Two Week Diet and Exercise - Bloated and Heavier

kshama2001

MaraJadeSharpie wrote: »

The supplements were all recommended by my trainer. I'm starting to get a little frustrated and cynical about the approach, though, I will admit. I am disappointed I have paid for professional advice that doesn't seem to be making a difference.

It has now been a month, and my weigh-in on Monday showed one pound of loss. But really, it fluctuates every day, so I wouldn't be surprised if it were right back up again today. I honestly think I am eating too many calories.

I come from a lifestyle of eating very, very little. I often only ate once a day. Now I have switched to a lifestyle of eating 5 times a day, which comes to approx. 1,500 calories, and I am not showing anything for it. As stated, I have actually gained. I must say I do not believe the whole "fast metabolism" religion. Maybe that is ignorant, but on this diet I am not hungry when I eat, I eat because I am supposed to. If my body is not smart enough to tell me when to eat, then I think it must be broken. I shouldn't be force feeding it. Personally I think it all hinges on the calories. It shouldn't matter when you eat, just how much.

That said, I know I am at least eating a lot healthier. Yesterday marks one month since I have had one of my beloved frappuccinos. And the exercise is also a great thing. I am definitely getting stronger (albeit, slowly). I just think I need to eat less. I believe I will be going rogue and begin decreasing the calories on my own. The site here recommends that I only eat 1,200 a day. I will start sticking to that, and hopefully see some results.

By the way, to the many that have asked, yes, I do use a food scale. I do not eat a single thing that hasn't been weighed beforehand.

If your hunger cues are working, I'd recommend paying attention to them. When I started this in April I was eating three meals and two snacks. These days, I often skip one of the snacks because I'm just not hungry enough for it.

lemurcat12

MaraJadeSharpie wrote: »

The site here recommends that I only eat 1,200 a day. I will start sticking to that, and hopefully see some results.

The site recommends that BEFORE exercise. MFP's plan includes adding back exercise, so what MFP is telling you isn't much different than your trainer, as you are exercising.

My first thought was going to be the change in fiber and perhaps bathroom issues, as you are feeling bloated. From what you said, it's not the latter, but adding in lots more broccoli and other related veggies can cause bloating if you aren't used to it. (Related to that, going so low fat can cause bathroom issues too, and the main thing I noticed about that diet is that it seems really low fat, especially if you aren't cooking the veggies in some sort of oil.) My other guess would be the supplements--I know creatine causes water weight gain, don't know about the things you are taking, but it might be worth looking into. If you are up and feeling bloated chances are it's water weight.

The other question is how frequently you weighed before starting. Fluctuations are common and being higher in some parts of the month than others is really common for women (with varying patterns). Given all these things, if you are totally sure you are weighting/logging right, I'd keep on for a bit longer, as you should be losing on the calories you are eating with exercise.

Luvzy

What time of day are you weighing? If I don't weigh as soon as I get up, I can fluctuate 5 lbs throughout the day.

Also, how many of your exercise calories are you eating back? Most people recommend eating only half back to account for inaccuracies, inconsistencies, etc. I don't even eat them back most of the time.

Some people have good results with paying equal or more attention to carbs than calories (though obviously you should pay attention to both). I noticed from your example meals that each one seems to have a heavy carb (did not look at your diary though). Low carb is a huge sacrifice, but there are lots of ways to trick your cravings. Some of my favorites are: garlic mashed cauliflower, no-rice stuffed bell peppers, no-rice jamabalaya (sacrilege, I know), lettuce wraps, spaghetti squash, etc.

Also, you shouldn't eat if you aren't hungry. I agree with you about all the diet "religions." I don't pay attention to any of the timing rules really (beyond common sense) and I've lost 30 lbs within a few months. Obviously that isn't concrete evidence, but if you are counting calories, weighing food, and exercising almost every day, then that is enough structure and discipline, right? In my opinion, we don't need a thousand rules about what exact times we are allowed to eat, forcing ourselves to eat, how much time in between meals/snacks, etc. If we succumb to too many rules, then our "diets" will stay as torturous/temporary diets, instead of gratifying clean lifestyle changes.

leahkite

Were you exercising prior to starting the program with the trainer? My thought based on this entire thread is you were eating too little to start with, now you've thrown it a curve ball by exercising 6 days a week. Yes you may be eating a little more than before, but you are also burning more calories than before. So now your body is hanging onto whatever storage you have because you aren't eating enough.

Your TDEE is 2167, that's what your body needs to function at your current level of activity and maintain your current weight (I entered 6 days of activity). For weight lost should subtract 15-20% of your TDEE, at 20% that puts you at 1734 calories daily. OR you can do a base at 1500 and log your activity and eat back SOME of your exercise calories. Bottom line, I think you aren't losing because you aren't eating enough to fuel your body.

I also agree with the poster than said you need to be eating more fat. I'd also throw in some weight training, you burn more calories when you are building muscle (I'm not saying you have to try and bulk up). If it's an option I might try a new trainer as well, seems like the person you are with now is very text book and isn't looking at the bigger picture.