What the heck? Send me your suggestions. Gained weight!

7elizamae

Ugh. So, I stayed off the scale for a while (a week or two) and got on again just a few minutes ago. I gained two pounds.

I have been counting calories (with a scale -- which I love, because now I know my portions were way off before), logging faithfully on MFP, and exercising my BUTT OFF. Only, my butt is apparently not actually coming off, because my weight hasn't budged and has gone UP two pounds.

I'm only trying to lose 7-10 pounds. I'm only supposed to be losing .5 pounds per week. I'm ready to be patient...but...gaining weight when I'm being this careful is frustrating!

I'm doing Jillian Michaels workouts which I really love. I'm much stronger and have great looking arms now. I feel better. But what's with the weight? Go ahead and look at my diary and offer any suggestions you may have.

Thank you!

KarenJanine

Your diary isn't public but in any case, if you're stronger, love how your arms look and feel great, then why does a number on a scale matter?

Sounds like you're doing great.

7elizamae

Your diary isn't public but in any case, if you're stronger, love how your arms look and feel great, then why does a number on a scale matter?

Sounds like you're doing great.

Thank you.
(Just figured out how to open the diary so it's open now.)

Mostly I just want to get back down to my pre-menopausal weight. You're right, of course that the scale shouldn't matter if I'm feeling good. It's just discouraging to think that I'm being this careful and still gaining/not losing.

hdgoldsmith

Yeah, the scale only tells total body weight. So many things can contribute to the scales showing you've 'gained' weight. It doesn't mean you've put on fat. Consider the time of the month, what time of day it was, how long ago you ate or even went to the loo. So many different things.

For example this last fortnight I know I lost fat; I feel my clothes are baggier in the spots I want to lose fat, top of my bra, around my hips and tummy as I pull on my jeans, etc, yet the scales show nothing different. So, there are the other factors for me, like it's mid menstral period, I began a different exercise challenge (the Livestrong 30 day ab challenge), I definitely drank more fluids this fortnight, etc.

2 lbs, I'm thinking that's about a kilo, metric here in Australia, isn't a massive weight gain. I would consider that a fluctuation and not a bad thing. Scales only tell part of the story, especially when it comes to such a small amount. In other words don't let it get you down. You're making all the right moves and are happy with the way you're shaping up. Well done. Just keep it up. ;-)

KarenJanine

I've checked your diary - you could stand to eat more protein, but otherwise it looks fine.

Give it a couple more weeks - chances are it was just a water fluctuation which will most likely gone at next weight in.

Anniebotnen

I totally understand your frustration! I looked at your diary and noticed your diet is pretty heavy on the carbs, and not a whole lot of protein. I personally do better if I limit my carbs to about 30% of calories and keep protein at 35%. I'm also wondering if you may be overestimating your exercise burn? I do not have a whole lot of weight to lose either, and I think this was my problem in the beginning. After logging both food and exercise here for a few months, I used the information to calculate my TDEE, and reduced it by 250 calories to lose 1/2 pound per week, which gave me around 1900 calories per day. The weight started coming off, and I found it easier to plan and log my meals because I'm aiming for the same number every day. I still log my exercise time, but always as 1 calorie.

All that said, the extra weight may just be fluid which will come off if you keep doing what you're doing.

7elizamae

Thank you, everyone for the encouragement. It helps! I am happy with the changes in my body -- things have definitely tightened up and the new strength feels great. I'll just keep at it.

I do wonder about calories burnt during exercise. I am working hard during my circuit training -- sweating a lot and really working to my limit. My cardio (mostly biking) is less intense, but still sweaty and keeping my heart rate up around 120-135 during the workout. I've just been going with the MFP numbers for those workouts, but of course I don't really know how much I'm burning. (Does anyone? How would one figure that?)

Funny about your thinking I need more protein -- I'm eating more protein now than I ever did before. I'm a recovering vegetarian.

Do you suggest weighing more often? Less often?

SezxyStef

I wouldn't worry about a couple of pounds...probably water from exercise or possible pre TOM stuff...

When I did JM 30DS I ate all my exercise calories back and still lost...assuming they were accurate.

I weigh once a week to make sure I am on track but I measure 1x a month and that tells me as much as the scale does.

Look at all your stats not just weight...

7elizamae

I wouldn't worry about a couple of pounds...probably water from exercise or possible pre TOM stuff...

When I did JM 30DS I ate all my exercise calories back and still lost...assuming they were accurate.

I weigh once a week to make sure I am on track but I measure 1x a month and that tells me as much as the scale does.

Look at all your stats not just weight...

Thank you. I didn't think aboutTOM and that is two days out, so could be part of the problem.

Nothing like peri-menopause symptoms and TOM at the same time.

I_Will_End_You

I would suggest just keep watching the scale for another week or so, and see if it goes down. Might just be water weight.

As far as exercise...from the 24 minutes of circuit training in your diary I assume you're doing 30 Day Shred? If so, you're calculated calorie burns may be over estimated. Maybe try using 50-75% of what MFP tells you. The database generally over estimates calorie burns. I only burned around 120-130 calories per workout when I did 30DS.

awolf2011

If you want a more accurate calorie number, you might want to invest in a heart rate monitor. I have one that I wear everyday whether I exercise or not because it is also my watch. I actually was burning WAY more calories than what MFP said, so I was glad when my hubby bought me one for Mother's Day.

Fit_Chef_NE

I always gain 2-5 lbs right before my TOM and it stays up there until Aunt Flo leaves town. Then I usually drop back plus a pound or two. Give it a week and see what the scales say then.

ladybird89

Sounds frustrating! Are you doing more resistance training than usual? You could be gaining muscle... another thing to consider is that you might be miscounting your calories, but if you say you're very strict with logging everything then that's probably not the case. Just a thought.

7elizamae

I would suggest just keep watching the scale for another week or so, and see if it goes down. Might just be water weight.

As far as exercise...from the 24 minutes of circuit training in your diary I assume you're doing 30 Day Shred? If so, you're calculated calorie burns may be over estimated. Maybe try using 50-75% of what MFP tells you. The database generally over estimates calorie burns. I only burned around 120-130 calories per workout when I did 30DS.

Yup. 30 Day Shred and now Ripped in 30. (And I am feeling more on the 'shredded' and 'ripped' side than I have for a long time!)

How did you know you only burned 120-130? I must be missing something. Is there some way to know calories expended?

7elizamae

Sounds frustrating! Are you doing more resistance training than usual? You could be gaining muscle... another thing to consider is that you might be miscounting your calories, but if you say you're very strict with logging everything then that's probably not the case. Just a thought.

I know I have some new muscle, but no amazing amount, so I doubt that's it. And I am a good logger -- I want to be accurate -- so that's why I'm so irked!

7elizamae

I always gain 2-5 lbs right before my TOM and it stays up there until Aunt Flo leaves town. Then I usually drop back plus a pound or two. Give it a week and see what the scales say then.

Good suggestion. I'll have my fingers crossed.

My husband, who is logging on here and working out and also trying to lose 7 - 10 pounds, has, of course, lost 5 already. Men!

(really...I'm happy for him...)