Hi Sammie! Don't worry about what the scales said, I can also pile the pounds on very quickly, it's so unfair!
As for syns, I tended to use them in a few ways. Either save them up for a treat when I am watching tv at night, maybe a chocolate or something i have been craving. Or I use them to make my food tastier, like sauces, mayo, low fat spread. Sometimes I use them for extra healthy extra foods, like if I want more bread.
Make sure you try to have them, they say 5 to 15 per day. I think when getting started it's good to have them all so if you stall in the future you can reduce them.
What's on the menu today? Good luck!