Still gaining on 1200 calories, 500-800cal workouts

snowwhiteve
snowwhiteve Posts: 2
in Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
Hi,
So I have an issue... I have been reducing my calorie intack and exercising like mad for 6 weeks now and I have not lost a thing, in fact I have gained 1 kilo. And before you say it, I know I could be puting on 'muscle' but seems a little ridiculous that I would loose nothing but gain muscle... plus none of my measurements have changed - no tone or loss anywhere!
I have reduced my calories to 1200 cal per day - and yes I have been accurately measuring everything that I put in my mouth (even multi vitamins!). And I have been exercising at the gym with cardio and strength sessions, with my heartrate monitor telling me I have been doing between 500 (light) to 800 (hard) workouts between 5 to 6 times a week.

So why am I still gaining??? A little help would be great, feeling very depressed about the numbers....

My stats
Weight 77kg
Age 29
Height 164cm

Calorie intake: 1200cal
Exercise: 500-800cal workouts 5-6 times a week
«1345

Replies

  • Deipneus
    Deipneus Posts: 1,861 Member
    It's hard to say. If everything you say is accurate, your body is violating basic laws of science. You say you are consuming much less energy (calories) than you are burning but you are still gaining mass.

    Your profile says that you joined in January 2012. What's been going on between then and now?
  • Sandytoes71
    Sandytoes71 Posts: 463 Member
    How many cals r u netting?
  • reppinplates
    reppinplates Posts: 30 Member
    1200 cal and 500-800 cals burned 5-6 days a week?
    If this is accurate you've definitely got metabolic damage. Your net calories isn't even enough for proper organ function.

    I'd increase my calories if I were you. Then you will probably start losing weight. Doesn't sound right I know but that's how it works.

    Gotta fuel the fire.
  • _EndGame_
    _EndGame_ Posts: 770 Member
    You should probably consider seeing your doctor, or at least a nutritionist.

    If I ate that lower number of calories, I wouldn't be able to think correctly, let alone exercise.

    I have around 1200 calories just for my dinner.
  • katieeweiss
    katieeweiss Posts: 185 Member
    You're supposed to NET 1200 (at leeeaaaast) not, eat 1200 and net 600. So If you burn 500 calories that day you need to eat at least 1700 calories.
  • susannamarie
    susannamarie Posts: 2,148 Member
    Open your diary please.
  • MrGonzo05
    MrGonzo05 Posts: 1,120 Member
    If you're actually eating 600 net calories, too much of your weight loss will be LBM. Eat more and add strength training. And if you are eating 600 net calories, you will definitely lose weight. Not in a week necessarily, but long term. There is no other possibility.
  • MuseofSong
    MuseofSong Posts: 322 Member

    Your profile says that you joined in January 2012. What's been going on between then and now?

    THIS THIS THIS^^^

    The troll is strong with this one!
  • krystal_k2013
    krystal_k2013 Posts: 1
    Have you had your thyroid checked?
  • tjthegreatone
    tjthegreatone Posts: 324
    I think you have a dud scale...erm. If your figures are correct you ARE losing both muscle and fat whether or not you can see it in your clothes or on the scale (remember that many of us have issues with distorted body image and even measurements have a margin of error).

    More importantly, EAT MORE!!! It can't be good for your mental health putting your body through all that just to lose some weight. You're not even obese (i'd imagine from your stats prob just overweight) so why are you punishing yourself so much? Your weight is not a threat to your health. Go the slow and scenic route.

    Eat more, cut back on the exercise if you feel it's not sustainable (you say "like mad" which suggests that you're going at it like a hamster on a wheel).

    Life's too short.

    If you're a troll...ah well. Hopefully someone else will find this post helpful.
  • kdcampbe
    kdcampbe Posts: 1 Member
    If this is accurate, you need to see a doctor ASAP. There may be something very strange going on with your metabolism and hormones.
  • thatbelinda
    thatbelinda Posts: 94 Member
    You are either eating more than you think, burning less than you think, or need to see a doctor.
  • candiceh3
    candiceh3 Posts: 379 Member
    You appear to be trolling, or have an ED.

    When it comes to dieting - don't be a d!ck about it.
  • scrawley1963
    scrawley1963 Posts: 1
    If I could give you a bit of advice...I was dealing with the same thing, it was so frustrating and I was ready to just give up!
    I met women who had a ton of success by just adding a extra day of running and walking ....walk 3 min and then run 2 min as hard as you can, for 20 min and it worked ......

    Good Luck and I hope this helps!:smile:
  • mrsieve
    mrsieve Posts: 36 Member
    Are you sure you aren't putting your body into starvation mode? That's not nearly enough net calories to function.
  • candiceh3
    candiceh3 Posts: 379 Member
    If I could give you a bit of advice...I was dealing with the same thing, it was so frustrating and I was ready to just give up!
    I met women who had a ton of success by just adding a extra day of running and walking ....walk 3 min and then run 2 min as hard as you can, for 20 min and it worked ......

    Good Luck and I hope this helps!:smile:

    Encouraging someone who is netting about 600 cals a day, to do MORE exercise, is moronic.
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    If I could give you a bit of advice...I was dealing with the same thing, it was so frustrating and I was ready to just give up!
    I met women who had a ton of success by just adding a extra day of running and walking ....walk 3 min and then run 2 min as hard as you can, for 20 min and it worked ......

    Good Luck and I hope this helps!:smile:

    She helped you to have 8 days in a week? :-D

    On a serious note, you're right - HIIT can help smash through plateaus but it's probably wise for the OPer to eat more, too. And make sure she's weighing things accurately.

    That said, if she is eating 1200 cals, over time any plateau will be breached as you can't stay fat forever on a deficit irrespective of metabolic damage/starvation mode.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    try 2 weeks with only 30 mins walking every other day for comparison
  • MUALaurenClark
    MUALaurenClark Posts: 296 Member
    500 cal burn workout is like the equivalent of working out at a SPRINT pace for 50 minutes. I'm thinking you're burning way less than you think. Also, your body is in starvation mode. 1200 cal intake for working out 6 days a week is way too low. Eating that few lowers your metabolism and has a counter affect. I would also try shorter but more intense workouts as a change.
  • shafa4321
    shafa4321 Posts: 132 Member
    AGREE
  • losing4799
    losing4799 Posts: 83
    seek a professional. hope all is well:heart:
  • CrisAlex
    CrisAlex Posts: 236 Member
    500 cal burn workout is like the equivalent of working out at a SPRINT pace for 50 minutes. I'm thinking you're burning way less than you think. Also, your body is in starvation mode. 1200 cal intake for working out 6 days a week is way too low. Eating that few lowers your metabolism and has a counter affect. I would also try shorter but more intense workouts as a change.

    ^^^^^^What she said. I'm also wondering if you entered your stats into the HRM correctly.
  • Mutant13
    Mutant13 Posts: 2,485 Member
    You have clearly slipped into a mirror universe where there is a major variation in the fundamental principles of biology and physics.
    Is dubstep still a thing there?

    In the unlikely event that this is not the case, you are either monitoring your weight or intake/output incorrectly
  • shafa4321
    shafa4321 Posts: 132 Member
    Good Morning

    Drink green tea .eat what u like enjoy eating , be patient And have peace with yourself ,Stress can messed up everything .

    you put your body in starvation mood ,net intake 400-500 !!!!!

    I dont know your medical history but very unlikely u have hypothyroidism ,Dry skin? puffy face? loosing hair ? dyslipidema?
  • mitchiemo
    mitchiemo Posts: 61 Member
    Go here (if you have not already) http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/

    Then adjust your goals and food diary settings. You might need to eat more. After logging for a bit you should learn to eat intuitively.

    Also be aware that MFP database cannot be absolutely accurate as many of the records are member input plus food labeling has a 25% error window.

    Then only concentrate on your measurements and how you look in a mirror and feel in your clothes.

    Consider other factors that could be affecting you - medical conditions (thyroid, metabolism, diabetes etc.) including psychological (lack of sleep, depression, stress etc.), and so on. If you feel this is the case seek professional advice.

    Good luck!
  • afat12
    afat12 Posts: 178 Member
    I'm having a similar problem... I remember last time I had weight to lose it took a month or two for the scale to move despite my hard work. I'm going to try and eat a little more and see if that helps.
  • supplemama
    supplemama Posts: 1,956 Member
    It's hard to say. If everything you say is accurate, your body is violating basic laws of science. You say you are consuming much less energy (calories) than you are burning but you are still gaining mass.

    This right here. It is actually impossible to make something from nothing. You cannot get excess from a deficit.

    Truth is, you are eating more calories than you burn.
  • staystrong_314159
    staystrong_314159 Posts: 43 Member
    I think you're not eating enough. If you exercise as much as you do, bump it up to 1,500 calories and then in a few weeks, it might start dropping. Also, did you revcently start to exercise? If so, then the weight gain is natural and you just have to wait it out for a week and a halfish.
  • eazy_
    eazy_ Posts: 516 Member
    http://www.acaloriecounter.com/blog/why-am-i-not-losing-weight/

    http://impruvism.com/slow-fat-loss/
  • CHRISTTY33
    CHRISTTY33 Posts: 57
    Have you ruled out high sugar and cholesterol issues? When is the last time you had a physical or blood work.

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