Weight gain in calorie deficit

kellymcdonald88

Hello I'm wondering if I could get some advice!! The last 3 weeks I have tracked and weigh everything I eat I stay between 1400-1600 calories a day I started the gym 2 weeks ago 3x a week I do cardio and I do push myself where I ache the next day! I lost a bit of weight in the fist week but these last 2 weigh ins I have gained it back I weigh myself same time every week any ideas? Please be kind I'm 185lbs and want to loose around 40lbs

GymBunnyPaige

Honestly 3 weeks isn't a very long time. Within a 3 wk period my weight can fluctuate by up to 20 lbs, however it is stable when looking back over months and years. It sounds like you're sticking to your plan and you're bound to see progress with a little patience. Keep at it and focus on how you feel, and please do update us when you start to see progress. I'm rooting for you!

springlering62

As @GymBunnyPaige says, three weeks isn’t long enough. Give yourself 4-6, and at least make it through a monthly cycle.

The one thing you say which lights my mental bulb is “started the gym” and “aches”.

I’m assuming this is new activity to you, and as a result, your experiencing (normal!) muscle soreness and fatigue.

Your amazing body aids (short version) in muscle repair by directing water to sore or injured areas.

You can very easily “gain” several pounds by simply retaining water if you’re sore.

As the soreness diminishes, the excess water will flush, too.

Many people don’t know this, and they hurl themselves into new exercise in an effort to lose fast, only to be horrified that they’ve “gained” weight, and they quit, thinking “this isn’t working”.

That’s why you need to give it some time.

Btw, it does work. I left 90+ pounds in the ether somewhere. My profile pic? Let’s just say when I attempted a headstand before, I nearly gagged with the rolls falling down my chest onto my neck. If I can do this at my age (you are same age as my daughter! Yikes!) weight and initial level of inactivity, you can do it.

Weigh everything accurately, log honestly, don’t try to lose it all at once. Set reasonable goals.

springlering62

Also, weigh in more often when you start (unless it causes obsessive thoughts).

I have learned that my lowest weight is consistently on Saturday morning, my highest is midweek. If you’re only weighing once a week, you may not be getting a good picture of weight trends.

kshama2001

I "gained" 7 pounds when I started working out again. Took a few weeks to come off.

A few years back, I retained a few pounds of water when I ovulated and premenstrually. Now that I am very close to menopause, this has gone up to close to 10 pounds at ovulation and nothing premenstrually. Because of this, I weigh every day and compare my weight to the same point in my cycle as last month, rather than last week.

simply_shawnmarie

I hit a plateau at the moment because I just started working out again. It is normal to experience water retention in starting a new workout regimen because you tear up your muscles in a workout to rebuild and make them stronger.

If you are concerned about the scale, I would encourage you think through your overall goal. If your goal is to get "fit" then I would focus more on measuring your waist, chest, and hips to measure your progress. If your goal is to lose weight, then I would focus on the scale.

my baby steps in getting forever thin is 1. eating when youre hungry 2. stop when you are satisfied 3. eat the foods that serve you, 4. know what you weigh and 5.live your life. Your body will drop in weight by listening to your body.

I said i just started lifting, which is true after losing already 50 pounds. Getting thin is one thing, getting fit is another.

if you are meeting a calorie deficit, however, then you should go back to seeing weight drop in about a week or so.

Something I do in plateaus so I am not obsessed with it, is I make a note in my Calendar on my phone out for 30 days. in the note title it, "Are you still ____ lbs?" then when it comes to 30 days, I look at the notification and laugh because i remember when i was so concerned about that weight. I have always been able to smile and say, "no I am way lower than that now". In 30 days, you will be in a whole new place emotionally.