Gym Failure

For the past 3 weeks i've been going to the gym 3-5 days a week doing cardio and also doing workouts at home. I have not lost a single pound! actually gained 4.7lbs! what am I doing wrong? I usually get up and go to the gym at 5am I don't eat before but have a high five protein shake with almond milk after, lunch sometimes salads and snacks I have Danon light & fit Greek yogurt. I need help!!

Replies

  • fitmomhappymom
    fitmomhappymom Posts: 171 Member
    Are you also correctly counting your calories? Could you be eating back more than you're burning?
  • RBXChas
    RBXChas Posts: 2,708 Member
    Ok, unless you've been eating more than your TDEE, (your diary is closed), then I highly doubt you've actually gained 4.7 lbs of fat. Most likely it is water.

    This post should be required reading for everyone on MFP, and hopefully it'll help you:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    Edited for typo
  • tinkbaby101
    tinkbaby101 Posts: 180 Member
    What's your diary look like? That'll help a lot.

    Also, water retention could be the culprit, with your increased activity.
  • DirtDiva90
    DirtDiva90 Posts: 5
    Yes I am counting calories. It gives me 1650 before exercising I usually burn about 750 calories between my 2 workouts at the gym and at home.
  • DirtDiva90
    DirtDiva90 Posts: 5
    Not sure about water retention. I take a water pill everyday for my PCOS.
  • Siegeljanet
    Siegeljanet Posts: 31 Member
    I have days where I gain weight too, I work out every day and burn beteen 500 to 800 calories a day. I stay in my food goals, and write everything down. We are gaining muscle. I was patient, going up on the scale for two weeks, today had a 4.5 lb loss whoosh. I knew it would eventually happen. I go by the tape measure. I have lost 2.5 inches for bust, 2.5 for butt, 2 for waist, , 2 for arms. The tape is telling me more about my progress than the scale. Keep at it, and, eat back your burned calories. I didn't last time and stalled for over a month.
  • RBXChas
    RBXChas Posts: 2,708 Member
    The link I posted above (A Guide to Get You Started on Your Path to Sexypants) has some helpful links in it, in case you need more information.

    Insulin resistance is often one of the side effects of PCOS. There's info in that link about resistance training, and it mentions that it can help with insulin resistance.

    Some info on logging accurately (measuring cups aren't enough):

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

    Some info on eating back exercise calories:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/818082-exercise-calories-again-wtf

    Sorry for all the links, but I don't feel the need to reinvent the wheel, plus the people who wrote those posts (seriously, listen to SideSteel) know what they're talking about and put things way better than I ever could have.

    Edited to correct a brain fart in my typing
  • RBXChas
    RBXChas Posts: 2,708 Member
    I have days where I gain weight too, I work out every day and burn beteen 500 to 800 calories a day. I stay in my food goals, and write everything down. We are gaining muscle. I was patient, going up on the scale for two weeks, today had a 4.5 lb loss whoosh. I knew it would eventually happen. I go by the tape measure. I have lost 2.5 inches for bust, 2.5 for butt, 2 for waist, , 2 for arms. The tape is telling me more about my progress than the scale. Keep at it, and, eat back your burned calories. I didn't last time and stalled for over a month.

    While I don't disagree with anything else you said, gaining muscle is very difficult. There's no way she gained 4.7 lbs of muscle (probably not even close to 1 lb) in three weeks. It's a nice thought, and exercise is wonderful, but I don't want to blow smoke is all. However I agree with your overall message on sticking with it and taking measurements :flowerforyou:

    ETA some info on losing fat while gaining muscle: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/818594-building-muscle-and-losing-fat-at-the-same-time
  • Going to the gym 3-5 days a week is a good range and make certain you are giving yourself adequate rest. Rest is important! Make certain you are well hydrated and take an honest look at your caloric intake. You can gain weight by eating too little, you do need enough fuel to recover from intense workouts. I'm not a fan of 1200 calorie a day "diets." They just don't work. For every person that claims they work, at least 25 people don't succeed. When my girlfriend signed up for MFP, they recommended 1200 calories a day and I cringed. I suggested that a safer starting point would be 1400 calories a day and told her that if she feel strong urge to eat after being decently hydrated, that she should eat but make good choices.
  • DirtDiva90
    DirtDiva90 Posts: 5
    I have days where I gain weight too, I work out every day and burn beteen 500 to 800 calories a day. I stay in my food goals, and write everything down. We are gaining muscle. I was patient, going up on the scale for two weeks, today had a 4.5 lb loss whoosh. I knew it would eventually happen. I go by the tape measure. I have lost 2.5 inches for bust, 2.5 for butt, 2 for waist, , 2 for arms. The tape is telling me more about my progress than the scale. Keep at it, and, eat back your burned calories. I didn't last time and stalled for over a month.

    That makes me feel a little better maybe ill starting losing this week!