Weight fluctuations: How much is normal?
Q. I have heard that it is completely normal for a person's weight to vary throughout the day, but by how much does it change? Is it a sign of weight gain if I weigh over three pounds more at the end of a day than at the beginning?
A. A weight fluctuation of three to five pounds over the course of a day is completely normal and doesn't suggest that you've gained weight. Weight can be temporarily affected by things like the amount of fluids you've consumed, the timing of your last work-out, or (how to put this?) the status of your digestive processes.
It's best to weigh yourself at the same time of day. If you're in the habit of charting your weight, you might want to start plotting the moving average, as well. A moving average is a statistical trick that smooths out those daily ups and downs and gives you a much more accurate picture of the overall trend: are you gaining, losing, or maintaining?
I've been using this nifty little gadget called The Google 15. Type in your weight every day and it is displayed on a graph. After 7 days, the graph will also display your moving average. The gadget even gives you encouraging pats or stern little warnings if you drift too far from your goal.
If Google's pending domination of the universe gives you the creeps and you're good with math, here's the formula for calculating a simple moving average yourself.
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Posted by: Michelle | Apr 6, 2009 5:38:37 PM
Poetpixie, it sounds to me like you are having a lot of water weight fluctuations. I am wondering why you are taking diuretics? Were you advised to by a doctor, dietitian, or other health professional? Obviously the purpose of taking a diuretic would be to rid water weight, but I am wondering if that is working against you somehow? Diuretics can be dangerous. The first question I would ask is how much water, sodium, and potassium do you get each day? It may seem weird to drink more water if you want to decrease water weight, but it helps to flush out the excess sodium if that could be the culprit. Hormones may also be something to look into... ADH (anti-diuretic hormone) causes you to hold onto water. There could possibly be an imbalance there where you are secreting too much? I would talk to a doctor if you haven't.
Posted by: Poetpixie | Apr 6, 2009 4:10:14 PM
I am glad to hear that 3 to 5 lbs is in the normative range. Lately I have had some bizzarre fluctuations of around 10 lbs from morning to night... it is most noticable around midsection, fingers and ankles. (wedding ring leaves a mark, welts from socks, gain of about 2 inches in waist measurement. I take diuretics but it isn't helping that much. Any suggestions?
Posted by: Monica Reinagel | Mar 20, 2009 8:51:46 AM
Dear "Alaska Grown"
If you're referring to the nutrient search tool, it is still listed on the Tools tab in the main navigation bar. Here's a direct link: http://nutritiondata.com/tools/nutrient-search
Posted by: alaskagrown | Mar 20, 2009 12:22:46 AM
New member. Joined, because I have no other way to voice my disappointment in NUTRITIONDATA !
Why are we unable to access the "Foods by nutrient" section ??? THIS is the section that made this website the best of all that is out there. Now, I've lost all interest this site has to offer. Unless someone knows a way to get around those peski ads that cover that part of the page. Would you let me know, PLEASE !
