Why am I gaining weight? 1200-1300 calories a day & 1.5 hour Exercise
Ebwash89
Posts: 180 Member
I picked up my routine of working out again after a week and a half long break and a few pounds of weight gain. The first few days were great, the first day I dropped around 3lbs (184.5 to 181.3) the next day I was still on a roll and dropped 2 more lbs (181.3 to 179.3). After that I started noticing an increase and a slide back in the opposite direction. The day after I went back up a pound to 180.3. I ignored the scale and keep exercising, tracking my food and drinking plenty of water. This morning I gained yet another half of a pound. I've been working SUPER hard running for 20 or more minutes a day then following running up with strength/endurance classes for an hour. Why the hell is my weight creeping back up especially in such a short period of time? I drink plenty of water, push hard (sweating, panting, burning 700-800 calories, heart rate sky high) and I can't seem to get and stay under 180 lbs.
Could it be muscle soreness?
Could it be because I am expecting aunt flo this coming week?
Is it sodium?
Help I am frustrated.
Could it be muscle soreness?
Could it be because I am expecting aunt flo this coming week?
Is it sodium?
Help I am frustrated.
5
Replies
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It's just normal fluctuation.
Your weight never stays a constant number. You are a weight range.
It is also highly likely that your period is effecting the number.8 -
All three are likely reasons. You should take a look at this thread though because what you’re experiencing is 100% normal: https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10084670/it-is-unlikely-that-you-will-lose-weight-consistently-i-e-weight-loss-is-not-linear5
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Do you eat your exercise calories back? If you burn 700 calories, there is no way 1200 cals is enough to fuel yourself. Your body won't drop the weight if you don't feed it enough, it will store everything it gets instead. Also if you lost 5 lbs in 2 days it was more like water weight not fat. You should try to calculate your TDEE, if you want to lose weight decrease that number with 400-500 cals and you should be fine. Don't try to lose more than 1% of your weight in a week, this way you will succeed and not just torture your body.24
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Do you eat your exercise calories back? If you burn 700 calories, there is no way 1200 cals is enough to fuel yourself. Your body won't drop the weight if you don't feed it enough, it will store everything it gets instead. Also if you lost 5 lbs in 2 days it was more like water weight not fat. You should try to calculate your TDEE, if you want to lose weight decrease that number with 400-500 cals and you should be fine. Don't try to lose more than 1% of your weight in a week, this way you will succeed and not just torture your body.
Not eating exercise calories back, while a generally bad idea to begin with, will not cause someone to not lose.8 -
It could be a number of things because weight fluctuates throughout the day. I also think (my opinion) that you are not eating enough calories. I’m not sure of your stats, but if that is you in your profile picture, you would probably need more than 1200 to just live on and that’s not including what exercise that you are doing. So, if you say burn 600 calories with running/strength training but only eat 1200-1300, your body is really only getting 600 to live on, it will rebel and keep weight/water on to survive. I suggest you up your calories. Also, you said your heart was up and you were panting, please know that just because that happens doesn’t mean that it’s the best workout for you. Maybe jog a bit and then do a burst or two of fast running in between. I would hate for you to burn out. Think of it as a lifestyle and enjoy it. Hope no feathers were ruffled
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@HappyKat5 When I say I run for 20+ minutes I mean a run/walk. I will run/jog for as long as I can go then walk to catch my breath for just a moment then repeat. I only weight myself first thing in the morning after peeing and pooping (which is when you should) so no fluctuations from eating or drinking are included. The profile pic is from when I lost 60 lbs before on only 1200 calories. As far as exercise, If I am doing an easy workout or one that doesn't challenge me then I might as well not workout at all. How can you make any progress if your workout is easy?5
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Is it your nutrients rethink the food you are eating it doesn't matter how many miles or minutes you train the calories will continue to be added17
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I've been having the same problem. A nutritionist I'm working with says I have to eat more (or smaller meals more times a day) I am so afraid of doing that..but after reading like minded advice, I think I will try it.15
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I lost slowly 20 lbs eating under my BMR which I think is what you are doing then couldn't lose anymore. I tried eating less calories, upping my exercise, changing my exercise and couldn't lose. Then I started finding out about BMR, TDEE,etc. I took a 2 week break from eating at a deficit. I ate at my TDEE. I started to lose. After 2 weeks I started to eat at a moderate deficit between my estimated TDEE and BMR. I lost another 20 lbs. Unfortunately after that I started back to work more than full time and couldn't pay attention to this. Now I am trying to find the right balance again.3
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I just did my TDEE, says my number is 2400?! I should be eating that many calories a day?? If so, i'm waaay behind, lol...I was away from MFP for a while..trying to get back on the wagon. I just had a gastric balloon removed, I have lost 28lbs...now working with nutritionist for the next 6 month journey to get to goal of another 20lbs...I'm going to be 60 yrs old in July. I'm 5'9" and 197 cw....I don't really understand the tdee or macro/micro nutrients, lol...I upped my exercie over the past 6 months..I currently work out at Planet Fitness..I do at least 30 min of cardio (primarily the water rower which I just love!) in addition to a few strength exercises on various machines...I would think the weight would be falling off, but noooo...1
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whitneycarlson4277 wrote: »When you do not eat enough your body holds onto every single thing you give it and stores it as fat because it thinks it will have to go without (because you aren't eating enough).
Nope. Otherwise anorexics wouldn't lose.10 -
whitneycarlson4277 wrote: »You are not eating enough...period.
No. If somebody is gaining weight, they are eating more calories than they are burning. Period.
In OP's case, the most likely scenario is that she's freaking out over perfectly normal scale fluctuations and possibly retaining water from her workout routine - which is also perfectly normal.12 -
Sorry I have no idea why my last comment wasn't posted under my correct account...
There is NO WAY she is eating enough calories at 1,200-1,300 calories per day and exercising 1.5 hours. NO WAY. She is not consuming enough calories.5 -
whitneycarlson4277 wrote: »Sorry I have no idea why my last comment wasn't posted under my correct account...
There is NO WAY she is eating enough calories at 1,200-1,300 calories per day and exercising 1.5 hours. NO WAY. She is not consuming enough calories.
But she would still be losing weight. And again, we're talking about a few days without losing, when she's increased exercise and is about to enter TOM.7 -
whitneycarlson4277 wrote: »Sorry I have no idea why my last comment wasn't posted under my correct account...
There is NO WAY she is eating enough calories at 1,200-1,300 calories per day and exercising 1.5 hours. NO WAY. She is not consuming enough calories.
no she isnt eating enough calories,but she isnt going to stop losing weight not eating enough calories. do you know any obese anorexics or obese people who are starving in a 3rd world country? if you dont eat enough calories your body will use what it can to make energy that includes body fat,lean mass and muscle,and your heart is a muscle.why do you think anorexics get so deathly thin and weak? and why some die? do you see their bodies holding onto anything? while eating so little calories and exercising so much is not healthy(it can also turn into a type of eating disorder) doesnt mean it will stop weight loss. she can have whats called adaptive thermogenesis if its been a long period of time,but usually that can be reversed.9 -
whitneycarlson4277 wrote: »Sorry I have no idea why my last comment wasn't posted under my correct account...
There is NO WAY she is eating enough calories at 1,200-1,300 calories per day and exercising 1.5 hours. NO WAY. She is not consuming enough calories.
Since she's not complaining about being exhausted, she is probably eating more than she thinks. Is it a logging, weighing problem??5 -
I only weight myself first thing in the morning after peeing and pooping (which is when you should) so no fluctuations from eating or drinking are included.
Fluctuations from things you've eaten can show up the next day or a couple of days after - for instance, I ate a very salty meal yesterday, and my weight is up 1.5lbs this morning. There's no way I ate enough yesterday to gain that much actual weight, so it's a combination of food still working its way through my system and water retention from the sodium.
What you're seeing is perfectly normal fluctuations, so please try not to stress yourself about them. Read the "weight loss is not linear" thread that was linked to earlier, it's very helpful. 7 -
I only weight myself first thing in the morning after peeing and pooping (which is when you should) so no fluctuations from eating or drinking are included.
Fluctuations from things you've eaten can show up the next day or a couple of days after - for instance, I ate a very salty meal yesterday, and my weight is up 1.5lbs this morning. There's no way I ate enough yesterday to gain that much actual weight, so it's a combination of food still working its way through my system and water retention from the sodium.
What you're seeing is perfectly normal fluctuations, so please try not to stress yourself about them. Read the "weight loss is not linear" thread that was linked to earlier, it's very helpful.
yep yesterday I was up 3 lbs from the night before. today I am down those 3 lbs0 -
In my case it was Carbs.. Went to around 50 a day and lost 10 pounds in 12 days.Good luck.9
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lucerorojo wrote: »whitneycarlson4277 wrote: »Sorry I have no idea why my last comment wasn't posted under my correct account...
There is NO WAY she is eating enough calories at 1,200-1,300 calories per day and exercising 1.5 hours. NO WAY. She is not consuming enough calories.
Since she's not complaining about being exhausted, she is probably eating more than she thinks. Is it a logging, weighing problem??
BINGO! This is most likely the case.3 -
I only weight myself first thing in the morning after peeing and pooping (which is when you should) so no fluctuations from eating or drinking are included.
Fluctuations from things you've eaten can show up the next day or a couple of days after - for instance, I ate a very salty meal yesterday, and my weight is up 1.5lbs this morning. There's no way I ate enough yesterday to gain that much actual weight, so it's a combination of food still working its way through my system and water retention from the sodium.
What you're seeing is perfectly normal fluctuations, so please try not to stress yourself about them. Read the "weight loss is not linear" thread that was linked to earlier, it's very helpful.
Thank you :-( I think I am being overly emotional about the 1.5 lbs because TOM is on the way and I have a goal I want to reach next month.1 -
musicfan68 wrote: »lucerorojo wrote: »whitneycarlson4277 wrote: »Sorry I have no idea why my last comment wasn't posted under my correct account...
There is NO WAY she is eating enough calories at 1,200-1,300 calories per day and exercising 1.5 hours. NO WAY. She is not consuming enough calories.
Since she's not complaining about being exhausted, she is probably eating more than she thinks. Is it a logging, weighing problem??
BINGO! This is most likely the case.
Negative! I weight everything I eat. I have a food scale and measuring cups. This is also not my first time losing a significant amount of weight. I have lost 60lbs counting calories and weighing my food before.3 -
musicfan68 wrote: »lucerorojo wrote: »whitneycarlson4277 wrote: »Sorry I have no idea why my last comment wasn't posted under my correct account...
There is NO WAY she is eating enough calories at 1,200-1,300 calories per day and exercising 1.5 hours. NO WAY. She is not consuming enough calories.
Since she's not complaining about being exhausted, she is probably eating more than she thinks. Is it a logging, weighing problem??
BINGO! This is most likely the case.
Negative! I weight everything I eat. I have a food scale and measuring cups. This is also not my first time losing a significant amount of weight. I have lost 60lbs counting calories and weighing my food before.
if you are using measuring cups for any solids or semi solids stop using those and use the scale. cups for liquids only. I learned that the hard way
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I only weight myself first thing in the morning after peeing and pooping (which is when you should) so no fluctuations from eating or drinking are included.
Fluctuations from things you've eaten can show up the next day or a couple of days after - for instance, I ate a very salty meal yesterday, and my weight is up 1.5lbs this morning. There's no way I ate enough yesterday to gain that much actual weight, so it's a combination of food still working its way through my system and water retention from the sodium.
What you're seeing is perfectly normal fluctuations, so please try not to stress yourself about them. Read the "weight loss is not linear" thread that was linked to earlier, it's very helpful.
Thank you :-( I think I am being overly emotional about the 1.5 lbs because TOM is on the way and I have a goal I want to reach next month.
If TOM is coming, your weight will definitely go up a few pounds! I've noticed my weight goes up sometimes 5lbs a few days before my period comes. Could also be muscle gain/fat loss, or water retention from carb, salt intake, muscles.
Ignore it as best as you can and power on! It will stabilize soon enough.0 -
CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »whitneycarlson4277 wrote: »Sorry I have no idea why my last comment wasn't posted under my correct account...
There is NO WAY she is eating enough calories at 1,200-1,300 calories per day and exercising 1.5 hours. NO WAY. She is not consuming enough calories.
no she isnt eating enough calories,but she isnt going to stop losing weight not eating enough calories. do you know any obese anorexics or obese people who are starving in a 3rd world country? if you dont eat enough calories your body will use what it can to make energy that includes body fat,lean mass and muscle,and your heart is a muscle.why do you think anorexics get so deathly thin and weak? and why some die? do you see their bodies holding onto anything? while eating so little calories and exercising so much is not healthy(it can also turn into a type of eating disorder) doesnt mean it will stop weight loss. she can have whats called adaptive thermogenesis if its been a long period of time,but usually that can be reversed.
I calculated my bmr and tdee through the IIFYM website. Should I eat my BMR instead of 1200-1300?
1
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