Consistently gaining when I'm trying to lose
americanzombiedesigns
Posts: 16 Member
Hey every. First time posting. Little nervous about it, but I would like to see if you lovely people can help me.
I've been recording my weight loss since March 2015, but only recently started to calorie count using this app.
My goal weight is 125. I am 5'4" and I'm a 25 year old female.
In March I weighed in at 167 lbs. By July I dropped down to 138 lbs. However since then I have steadily begun gaining weight. As of today I weight 153 lbs. And I honestly can't figure out why.
I am eating less and I'm making sure I eat anywhere between 1200 to 1600 calories per day. I don't lead a very active life style, but I make sure to get 1 to 3 hours of cardio exercise in each day.
I've read that the reason why most people gain weight when they calorie count is because they underestimate what they eat, but I have be relentless in making sure my diary is 100% accurate. I even try and under estimate my workouts.
I'm at a loss right now and what little self esteem I have is almost non existent right now. I want to be happy in the body I'm in, and I'm finding it difficult to do when I'm not seeing any results.
I've been recording my weight loss since March 2015, but only recently started to calorie count using this app.
My goal weight is 125. I am 5'4" and I'm a 25 year old female.
In March I weighed in at 167 lbs. By July I dropped down to 138 lbs. However since then I have steadily begun gaining weight. As of today I weight 153 lbs. And I honestly can't figure out why.
I am eating less and I'm making sure I eat anywhere between 1200 to 1600 calories per day. I don't lead a very active life style, but I make sure to get 1 to 3 hours of cardio exercise in each day.
I've read that the reason why most people gain weight when they calorie count is because they underestimate what they eat, but I have be relentless in making sure my diary is 100% accurate. I even try and under estimate my workouts.
I'm at a loss right now and what little self esteem I have is almost non existent right now. I want to be happy in the body I'm in, and I'm finding it difficult to do when I'm not seeing any results.
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Replies
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Are you eating your exercise calories back? How do you measure your food (i.e. scale, measuring cups, eyeballing it)?0
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americanzombiedesigns wrote: »Hey every. First time posting. Little nervous about it, but I would like to see if you lovely people can help me.
I've been recording my weight loss since March 2015, but only recently started to calorie count using this app.
My goal weight is 125. I am 5'4" and I'm a 25 year old female.
In March I weighed in at 167 lbs. By July I dropped down to 138 lbs. However since then I have steadily begun gaining weight. As of today I weight 153 lbs. And I honestly can't figure out why.
I am eating less and I'm making sure I eat anywhere between 1200 to 1600 calories per day. I don't lead a very active life style, but I make sure to get 1 to 3 hours of cardio exercise in each day.
I've read that the reason why most people gain weight when they calorie count is because they underestimate what they eat, but I have be relentless in making sure my diary is 100% accurate. I even try and under estimate my workouts.
I'm at a loss right now and what little self esteem I have is almost non existent right now. I want to be happy in the body I'm in, and I'm finding it difficult to do when I'm not seeing any results.
This blog article is brutally honest, but sometimes that what we need:
http://www.acaloriecounter.com/blog/why-am-i-not-losing-weight/
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You're eating more than you think. Gaining 15 lbs in 7 months means that you are eating an average of 250 over maintenance each day. Or else you have something growing inside of you, like a tumor or cyst or a baby.
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ShrinkingScientist wrote: »Are you eating your exercise calories back? How do you measure your food (i.e. scale, measuring cups, eyeballing it)?
I'm using measuring cups and a scale. I am also eating some, but not all my calories back.0 -
americanzombiedesigns wrote: »ShrinkingScientist wrote: »Are you eating your exercise calories back? How do you measure your food (i.e. scale, measuring cups, eyeballing it)?
I'm using measuring cups and a scale. I am also eating my exercise calorie back. That's the correct thing to do right?
How many calories are you eating? Not netting.0 -
You're eating more than you think. Gaining 15 lbs in 7 months means that you are eating an average of 250 over maintenance each day. Or else you have something growing inside of you, like a tumor or cyst or a baby.
I'm honestly not. I've been to the point of being overly obsessive of making sure I'm not eating too much. I even go to bed hungry because my calorie allowance says I shouldnt eat any more.
Cancer runs in my family, so it's possible. But I doubt I have a 15 lb tumor without showing any symptoms.
And a baby is impossible.0 -
americanzombiedesigns wrote: »ShrinkingScientist wrote: »Are you eating your exercise calories back? How do you measure your food (i.e. scale, measuring cups, eyeballing it)?
I'm using measuring cups and a scale. I am also eating some, but not all my calories back.
People here swear by using the scale and not measuring cups. Maybe try that.
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Honestly, if you're positive you're not eating more calories than you're recording, I think it could be worth checking in with your doctor. Get your thyroid checked (TSH and free T4). Are you on any medication that causes weight gain (i.e. gabapentin)?0
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What is your calorie burn through exercise and what are you doing?0
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americanzombiedesigns wrote: »ShrinkingScientist wrote: »Are you eating your exercise calories back? How do you measure your food (i.e. scale, measuring cups, eyeballing it)?
I'm using measuring cups and a scale. I am also eating my exercise calorie back. That's the correct thing to do right?
How many calories are you eating? Not netting.
I try to eat 1200 to 1300 calories a day. And if I'm correct that is the minimum amount of calories a female body needs to function correctly.0 -
Have you tried intermittent fasting?0
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makingmark wrote: »americanzombiedesigns wrote: »ShrinkingScientist wrote: »Are you eating your exercise calories back? How do you measure your food (i.e. scale, measuring cups, eyeballing it)?
I'm using measuring cups and a scale. I am also eating some, but not all my calories back.
People here swear by using the scale and not measuring cups. Maybe try that.
I can try using only a scale. I will see how that works. Thank you.0 -
drocksi317 wrote: »Have you tried intermittent fasting?
Intermittent fasting does not override weight gain due to medical complications or eating too much.0 -
He is on a crusade to get people on IF.0
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americanzombiedesigns wrote: »americanzombiedesigns wrote: »ShrinkingScientist wrote: »Are you eating your exercise calories back? How do you measure your food (i.e. scale, measuring cups, eyeballing it)?
I'm using measuring cups and a scale. I am also eating my exercise calorie back. That's the correct thing to do right?
How many calories are you eating? Not netting.
I try to eat 1200 to 1300 calories a day. And if I'm correct that is the minimum amount of calories a female body needs to function correctly.
You said you do 1-3 hours of cardio per day and eat back exercise calories. How can you have a base goal of 1200 and eat back exercise calories and still only eat 1200-1300 calories? That doesn't add up.0 -
americanzombiedesigns wrote: »You're eating more than you think. Gaining 15 lbs in 7 months means that you are eating an average of 250 over maintenance each day. Or else you have something growing inside of you, like a tumor or cyst or a baby.
I'm honestly not. I've been to the point of being overly obsessive of making sure I'm not eating too much. I even go to bed hungry because my calorie allowance says I shouldnt eat any more.
Cancer runs in my family, so it's possible. But I doubt I have a 15 lb tumor without showing any symptoms.
And a baby is impossible.
When you say you're using measuring cups, do you only use them for liquids? If not, then it's very possible to be eating more calories than you think. Try to think what changed between March to July and July until now. Less physical activity? A slight calorie increase? Nothing at all? If the answer truly is nothing, then you need to see a doctor because the body doesn't just put weight on steadily without a severe medical issue or a surplus of calories.0 -
ShrinkingScientist wrote: »Honestly, if you're positive you're not eating more calories than you're recording, I think it could be worth checking in with your doctor. Get your thyroid checked (TSH and free T4). Are you on any medication that causes weight gain (i.e. gabapentin)?
Thyroid problems do run in my family as well. Once I find a doctor (recently moved), I will bring that up. Thank you.
And I'm currently on an antibiotic (via my dentist), but that's it for medicine.0 -
You're eating too much.0
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singingflutelady wrote: »What is your calorie burn through exercise and what are you doing?
I do intense dance in an 80 degree room. This app says that is about 300 calories per hour, but I usually take that estimat and divide in half.0 -
drocksi317 wrote: »Have you tried intermittent fasting?
I do not want to partake in any type of fasting. Just a personal preference.0 -
americanzombiedesigns wrote: »ShrinkingScientist wrote: »Honestly, if you're positive you're not eating more calories than you're recording, I think it could be worth checking in with your doctor. Get your thyroid checked (TSH and free T4). Are you on any medication that causes weight gain (i.e. gabapentin)?
Thyroid problems do run in my family as well. Once I find a doctor (recently moved), I will bring that up. Thank you.
And I'm currently on an antibiotic (via my dentist), but that's it for medicine.
I think the doctor visit is a good idea. If a medical problem is ruled out, that leaves calories. One reason why you may feel a lot of hunger could be the food you're eating. Many people find protein to be more filling than carbs even though they have the same calories per gram. You may also find that upping fat (while lowering another macro to make up for the calories) helps.0 -
My money is on you are eating more than you think you are. Use a food scale to weigh everything but liquids, choose the correct food entries from the food database, and let us know in a week's time.0
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americanzombiedesigns wrote: »americanzombiedesigns wrote: »ShrinkingScientist wrote: »Are you eating your exercise calories back? How do you measure your food (i.e. scale, measuring cups, eyeballing it)?
I'm using measuring cups and a scale. I am also eating my exercise calorie back. That's the correct thing to do right?
How many calories are you eating? Not netting.
I try to eat 1200 to 1300 calories a day. And if I'm correct that is the minimum amount of calories a female body needs to function correctly.
You said you do 1-3 hours of cardio per day and eat back exercise calories. How can you have a base goal of 1200 and eat back exercise calories and still only eat 1200-1300 calories? That doesn't add up.
I'm sorry. Miss communicating. Let me clarify. This is really the first time I've ever done calorie counting so I'm doing this based on what the app says.
It says I should have 1200 calories a day. So I try and eat that. I then exercise which burns calories. I've read from different sources (if I'm wrong please correct me) that I need to eat back the calories I burned because if I don't then my body's calorie intake is below 1200 which can be bad for the body as 1200 is the lowest you should go. I normally don't eat back most of the calories I burned during workout, but I do eat back some.
If that information I've read is wrong then I will simply stop eating back my exercise calories.0 -
If you are gaining, you are eating too much.0
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americanzombiedesigns wrote: »You're eating more than you think. Gaining 15 lbs in 7 months means that you are eating an average of 250 over maintenance each day. Or else you have something growing inside of you, like a tumor or cyst or a baby.
I'm honestly not. I've been to the point of being overly obsessive of making sure I'm not eating too much. I even go to bed hungry because my calorie allowance says I shouldnt eat any more.
Cancer runs in my family, so it's possible. But I doubt I have a 15 lb tumor without showing any symptoms.
And a baby is impossible.
When you say you're using measuring cups, do you only use them for liquids? If not, then it's very possible to be eating more calories than you think. Try to think what changed between March to July and July until now. Less physical activity? A slight calorie increase? Nothing at all? If the answer truly is nothing, then you need to see a doctor because the body doesn't just put weight on steadily without a severe medical issue or a surplus of calories.
The only difference I've had is a spike in depression (and I normally eat less when on depression spikes). Other than that nothing has changed in the way I have been dieting.0 -
Guys. Stop telling me I'm eating to much.
I'm being extremely careful that I'm not eating too much and that I'm eating enough.
This is why I reached out to the community to try and find out why with all my obsessive weighing, calorie counting, and exercise that I'm still gaining weight.
I don't want to be told that eating only 3 very small healthy meals a day is eating too much.
Some, not all, of you are making me regret reaching out and asking for help0 -
Aright well, then second thing to look at cause it seems that u are working out enough are your meals nutrient filled, or is it more calorie based..if you could break up what you eat in percentages between, veggies, fruits, meats, and processed foods what would it be to equal 1000
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Sometimes it helps for me to suggest changes if I can see your diary. Would you be able to make it public? I think that could give us a better idea of what you are eating without us just saying "you're eating too much" and offering no helpful suggestions...because that can be irritating.
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americanzombiedesigns wrote: »americanzombiedesigns wrote: »americanzombiedesigns wrote: »ShrinkingScientist wrote: »Are you eating your exercise calories back? How do you measure your food (i.e. scale, measuring cups, eyeballing it)?
I'm using measuring cups and a scale. I am also eating my exercise calorie back. That's the correct thing to do right?
How many calories are you eating? Not netting.
I try to eat 1200 to 1300 calories a day. And if I'm correct that is the minimum amount of calories a female body needs to function correctly.
You said you do 1-3 hours of cardio per day and eat back exercise calories. How can you have a base goal of 1200 and eat back exercise calories and still only eat 1200-1300 calories? That doesn't add up.
I'm sorry. Miss communicating. Let me clarify. This is really the first time I've ever done calorie counting so I'm doing this based on what the app says.
It says I should have 1200 calories a day. So I try and eat that. I then exercise which burns calories. I've read from different sources (if I'm wrong please correct me) that I need to eat back the calories I burned because if I don't then my body's calorie intake is below 1200 which can be bad for the body as 1200 is the lowest you should go. I normally don't eat back most of the calories I burned during workout, but I do eat back some.
If that information I've read is wrong then I will simply stop eating back my exercise calories.
No, you're right to eat back calories and not go below 1200. I asked for clarification because some people will eat 2000 and think they burned 800 calories exercising, which MFP shows as netting 1200. They then say they ate 1200 when they actually ate 2000. I just wanted to be sure we were talking about what you're eating, not what you're netting.0 -
americanzombiedesigns wrote: »Guys. Stop telling me I'm eating to much.
Well there are only three options. You have a medical problem, you're pregnant, or you're eating too much to lose. You said pregnancy was impossible so that leaves medical problem or eating too much. Most people who don't lose, who gain, are eating too much.0
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