Gaining Weight, but not cheating

etscher

I've been trying to lose weight for about three weeks now, and even though I haven't gone over on calories, and I've been exercising about 4 times per week, my numbers keep climbing. (Up 2 lbs from when I started) My weigh-in day is Thursday, and I was so excited to get on the scale yesterday because I felt like I had done so well this past week...alas, I had gained a whole pound And yes, I know that one pound is not the end of the world, but it sure is frustrating after putting in hard work all week.

I'm trying to lose the 15-20 lbs I gained back after my first major weight loss last year of 40 lbs, and it's getting to be frustrating.

I am very health conscious, especially since my semester is over and I can focus on myself for the next few months (busy Master's student with 2 jobs - yikes!). I am a vegetarian and I eat only a whole foods, plant-based diet (and yes, I get plenty of protein). I do all of my own cooking and believe I am hydrating enough.

Luckily, I am now wearing a size 8, sometimes 10, although I would prefer for it to be roomier, and my size goal is a solid 6. I'm 5'6" and 172.6 lbs, with a near goal weight of 155, and an overall goal of 140.

Does anyone have any advice on how to combat this weight gain? I just dont feel like I'm working out THAT much that it could be muscle mass - most of my activity is uphill walking, resistance training, and high-resistance on the elliptical.

psuLemon

It's probably water gains from starting to exercise. How much are you eating? With as little as you have to lose, you can only expect 1/2 - 1 lb per week, which means you should be eating some of your exercise calories or have it built into your lifestyle. But I

etscher

Maybe I'm frustrated because my first time around losing weight, I would lose a steady 2 lbs or more per week on Weight Watchers, but I didn't like some of their weight loss advice because they pushed a lot of processed foods, so I switched to MFP.

I am allotted 1200 calories per day, and that us usually what I eat. This week, there was one day when I went over by 86 calories, but that's not a big deal. I admit I'm not eating my exercise calories, which are usually 400-700 every other day (depending on how motivated I am). Could eating more when I exercise boost my weight loss?

bonitacash08

Maybe I'm frustrated because my first time around losing weight, I would lose a steady 2 lbs or more per week on Weight Watchers, but I didn't like some of their weight loss advice because they pushed a lot of processed foods, so I switched to MFP.

I am allotted 1200 calories per day, and that us usually what I eat. This week, there was one day when I went over by 86 calories, but that's not a big deal. I admit I'm not eating my exercise calories, which are usually 400-700 every other day (depending on how motivated I am). Could eating more when I exercise boost my weight loss?

It will. You NEED more food for your metabolism to work properly. With so little to lose, to be honest with you 1200 calories will not even give you a 2lb a week weight loss. You would need to eat less. MFP will not recommend lower than 1200, so it defaults to that.

With 20-25 lbs to lose, you should set your goals to lose half a pound a week. I know it seems killer and you want the weight gone, but 1200 calories is not going to be sustainable for too long. Trust me, I've tried it and I'm shorter than you. That's just not enough fuel for a grown woman!

__Di__

Maybe I'm frustrated because my first time around losing weight, I would lose a steady 2 lbs or more per week on Weight Watchers, but I didn't like some of their weight loss advice because they pushed a lot of processed foods, so I switched to MFP.

I am allotted 1200 calories per day, and that us usually what I eat. This week, there was one day when I went over by 86 calories, but that's not a big deal. I admit I'm not eating my exercise calories, which are usually 400-700 every other day (depending on how motivated I am). Could eating more when I exercise boost my weight loss?

You need to open your diary, otherwise it is difficult to comment on what might be occurring.

lambchristie

Maybe I'm frustrated because my first time around losing weight, I would lose a steady 2 lbs or more per week on Weight Watchers, but I didn't like some of their weight loss advice because they pushed a lot of processed foods, so I switched to MFP.

I am allotted 1200 calories per day, and that us usually what I eat. This week, there was one day when I went over by 86 calories, but that's not a big deal. I admit I'm not eating my exercise calories, which are usually 400-700 every other day (depending on how motivated I am). Could eating more when I exercise boost my weight loss?

When I got into such a stale mate I upped by calories to 1400 a day and then I started losing again. I believe your body is telling you to feed it more; not less. Try it and see what happens....what do you have to lose? Oh yeah, a few more pounds. You can do this!

psuLemon

Eating more will probably help. In fact, based on your stats and exercise routine, i would suggest 1700 calories daily (macro's around 40% protein, 40% carbs and 20% fats). Fuel the body, burn the fat. I would suggest eating 1700, do not eat back exercise calories and monitor for a month. I suspect, this will help you.

concordancia

Could eating more when I exercise boost my weight loss?

Yes, your body needs fuel to exercise!

Before you up your calories, though, are you weighing and measuring your foods?