AboutSarah A. Allen Expertise I am a nutritionist with a bachelors degree in dietetics and am currently working on my masters degree. I have four years working experience in clinical and community nutrition. I can answer most of your general questions relating to medical conditions (pregnancy, food allergies, eating disorders, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, Alzheimers, etc). **Please remember only a medical professional with access to your medical chart can give you personalized medical advice.** I can also answer questions about vegetarianism, weight loss/gain, sports nutrition, and fad diets.
Experience Work Experience: 4 years in clinical nutrition at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, 1 year community nutrition at Eastern Illinois University
Organizations American Dietetic Association, Illinois Dietetic Association, Eastern Illinois Dietetic Association
Education/Credentials B.S. in dietetics from Eastern Illinois University; currently working on my master's degree in the same area, also at Eastern Illinois University.
Awards and Honors EIU Senior of the Year-Dietetics
Question I started eating on the Nutrisystem plan and working out with a slim in 6 weeks workout plan about 3 weeks ago. I lost about 2 pounds the first week and 2 the second. However, this past week my weight has gone back up and it in now seems like I've only lost about 2 pounds all together. I've noticed a very slight difference in the way my clothes fit, but not much, and more definition in my arms. I'm feeling a bit discouraged and wondering if I'm doing something wrong.
Answer First of all, I would like to congratulate you on the change of the fit of your clothing and your more defined arms. Too often people focus on the scale more than actual fat loss. You can lose up to several inches with no change on the scale. However, I understand you are frustrated. Sometimes if someone isn't eating enough calories their body will slow their metabolism. If the Nutrisystem plan is a dramatic change from how you were eating before, especially if you weren't exercising before, that may account for why you have stopped losing weight. Since it has only been 3 weeks and you are seeing changes in your body, I would say a better culprit is probably water weight. Weight can change five pounds from one day to the next due to water, which is why most professionals recommend people trying to lose weight only weigh themselves once a week at the same time of day so daily weight fluctuations are not as frustrating. Water weight is especially common with women who still have their menstrual cycle. From the information you have given me, I would say just hang in there for awhile longer before you get too frustrated and keep in mind a weight loss of half of a pound to a pound a week is considered healthy.
