Ashley Fletcher's Journal, 23 Sep 11

We all fluctuate every day. You should weigh yourself at the same time every day, typically when you first wake up and after using the restroom. I fluctuate almost 5 lbs in a day. Don't let it discourage you.  

Your weight fluctuates constantly all day long with exercise (even walking around), food intake, various things leaving your body (water lost to sweat & breathing, other bodily functions)...it's a very complex machine. Select one time of the day to weigh yourself. Only weigh yourself then. Make the time and conditions consistent every day. For example, I weigh myself every day after taking my shower in the morning. It's part of my routine, I feel weird now if I don't do it right then. A couple days ago, I was up ridiculously early (5 AM instead of 6-6:30), but didn't weigh in until 7:15 (my normal time) and my weight was up, not down or steady. Same yesterday. Yes, that little variation may very well make the difference. That said, do NOT get discouraged with day-to-day changes (many people say you shouldn't even weigh yourself every day. For me, if I don't do it daily, I'll forget to do it weekly). You want to see an overall downward trend. Make one day your "checkpoint" day where you say "where am I relative to this point last week?" That will be more telling of your actual progress. You're trending down, keep at it! Remember that it's better to lose a pound or so a week for half a year, than to lose 20 pounds in 2 months and then gain it back the next 2 months. 

Sorry about that, I tried to make paragraphs but it didn't work. 

I must echo New Mrs Rando. Weigh yourself once a week on the same day at the same time each day. Resist the urge to cheat and measure sooner or later. I always weigh first thing in the morning, after using the bathroom. You have accomplished much since you have started this weight loss journey. Be proud of your accomplishments and keep your eye on the goal.  

@New MrsRando, I weigh myself every morning after I use the bathroom, but sometimes I won't get up until 11 or 12, and it will seem as if I have gained 5 pounds since the night before. I tend to get over excited and weigh myself before bed, and it backfires on me because I will be heavier than when I woke up. I have decided I am gong to set my alarm, and try to keep on the same schedule (seeing as I don't have a job, I take advantage of sleeping in. LOL), that way I can weigh myself every morning and it will be consistent with my weight loss n what not. @dakboy LOL it's okay, it's all the same for me to read. I am the same way about weighing myself; I have to do it each day or I'll go almost a week without doing it. And then I will end up only weighing myself about 3 times a month. Also, even if I only lose a tenth of a pound, it still makes me happy. The food/exercise tracker helped me a lot to see how certain foods effect my daily activities. It allows me to do better each week, compared to the week before. @staciabeth. Thank you so much! It's so hard for me to stay away from the scale. If I wake up late, I want to weigh myself even I KNOW for a fact it will be heavier than the previous day. I am gonna try and make sure it's the same time each day that I'm getting on the scale. Thank you guys so much for your comments, they mean a lot :) I never understood how important it is to have help being motivated. I always relied on myself, and that obviously is no good LOL. I feel like I can accomplish my goal with the help of everyone here. 

Yeah, I have the same problem. During the week I weigh myself at about 6:30am, but then on the weekends I sleep until about 10. It can also be the food you eat the night before too. If you eat lots of carbs or salt, it could be water weight. On the days that you weigh considerable more than the day before, take a look at what you ate the previous day. If it's high in salts or carbs, try something lighter that day. Usually foods with lots of water will help you shed the water weight pretty quick. Think fresh fruits and veggies.