Gaining and don't understand what I'm doing wrong

angel5561

I have been trying to follow what this app has recommended for me due to my weight and height.

Yeah, the calorie intake the app spits out can be kind of ridiculous. It had me at 1200 cal/day when I'm 5'9" and somewhat active. I was so miserable and STARVING like that. Now I'm losing on 1700/day plus exercise calories. Definitely go read the link I posted.

Mfp will automatically default to 1200 calories depending upon the information you give it 1.5 lbs a week or a lb a week weight loss will give you a much more reasonable calorie amount . Play with it a bit and you will see what im talking about . Also no method of measuring calories burned is 100 % accurate try eating back only half those exercise calories or try the tdee method of calculating calories you dont eat your exercise calories back with this method because your activity level is already bulit in. This is especially good if you are consistent with your work outs. You can also get a better idea of what you should be eating calorie wise using this method google tdee calculator. You should also be weighing EVERYTHING you eat with a food scale for accurate calorie counting the only exception would be something that is prepackaged with the calories already on it like a protein bar . Also expect some gains if one you are eating to much sodium and two you are sore from working out or trying a new routine. Water weight causes fluctuations in the scale. Weigh yourself first thing in the morning before you eat naked! Lol seriously my jacket weighed a lb the other day. Once you know your doing the right things disregard the scale so much and pay attention to your tape measure the way your clothes fit and progress pics. Good luck xoxo

mripley71

Thank you all tor your suggestions, I am going to try not worrying about it as much and see if I fair better.

Foodiethinking

Wasn't tracking my weight previously at least not for the last 7 months or so. Saturday I did an hour of Zumba took calorie burn from my lifetrak heart rate monitor plus walked 5.5 miles in an hour and a half. Took calorie burn for that from the app. I am 5'1" and now currently weigh 151#

I weigh 157 lbs and if I did an hour of zumba there's no way I would have burned more than about 500 calories. I can get a little under 700 running at 8:30/mile for an hour solid, which is harder than zumba.

I have to agree with the above. I'm 204lbs and burn around the 800cal mark for an hour's Zumba. I know there's different types of dances and moves but they're all under the same category.
Also, surely the natural solution would be to incorporate more fruit and veg into your day? By all means, have a subway and pizza and mcdonald's and everything else available, but if you was seriously concerned about the weight-gain you've had, you'd naturally try lower-calorie foods. No they aren't all nice, some fruit and vegetables are horrible but you might find something you like and save calories at the same time.

rileysowner

I agree with those who say your calorie burn seem rather high. Weigh all solids, and using measuring spoons and cups for liquids. The only way to gain consistently is if you are eating more than you are burning, and usually that is because either exercise calories are too high, or the food you eat is not measured high enough.

CharleePear

I have been working out for over three weeks now doing Zumba and Golds gym cardio workout on the Wii, also bought myself a strike bag that occasionally will throw some punches and kicks at for about 5 to 10 minutes after previous workouts. All in all find myself working out over an hour. This week I decided I needed to track my calories so I got the app installed to my phone and have been doing great logging everything I eat throughout the day, every day I work out I have any where from 500 to 700 calories in the green. My problem is that after 6 days I have gained 1.5 pounds what am I doing wrong?

Update since I posted that in another post 10 days ago I have been tracking everything I eat and have been doing the same routine for the most part, I am now even more frustrated as I have gained more weight. Have increased around 3 pounds since I started. DONT UNDERSTAND WHY????? Believe me I want to cry. I have measured and haven't even noticed a difference there. My calorie burn I have been taking from my Lifetrak. Will open my diary up and will be grateful to all that can suggest where I'm going wrong

First of all, you haven't been at it that long. Your body needs time to adjust and can store 'water' weight when you first start exercising properly.
Secondly I would suggest you go to the IIFYM.com website and do the calculator on there for your weight and height plus activity levels. It will show you what your calories should be set at and what each macro should be set at.
Thirdly, you are eating crap. I know it's calories in vs calories out but your body does hold water weight when you eat too much sodium and carbs, also it's just plain better for your body to eating whole foods and more vegetables when you can, and no I don;t mean potatos.
You aren't putting on that much weight to be fair, I vary in weight about 3 kgs that's about 6lbs in any given week.

Don't cry. You have taken the first step, you are not that overweight and I am sure you are beautiful. Just believe in yourself love.
Weight loss ultimately is up to you, what you tell yourself, truth or lies, good or bad. Weight loss is not about food, it's about your mind.

MMM_1972

Hello:) Don't get discouraged! The weight didn't go on overnight and it won't go off overnight - it's all a learning experience ...a lifestyle change. I totally understand keeping crazy hours and being busy it seems to make it really hard but I got up 15 minutes earlier and prepared a healthy breakfast (Iogo strawberry yogurt 0% & Honey nut cheerios - dry no milk) it's super yummy and healthy and fills you up and they are naturally sweet (which I like I LOVE sugar!) and I also make a healthy lunch. You can buy great frozen dinners to take if you do not have time like Lean Cuisine they have really improved their food, it's a nice option if you are rushed - easy, delicious and healthy and portioned. It took a bit for me to start losing weight, keep with it try switching out some foods- a great place for recipes that are easy, healthy (& have all the nutrition info for every meal) is allrecipes.com . I love it it has a lot of easy meals that are yummy and with ingredients you have or can get at the local grocery store instead of having to trek out to some expensive specialty store! Keep your chin up , stick with this site it really helps and all the people are very supportive , drink lots of water, eat healthy & exercise and you will have success & a healthy life All the best

sloane70

Not to nitpick too much, but I also noticed that you're not logging any oils or fats that your food is cooked in. I have had a calorie difference of over 150 calories just based on how I cooked them. When I do roasted potatoes, I toss them in a tablespoon of olive oil, rather than sit them in a pan full of oil. Eggs get done in a little bit of spray oil. It's amazing how much can sneak in with just how we cook our food.

juliecnw

I noticed that you are not tracking your water. What are you drinking? It is easy to down a few hundred calories in energy drinks, soda, sweetened teas, juice, smoothies, etc.
You may be unknowingly drinking a few hundred calories a day and not even realizing it. Also I find that anything with artificial sweetener tends to bloat me and adds a couple of pounds.

mripley71

I drink one 8oz coffee in the morning which I have included into my breakfast caloro for the most part measure everything I eat as it comes preportioned. When I cook potatoes they are done in just a bit of olive oil and roasted or they are boiled and I haven't added any butter to any of my veggies just salt and pepper. Other than the coffee I drink 64 oz of water a day and nothing else. If I stink on occassion a juice I add that into my meal. When I started I was drinking a 20oz coffee with sugar and lots of creamer. Now I have 1 honey packet and 2 creamers.