Timing of meals contributing to lack of weight gain?

fitzroyproject

I have been tracking my intake for 2 weeks with MFP to see where I'm going wrong with my weight gain goal (10-15lbs of a combo of fat/muscle). I am female, 5'-7" and 124lbs. I eat pretty consistently 3100cals/day so am way over what MFP says I should eat to gain (2250/day). That's fine as I'll just eat more, but I did notice that the majority of my calories are eaten before 2pm and I'm wondering if that is contributing to making gaining harder. Usually I'm at 1800cals by 10am (I'm up at 5:20) and around 2600cals by 2pm. The rest are in the last 8h of the day. Thanks for any advice!

Lean59man

Shouldn't make a difference.

Are you accounting for calories burned through activity because you are eating a lot. More than me and I weigh 205.

Unless I exercise I only eat just under 2300 cals. to maintain.

fitzroyproject

I put the activity level in MFP as moderate since though I do work out 5x/week (high intensity for less than 30mins), I have a very sedentary desk job. I do eat alot and always have - more than my partner who is 220lbs.

sardelsa

No it shouldn't matter... Sometimes eating late can cause an increase in the scale the next morning (food in the body, water weight) but in terms of actual muscle/fat gain, no.

Are you tracking all your food and drink accurately? Weighing all solids with a food scale? Even on weekends?

not_a_runner

If this timing works well for you to eat the amount needed to gain weight, there's nothing wrong with it.

Also, if these calories are what seems to be right for your body to gain weight at a reasonable pace, don't worry about how much anyone else eats. That does sound like a lot of calories for your size, but if that's what is appropriate for you, it's fine. Track your body weight and adjust calories accordingly. You probably want to aim for about a pound per week, max.

(I maintain on 2800-2900 and I am 180 lbs, not very active outside of lifting 5x a week. Everyone is different.)

RoxieDawn

If you just starting tracking, two weeks is not enough to establish real weight gain trend. Being female you will want to trend over 4-6 weeks. Your monthly cycle (assuming you have one) will fit into this trend line, also assuming you weigh same time of day same conditions, and your logging is spot on (weigh all foods/beverages that contain calories) every day of the week. Food timing does not matter in the least. The goal is just consume them all no matter the schedule you eat them in.

If you are not gaining after this period of time, increase your cals again and trend again 4-6 weeks.

trigden1991

The only reason you would weigh more in the morning when eating later in the day is due to food in transit.