Gained weight my first week!WHY!!?!?! HELP! =(

seven8seven

So .. I've been on MFP for a week now and I have tracked every single crumb I have eaten. I started to eat breakfast -which I never do- but since I'm trying to lose weight and eat like a normal person I reluctantly started. I plan my meals the day before so there's no wasting time in trying to find what to eat and eating whatever is in sight. I've been out to eat mexican food and even held myself back from eating chips and queso. I was excited to weight myself and see what progress I had made and couldn't wait till it was time to weigh myself. Well, I just weighed myself and I weigh more than when I started! I'm so frustrated because I feel I did so well avoiding high calorie foods and I did so well in tracking everything and now my bubble has just burst. I was excited to be on this diet because I know people who have lost weight using it. All I heard was "so and so lost 6 lbs her first week" .. not so much when it came to me. I know it's only been a week but I feel like I should have lost! NOT gained!! Especially since it's such a drastic amount of calories compared to the calories I was eating before the diet. I'm just disappointed! Is it something I did? Am I doing something wrong? Has this happened to anyone else? I want to give up but I've given up on diets many many times before and just got bigger. I don't know what to do. All I want to do is lose weight! The little motivation I had is now completely gone! =( I'm so mad at myself for letting myself get this large!

BranMuffin21

open your diary

tacticalhippie

what did you eat?

i can eat the same amount of calories, but depending on what i eat i can gain or lose.

Alexandria1213

Don't worry too much about it. A lot of it is probably water weight and when you start working out your muscles they swell up.

moushtie

Just a thought.. have you started a new exercise plan at the same time? Or been eating salty food? Both of those can make you retain water. I'm sure other people might have some ideas too.

Whichever it is, keep your chin up! If you make it your goal to eat healthily, in the end you will see t he results, and not just on the scale!

Fairysoul

Are you drinking more water? Water retention is possible, but keep drinking lots of water, go for a walk everyday, and yes we might need to see your diary if you want some ideas on what to do!

wimmerfan

Have you changed the sodium intake? it can be water weight.

anjukins

I'm sure you'll get much lengthier responses, but here are the first three things that come to mind: one, are you weighing yourself at the same time each day (preferably first thing in the morning)? because you can vary a lot during the day. and second, are you exercising? Because it is true that muscle weighs more than fat. You should take measurements, too (mpf has a record spot for neck, waist, and hip measurements as well as weight). and third, are you watching your sodium intake as well as calories? you could be retaining water. if i were you, i'd just stick to the plan, maybe avoid weighing yourself for a few weeks, exercise regularly, and then weigh yourself ONLY once a week, at exactly the same time each time. good luck.

corrieville

It helps to open your diary to the public for help and I was stuck in a plateau for 2 weeks and realized I wasn't eating enough. Now I am using again. But without being able to see what you are eating it is hard to help. Also I am trying to eat small meals and every 2 to 3 hrs.

bellawares

It would be easier for someone to help you if you make your diary public. What kind of foods are you eating? Are you exercising? These thinks are helpful to know.

puggleperson

It honestly could be the mexican food, even though you skipped chips and cheese there are a lot of calories and fat and carbs in the rest of the meal..
I know you don't want to hear this but I never lose weight when I have a splurge meal during the week. It sucks
Good luck, and try making some friends on here and opening your diary,
1. it helps you to stay accountable
2. you can ask for suggestions.
Good luck

creatureofchaos

Don't despair!

I find that my weight goes up during certain times of the month, even though I'm eating really well. That could be all it is.

But also remember that your weight can fluctuate as much as a pound and a half from one day to the next, with no discernable reason. There's always a downward trend, but you might not see it if you measure on a low day one week and then a high day the next.

veronicapetchers

Try not to stress! When did u go out for Mexican? Often times it is your sodium intake that causes u to gain. I usually gain a bit every time I go out to eat, even if I make good choices. Food is prepared differently. Regardless of the reason, you have to stick with it. The scale will go up and down and it always causes frustration. My first few weeks, I checked the scale so often stressing out about weighing in and hoping to see huge losses. Just be patient.

Kambriasgranny

A week is a very small amount of time when you look at the BIG picture....also, this is not a diet, it is a way of life and a lifestyle change to help us all get better nutrition. I really think the previous comments are right on...probably water weight...please don't get discouraged.....we have all been there!

shesblossoming

Without knowing your goals, I'm unable to tell you what's going on. How far away are you from your goal? Do you weigh yourself first thing in the morning or do you weigh yourself at a different time of day? Have you increased your water consumption? Also, what are you eating? We have to see your diary. That's most of the battle.

MeBBgirl

What about your drinking? Are you drinking enough water? And staying away from pop and alcohol which add alot of extra calories to a day if you are not careful. If you've consumed alot of sodium lately you maybe retaining fluid which also may show up on the scale. If you cannot honestly figure it out, try another week and if that doesn't work seek out some help. Just stick with it, you'll find your grove Good Luck

dmeloy

To get my diet started, I did the cabbage soup diet and lost 10 pounds right away! With seeing how good I felt and how proud of myself I was, it has encouraged me to eat better, exercise more and drink more water. Make sure you are consuming a lower calorie diet than before, but do not starve yourself. Eat more sensable. If I see that I consumed more than my calorie goal I exercise to burn off the excess calories... remember 3500 calories equals a pound. Talk to your Dr before doing the cabbage soup diet and also discuss a heathy calorie range for you. Don't give up!! Small simple changes can make a huge difference, take baby steps.. just like you didn't gain all the excess weight in a day, you can not lose it all in a day either! Cut soda and sweet foods~ Add plenty of water to your diet and EXERCISE!!!! Good Luck!

gardenimp

I understand how frustrating this journey can be! You really need to give more information. How much are you trying to lose? How much did you gain? Can you open your dairy so that people can look at you food intake. Common reasons to gaining weight, too much sodium, weight training or TOM (all can result in water retention). If you stayed under your calorie goal for the the week, my guess would be water. Since its commonly agreed that 3500 calories equals a pound, if you gained 2 pounds your intake would have had to be 7000 calories over what you need. I'm guessing thats not the case. So drink more water, cut your sodium and give your body time to adjust. Remember this is a life long journey to be healthy, not a race to the finish line :-)

seven8seven

WOH! You guys are fast at responding! I'll open my diary right after I post this... i have to remember where to go to do it lol

seven8seven

aw I like that last sentence!

kayelrick

I found that I was eating more since I joined this site because before my body had been in 'starvation mode' for a long long time. Now I am eating properly and feel healthier. Maybe it's just taking time for your body to adjust ?

rschmmidt

I didn't lose weight for awhile when I started. Don't let the phrase, "I lost 6 lbs. my first week" get you down. I don't think that's true for most people, and for those who it does happen to, it's mostly just water and not a true weight loss. Just stick with it - it does work - and it takes time!

seven8seven

Thanks everyone! You are all very sweet and helpful!

AmyPearshape

When you weigh is very important. First thing in the a.m., after peeing and before eating, is best. Remember, everything in your gut weighs something. Two cups of water weighs a pound. Also, if your scale is like mine, it weighs differently when placed in different spots on the floor. Like two pounds different! Sometimes I take the average. Sometimes I believe the "sweet spot".

shesblossoming

From what I see, you aren't drinking or eating enough. You want to include plenty of fruits and vegetables and cut out most processed foods. If you aren't allowing yourself the calories and nutrients that you need, your body isn't going to lose the weight that it needs to lose.

VemmaMom

LOL yep people here are amazing and always helpful. I know your feelings. I have dieted my entire life and know every trick of the trade....had years of trainers ...know what to do to lose and so on and still my body is so jacked from years of diets and not enough cals that now my body cant lose weight hardly at all> I bust *kitten* every day and watch everything I consume. Sometimes bodys need a jump start I think and Im gonna try something today that has been recommended.
Anyways try drinking more water and totally watching sodium and sugar!!!!!! Alot of people who diet count cals only when really they should be watching carbs,,,sugar,,,,and sodium all. Sometimes without having enough protein and to high of carbs is worse than the cals...touch base and let me know how goes..

apee24

AWw don't get discouraged!! It was only ur first week. Give it some time and you will reach ur goals!

oochi3

cus ur gaining musclesss! thats a gud thing!

O2Bslimagain

I will share with you a quote I found " Learn to eat for FUEL, not for pleasure. Food is meant to be your nourishment for your body and mind".

Our bodies need fuel, so if it works for you feed your body every 2-3 hours. You should be eating 1 hour after you wake up, and then 3 hours before bedtime should be your last meal. Drink lots of water. I try and eat all my carbs before 2 p.m., but that is just me. Eat lots of whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies, lean meats and lean proteins. Stay away from all the processed foods and the baked goods like pastries. Donuts are the worse. They contain both fat and sugar. I struggle with the sweets, but I am getting better. If I absolutely have to have a sweet treat then I make it from scratch.

Enjoy your body and nourish and strengthen it- it has to last you a long time.

mobes5

Hey- like many other people have said Mexican food could have caused you to retain water, but also Mexican food, especially at restaurants can be incredibly fattening. You'd be surprised if you thoguht you ate well- look up the nutrition facts on the internet. The amount of fat in each plate is ridiculous. When you go out to eat look at the menu online- many restaurants post this information for people trying to be healthier. You should only be eating about 15 grams of fat PER MEAL. Anything above that gives you more than 50g of fat a day which could make you gain more. Calories aren't the only thing you need to watch. It's the sodium, fat and calories together- along with the right amount of protein and not an excessive amount of carbs. I think by drinking more water to help decrease water retention and watching your fat intake you;ll lose instead of gain.

czechsmate

From what I see, you aren't drinking or eating enough. You want to include plenty of fruits and vegetables and cut out most processed foods. If you aren't allowing yourself the calories and nutrients that you need, your body isn't going to lose the weight that it needs to lose.

I was thinking the same thing....I didn't start to lose until I consumed all of the calories I was allowed, and drinking more water.