Gaining Weight and Dont Know Why!!! HELP

chromeice01

First Time Poster Here....

I had gastric bypass in 2007 at 600 lbs and over 2 years lost down to 290. After that I became complacent and let my weight get far far away from me again. In Feb of this year (2014) @ 374 lbs I started a diet and exercise regimen. At first I cut my calories down drastically to 1100 and lost weight very quickly, but It was short lived as I had no clue about the magic 1200 starvation number. So I boosted my calories up to 1300. My exercise consisted of 7 days a week 2-3 miles on the treadmill, and on Tue., Thur., Sat., Weight Training. I had consistent weight loss, except for the occasional plateau. I lost down to 315lbs as of Sunday (04/13/2014).

This past Monday (04/14/2014) I decided to ramp up my treadmill mileage. I started walking 5-6 miles each day burning around 1600 calories ( or so the iFit Treadmill said). I kept my calories the same around 1300-1400. No Cheating. Here comes my issue. On Thursday, after walking additional miles, working harder than ever, I weighed myself that night, 321 lbs!!!
Whenever I weigh myself at night its always 6 lbs lighter the next morning so I weighed the following morning (Friday) and 326 lbs!!! Its Saturday evening and its still the same.

First thought was that the scale was wrong. Wifey weighed and its her normal weight. So color me confused. Please help because I'm feeling very discouraged. Ive dealt with plateaus ( No weight loss) but this is ridiculous.

I spoke with the owner of my Gym and she said that it could be that since I started burning way more calories, I should have been eating more as well. She said my body could have been holding on to everything throughout the week.


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FatFreeFrolicking

Exercise machines are not accurate when calculating calories burned.

You should buy a heart rate monitor for the best accuracy.

Also, if you are not weighing your food, you need to buy a food scale. Weigh ALL food that goes into your mouth.

How old are you? How tall are you? You already gave your weight so I don't need that. But I can calculate your TDEE and BMR if you give me your age and height.

shinkalork

yep! more you train..more you need to eat...small portions 5-6 times a day instead of 3 big meals.
You need to fuel yourself...and by giving your body food (good food) more often...your body will burn it without stopping.

ndj1979

yep! more you train..more you need to eat...small portions 5-6 times a day instead of 3 big meals.
You need to fuel yourself...and by giving your body food (good food) more often...your body will burn it without stopping.

meal timing has nothing to do with metabolism….

OP - if you are not losing you are not in a calorie deficit..

do you have a food scale? Weigh/log/measure everything?

Also, if you recently increased exercise you may have water retention which is making the scale appear higher..

Railr0aderTony

Your numbers will not be the same as everyone else's since you have had surgery, I suggest you get back with your doctor and set up a healthy diet and exercise program. Now as for your weight gain, you weighed at night after exercising all day and probably drinking large amounts of water. You should weigh first thing in the morning after fasted rest. Your body weight can change dramatically during the day due to numerous reasons and water retention being first and foremost. plus you upped your exercise so your muscles are going to hang on to as much water as they can. So before you start eating more, check with your surgeon or a Registered Dietitian .

ColeCake292012

Both of my parents have had gastric bypass, and I believe that its very common to retain more water than people who still have normal piping. Adding a new exercise routine, regardless of having bariatric surgery, will usually result in some retained water. Its not a big deal. The reason I KNOW that its just water is because you gained it so quickly! So don't stress out!

Being that "time of month" for me, I gained 4 pounds over night the other day. But with the help of drinking plenty of water, it was gone the next morning. I know that people who have had the bypass should avoid caffeine, which is a natural diuretic, but if you keep having issues with extreme water weight gain, puffiness (especially in your ankles or fingers), and leg cramps, get in touch with your doctor. They may be able to prescribe you a diuretic. I only mention this because my step-dad used to be 600 pounds, too, and I believe that carrying all that weight around for so long is what causes his current water retention issue.

But anyway, all rambling aside, don't get discouraged. Keep sticking to what you're doing. Your calories seem low, but I also know that's normal with a bypass. I wish you the best of luck and hoe you stick with this. Remember why you got the surgery, and how far you've come. Just keep moving forward.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

You're likely experiencing water retention from increasing exercise, or from one of the many other reasons that can happen.

Weight fluctuates. If you're consistently up (not just for a few days) then you may have a problem. But it's WAY too soon to panic.

kjo9692

If you are still eating the same things you were eating but upped your exercise, it could be that you are retaining water from the increased exercise.

I must say that 1300 is very little for a male, and at your weight you should be eating a lot more (this has nothing to do with your weight gain).

And just to add there's no such thing as the magic "1200." If you are in a calorie deficit (regardless of starving yourself-not recommended- or if you have a slight deficit) you WILL lose weight. So I think it should be water weight.

ETA: horrible grammar

chromeice01

Height: 6ft 1in
Age: 31 (Just)

I measure everything I eat, and put it in MFP App. I have noticed swelling in my legs as well. It its water retention, whats the best way to get rid of it. Anything OTC that can be taken?

THANKS FOR ALL THE ADVICE!!

susannamarie

Talk to your doctor if you're retaining enough water that you have visibly swollen legs, this is not something for the internet to diagnose.

FatFreeFrolicking

Height: 6ft 1in
Age: 31 (Just)

I measure everything I eat, and put it in MFP App. I have noticed swelling in my legs as well. It its water retention, whats the best way to get rid of it. Anything OTC that can be taken?

THANKS FOR ALL THE ADVICE!!

Your BMR is 2468 calories. Your TDEE is 4041 calories.

For fat loss @ 20%, you should be eating 3233 calories. AS LONG AS YOU ARE EXERCISING DAILY.

Here is the site where you can play around with the calculators: http://iifym.com/iifym-calculator/

For treating the water retention… Avoid drinks that will dehydrate the body such as tea, coffee and alcohol. Also, lower your sodium intake.

kjo9692

Height: 6ft 1in
Age: 31 (Just)

I measure everything I eat, and put it in MFP App. I have noticed swelling in my legs as well. It its water retention, whats the best way to get rid of it. Anything OTC that can be taken?

THANKS FOR ALL THE ADVICE!!

Fit in your calorie allowance a nice beer and it should go away :laugh: (seriously it works, unless you are a recovering alcoholic then don't!)

Your weight should go back to normal in a couple of weeks after getting used to the increased workout. Just drink plenty of water and you should be fine. I'd suggest you eat more though (which has nothing to do with your water retention, but you are eating almost nothing compared to what you should be eating).

Based on the stats you gave your TDEE is 3375. You can eat 2500 daily and you'd lose close to 2 pounds per week. Use this tool http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/ to calculate it yourself.

kjo9692

Talk to your doctor if you're retaining enough water that you have visibly swollen legs, this is not something for the internet to diagnose.

this too

chromeice01

THANKS AGAIN!!!

I used to drink like 9 20oz Dr. Peppers daily. Sometimes more. Since Feb. I have only drank water, or water with lemon. I try to drink atleast 12 16oz bottles of PureLife water daily. I will make an apt with my MD ASAP for the swelling.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

Talk to your doctor if you're retaining enough water that you have visibly swollen legs, this is not something for the internet to diagnose.

I'd agree. Although it may not be serious, it can indicate several health issues. I've had poor circulation my whole life and I get badly swollen legs.

SLLRunner

Height: 6ft 1in
Age: 31 (Just)

I measure everything I eat, and put it in MFP App. I have noticed swelling in my legs as well. It its water retention, whats the best way to get rid of it. Anything OTC that can be taken?

THANKS FOR ALL THE ADVICE!!

Congratulations on your weight loss so far. You need to talk to your doctor, especially since your legs are swelling. You could be retaining water for reason unrelated to increased exercise.

Fishshtick

You didn't really gain that weight in that time frame. It's water weight probably caused by two things. 1) When you overwork muscles your body will retain extra water as part of the inflammation response and healing. This is particularly true with large muscle groups like in your legs. 2) You probably did what many people do when they work out harder...you ate more salt and carbs (even if you kept your calories constant). This is not an entirely bad thing and it is doubtful you gained any weight as actual fat given your intake and the timeframe, but the sugars and salt will make you osmotically prone to retain water for a day or two. I am very susceptible to this effect. I can gain 5 lbs overnight when I eat that king of salty carbs...pizza.

Ironically enough, if this water weight bothers you then drink way more water for a day or two and you will probably drop most of the weight right back off.

All that said, the numbers you present, if I understand them correctly, seem excessive. You seem to be attempting to lose weight much too fast. Maybe slow up a bit and get used to the fact that doing this right means doing it slow and steady, with the goal to create sustainable eating and exercise patterns.

silken555

Keep in mind that due to the surgery, a regular TDEE calculation may not be what you need/right for you. I would seek a dietician (not a nutritionist) who specializes with people who have had bipass/weight loss surgury. This person may be able to help you get the nutrition you need better than even your doctor. Your doctor may even be able to recommend one for you.

Good luck and keep at it! You've done GREAT so far!

ColeCake292012

Keep in mind that due to the surgery, a regular TDEE calculation may not be what you need/right for you. I would seek a dietician (not a nutritionist) who specializes with people who have had bipass/weight loss surgury. This person may be able to help you get the nutrition you need better than even your doctor. Your doctor may even be able to recommend one for you.

Good luck and keep at it! You've done GREAT so far!

I noticed everyone's posts and was just about to say this.

I don't understand the science behind it, but for everyone saying this person should eat more may actually be setting OP up for weight gain. My mother is 5'4 and once she reaches her goal weight she can up her calories to 1200...where she will MAINTAIN. Its very different for people who have had the surgery.