heidij123's Journal, 16 Apr 16

May I suggest you supplement fatsecret with a trend tracker which will help you build an understanding of normal scale weight fluctuations by providing a trendline over time and an extrapolation based on how you've been doing over the last weeks. I personally use trendweight.com (it synchs to a fitbit account which is where I log daily weights - you don't need a device just need an account on fitbit.com and to log your weight there) there are others like happyscale or Libra. Remember we have scale weight ranges (+\-5lbs generally) not an actual weight. And water weight fluctuates with hormones, dehydration, carb intake, sodium intake, change-up in exercise. I think I'm just trying to say don't panic - and enjoy your ice cream, within your daily calorie allowance - I have one every day  

It could just be water fluctuation but then again you could be right about the ice cream. Keep it in mind but still enjoy your weekend. You can have another "push" next week when you're back in a more controllable environment. Have fun 

I imagine that feels a bit frustrating! Are you hydrating okay, all the usual suspects? I must say, I like ice cream as well but I am a bit wary of it, it's just so dense calorically and some of my favourites are like 400 calories for just a little scoop, so it's easy to erase a deficit. Just like you say, once a week or so - pretty manageable! Every day, though...it's like an extra meal for some. (Here's where I envy the much taller BF who burns a few hundred more just by existing...) You have always been so methodical and diligent and whatever is happening, you will get on top of it. 

I second the TrendWeight idea. It stops you panicking just because you go up a couple of days. 

I don't see why or how you can blame an individual food unless you are pushed over your calorie limit over time by constant ice cream consumption (fat gain) or over a previously reduced carb limit (fluctuating water weight through glycogen reduction). I was actually shocked at how low calorie a small portion of ice cream can be tbh. Still if it's going to make you splurge then best avoided  

@Rabbitjb - while one food may not necessarily be the case, the point is, if someone's eating at or near maintenance, a scoop of ice cream can EASILY push them over that - estimating 350 calories a day, over 7 days = 2,450 calories above and beyond, or 2/3 of a lb over a course of a week, and that's without counting in normal fluctuations or glycogen restocking that yes, could indeed mask what is actual gain or loss. 

When I go up I generally blame it on wine or cider. Not because they're intrinsically and magically exponential weight increasing substances but because I over consume. The correct phrase would be "I blame myself for drinking too much wine/cider and taking myself over my calorific allowance". It's a lot easier to say "it was the wine wot done it" 😊 I think that's what Heidi meant (sorry if I'm putting words into your mouth there, Heidi) 

Heidi, enjoy the quietness. And you are so good at thinking thing's out when it comes to your weight, that is why you are so successful. I admire that about you.  

@real_gone_girl - yes exactly :) - it's not the individual food but how it affects overall calorie intake against expenditure - although I agree with Phooka .. it's the wine wot done it 

Thanks for the advice and suggestions, all. I'm happy enough to use FS to track weight, and I'm certainly not panicking about a small gain, just keeping an eye on it. I'm not blaming just the ice cream for this particular gain either. But from Tuesday I will be travelling for about 6 weeks, able to weigh only occasionally, and not on the same scales. I'll also be eating out a lot, and not attempting to count calories. In the past, this kind of scenario has made me go completely off the rails, but this time I don't want to. In the last 10 months I have learned a lot about good and bad eating habits, and I will be applying that knowledge. I do want to have a good time, and I do accept that part of that will be trying different foods, and relaxing my eating rules to do so. I do expect to gain a little (I might even be disappointed if I don't!), but my aim is to not gain more than a few pounds. I will be doing a lot of walking, of course, which will help. But I think I will be eating plenty of interesting food, and also probably drinking more booze than usual, and I don't need the ice cream as well. It does tend to be calorie dense, and is high fat and high sugar, and small portions only make me want more! So I think I'll just try and keep ice cream to once a week, and when I'm home and in a more controlled environment, I can have it whenever I want it 😀 

have a fabulous time  

Six weeks travelling sounds wonderful. Have a great time 

Heidi, fluctuation is perfectly normal and if you suspect it's the ice cream then you are absolutely correct that in moderation it's OK! Personally I'm a chocaholic but allow myself 1 fun size 3 Muskateer per day and simply include it as part of my calorie allowance. Of course that means I eat a little less vegetables but I know I would become a demon if I didn't get it every day! If you love ice cream that much work it into your calorie allowance or figure out how much exercise you need to work it off and commit to that way of indulging. Either way you are doing a superb job with your health plan :D Drive safely and have a lovely trip back! 

You must be excited to be heading home.  

Glen, it's about 24 hours driving I think, but we'll take about 5 days to do it, and there's also a 4-hour ferry ride from Dieppe to Newhaven. Once we're across the Channel it takes literally 5 minutes to get home. 

Scalewatched, I'm much more excited about the trip to the States! But we are hoping to see see a couple of friends while we're in England, which will be very nice. 

Heidi Like you I just love ice cream and its something I really have to watch. We went on a 'Warners' holiday recently and the chef piled my dish with 5 scopes of Italian, ginger ice cream - to die for. I had this on most nights! I felt so greedy and with the free drinks package I drank myself even more FAT! I did enjoy it all, but its the very last time I will do that. I was looking at your weight journal and its very impressive and encouraging, so I bet you feel really positive now. I am slowly getting there in my own way! Regards and have a good day. 

We are looking forward to lunch and walking tour with you and Mike! 

Mrs M, free drinks and ice cream, sounds great, but lethal, lol! 

Glen, we're visiting Boston, and Nantucket hopefully. Then fly to Atlanta, and drive to Savannah, Charleston, McClellanville/Georgetown and meeting up with Scalewatcher 😀, then back to Atlanta via Augusta for a meet-up with some of my Sassy buddies 😀. Then fly to DC, and drive west to VA and WV, and another meeting 😀, and back to DC to stay a few nights. After that fly to Iceland for a week, hiring a car, staying in Reykjavik and Akureyri. And then flying back to England for the summer 😀