Increasing calories

whitnm76
whitnm76 Posts: 47
in Food and Nutrition
So I've been a person that's been eating 1200 calories for months, and I haven't lost anything! I gain and lose the same pound for a week now. I've recently been biking between 10-15 miles 3-4 times a week. This week I decided to start increasing my calories because I figured that's why my weight loss has stalled, especially since I've been biking a lot lately. So this week I increased my calories a little bit...not even by that much....and I'm up .9 this week. I don't feel like I've gained weight, I actually felt like I would lose this week but I didn't. Is this normal to be gaining weight like this? Did this happen to anyone else while you were upping your cals? I know your body has to get used to things, but I didn't think I'd gain the first week of barely increasing my cals...I'm just confused...I don't know what to do bc I've tried everything :(

Replies

  • seefyboy
    seefyboy Posts: 68
    So you thought by increasing your calories that you would lose weight, and that you were surprised you were gaining weight after you increased your calories?

    I can't really help you out because I can't see your food diary and don't know your stats. Height & weight etc.
  • whitnm76
    whitnm76 Posts: 47
    Well I don't appreciate the passive aggressive post. Anyways....I've been reading up on eating more to lose less...eating more HEALTHY foods. Eating 1200 cals hasn't worked so
  • jharb2
    jharb2 Posts: 208 Member
    you have to eat back your excercise calories. if you are biking that much and not adding those calories to your 1200 you will certainly not lose. you are in too much of a deficit.
  • jharb2
    jharb2 Posts: 208 Member
    also keep in mind that losing is not linear, its a long process. you will gain and lose daily. that is hormones, electrolyte differences. be patient. rarely does anyone lose exactly what MFP says you will - its a guide only.
  • Paleo_wolf
    Paleo_wolf Posts: 28
    If you've been eating at a big deficit and then up your calorie intake, you will gain a few pounds from water retention and the fact that your body is taking in more food. Keep eating more and eventually you will start to lose
  • f1on4e
    f1on4e Posts: 20
    Im not a expert, but just a few ideas, are you eating regular like five times a day? im surprised you aint losing anything on 1200 calories so maybe your body has gone into starvation mode.

    I always eat 1250 calories spread out between 5 meals/snacks (all healthy foods). and eat my exercise calories (healthy choices) then 1 day a week i have a refuel day where i do not count and eat what i want with out going ott obv.

    I would not use any calories on the wrong foods such as chocolate, crisps, alcohol ect on refuel day I may have one treat.

    Hope this helps.
  • f1on4e
    f1on4e Posts: 20
    oh and i aim for 3 litres of water per day.
  • 257_Lag
    257_Lag Posts: 1,249 Member
    Be patient. I know SO many people that upped their calories from 1200 with positive results. My sister is one. 5 months at 1200 and zero loss. We upped her to 1600. Three weeks of nothing or a tiny gain and then 2 pounds in a week and a half pound a week ever since. A one pound gain is just a normal fluctuation, don't sweat it!
  • uwharriegold
    uwharriegold Posts: 46 Member
    For me, it really makes a difference what I eat and not just how many calories I consume. At the ripe old age of 63, I should have known how to eat right, but didn't. I've been doing 1,200 calories for 5 months and it's working for me. I eat vegetables, fruits and meats -- rarely touch bread, pasta or rice -- and NO processed foods. I'm loving going to the local Farmers Market for produce. Walking -- some serious hiking -- is my exercise. I'm losing the weight, but more than that -- I'm getting healthier!
  • ClementineGeorg
    ClementineGeorg Posts: 505 Member
    When changing things, you should wait before saying it works or not. More than a week. Our bodies need time to adjust. Due to eating more and biking (some muscle develop there, thus a small increase in weight) you may gain 2-3 weeks, before starting to lose again.
    It's important to know that a weight increase can mean more muscles (and less fat). You can stall at the same weight for months, while losing inches like crazy.
  • ken_hogan
    ken_hogan Posts: 854 Member
    So you thought by increasing your calories that you would lose weight, and that you were surprised you were gaining weight after you increased your calories?

    I can't really help you out because I can't see your food diary and don't know your stats. Height & weight etc.


    I have to agree....without being able to see your diary, I'm not sure if I can give you any other advice than what was already given. And I think someone already asked, but are you eating back the calories that you burned during exercising??
  • FauxBoho
    FauxBoho Posts: 30 Member
    I have finally started losing weight after upping my calories from 1200 to approx 1400 - 1500 cals. I also increased my carbs from low to moderate.

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