this?

[springthorn]

I haven't heard of that.

Are you sure you're scales are accurate?

[giraffeseatpineapples]

Some diets advocate a splurge meal once a week you could try that?

Also, log everything on my fitness pal for a week to see how high carbs and calories are?

Dairy can cause a stall in weight loss app but natural yoghurt has been shown to aid weightloss .... go figure.

Or if you are close to weightloss goal maybe you are at the ideal weight?

It could be worth a GP appointment to get checked for vitamin deficiencies or thyroid function?

Or it could be a really long stall and then the wight will zoom off

[whatdoesittake48]

it seems that cutting out dairy has actually increased your weight...

The mechanism behind it could be this: You got more hungry because you were eating less fat - so you ate more meat. protein can be converted to glucose for energy in the absence of fat.

So it is wise to keep protein levels relatively low. (about 30%)

Aim for about 10% carbs, 30% protein and the rest as fat. In fact you can go as high as 80% fat.

Remember, Atkins does the fat fast for anyone struggling to lose on the standard diet. His version is almost 100% fat and works wonders. Not a long term thing - but it might give you a little boost.

Watch your calories too - these can creep up. try cutting back on the amount you are eating and tweak the protein and see if it helps.

[whatdoesittake48]

What I meant to say is protein can be converted for energy and storage...

[LBDD]

Thanks all. That's the weird thing you see I didn't cut out dairy as I wasn't fussed enough about losing more weight (decided I was slim enough and weight wasn't everything really) and my weight remained pretty much the same for last few months. All of a sudden I've put on a few pounds and feel really bloated especially in my legs. Don't know what could be making me retain water suddenly (except maybe tom though hasn't happened before) and was wondering if eating some carbs then boot camping again would cause a big loss to get me back.
It is strange but I suppose I'll carry on for a few more days and see what happens. My DH is showing me all sorts if things about kidney issues on high protein diets etc but really don't think I eat that much protein really and definitely eat not veg now than ever before.
Hey ho, just annoying all my skinny jeans are suddenly too tight.

[WillieWaggledagger]

just a few things that can temporarily affect the numbers on the scales for me without me changing my eating habits:

• a long journey (particularly air travel, but several hours in the car or train will do the same)
• taking up a new exercise (i think the muscles take on water to repair or something)
• being a bit under the weather (you might not realise it)
• not getting enough sleep (easier said than done)
• being stressed or anxious (ditto)
• really hot weather (not really relevant to you right now!)
• period/ovulation of course

it could also be that your scales need new batteries! i would keep an eye anyway - the feeling of bloatedness is more surprising than the number on the scales IMO

as long as you are drinking plenty of water, getting plenty of vitamins/minerals in your diet, and not overdoing the protein (it doesn't sound like it), then your kidneys should be fine really, but keep an eye if you're worried

do you always weigh every day?

[giraffeseatpineapples]

yes, I would agree with wwd , esp make sure your drinking enough water as that will poss help with water retention. You might need to add a little salt if drinking more water.

[HaPPy8]

Have you had something salty over last few days?

[LBDD]

HaPPy - I eat bacon about 3 times a week usually but nothing else really so don't think it's that.
Willie and Giraffe - I don't think I've been drinking enough water for last few weeks so will up that again but doesn't really explain why it's happened now. I have just started running every other day so I suppose it could be that but I'm normally pretty active anyway. Another couple of pounds up today, it's very depressing but I'm still resisting the biscuit tin (just). Yesterday I are bacon and eggs, pork belly strips, salad in olive oil and a couple of spoons of peanut butter. Also about six cups of tea with double cream but that's normal.

[Ohfuckohfuckofuck]

I would have thought that it'll be the running. When you start using a new group of muscles or using muscles in a different way, they take on water to repair minor damage or cushion.

My friend gained 3lb after doing the shred, but looked much thinner and more toned.

[MaryBeardfanclub]

LBDD you say your dh is concerned about high protein = kidney damage … this might be relevant if you have kidney disease however if you have normally functioning kidneys he can rest easy, that is another piece of widely circulating conventional wisdom that is not supported by science see
here

ps annoying about the weight gain this has happened to me. I think i just eat too much ! THe fat fast mentioned is meant for those who are seriously overweight and hit a plateau