why is myfitnesspal telling me I will gain weight when I keep losing

whenever I enter my eating diary I am advised by the website I will gain weight. In fact I have continued to lose, over 12 kg (26lb??) in past 2+ years?? My exercise has fluctuated through this time and has no effect on rates of loss. I just spent 1 month on bed rest after joint replacements and I continued to lose body fat. I think I know the answer. I have completely cut out carbs (<50g/day max). I eat as much of everything else as I want, particularly going for high fat foods eg full cream lattes, fatty meat, lots of cheese and nuts, eggs++. I never count calories -starving yourself to lose weight is unsustainable. Myfitnesspal unfortunately is stuck on calorie counting as an indicator of dietary needs so keeps telling me I will gain weight. I do love its food data base for calculating my macronutrient intake. My message - if in doubt eat less carbs and more fat!! Switch off your insulin to reduce your hunger and to stop storing fat.
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Replies

  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    "I never count calories"

    Hence you're not logging accurately

    Hence the mathematical formula spits out a response based on what you enter

    For me, and for millions like me, low carb is not the answer because the rebound and eventual weight gain absolutely sucks

    You may enjoy the keto group
  • fearlessleader104
    fearlessleader104 Posts: 723 Member
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    "I never count calories"

    Hence you're not logging accurately

    Hence the mathematical formula spits out a response based on what you enter

    For me, and for millions like me, low carb is not the answer because the rebound and eventual weight gain absolutely sucks

    You may enjoy the keto group

  • xstephnz
    xstephnz Posts: 278 Member
    You might be losing weight, but I would hate to see the results to your blood tests.
  • Nony_Mouse
    Nony_Mouse Posts: 5,646 Member
    That's great that you are losing weight, well done :). But, clearly you are eating at a calorie deficit for that to be happening (ie if MFP is telling you you will gain weight but you are losing, your CO is higher than average). Just wanted to clarify that for any newbies who may read this.

    Many people find low carb a satisfying way to eat, and if it works for you and them that's awesome. Others find low carb completely unsustainable and that a different macro split works best for them. Personally I do moderate carbs (around 100g, but I'm not worried if I occasionally go over that), and go for higher fat because that works well for me. If you told me I could never have pizza again, I would instantly want ALL the pizza, and eventually fall off the wagon.

    At the end of the day it's about finding what works best for you and your goals, and that is different for everyone.

    Also, you can't switch off your insulin. That would be very, very bad ;).
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,047 Member
    .... don't people whose bodies switch off insulin... y'know... die?
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    Also, your real TDEE may be higher than the calculator assumes. That's the case for me, too.
  • williamwj2014
    williamwj2014 Posts: 750 Member
    Eat more fats?????? Whaaaaaaaat. No wonder your making no progress lol.
  • jorinya
    jorinya Posts: 933 Member
    rosemhr wrote: »
    whenever I enter my eating diary I am advised by the website I will gain weight. In fact I have continued to lose, over 12 kg (26lb??) in past 2+ years?? My exercise has fluctuated through this time and has no effect on rates of loss. I just spent 1 month on bed rest after joint replacements and I continued to lose body fat. I think I know the answer. I have completely cut out carbs (<50g/day max). I eat as much of everything else as I want, particularly going for high fat foods eg full cream lattes, fatty meat, lots of cheese and nuts, eggs++. I never count calories -starving yourself to lose weight is unsustainable. Myfitnesspal unfortunately is stuck on calorie counting as an indicator of dietary needs so keeps telling me I will gain weight. I do love its food data base for calculating my macronutrient intake. My message - if in doubt eat less carbs and more fat!! Switch off your insulin to reduce your hunger and to stop storing fat.

    Exercise is just the tip of the iceberg, you need to change how you eat, what you eat and your relationship with food to successfully lose weight and keep it off. Even if you don't exercise you can and will lose weight provided you eat less calories than normal. You can google calorie intake to lose weight for some ideas or see a dietian or a dedicated weight loss coach.
    Sounds to me that you are eating a lower calorie intake than before, hence the burning body fat. Its a good idea to log you food on MFP so you can see your estimated calorie intake and have an idea of the calories you burning during exercise (if you wish to do some that it).
    No one said you need to starve yourself to Iose weight, you just need to eat less calories. Some people choose VLCD and LCD to lose weight if they obese to morbidly obese and if they follow the diet given to them by their doctor, dietitian or weight loss consultant they have tons of energy and still lose weight, exercise and feel great. Not advertising or promoting those diets here, just referring to your starving comment.
    There are healthy achievable sustainable ways to lose weight and maintain weight but without determination, hard work, discipline and focus even the best cannot achieve results. Actually, less carbs, less fatty foods and an increase of protein rich foods, provided you eat a calorie deficit will result in weight loss.
    Suggest you look at some success stories and ask the OPs how they achieved their weight loss, do more research and find the diet or lifestyle change that is best for you. Good luck on your weight loss journey.
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    So, you are using a calorie counting app, and hate that it actually counts calories? Makes perfect sense.
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,047 Member
    I still don't get how counting calories = starving yourself.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    edited May 2015
    I still don't get how counting calories = starving yourself.

    I counted 310 calories of chocolate cake yesterday ... cos cake

    did not starve shocker
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    MrM27 wrote: »
    Eat more fats?????? Whaaaaaaaat. No wonder your making no progress lol.

    Care for explain?

    this syntax, for some reason, made me smile
  • JordisTSM
    JordisTSM Posts: 359 Member
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    Eat more fats?????? Whaaaaaaaat. No wonder your making no progress lol.

    Care for explain?

    this syntax, for some reason, made me smile

    Reminded me of Leo DiCaprio in Blood Diamond speaking pidgen. MrM27 will forever have a South African accent in my head now.
  • Nony_Mouse
    Nony_Mouse Posts: 5,646 Member
    I still don't get how counting calories = starving yourself.

    Yeah, I'm lost. 500 cal deficit here, and I definitely don't feel like I'm starving.
  • jorinya
    jorinya Posts: 933 Member
    MrM27 wrote: »
    Weight loss is not the result if perfect macros, caloric deficit is. Eating list carbs just because isn't the key to losing weight. And less fatty for was for the 80's, dietary far is vital to proper health.


    Did say providing you eat a calorie deficit in my post and also lower calorie intake than normal. Also OP said they don't track their calorie intake and thinks that people who eat a calorie deficit are "starving themselves". That funny, I'm not feeling huggry or starving with my lower calorie intake. Too many calories = weight gain!!!! Fewer calories than normal = weight loss!!! Simple maths!!!
  • Nony_Mouse
    Nony_Mouse Posts: 5,646 Member
    Oh, OP, I also note for your month of bed rest, you say you continued to lose body fat. Could you please clarify that? How are you measuring body fat %? And what happened with your weight on the scales, up, down, the same?
  • lalabrucey
    lalabrucey Posts: 244 Member
    edited May 2015
    rosemhr wrote: »
    whenever I enter my eating diary I am advised by the website I will gain weight. In fact I have continued to lose, over 12 kg (26lb??) in past 2+ years?? My exercise has fluctuated through this time and has no effect on rates of loss. I just spent 1 month on bed rest after joint replacements and I continued to lose body fat. I think I know the answer. I have completely cut out carbs (<50g/day max). I eat as much of everything else as I want, particularly going for high fat foods eg full cream lattes, fatty meat, lots of cheese and nuts, eggs++. I never count calories -starving yourself to lose weight is unsustainable. Myfitnesspal unfortunately is stuck on calorie counting as an indicator of dietary needs so keeps telling me I will gain weight. I do love its food data base for calculating my macronutrient intake. My message - if in doubt eat less carbs and more fat!! Switch off your insulin to reduce your hunger and to stop storing fat.

    Um, this doesn't sound very healthy. It is one approach, sure, but complex carbs still have a very valid place in a healthy balanced diet and are not the root of all evil.


    While being a healthy weight is important, the number on the scales is not an absolute indicator of health.

    Reading this a couple of points spring to mind for consideration:

    >>I just spent 1 month on bed rest after joint replacements and I continued to lose body fat.
    * Probably a good portion of muscle loss too - and were you eating exactly the same amount of calories? How did you know this was only fat loss? Possibly your metabolism was still raised from exercise?

    >> Myfitnesspal unfortunately is stuck on calorie counting as an indicator of dietary needs
    * Disagree, it is a tool for you to track whatever your goals align to. For some that might only be sodium intake or the carb:protein ratio

    >> I do love its food data base for calculating my macronutrient intake.
    * Again can you be certain these are accurate? Remember these entries are member managed.

    I am please you have found a method that works for you, however many people still need to include a balance of all food groups in their diets for good health.

  • minties82
    minties82 Posts: 907 Member
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    "I never count calories"

    Hence you're not logging accurately

    Hence the mathematical formula spits out a response based on what you enter

    For me, and for millions like me, low carb is not the answer because the rebound and eventual weight gain absolutely sucks

    You may enjoy the keto group

    Well, so far, 27.4kg down. I do very low carb. I upped my carbs once and only gained 800 grams back. Not really much of a disaster. I eat more now than I did before low carb and still lose the same (MFP says I'll only lose 500g a week and I usually manage 1500g or so). I don't see a rebound. Why should there be? Do you say the same thing to every person who is cutting down kcal to lose weight? It's a change, and there could be a rebound, no?
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    edited May 2015
    minties82 wrote: »
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    "I never count calories"

    Hence you're not logging accurately

    Hence the mathematical formula spits out a response based on what you enter

    For me, and for millions like me, low carb is not the answer because the rebound and eventual weight gain absolutely sucks

    You may enjoy the keto group

    Well, so far, 27.4kg down. I do very low carb. I upped my carbs once and only gained 800 grams back. Not really much of a disaster. I eat more now than I did before low carb and still lose the same (MFP says I'll only lose 500g a week and I usually manage 1500g or so). I don't see a rebound. Why should there be? Do you say the same thing to every person who is cutting down kcal to lose weight? It's a change, and there could be a rebound, no?

    IMHO it is far harder to stick to a diet where you exclude an entire, and intensely pervasive, food group for life, as soon as you eat carbohydrates your water weight will jump back up massively as your glycogen stores are replenished.

    But if it works for you, for life, that's great .. you've found your way - look forward to seeing you post a year into maintenance

    People who count calories and don't label foods as good / bad can simply increase the numbers of calories they consume to hit maintenance ... so they are establishing their ongoing lifestyle during their weight loss.

    I know some low-carbers can do the same - great for them - I couldn't, tried it twice and the weight rebound absolutely sucked for me.

    As this is a calorie counting site, that can be adapted to suit other dieting styles I have no guilt in recommending a wide and varied diet and calorie control
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    edited May 2015
    You'd think there'd be an open diary so we could all see this miracle of modern science.

    Sorry for the early morning sarcasm, I have a migraine.

    Congrats for your weight loss and finding a way of losing that works for you, OP.

    The truth??

    You might not be counting calories, but you are still eating less of them than your body burns. You don't have to count them to do that. If you've found a way to eat that naturally satiates you before you while creating a deficit? GREAT.

    But make no mistake... that's what you're doing.

    FTR... by some people's reckoning, I low carb. 35% of my calories come from carbs. I still count calories and I enjoy things like potatoes, ice cream and cookies. 38 pounds down. At a rate of 5 pounds a month.