Increasing calories slightly and gaining weight again, wait it out?

julie_bee_123

Hi, I'm new to the boards!

I started at 164 and since August, I've lost 20 pounds, at about 1 pound per week. I've been eating between 1200-1300 calories, as MyFitnessPal recommends. The weight is coming off quickly, but almost too quickly because I can't keep up with pants that fit for work! (I'm 5'7" and female.)

Last week I decided to increase my calories so I was only losing 1/2 pound per week, so now I'm at 1500 calories a day. Since then, I've gained back 2-4 pounds, depending on the day. Is this something that will eventually even out and I should stick with it? It's only been a week so I am totally fine with waiting it out, but if I'm going to keep gaining I'd like to stop it before it gets too high.

jemhh

Wait it out. Eating at a 250 calorie per day deficit will not cause you to gain 2-4 pounds of fat in a week. The gain is due to water weight or some other variable, not fat gain.

terbusha

When you add calories/carbs back into your diet, you'll likely see a spike in your weight initially. It's likely from you becoming more hydrated. I would just ride it out for another week or 2. I bet it'll come right back off. Also, I usually only increase calories by 100-200 for my daily intake to avoid these spikes. Take it nice and slow, and if you continue to lose weight over 3 weeks, then you can up your intake again.

Liftng4Lis

Hang tight, it's just your body getting adjusted to it and holding onto water.

SLLRunner

Liftng4Lis wrote: »

Hang tight, it's just your body getting adjusted to it and holding onto water.

This.

elphie754

Are you weighing all your food? If not, you could be eating more than you think.

julie_bee_123

Thank you all! I was leaning toward that being the answer, but it helps to have back up! I will keep in mind that slowly adding in calories next time would be better. Yes, I weigh all food that needs to be weighed (ie, is not prepackaged.) and I am pretty sure that I am eating the 1500 calories. I will wait it out!

I am glad that is the answer. I know that I will be more successful through the holidays if I have a little more leeway in my diet.

janejellyroll

HerLadyshipsSoap wrote: »

Thank you all! I was leaning toward that being the answer, but it helps to have back up! I will keep in mind that slowly adding in calories next time would be better. Yes, I weigh all food that needs to be weighed (ie, is not prepackaged.) and I am pretty sure that I am eating the 1500 calories. I will wait it out!

I am glad that is the answer. I know that I will be more successful through the holidays if I have a little more leeway in my diet.

Many of us also choose to weigh pre-packaged food. Depending on the product, there can be variance between the weight listed on the package and what we actually receive.

lorrpb

2-4 lbs in a week is most likely water weight or a normal fluctuation. Just make sure you're eating only 250 cals extra.