How Long Does it Take To Gain Weight?

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 15:45:00 PDT

We all have those days where we may have had one or two (or three) extra pieces of cake at your niece's 4th birthday party. Does this mean that by morning the damage is done? After all a moment on the lips is a lifetime on the hips...

Fortunately, this is not quite how it works. In fact from what I've researched (and since I am no doctor), all I have found is that there is no real way to figure out how long it takes for excess calories to turn into fat. Of course there is a balancing act of calories in with calories out, but many other factors that impact the answer to that vary from person to person based on genetics, metabolism and hormonal factors.

Temporary weight gain could appear quickly after a large meal or two, but that does not mean that if you've overdone it, you're doomed. After all, daily weight fluctuations are normal.

Generally speaking though, if you keep your calories burned in line with your calories consumed over a week's time, you shouldn't gain -- 3,500 calories is equal to one pound. If you do have a surplus of 3,500 calories by the end of one week, most people will be up a pound from the prior week. The most worrisome is the gradual weight gain that people experience, which is more likely to represent new pounds that you truly gain over time. Keep a food diary to try and help combat this gradual weight gain and (you knew this was coming) exercise regularly!

Source

5 Things That Can Affect The Number on The Scale

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 10:15:00 PDT

If you religiously live by the scale, you've probably noticed that your weight can (and will) fluctuate a few pounds. Women's Health gives us five reasons that the number on the scale may be up (or down) a few pounds:

You were thirsty! Downing 16 ounces of any fluid can cause an immediate "gain" of 1 pound.
You're backed up. Constipation can tilt the scale by as much as 2 pounds if it's been more than a couple of days since your bowels did their thing.
You're going on vacation. To Thailand. The changes in air pressure can make you retain water on flights longer than 4 hours, which can show up as an extra 1 to 3 pounds on the scale.
You ate the Chicken Kung Pao. Have a salty dinner and you could wake up 2 to 3 pounds heavier - your body retains water to dilute all that sodium.
Aunt Flo's on her way. Hormone fluctuations in the 3 days leading up to your period can make you retain up to 5 pounds of water.