How much weight gain after eating over maintenance for one day?

amiwills

Hi everyone! I've been doing a great job of eating at my goal calories every day with no difficulties, losing weight every week of my journey so far.

Yesterday I went in for surgery but I had my meals planned as though I usually would, however my surgery ended up being delayed by several hours, causing me to get hungry on the ward, and with only higher calorie options available to me I had to take one. I didn't beat myself up about it because I don't have cheat days or any thing and what difference was this one meal going to make?! So I went in for my surgery and when I came out my blood pressure dropped and the nurses asked me to eat again, it was around 10pm at this point and all they had left was boxed sandwiches so that is what I had. Anyways. It's the next morning now and out of curiosity I weighed myself to see the impact all those extra calories had. I have gained a pound since my last weigh-in which was last Sunday, and was expecting to lose at least one pound this week, I'm usually closer to 2 pounds a week.

Could this gain be a temporary gain from going over maintenance yesterday? I was 59.20kg last Sunday and when I weighed this morning I was 59.70kg. Should I just skip this Sunday's weigh-in and carry on next Sunday as normal? This is the first time I've seen a gain on the scales and I didn't think it would bother me but I must admit I do feel a bit disappointed!

Also, the surgeon recommended I stay out of the gym for at least 2 weeks before starting cardio again, and possibly longer before weight lifting again. Should I go back to 1200 calories a day during this time? I have been eating 1500.

Thanks everyone

TavistockToad

One day over maintenance will make very little difference, i wouldn't worry about it!

chonji4ever

You probably won't see any gain. I deviate up or down on maintenance a lot. I just balance out the 300 calories over day and 150 under the next 2 days. It should balance out with your base energy use. The body burns calories differently on a daily basis anyways, because your activities change daily.

paperpudding

I have been in maitenance for 2 years - some days I eat over, some days I eat under. But I average out to around my correct maitenance calories.

One day will not matter unless it is a huge binge. Certainly not just an extra boxed sandwich.

angerelle

I would imagine that some, if not all, of your gain is your body retaining water to help you recover from your surgery. I'd go *up* to maintenance over the two weeks that your doctor has advised to rest, to help your body repair itself. You know you can sustainably lose when you go back to a deficit, so don't panic - what's the rush?

subakwa

I put on 1.5lbs of water from a sandwich dinner the other day. All gone now. Don't worry.

AnnaBeach7

The extra weight was probably due to the fluids given during surgery or your body healing, etc. Stay on track and it will come right off in a few days max.

rfgtv34

It's the day after surgery, getting well should be your priority right now, your body needs extra calories to heal so that little bit of weight gain will disappear. Hope your recovery goes well