Can I Gain Weight Overnight?

Dear Dr. Katz:
I weigh myself every morning at the exact same time, before I have consumed anything. Some days I'm two to three pounds heavier than the previous day. Is it possible that I can gain this much weight in one day?



Response:
The answer depends entirely on what you mean by weight. Sure, you can fluctuate by two or three pounds from day to day, but not because you've gained or lost that much body fat.

To gain a pound of fat requires taking in 3,500 to 4,000 calories (and to lose a pound requires a deficit of the same magnitude). The only way you could put on three pounds of fat in one day would be to eat roughly 12,000 more calories than you need, which is usually enough food for an entire week. The pounds that appear and disappear so quickly on the scale are due to factors like water weight, which goes up and down constantly depending on how hydrated you are, and the amount of food in your GI tract at any one time.

So don't rely on a daily weighing. Focus instead on healthful living, and look to the scale only once a month (once a week if you're trying to lose weight) for the occasional reality check.

Dr. David L. Katz, M.D.

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Q: I have been stuck at the same exact weight for a week now (I go up a pound one day and back down the next day) and I'm not sure why. I'm really frustrated, because I started lifting weights on Monday; I've been walking on all the days and I've really been trying to watch what and how much I'm eating. Do you have any thoughts or suggestions? A: Do not worry about daily weight when you first start muscle building. You will accumulate water in these newly worked muscles—it takes time to get rid of this new water. So weight gain (or lack of loss) is water that will go away with time. It is the opposite of weight loss when you go on a low-carb diet where you'll get rid of water in your muscles. Water loss in muscles will come back like an unwanted boyfriend when you eat carbs again. So your steady weight now is actually progress.

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I'm doing everything right. Why have I gained weight?
Expect to put on five, six or seven pounds of water when you start this program, especially if you've been inactive for a couple of years. Simultaneously, you may be losing fat, and you'll break even, but it's just water weight. It doesn't change the way your clothes fit. It's a slower process this way—there's no doubt about it—but it's the right way. It's the permanent way. Your body has to re-hydrate itself before your metabolic engine can be set up properly. That's the best sign—those four or five pounds—that a person is going to be successful.

Goal weight

starting _{^{weight 108kgs 28.02.06}}

1 year on TF 28.02.07 weight 69.7
maintenance program 1.09 07 = 70
restart 10.02.08 NO more bloody excuses tour weight = 81.5
2 years ..... lost 300 = 79.1

	DATE	WEIGHT	LOST	TOTAL LOST
	2.1.07	146.8	0	0
Week 1	9.1.07	142.8	4 kg	4 kgs
Week 2	16.1.07	No weigh in	On Holidays
Week 3	23.1.07	139.8	3 kg	7 kgs
Week 4	31.1.07	135.9	3.9 kg	10.9 kgs
Week 5	7.2.07	134.1	1.8 kg	12.7 kgs
Week 6	14.2.07	132	2.1 kg	14.8 kgs
Week 7	21.2.07	130.1	1.9 kg	16.7 kgs
Week 8	28.2.07	128.5	1.6 kg	18.3 kgs
Week 9	7.3.07	127.2	1.3 kg	19.6 kgs
Week 10	14.3.07	No weigh	in couldn’t	Chemist
Week 11	21.3.07	125.9	1.3 kg	20.9 kgs
Week 12	28.3.07	123.9	2 kg	22.9 kgs
Week 13	4.4.07	122.5	1.4 kg	24.3 kgs
Week 14	11.4.07	121.4	1.1 kg	25.4 kgs
Week 15	18.4.07	119.9	1.5 kg	26.9 kgs
Week 16	25.4.07	118.7	1.2 kg	28.1 kgs
Week 17	2.5.07	No weigh	In – sick
Week 18	10.5.07	117.4	1.3 kg	29.4 kgs

Royal Challenge

We both started 29th Nov 2006, and we love doing TF at our own pace. We have TF for breaky most days, and follow the principles most days of the week. We have been keeping the weight off pretty well along the way.

My details - height 175cm age 46 - Started at 111 kg, now at 83 kg - would like to get to mid 70's.

My hubby - height 188cm age 49  - Started at 120 kgs, now at 97 kgs - goal around high 80's.

     Thanks Mally!

Mals Recipe Site: http://mrlynf.wordpress.com/2009/09/23/4/

Tony's Recipe Site: http://www.tonyferguson.com/weight-loss-recipes.aspx

WOW....... WHO IS THAT SEXY, HOT, LOVELY LADY IN THE RIGHT HAND PICTURE.... IS IT MERYL STREEP,?  NOOOOOOOOOOO  I'TS OUR MALLY.

Congrats you look so good, and you are right its Sooooooo worth it in the end, all the blood, sweat, and tears. All your hard work did pay off. Thank you for being a great incentive to us all.

ok ladies pinned now I can get back on the site

and go for it mally all the info sourced for orpah .com

Goal weight

starting _{^{weight 108kgs 28.02.06}}

1 year on TF 28.02.07 weight 69.7
maintenance program 1.09 07 = 70
restart 10.02.08 NO more bloody excuses tour weight = 81.5
2 years ..... lost 300 = 79.1

Mals Recipe Site: http://mrlynf.wordpress.com/2009/09/23/4/

Tony's Recipe Site: http://www.tonyferguson.com/weight-loss-recipes.aspx

Mals Recipe Site: http://mrlynf.wordpress.com/2009/09/23/4/

Tony's Recipe Site: http://www.tonyferguson.com/weight-loss-recipes.aspx