Same plan- suddenly different results? Help :/

Bulldogs1717

Hello
I have been working hard to cut the last 5 lbs down for my first ever competition in March. In the past few months I cut my calories to just a 250 cal deficit and increased training days/ week. 1 rest day. I incorporated in another cardio day as well. However, I’m suddenly noticing a ton of water retention and even some weight gain so kind of panicking. What can I be doing wrong? Is this potentially a hormonal imbalance causing bloating and swelling? Hard to tell if it’s water or true weight gain... any thoughts would be appreciated on how I can course correct.
Thank you!

Redordeadhead

If you really do have a 250cal deficit, it cannot be real weight (fat) gain. It could be water retention of you have recently increased exercise with the additional cardio day.

ndj1979

Bulldogs1717 wrote: »

Hello
I have been working hard to cut the last 5 lbs down for my first ever competition in March. In the past few months I cut my calories to just a 250 cal deficit and increased training days/ week. 1 rest day. I incorporated in another cardio day as well. However, I’m suddenly noticing a ton of water retention and even some weight gain so kind of panicking. What can I be doing wrong? Is this potentially a hormonal imbalance causing bloating and swelling? Hard to tell if it’s water or true weight gain... any thoughts would be appreciated on how I can course correct.
Thank you!

How is your water intake? This may sound counterintuitive but I find when I drink more water I release water weight more easily.

L1zardQueen

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10823842/suddenly-gaining-back-weight-but-nothing-has-changed-help-help-help#latest

ninerbuff

Assuming contest, you mean competitive (figure, bikini)?

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