Gaining weight but not showing on the scales

xoxyx

I stopped smoking about four months ago. For the first two months I kept active 'cause I didn't want to gain any weight. Then, for the last two months, I fell off the wagon spectacularly. I ate loads - not junk all the time, but I have certainly had a take away three days in a row, or eaten a big bag of nuts (a day's worth of calories) in one sitting, or had popcorn and chocolate and ice cream at the cinema. In the last few weeks, I've definitely noticed clothes getting tighter.

Now, I've had my fun and am going to try and get back in shape, but, when I weighed myself today, I was the same as I was when I was smoking. I don't get it!

I know muscle is heavier than fat so if you swap one for the other you may actually lose weight, but I didn't have that much muscle to begin with. I haven't been doing any less exercise than when I smoked, so I doubt I have lost whatever small bit of muscle I did have.

I know for a fact that I'm bigger (I would have said I put on a stone), and, while I would be delighted to think that I haven't put on weight according to the scales, being realistic, I know that's not true.

And, yes, I used a digital scales and at the same time of day as I always weighed myself.

Can't figure it out! Any suggestions welcome!!!

EileenG

How do your clothes fit? That's a much more accurate indicator of how you are doing than the scales. Don't forget that hydration can make about half a stone of difference to your weight.

xoxyx

z_topaz wrote: »

... In the last few weeks, I've definitely noticed clothes getting tighter...

EileenG wrote: »

How do your clothes fit? That's a much more accurate indicator of how you are doing than the scales. Don't forget that hydration can make about half a stone of difference to your weight.

Um - they fit tighter!

I'm definitely well hydrated at the moment. And, I know I've put on weight. Even without the clothes being tighter, I can tell I've put on a bit around the tummy. Probably the legs too. And my boobs are bigger. They never get bigger!! That's a definite sign!!

Just can't understand the scales bit.

EileenG

Maybe you need new batteries?

xoxyx

No. But thanks.

Mellor

z_topaz wrote: »

No. But thanks.

I think you misunderstood, new batterys for the scales. When they run low the reading isn't accurate.
You may have lost some muscle, and put on fat.
At the end of the day, its clear you you know you've gotten fatter. The number on the scales isn't as important as the way you look.

rubadub

Mellor wrote: »

I think you misunderstood, new batterys for the scales. When they run low the reading isn't accurate.

I saw a 8lb difference on a set of WW brand scales when the batterys were low. I actually calibrate scales and other equipment in my work, my own cheapo scales are pretty bad. I would recommend salter brand scales to anybody, I have several ones and they seem very consistent. If you have the scales on an uneven surface or carpet it can give false readings, also standing on the edges or to one side will alter cheapo ones.

This one is on offer at the moment, might get it myself
http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/8321798/Trail/searchtext%3ESALTER.htm

Also take photos and take measurements of various body parts to track losses/gains. A pair of old well washed tight jeans will serve as a whole set of tape measures down your legs.

xoxyx

z_topaz wrote: »

I've definitely noticed clothes getting tighter.QUOTE]

EileenG wrote: »

How do your clothes fit?

z_topaz wrote: »

Um - they fit tighter! ...Just can't understand the scales bit.

EileenG wrote: »

Maybe you need new batteries?

z_topaz wrote: »

No. But thanks.

Mellor wrote: »

I think you misunderstood, new batterys for the scales...

No, I didn't misunderstand. I don't need new batteries, but thanks for the suggestion.

xoxyx

z_topaz wrote: »

...I know muscle is heavier than fat so if you swap one for the other you may actually lose weight, but I didn't have that much muscle to begin with. I haven't been doing any less exercise than when I smoked, so I doubt I have lost whatever small bit of muscle I did have...

Mellor wrote: »

... You may have lost some muscle, and put on fat..11.

I don't wish to be rude, but I may as well have posted this in AH for the responses that I have got.

EileenG

What do you want us to do? We've given you our opinion, which is that your scales needs new batteries, if you are sure you have actually put on weight, and your clothes are tighter. That's the only thing that makes sense to people reading your post. Perhaps if you had posted everything you eat and every exercise you did, we might be a bit more constructive, but we're working with the information you gave us.

sudzs

Are you over 40?? Because around that age you can stay the same weight but can actually be fatter or a different shape anyway! It's gravity! Everything slips down to the middle region!!! :rolleyes:

metamorphosis

z_topaz wrote: »

I don't wish to be rude, but I may as well have posted this in AH for the responses that I have got.

What's with the rudeness? People here were giving you all they could given the info you gave. As Eileen said if you post your diet up and your exercise regime you will get a lot more responses. You said you have ate bad, your clothes are tighter and you know you have gained weight. So your scales may need new batteries or just may be plain faulty. Sometimes scales stick to a number. If you step on another scales you will have a more informed answer.

xoxyx

Sorry, but it just seems like people were jumping in with generic answers without bothering to read the opening post - and I don't see the point in that. I explained exactly my question. I thought there might be some explanation which I hadn't thought of.

Anyway - doesn't matter. I've been back on my normal diet for the last five days and I seem to be back to my usual shape already. Still the same weight though. I think my body is very clear on what it wants to look like. Fine with me!!

And no - I'm not over 40 - good suggestion though!

Mellor

I read the3 opening post, and like you said you were bigger. I should of thought it was case closed, and didn't really understand what you were asking? It was a bit uninformed really. You can't "swap" muscle for fat for example.

To be honest, I found most of your posts snotty and rude and i'm not surprized people didn't jump to help you. Those that did were met with arogance.

The likely solution was that you were bloated. Congrats on the return to normal

brianthebard

rubadub wrote: »

I saw a 8lb difference on a set of WW brand scales when the batterys were low. I actually calibrate scales and other equipment in my work, my own cheapo scales are pretty bad. I would recommend salter brand scales to anybody, I have several ones and they seem very consistent. If you have the scales on an uneven surface or carpet it can give false readings, also standing on the edges or to one side will alter cheapo ones.

I can shift over a stone depending on how I stand on a scale, which way I lean, if my toes are on the scale or not, etc. also plus 1 to Mellor's bloat suggestion, most likely thing especially if a person starts eating crap after being fairly healthy for a while. For instance if you haven't had msg for a while you'll probably get bloated if you start eating tins of pringles (or at least I do).

rantyface

z_topaz wrote: »

Anyway - doesn't matter. I've been back on my normal diet for the last five days and I seem to be back to my usual shape already. Still the same weight though. I think my body is very clear on what it wants to look like. Fine with me!!

Yeah, I was going to suggest it was sort of psychosomatic/bloating. When you eat crap food you feel crap. On my TOTM I often feel really fat and depressed and feel like I've eaten nothing but rubbish for weeks, and find I've actually LOST weight. Also, because I'm not used to fatty rich food, when I eat it my tummy gets a bit distended. Could have been that. Either way, if you lost it all in five days it wasn't real weight. Lucky! Well done giving up smoking too!