Weight gain in face

Jkn921

Whenever I put on a few pounds I gain it in my face which is from genetics as my mother is the same. I'm at 142lbs, my thighs and butt is thin and tones but I have quite a bit of belly fat and my face is still big.

I was on low calories a month ago and the lack of fat made my hair fall out which has grown back to normal now but I must've lost a considerable amount as my face was quite slim. I deliberately upped my calories to make sure I was eating better. If I lose down another 7lbs will that reduce my belly fat and face fat? I have no idea how low I'm meant to go but the belly fat especially is what I'm unhappy about

Kaelitr0n

If eating low fat makes your hair fall out, why not try a high fat diet? High fat, low carb could be the ticket for you.

Jkn921

If eating low fat makes your hair fall out, why not try a high fat diet? High fat, low carb could be the ticket for you.

No I wasn't eating enough fat I was very low calories 600-800 per day and also exercising a lot...

Kaelitr0n

Oh... maybe seek professional help for disordered eating?

TX_Rhon

Oh... maybe seek professional help for disordered eating?

^^This!

You cannot change genetics. There is a difference between a round face and a fat face. It all depends on how you see yourself. If you were losing your hair, you have other concerns. My sister did the same thing. Start the new year off by seeking professional advice! :flowerforyou:

Jkn921

Jeez I don't have any problems. I wasn't eating that low by purpose, the foods I ate we're generally low in calories and I did lots of exercise as I was stressed about other things.

linsey0689

Sounds to me like you may have had or still have an eating disorder. This is something serious and you need to seek help even if you feel like you don't. Something you could be doing to your body down could effect you for the rest of you life. Make an appointment to get some medical help

Jkn921

And why is that miss psychologist? I honestly am fine. I give up on the forums, if anything since coming here is when I started getting frustrated with it.

Anorexia is when you don't eat due to body image - I cut out snacking completely but still ate three meals a day, my lunch which was very very healthy was low in calories itself and even then I tried to boost it up as much as I could. I don't have distortion of my body as I do have belly fat there is no denying it so I'm not kidding myself. But sure if people think they assume offensive things over the Internet about people they know nothing about. /rant

ell_v131

Well if low fat wasn't the thing for you, then try to adjust that. I aim for 30% fat, 30% protein, 40% carbs, But I'm usually over on fat. Fat doesn't malready you gain weight, calories over maintenance make you gain fat. Can you share your age, height, weight and calorie goal? What is your goal weight and your exercise regime?

bajoyba

And why is that miss psychologist? I honestly am fine. I give up on the forums, if anything since coming here is when I started getting frustrated with it.

Anorexia is when you don't eat due to body image - I cut out snacking completely but still ate three meals a day, my lunch which was very very healthy was low in calories itself and even then I tried to boost it up as much as I could. I don't have distortion of my body as I do have belly fat there is no denying it so I'm not kidding myself. But sure if people think they assume offensive things over the Internet about people they know nothing about. /rant

No need to be so defensive. You stated that you ate around 600 calories a day and exercised excessively, which is not a recipe for health or fitness. It's reasonable that people here would be concerned about you and your relationship with food. If you come to the forums asking for advice, you have to be prepared for that advice... and it sounds like legitimately concerned people gave you advice based directly on the information you provided.

It doesn't matter how "healthy" your meals are. Food is fuel, and calories are your energy source. When you eat so few calories every day, not only are you forcing your body to operate on very little fuel, but it also becomes very difficult to get adequate nutrition. If you're having trouble reaching your calorie goal every day, you need to add more calorie dense foods to your diet - things like nuts and nut butters, oils,butter, cheese, avocado, and regular food products as opposed to low-fat/low-sugar options.

It sounds like you need to do some research to determine the appropriate caloric and nutritional needs for your body. If you're having trouble with that and don't think you have disordered eating, maybe you would benefit from speaking to a registered dietitian who can give you more specific information regarding your diet.

As far as your concern for the body fat in your face and stomach area, as others have said, your genetics determines where your body will store fat. If you're interested in losing some body fat, it's better to go with a small calorie deficit and resistance training rather than a humongous calorie deficit and excessive exercise. Eating at a large calorie deficit, especially when you're already at a reasonable weight, will cause you to lose muscle mass along with body fat.

Jkn921

Well if low fat wasn't the thing for you, then try to adjust that. I aim for 30% fat, 30% protein, 40% carbs, But I'm usually over on fat. Fat doesn't malready you gain weight, calories over maintenance make you gain fat. Can you share your age, height, weight and calorie goal? What is your goal weight and your exercise regime?

Weight before: 161
Weight now: 142
Caloric intake now: 1400-1700
Weight goal: 135

Jkn921

And why is that miss psychologist? I honestly am fine. I give up on the forums, if anything since coming here is when I started getting frustrated with it.

Anorexia is when you don't eat due to body image - I cut out snacking completely but still ate three meals a day, my lunch which was very very healthy was low in calories itself and even then I tried to boost it up as much as I could. I don't have distortion of my body as I do have belly fat there is no denying it so I'm not kidding myself. But sure if people think they assume offensive things over the Internet about people they know nothing about. /rant

No need to be so defensive. You stated that you ate around 600 calories a day and exercised excessively, which is not a recipe for health or fitness. It's reasonable that people here would be concerned about you and your relationship with food. If you come to the forums asking for advice, you have to be prepared for that advice... and it sounds like legitimately concerned people gave you advice based directly on the information you provided.

It doesn't matter how "healthy" your meals are. Food is fuel, and calories are your energy source. When you eat so few calories every day, not only are you forcing your body to operate on very little fuel, but it also becomes very difficult to get adequate nutrition. If you're having trouble reaching your calorie goal every day, you need to add more calorie dense foods to your diet - things like nuts and nut butters, oils,butter, cheese, avocado, and regular food products as opposed to low-fat/low-sugar options.

It sounds like you need to do some research to determine the appropriate caloric and nutritional needs for your body. If you're having trouble with that and don't think you have disordered eating, maybe you would benefit from speaking to a registered dietitian who can give you more specific information regarding your diet.

As far as your concern for the body fat in your face and stomach area, as others have said, your genetics determines where your body will store fat. If you're interested in losing some body fat, it's better to go with a small calorie deficit and resistance training rather than a humongous calorie deficit and excessive exercise. Eating at a large calorie deficit, especially when you're already at a reasonable weight, will cause you to lose muscle mass along with body fat.

I get that but pushing on me STATING I have an eating disorder as a fact is very insulting. I fixed my diet as soon as possible and my body is fine, my hair grown back fully in less than a month and I'm eating >1500 calories per day. Right now I have a small calorie deficit and exercise doing cardio and started strength training about x3 per week.

watto1980

I get that but pushing on me STATING I have an eating disorder as a fact is very insulting. I fixed my diet as soon as possible and my body is fine, my hair grown back fully in less than a month and I'm eating >1500 calories per day. Right now I have a small calorie deficit and exercise doing cardio and started strength training about x3 per week.

Sounds like you are on track now. Just keep doing what you are doing and monitor your weight each week before making adjustments to your food intake (if required). As for the belly fat, you will need to keep doing what you are doing and be patient. Your initial approach to dieting and working out would indicate that you might expect too much too soon. If you stay focused and have patience you will reach your goals. It is particularly useful that you are doing strength training now too, as this will make a big difference to your body composition given enough time.

I think as someone previously mentioned a macro-nutrient ratio of 40% carbs, 30% fat and 30% protein is a good place to start. Good luck!

linsey0689

And why is that miss psychologist? I honestly am fine. I give up on the forums, if anything since coming here is when I started getting frustrated with it.

Anorexia is when you don't eat due to body image - I cut out snacking completely but still ate three meals a day, my lunch which was very very healthy was low in calories itself and even then I tried to boost it up as much as I could. I don't have distortion of my body as I do have belly fat there is no denying it so I'm not kidding myself. But sure if people think they assume offensive things over the Internet about people they know nothing about. /rant

No need to be so defensive. You stated that you ate around 600 calories a day and exercised excessively, which is not a recipe for health or fitness. It's reasonable that people here would be concerned about you and your relationship with food. If you come to the forums asking for advice, you have to be prepared for that advice... and it sounds like legitimately concerned people gave you advice based directly on the information you provided.

It doesn't matter how "healthy" your meals are. Food is fuel, and calories are your energy source. When you eat so few calories every day, not only are you forcing your body to operate on very little fuel, but it also becomes very difficult to get adequate nutrition. If you're having trouble reaching your calorie goal every day, you need to add more calorie dense foods to your diet - things like nuts and nut butters, oils,butter, cheese, avocado, and regular food products as opposed to low-fat/low-sugar options.

It sounds like you need to do some research to determine the appropriate caloric and nutritional needs for your body. If you're having trouble with that and don't think you have disordered eating, maybe you would benefit from speaking to a registered dietitian who can give you more specific information regarding your diet.

As far as your concern for the body fat in your face and stomach area, as others have said, your genetics determines where your body will store fat. If you're interested in losing some body fat, it's better to go with a small calorie deficit and resistance training rather than a humongous calorie deficit and excessive exercise. Eating at a large calorie deficit, especially when you're already at a reasonable weight, will cause you to lose muscle mass along with body fat.

I get that but pushing on me STATING I have an eating disorder as a fact is very insulting. I fixed my diet as soon as possible and my body is fine, my hair grown back fully in less than a month and I'm eating >1500 calories per day. Right now I have a small calorie deficit and exercise doing cardio and started strength training about x3 per week.

I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings I didn't mean it come out that way This is what I said "Sounds to me like you may have had or still have an eating disorder." Working in the medical field it is very common for people to go in and out of periods with eating order type behaviors. I'm not saying you have one just that maybe talking with someone that's trained in this area would be better is all I'm saying.

kgeyser

Actually, anorexia also includes obsessive and controlling behaviors. Severe calorie restrictions and hair loss are two of the big warning signs, along with obsession about the body. People expressing concern that you might have an issue isn't being rude, and people in this community have been around long enough to have seen plenty of people who are clearly in trouble declaring that they are just fine and have a handle on their eating. I myself wondered from your initial post if there might be more going on than you let on. Be thankful people care and have taken the time to respond to your post and offer advice.

Jkn921

Actually, anorexia also includes obsessive and controlling behaviors. Severe calorie restrictions and hair loss are two of the big warning signs, along with obsession about the body. People expressing concern that you might have an issue isn't being rude, and people in this community have been around long enough to have seen plenty of people who are clearly in trouble declaring that they are just fine and have a handle on their eating. I myself wondered from your initial post if there might be more going on than you let on. Be thankful people care and have taken the time to respond to your post and offer advice.

I'm not sure my calorie intake from food was low but became a deficit due to exercise. Like I said I'm fine now.

Jkn921

The gain in my face has been present ever since I've stepped up my calories and started eating a lot better than the low calorie side.

My calorie range is within 1550-1720 (loses about 0.5 per week) I'm eating around 1600 and have maintained a good weight since I've come home so a tiny deficit should work.

Also I'm not going to go crazy with exercise - 20-30 mins of cardio + strength training combined about 3-4 times per week

Good healthy plan?