Eating 1200, gaining weight

Luseil

I've started a new workout routine, Dailyburn 365 for 30 min + 45 min Elliptical and I eat 1200 on zero exercise days and 1400-1500 on exercise days. I weigh 120 and my goal was 110.

I log weights weekly and the number has started to go up but my measurements down. I figure this is because I'm gaining muscle, but should I reevaluate my goal weight? Or go for goal measurements?

Right now I'm at a loss because the rising number is making me feel like I'm failing in some way. What can I do to make this work for me?

Hello_its_Dan

As long as the measurements go down, keep doing what you're doing.
Nice work!

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Ready2Rock206

Not muscle. Possibly water retention from your new workout. Are you logging accurately? Using a food scale for all solids, Measuring cups/spoons for all liquids? Using accurate entries? Using the recipe builder?

Luseil

Yes I just got my first food scale a few weeks ago and weigh everything and measure all of my liquids as well though I generally don't drink calories and I use the recipe builder for everything I make at home.

I'm loving the new workouts I'm actually tired after them and feel like I'm getting stronger!

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bbell1985

What do you mean the "number has started to go up". You mean you have seen a trend, for weeks now, of steady weight gain? Or did you step on the scale once or twice and see a pound or two more than expected?

Big difference.

You can retain water from beginning new exercise.

deluxmary2000

As others said, this is likely water weight due to your new exercise routine. Although you may be getting stronger, you're not "gaining muscle" at 1200-1500 calories.
The water weight should subside after a few weeks

Fallfrenzy

If you are losing in inches, I wouldn't worry about the scale so much. If you are tracking body measurements in MFP, you can use this as a gauge.

Luseil

I'll put it up to water weight then, I increased exercise two weeks ago and have gained a pound since instead of losing a pound

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markswife1992

maybe you are pregnant. i worked out so hard and weighed 123 lbs. my weight went up each week until i had gained 20 lbs and couldn't figure it out. sure enough, pregnant!

Luseil

There's a lot of cardio and body weight exercises in my new routines so I'm going to give it a few weeks and see how measurements vs weight goes. Luckily pregnant is not a possibility for me.

PAV8888

As @bbell1985 asked, do you weigh once a week, or do you weigh daily using a trending weight app or web site to judge your longer term weight level while discounting faster water weight changes?

A trend of consistent weight increase is different than two snapshots of your weight a week apart.

Water weight changes over a week can be much larger than a 1-2kb a week loss you may be setup for.

Use a trending weight app or website. Ignore a 1-2lb week to week variation especially if it goes against corroborating evidence.