ATTN: Ladies who are afraid of gaining some weight

Shateyn

I noticed a lot of women on here eating 1200 or less everyday and expressing their concerns about weight gain so I wanted to share my story.

At the start of the summer my lowest weight was 112 with a bmi of around 18. I couldn't work out because of an injury prior to that and I was super depressed and scared of extra calories leading to a bunch of weight gain in my new crappy sedentary lifestyle. I was dizzy all the time, lost all my hard earned strength, irritable, constant anxiety attacks, etc.

Since I started my clean eating build phase I am now 127 and still only 18% body fat and amazing things are happening! I feel alive again. I
-think clearer
-no desire to binge eat like I used to get all the time
-no longer fear carbs like the plague
-don't have anxiety about eating in social situations because I can eat normally
-can lift weights again!
-have so much more energy
-just feel fantastic
-No more panic attacks or light headedness

Sure, it's emotional putting on the fat at first, but the muscle is so worth it. And an amazing thing happened in the last couple weeks I've actually gained muscle AND lost fat. Everyone says it can't happen but I must be doing something right. My body feels so much happier with me now and people keep telling me how much better I look. I plan to continue on with my bulk and then I will do a mini burn but no where near what I was like before. To be honest, I kind of am loving a little more curve and my boyfriend is happy my boobs are back. I may not be able to fit into my skinniest of skinny jeans anymore but I have the strength and good mood to push myself into beast mode at the gym and that's so much better. A lot of women (myself included) tend to really underestimate how much we are eating. It wasn't until my trainer had me make myfitnesspal account and I started eating my surplus that I realized how much energy I really need when I am that active. My body is thanking me for it. Do not fear the weight gain, embrace it, girlfriends!

MercenaryNoetic26

No fear here great outlook OP! Glad you overcame and are doing well :drinker:

Shellbell2807

Wow this is exactly what I need to hear! thank you xx

Shateyn

No fear here great outlook OP! Glad you overcame and are doing well :drinker:

Your quads... I love your quads!

The_Enginerd

Tagging for my wall. I love this healthy attitude towards food and your body :drinker:

spaceyplum

Thanks for the inspiration!

NovemberJune

Thanks for sharing :flowerforyou:

quellybelly

This is awesome!

thesophierose

I noticed a lot of women on here eating 1200 or less everyday and expressing their concerns about weight gain so I wanted to share my story.

At the start of the summer my lowest weight was 112 with a bmi of around 18. I couldn't work out because of an injury prior to that and I was super depressed and scared of extra calories leading to a bunch of weight gain in my new crappy sedentary lifestyle. I was dizzy all the time, lost all my hard earned strength, irritable, constant anxiety attacks, etc.

Since I started my clean eating build phase I am now 127 and still only 18% body fat and amazing things are happening! I feel alive again. I
-think clearer
-no desire to binge eat like I used to get all the time
-no longer fear carbs like the plague
-don't have anxiety about eating in social situations because I can eat normally
-can lift weights again!
-have so much more energy
-just feel fantastic
-No more panic attacks or light headedness

Sure, it's emotional putting on the fat at first, but the muscle is so worth it. And an amazing thing happened in the last couple weeks I've actually gained muscle AND lost fat. Everyone says it can't happen but I must be doing something right. My body feels so much happier with me now and people keep telling me how much better I look. I plan to continue on with my bulk and then I will do a mini burn but no where near what I was like before. To be honest, I kind of am loving a little more curve and my boyfriend is happy my boobs are back. I may not be able to fit into my skinniest of skinny jeans anymore but I have the strength and good mood to push myself into beast mode at the gym and that's so much better. A lot of women (myself included) tend to really underestimate how much we are eating. It wasn't until my trainer had me make myfitnesspal account and I started eating my surplus that I realized how much energy I really need when I am that active. My body is thanking me for it. Do not fear the weight gain, embrace it, girlfriends!

This is exactly what I need to hear, if only my head would cooperate. Haha.

pfgaytriot

:drinker:

kdiamond

Agreed!! As soon as I "threw away the scale" I began to make real progress and shockingly enough, my clothes still fit perfectly and I eat so much more than I used to.

Roopoo2

Tagging for my wall. I love this healthy attitude towards food and your body :drinker:

I am in love with your bacon mug!!!!!

Roopoo2

:drinker:

awwww!!!! cute picture!!!!!::flowerforyou:

Roopoo2

I love this post, very freeing and inspiring.:glasses: ...I love everything apparently and smiley icons.:laugh:

Shateyn

I noticed a lot of women on here eating 1200 or less everyday and expressing their concerns about weight gain so I wanted to share my story.

At the start of the summer my lowest weight was 112 with a bmi of around 18. I couldn't work out because of an injury prior to that and I was super depressed and scared of extra calories leading to a bunch of weight gain in my new crappy sedentary lifestyle. I was dizzy all the time, lost all my hard earned strength, irritable, constant anxiety attacks, etc.

Since I started my clean eating build phase I am now 127 and still only 18% body fat and amazing things are happening! I feel alive again. I
-think clearer
-no desire to binge eat like I used to get all the time
-no longer fear carbs like the plague
-don't have anxiety about eating in social situations because I can eat normally
-can lift weights again!
-have so much more energy
-just feel fantastic
-No more panic attacks or light headedness

Sure, it's emotional putting on the fat at first, but the muscle is so worth it. And an amazing thing happened in the last couple weeks I've actually gained muscle AND lost fat. Everyone says it can't happen but I must be doing something right. My body feels so much happier with me now and people keep telling me how much better I look. I plan to continue on with my bulk and then I will do a mini burn but no where near what I was like before. To be honest, I kind of am loving a little more curve and my boyfriend is happy my boobs are back. I may not be able to fit into my skinniest of skinny jeans anymore but I have the strength and good mood to push myself into beast mode at the gym and that's so much better. A lot of women (myself included) tend to really underestimate how much we are eating. It wasn't until my trainer had me make myfitnesspal account and I started eating my surplus that I realized how much energy I really need when I am that active. My body is thanking me for it. Do not fear the weight gain, embrace it, girlfriends!

This is exactly what I need to hear, if only my head would cooperate. Haha.

Trust me, I was resistant at first. I think the only way to do it is increase very slowly and you'll actually be surprised at how much you need to eat to actually gain weight. I felt angry that I had wasted so much time measuring out food, worrying about each calorie, etc. when I realized how much it takes to start gaining and all that nonsense was futile. Then eating so much is sort of like reverse psychology. Sometimes we only want something because we think we can't have it. Once you start with little steps and your body adjusts you'll be excited I bet and want to keep going with it!

Thanks for all of the positivity everyone. I really appreciate the words of encouragement and that others can relate.

Shateyn

Tagging for my wall. I love this healthy attitude towards food and your body :drinker:

Right on! MM bacon

Yeller_Sensation

Thank you for taking the time to post this, Shateyn. I started struggling on Sun night with how puffy I looked and felt even though my partner has insisted every day that I am not getting fat.

I have been eating at a surplus since middle of last month because I want bigger muscles.

The pants are getting tighter.

The waist is doughy.

Pull-ups during back & biceps workout yesterday were a moderate disaster.

I feel like a lump of Play-Doh today.

Bloat is truly a woman's curse.

BUT

I have been able to squat my body weight and then some in less than three weeks (I have been lifting since Feb last year but have been terrified of squats and deadlifts until late last month).

My fasting glucose blood work results give me a glowing report of my health (side note: I eat 5-8 slices of bacon and up to a dozen eggs every week!).

I am making steady gains in weight training every WEEK.

So thank you again for your post; it's a nudge to not give up on eating all the yummy things that will help make me stronger.

:flowerforyou:

Shateyn

Thank you for taking the time to post this, Shateyn. I started struggling on Sun night with how puffy I looked and felt even though my partner has insisted every day that I am not getting fat.

I have been eating at a surplus since middle of last month because I want bigger muscles.

The pants are getting tighter.

The waist is doughy.

Pull-ups during back & biceps workout yesterday were a moderate disaster.

I feel like a lump of Play-Doh today.

Bloat is truly a woman's curse.

BUT

I have been able to squat my body weight and then some in less than three weeks (I have been lifting since Feb last year but have been terrified of squats and deadlifts until late last month).

My fasting glucose blood work results give me a glowing report of my health (side note: I eat 5-8 slices of bacon and up to a dozen eggs every week!).

I am making steady gains in weight training every WEEK.

So thank you again for your post; it's a nudge to not give up on eating all the yummy things that will help make me stronger.

:flowerforyou:

I know EXACTLY how you feel, and those positive benefits definitely sound to me like they outweigh the fleeting "girly-feeling-fat" moments. It is a bit of a rollercoaster but sounds like you are making some exciting gains so don't get discouraged now!! When I first started I gained like 8 lbs of water weight from eating carbs again and then my body finally leveled out and I'm starting to feel lean again, with a bit of a belly but whatever. It is what it is. When I start to feel like switching back to cutting calories I like to look at pictures of really strong women and remind myself they didn't get there without going through their chubby phases too. And its great that your partner is supportive and can provide a reality check as well.

Another big epiphany moment for me that was tough to swallow at first was that I can (and should) still eat my surplus on off days. "You mean I get to sit around and eat and do nothing and its ok because my body is in repair mode...? Well if you insist "

Yeller_Sensation

Dude. Shateyn. You are freaking awesome. For real. You took so many words right outta my brain from the past 48 hours.

I have at least several more months of calorie surplus so your story could not have come at a better time.

I LOLed at your epiphany because I eat big on rest days, too. Sunday breakfasts are quite epic over here. :laugh:

mwooderson

Very wise advice.

asaunders0923

I just started lifting weights and doing strength training... for someone who lost 70 lbs. and has kept it off for 9 years it is VERY difficult for me to see the scale go up! BUT, I am sick of being jiggly!! I am going to eat as healthy as I always do and start puting on some muscle! Scale be damned!

Shateyn

I just started lifting weights and doing strength training... for someone who lost 70 lbs. and has kept it off for 9 years it is VERY difficult for me to see the scale go up! BUT, I am sick of being jiggly!! I am going to eat as healthy as I always do and start puting on some muscle! Scale be damned!

Good for you! 70lbs is a lot and the fact that its obviously a healthy lifestyle and not just a temporary loss is awesome. Good luck on your build phase.

jadebuilding

Thank you for sharing! This will help me stay strong in my resolve to put on some pounds. I'm excited for muscles & also boobs, but I'm terrified of the belly.

notworthstalking

Awesome post

asaunders0923

Thanks! Hopefully I can get those sculpted legs I dream about! lol

_rozamu

Great post! Thanks for sharing!

leadiax3

thank you so much for this post. I am working on overcoming bulimia. I love to work out and would be fine if my weigjt gain could be all muscle. I weigh 112 at 5 '5. I dont want to gain more than 3 pounds though.

skywa

I use to log everything I ate obsessively on this site, and it never worked for me. I always got smaller, but I never achieved the shape that I wanted. I was just shrinking. Lifting weights/gaining weight helped me grow and shrink where I wanted to.

I don't think i'd be able to log and maintain this lifestyle though, but I definitely admire the people who can. For myself, I just like to listen to my body, and feed it when/what it wants (with in reason). The only time I stop myself from eating when I am hungry is just before bed.

deepdiya

I am 5'3", 30 yr old... weigh around 107lb...till past two month i was around ~101lb. I think this gain is driving me crazy..I really need to make myself understand that it ok as long as I am in healthy range. Though I have started working on my muscels. TIll now I was only doing cardio - walking/running. But I have included strength training in my schedule- only using body weight.

geekyjock76

That's why I believe starting with and maintaining a suitable deficit is so vital. The psychological adaptations to weight loss - especially among larger deficits - can be very pronounced and cause a person to be quite frightened at increasing calories towards adjusted maintenance. Also, a needlessly low calorie diet by someone so fixated on scale weight is a recipe for disaster as they are most likely to develop some rather unhealthy attitudes about weight loss and maintenance.

In general, I think people need to realize that, when restricting calories, their body is storing less water and glycogen and sometimes even food. Thus, when you return to a maintenance intake, you are simply recovering that lost weight. In other words, it really shouldn't be viewed as a "gain" at all.

Regarding improving body composition and shape, guys aren't often described as being "shapely" or "curvy." Yet, when you look at a reasonably developed male's physique, the combination of muscle mass and body fat definitely gives us "shape" and "curves" to an otherwise rectangular frame. Thus, when a woman recomps by increasing lean mass and decreasing fat mass over time, you are actually improving your natural shape and curves.

Kestrelwings

I am with you on struggling to eat 'more' on a day when I have not been exercising. It just seems so against what many of us have been told over the years by magazines and so on. Mind you, I am still struggling to take any rest days at all - I miss being at the gym!