Gaining weight while eating under calorie goal

Sionainn405

I'm so frustrated right now. I started calorie counting the end of Jan and by the end of Feb I've dropped 15 pounds. But in the last week, while still eating at a deficit, I've gained 3 lbs!! I'm so frustrated I don't know what to do. I've counted every food I've eaten, and I did have a cheat meal that put me over 500 calories one day, that doesn't explain the huge weight gain. Any advice or help is appreciated!!

SezxyStef

Well lets just say 15lbs in 5-6 weeks isn't bad at all..think about it...at least 2lbs a week...

Now...your diary is open so I took a peek.

You don't use a kitchen scale to weigh your solids...that can lead to under estimating your calories.

You now have just under 100lbs to go for goal weight so your weekly weight loss goal should be coming down to 1.5lb a week. That will give you a bit more calories...but you need to weigh to know exactly what you are eating.

I am going to address your exercise calories as well too because once you start weighing those come into play. Most machines and MFP over estimate burns so most suggest eating 50-75% of those back.

Now that being said weight loss is not linear....you will see ups and downs and then nothing then bam a bunch lost...don't get discouraged water weight, time of the month etc there are a lot of things that come into play.

SharonNehring

Weight loss isn't linear, meaning a straight trajectory downward. You'll go up and down multiple times over a week, that's why most say not to weigh more often than that. Many things can affect it, fluid retention from too much salt, muscles holding water from exercising, being constipated even makes a difference.

I've found my body seems to run in cycles. I'll lose several pounds, then for 7-10 days I'll go up and down the same 2-3 lbs, then I'll lose several pounds, then nothing for another 7-10 days.

Are you taking measurements? I've also found that even when the scale isn't budging I'll be losing inches.

You're doing great so far! Just keep doing what you're doing and as long as you are within your goals the scale will start moving again. :happy:

Sionainn405

I do weigh all my food and any exercise calories on there are from my fitbit.

gypsy_spirit

Well lets just say 15lbs in 5-6 weeks isn't bad at all..think about it...at least 2lbs a week...

Now...your diary is open so I took a peek.

You don't use a kitchen scale to weigh your solids...that can lead to under estimating your calories.

You now have just under 100lbs to go for goal weight so your weekly weight loss goal should be coming down to 1.5lb a week. That will give you a bit more calories...but you need to weigh to know exactly what you are eating.

I am going to address your exercise calories as well too because once you start weighing those come into play. Most machines and MFP over estimate burns so most suggest eating 50-75% of those back.



Now that being said weight loss is not linear....you will see ups and downs and then nothing then bam a bunch lost...don't get discouraged water weight, time of the month etc there are a lot of things that come into play.

+1

Meekipanda

Are you near that time of the month? It could be water weight. I have to be careful of what I eat around that time because the cravings do come.

Sionainn405

Well lets just say 15lbs in 5-6 weeks isn't bad at all..think about it...at least 2lbs a week...

Now...your diary is open so I took a peek.

You don't use a kitchen scale to weigh your solids...that can lead to under estimating your calories.

You now have just under 100lbs to go for goal weight so your weekly weight loss goal should be coming down to 1.5lb a week. That will give you a bit more calories...but you need to weigh to know exactly what you are eating.

I am going to address your exercise calories as well too because once you start weighing those come into play. Most machines and MFP over estimate burns so most suggest eating 50-75% of those back.

Now that being said weight loss is not linear....you will see ups and downs and then nothing then bam a bunch lost...don't get discouraged water weight, time of the month etc there are a lot of things that come into play.

I do weigh all my food, and except for that one cheat meal I'm under my calorie count for the day so I would say my calories are pretty accurate. Why would I eat back the calories I burn from exercise? And those all come from my fitbit.

Sionainn405

Are you near that time of the month? It could be water weight. I have to be careful of what I eat around that time because the cravings do come.

No I'm in the middle of my cycle.

gypsy_spirit

I do weigh all my food and any exercise calories on there are from my fitbit.

For Thurs, Fri. & Sat. you only have around 1099 cals logged. Is that correct? If so, why are you eating so low?

tiggerlgh

As stated about weight loss isn't liner. If I knew how I would post my graph. Its mostly downward but every few weeks it ticks up and then drops down really quickly. Its a normal part of weight loss. Keep it up and the weight will start melting off again.

linkirving

I do weigh all my food and any exercise calories on there are from my fitbit.

That addresses two of the theories people suggested. But keep the others in mind. Water weight, possible muscle gain, etc. Plateaus like this are a part of the process. As others have said, weight loss is not linear. Just stick with it and don't get discouraged.

Sionainn405

I do weigh all my food and any exercise calories on there are from my fitbit.

For Thurs, Fri. & Sat. you only have around 1099 cals logged. Is that correct? If so, why are you eating so low?

Those are the days I work, I'm an ER nurse and work nights 12 hour shifts, so I basically get up have my breakfast, at work I snack on jerky and carrots, have my lunch of chicken and brussels sprouts go home and go right to bed. I usually eat less on my work days since I don't go home and have dinner. Sleep is way more important.

Sionainn405

I know weight loss isn't linear and I've had ups and downs before, just not this big of a gain for so long. I expected my weight loss to slow down a bit but not to gain while I'm sticking to my goals. Thanks for all the similar stories. It's just frustrating since I've finally got my crap together and I've been sticking to it for once.

gypsy_spirit

I do weigh all my food and any exercise calories on there are from my fitbit.

For Thurs, Fri. & Sat. you only have around 1099 cals logged. Is that correct? If so, why are you eating so low?

Those are the days I work, I'm an ER nurse and work nights 12 hour shifts, so I basically get up have my breakfast, at work I snack on jerky and carrots, have my lunch of chicken and brussels sprouts go home and go right to bed. I usually eat less on my work days since I don't go home and have dinner. Sleep is way more important.

Got it. My sister is a nurse - so you don't have to explain that life to me. Why not do this - instead of worrying about each day- make sure that you are at your calorie goal for the week? Average all 7 days out. That way you can eat a little more on the days you are home and it will help you nutritionally over the course of a week. That's what I do. I have been doing it for about 21 months and have lost 100 pounds in that time. Sometimes it's about finding something that works for you. Just take my one bit of advice and eat to fuel your body. 100 pounds is a long time and you can do some serious damage under eating. Very best of luck!

Sionainn405

I do weigh all my food and any exercise calories on there are from my fitbit.

For Thurs, Fri. & Sat. you only have around 1099 cals logged. Is that correct? If so, why are you eating so low?

Those are the days I work, I'm an ER nurse and work nights 12 hour shifts, so I basically get up have my breakfast, at work I snack on jerky and carrots, have my lunch of chicken and brussels sprouts go home and go right to bed. I usually eat less on my work days since I don't go home and have dinner. Sleep is way more important.

Got it. My sister is a nurse - so you don't have to explain that life to me. Why not do this - instead of worrying about each day- make sure that you are at your calorie goal for the week? Average all 7 days out. That way you can eat a little more on the days you are home and it will help you nutritionally over the course of a week. That's what I do. I have been doing it for about 21 months and have lost 100 pounds in that time. Sometimes it's about finding something that works for you. Just take my one bit of advice and eat to fuel your body. 100 pounds is a long time and you can do some serious damage under eating. Very best of luck!

But I'm under my calorie count every day, except for one cheat meal on Tues. I'm doing paleo so my nutrition is much better than it used to be and I eat when I'm hungry and stop when I'm not. It's been amazing getting rid of processed food. Granted it's a lot more cooking and weighting and stuff but it makes it easier to stick to the calories. Thanks for the help!

gypsy_spirit

I do weigh all my food and any exercise calories on there are from my fitbit.

For Thurs, Fri. & Sat. you only have around 1099 cals logged. Is that correct? If so, why are you eating so low?

Those are the days I work, I'm an ER nurse and work nights 12 hour shifts, so I basically get up have my breakfast, at work I snack on jerky and carrots, have my lunch of chicken and brussels sprouts go home and go right to bed. I usually eat less on my work days since I don't go home and have dinner. Sleep is way more important.

Got it. My sister is a nurse - so you don't have to explain that life to me. Why not do this - instead of worrying about each day- make sure that you are at your calorie goal for the week? Average all 7 days out. That way you can eat a little more on the days you are home and it will help you nutritionally over the course of a week. That's what I do. I have been doing it for about 21 months and have lost 100 pounds in that time. Sometimes it's about finding something that works for you. Just take my one bit of advice and eat to fuel your body. 100 pounds is a long time and you can do some serious damage under eating. Very best of luck!

But I'm under my calorie count every day, except for one cheat meal on Tues. I'm doing paleo so my nutrition is much better than it used to be and I eat when I'm hungry and stop when I'm not. It's been amazing getting rid of processed food. Granted it's a lot more cooking and weighting and stuff but it makes it easier to stick to the calories. Thanks for the help!

I'm sure as a nurse you understand the ramifications of eating around 1000 cals, exercising and making your calorie deficit even larger by not eating back those calories. If you only had a few pounds to lose - no problem. But when you will be doing this for a long time, it takes a toll on your body. That was my only point.

Sionainn405

I do weigh all my food and any exercise calories on there are from my fitbit.

For Thurs, Fri. & Sat. you only have around 1099 cals logged. Is that correct? If so, why are you eating so low?

Those are the days I work, I'm an ER nurse and work nights 12 hour shifts, so I basically get up have my breakfast, at work I snack on jerky and carrots, have my lunch of chicken and brussels sprouts go home and go right to bed. I usually eat less on my work days since I don't go home and have dinner. Sleep is way more important.

Got it. My sister is a nurse - so you don't have to explain that life to me. Why not do this - instead of worrying about each day- make sure that you are at your calorie goal for the week? Average all 7 days out. That way you can eat a little more on the days you are home and it will help you nutritionally over the course of a week. That's what I do. I have been doing it for about 21 months and have lost 100 pounds in that time. Sometimes it's about finding something that works for you. Just take my one bit of advice and eat to fuel your body. 100 pounds is a long time and you can do some serious damage under eating. Very best of luck!

But I'm under my calorie count every day, except for one cheat meal on Tues. I'm doing paleo so my nutrition is much better than it used to be and I eat when I'm hungry and stop when I'm not. It's been amazing getting rid of processed food. Granted it's a lot more cooking and weighting and stuff but it makes it easier to stick to the calories. Thanks for the help!

I'm sure as a nurse you understand the ramifications of eating around 1000 cals, exercising and making your calorie deficit even larger by not eating back those calories. If you only had a few pounds to lose - no problem. But when you will be doing this for a long time, it takes a toll on your body. That was my only point.

I eat between 1100-1300 calories a day and right now the only exercise I'm getting is from work, that's what my fitbit exercise is from. I'm getting plenty of fat and protein making it easier to lose weight while staying healthy.

SezxyStef

I do weigh all my food and any exercise calories on there are from my fitbit.

Your diary says differently...

2 servings of this, 1 serving of that, 12 tbsp of this, 24 nuts, 1 medium apple...

Those of us who say that are just giving advice on what we see in your diary.

Logging accurately isn't just about weighing solids and measuring liquids it's about choosing correct entries (non user entered) or entering the information into a recipe and using that.

RaspberryKeytoneBoondoggle

Op, you have been given some very good answers to your question here. If you want to better understand I suggest that you think about what they said instead of arguing. You are doing very well so far. When I was losing weight I never lost 15 pounds in two weeks, my weight loss was turtle speed compared to yours. Trust.

Sionainn405

I do weigh all my food and any exercise calories on there are from my fitbit.

Your diary says differently...

2 servings of this, 1 serving of that, 12 tbsp of this, 24 nuts, 1 medium apple...

Those of us who say that are just giving advice on what we see in your diary.

Logging accurately isn't just about weighing solids and measuring liquids it's about choosing correct entries (non user entered) or entering the information into a recipe and using that.

How is any of that not measured? I'm sorry if you don't see it, but everything is measured, from nuts to carrots to jerky to chicken. That's how I create my recipes and my entries.

Sionainn405

Op, you have been given some very good answers to your question here. If you want to better understand I suggest that you think about what they said instead of arguing. You are doing very well so far. When I was losing weight I never lost 15 pounds in two weeks, my weight loss was turtle speed compared to yours. Trust.

How am I arguing? I've thanked people for their input but tried to clarify some misconceptions that people have brought up. Especially when it is 100% inaccurate.

SezxyStef

I do weigh all my food and any exercise calories on there are from my fitbit.

Your diary says differently...

2 servings of this, 1 serving of that, 12 tbsp of this, 24 nuts, 1 medium apple...

Those of us who say that are just giving advice on what we see in your diary.

Logging accurately isn't just about weighing solids and measuring liquids it's about choosing correct entries (non user entered) or entering the information into a recipe and using that.

How is any of that not measured? I'm sorry if you don't see it, but everything is measured, from nuts to carrots to jerky to chicken. That's how I create my recipes and my entries.

Measured? or Weighed?

I am sure this is just miscommunication but when I see things like medium apple instead of Apple - 123g to me that is not weighed...and you are off on the calorie intake...

As well 24nuts...yes a serving size per the bag but the calories are based on the gram serving not the count so you will be off again on that.

I remember when I didn't weigh my food I couldn't understand why I wasn't losing the 1lb a week I should have been it was only about 1/2lb...then I read this and watched the link

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/872212-you-re-probably-eating-more-than-you-think

as work and on my lunch bought a digital kitchen scale...I tested myself...

I am good at "guesstimating" protien but my carbs...way off....I was so under estimating my intake it was awful...

Now if you are using a kitchen scale weighing all foods, entering recipes etc great...like I said miscommunication...

The suggestion I have then is use entries that you know are correct...the ones without Homemade or Generic in front of them, the ones from USDA and lots of confirmations.

ETA:I want to re-enforce what I said at first too

comments about diary etc
.
.
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Now that being said weight loss is not linear....you will see ups and downs and then nothing then bam a bunch lost...don't get discouraged water weight, time of the month etc there are a lot of things that come into play.

nutmegoreo

I do weigh all my food and any exercise calories on there are from my fitbit.

Your diary says differently...

2 servings of this, 1 serving of that, 12 tbsp of this, 24 nuts, 1 medium apple...

Those of us who say that are just giving advice on what we see in your diary.

Logging accurately isn't just about weighing solids and measuring liquids it's about choosing correct entries (non user entered) or entering the information into a recipe and using that.

How is any of that not measured? I'm sorry if you don't see it, but everything is measured, from nuts to carrots to jerky to chicken. That's how I create my recipes and my entries.

Weighing you food with a scale will be more accurate. How much does one medium apple weigh? How do you know it's not a medium-large, or a large? You may be surprised at the difference. Weigh solid foods and measure liquids, for accuracy. You may be eating more than you think, and it all adds up!

RaspberryKeytoneBoondoggle

Op, you have been given some very good answers to your question here. If you want to better understand I suggest that you think about what they said instead of arguing. You are doing very well so far. When I was losing weight I never lost 15 pounds in two weeks, my weight loss was turtle speed compared to yours. Trust.

How am I arguing? I've thanked people for their input but tried to clarify some misconceptions that people have brought up. Especially when it is 100% inaccurate.

I just searched my pictures for a graph I used to have that illustrates that weight loss isn't linear but I must have deleted it. The graph is not a straight line diagonally down. It has hills and valleys, sometimes those hills show a five pound gain in a week, but over time, the trend was that I lost and reached my goal weight. I get that you're frustrated. I don't really have anything to add because there is good information here. I know it works.

Sionainn405

I do weigh all my food and any exercise calories on there are from my fitbit.

Your diary says differently...

2 servings of this, 1 serving of that, 12 tbsp of this, 24 nuts, 1 medium apple...

Those of us who say that are just giving advice on what we see in your diary.

Logging accurately isn't just about weighing solids and measuring liquids it's about choosing correct entries (non user entered) or entering the information into a recipe and using that.

How is any of that not measured? I'm sorry if you don't see it, but everything is measured, from nuts to carrots to jerky to chicken. That's how I create my recipes and my entries.

Measured? or Weighed?

I am sure this is just miscommunication but when I see things like medium apple instead of Apple - 123g to me that is not weighed...and you are off on the calorie intake...

As well 24nuts...yes a serving size per the bag but the calories are based on the gram serving not the count so you will be off again on that.

I remember when I didn't weigh my food I couldn't understand why I wasn't losing the 1lb a week I should have been it was only about 1/2lb...then I read this and watched the link

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/872212-you-re-probably-eating-more-than-you-think

as work and on my lunch bought a digital kitchen scale...I tested myself...

I am good at "guesstimating" protien but my carbs...way off....I was so under estimating my intake it was awful...

Now if you are using a kitchen scale weighing all foods, entering recipes etc great...like I said miscommunication...

The suggestion I have then is use entries that you know are correct...the ones without Homemade or Generic in front of them, the ones from USDA and lots of confirmations.

ETA

I have an digital kitchen scale so like I said, everything is measured and weighed. I use the barcode scanner on everything that has a barcode so I'm not guessing. I know how easy it can be to underestimate how many calories you consume that's why I'm so anal about being accurate on what I'm eating. And luckily doing paleo I'm making all of my food, so there's no surprises.

Sionainn405

I do weigh all my food and any exercise calories on there are from my fitbit.

Your diary says differently...

2 servings of this, 1 serving of that, 12 tbsp of this, 24 nuts, 1 medium apple...

Those of us who say that are just giving advice on what we see in your diary.

Logging accurately isn't just about weighing solids and measuring liquids it's about choosing correct entries (non user entered) or entering the information into a recipe and using that.

How is any of that not measured? I'm sorry if you don't see it, but everything is measured, from nuts to carrots to jerky to chicken. That's how I create my recipes and my entries.

Weighing you food with a scale will be more accurate. How much does one medium apple weigh? How do you know it's not a medium-large, or a large? You may be surprised at the difference. Weigh solid foods and measure liquids, for accuracy. You may be eating more than you think, and it all adds up!

I weigh everything, except that damn apple. Honestly the difference in apples is approx 30 calories, so I'm not worried about the apple. Literally everything else is weighed and measured, I'm actually pretty anal about it. You should see my snack packs I put together for work. Every carrot and piece of beef jerky is weighed.

Sionainn405

Op, you have been given some very good answers to your question here. If you want to better understand I suggest that you think about what they said instead of arguing. You are doing very well so far. When I was losing weight I never lost 15 pounds in two weeks, my weight loss was turtle speed compared to yours. Trust.

How am I arguing? I've thanked people for their input but tried to clarify some misconceptions that people have brought up. Especially when it is 100% inaccurate.

I just searched my pictures for a graph I used to have that illustrates that weight loss isn't linear but I must have deleted it. The graph is not a straight line diagonally down. It has hills and valleys, sometimes those hills show a five pound gain in a week, but over time, the trend was that I lost and reached my goal weight. I get that you're frustrated. I don't really have anything to add because there is good information here. I know it works.

Thanks for looking. I've already had some peaks and valleys, just none this long, I think that's what's driving me batty, usually the peaks are only a couple days before they trend down again, not staying up like this.

sue_langley

add protein shakes to up your calories. I thought low calorie days would help me but sure enough you hold on to everything and gain. Now I'm at 1500 calories and loosing, slowly but at least loosing. Not too mention I'm so much happier

Sionainn405

add protein shakes to up your calories. I thought low calorie days would help me but sure enough you hold on to everything and gain. Now I'm at 1500 calories and loosing, slowly but at least loosing. Not too mention I'm so much happier

I make my own chocolate protein muffins for breakfast. I'm doing paleo so no shakes which is good cause I'm not a fan of dairy. I'm actually quite content at my calorie intake. Since I'm eating whole foods and none of the processed foods I used to live on, I'm much happier! Thanks!

wahmx3

I think you are doing great...good for you for weighing and measuring, that is key as you know. I am concerned that you aren't eating enough and you should eat back your exercise calories, that is how MFP is designed, unless you customize your calorie goal using your TDEE and BMR (which is what I have done).

Sionainn405

I think you are doing great...good for you for weighing and measuring, that is key as you know. I am concerned that you aren't eating enough and you should eat back your exercise calories, that is how MFP is designed, unless you customize your calorie goal using your TDEE and BMR (which is what I have done).

I've always wondered why people say you're supposed to eat back your work out calories. Now if I'm going to go to the gym and do a big workout or go on a hike I'll eat a bigger breakfast than normal for more energy, but why eat back the calories I just worked so hard to burn? Right now the only exercise I do is on my work days where I usually get between 4-5 miles in on a 12 hour shift.