GAINING with scrict diet and workouts!!

superkrystal

I don't know why but ive gained like 2 lbs in the last week, and I have been very scrict with my 1200 cal diet and hard workouts. im thinking its probably muscle but I want to know when I should hope to see a drop. I wasnt expecting to see much of a difference(maybe a lb) but NOT a gain... someone please help!

hottottie11

Not muscle, water retention, either from the sodium in your diet, your period or from exercise. Nothing to fret about.

Also I would recommend eating more if you are only eating 1200 calories and working out hard. At least eat some of your exercise calories.

StevieBonezz

Look into 'Starvation Mode.' It is when you aren't eating enough calories that your body literally hold on to whatever you eat. Eat more food.

erickirb

Not muscle, water retention, either from the sodium in your diet, your period or from exercise. Nothing to fret about.

Also I would recommend eating more if you are only eating 1200 calories and working out hard. At least eat some of your exercise calories.

Yest 1200 cals is not enough if you workout. Say you burn 400 cals, that would be like eating only 800 cals on non-workout days (1200-400) when 1200 is the min you should get without working out.

Savagegirlt

I agree with Hottie, you keep on the plan (but maybe a few calories more) and your body with level itself out. I also gain when I first get back on the wagon, also for my monthly friend..... sigh. Just know this, no matter what the scale says, you will be healthier and happier if you keep your diet clean.

Jeff92se

You are 5'4" and 194lbs. How in the world did you come up with 1200 calories?

DKBelle

Not muscle, that takes months to build Try to boost your metabolism with some greens. On top of that I am eating healthy I am also taking fish oil+calcium+c vitamin supplements and because I don't eat enough protein I also use protein powder mixed in water.

Avoiding sugar, salt and carbohydrate. I pretty much moderated what I eat. If you are interested check my site: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cooking-ideasHomemade-Healthy-Foods/179121125503371

trennarene

I agree with everyone, add some more calories. But also, have you been measuring yourself? Measurements are a sure sign your on the right track when the scale does move, inches lost are amazing!

amk1118

You are 5'4" and 194lbs. How in the world did you come up with 1200 calories?

I am also 5' 4" and 182lbs. That is the amount of calories that is suggested by MFP and several other places.

TMcBooty

wth is scrict?

TMcBooty

I am also 5' 4" and 182lbs. That is the amount of calories that is suggested by MFP and several other places.

if you select 1lb a week??

MinnesotaManimal

I am a 6 ft male at 170 lbs, if I tell MFP that I want to lose 2 lbs a week, it will set me at 1,200 calories as well. the point? you are probably set to lose too much based on your current weight.

getfitdiva

Try eating more one day w/ rest (1-2 days) and then cut back the next. Our bodies get accustom rather quickly to the same routine. You gotta keep the body guessing.

TMcBooty

I am a 6 ft male at 170 lbs, if I tell MFP that I want to lose 2 lbs a week, it will set me at 1,200 calories as well. the point? you are probably set to lose too much based on your current weight.

this ^^

which was my point exactly. start with 1lb per week weight loss.

ansonrinesmith

Yeah, you didn't gain 2lbs of muscle in a week.
People here have covered most of the likely culprits (without you making your diary public).
Not eating enough, working out to much, sodium/water retention, not eating enough fiber, etc.

Espressocycle

My weight can varry by 5 lbs in the space of a week.

koosdel

You are 5'4" and 194lbs. How in the world did you come up with 1200 calories?

I am also 5' 4" and 182lbs. That is the amount of calories that is suggested by MFP and several other places.

I think there is some confusion as to what BMR is. This is the minimum amount to stay alive.

The amount to subtracted your deficit from is your TDEE.

seansquared

Also I would recommend eating more if you are only eating 1200 calories and working out hard. At least eat some of your exercise calories.

This. You are eating WAY too little.

seansquared

Not muscle, that takes months to build

Just want to be clear to the whole community here that this is false. Muscle growth can and frequently does occur in as little as 24-hours. Men especially can put on several pounds of muscle in a single month, particularly when we are still new to lifting. For women, 2lbs a month is not an unrealistic goal.

Avoiding sugar, salt and carbohydrate. I pretty much moderated what I eat. If you are interested check my site: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cooking-ideasHomemade-Healthy-Foods/179121125503371

Sugar is a carbohydrate. That's just semantics, I know!

Salt, on the other hand, is absolutely needed both for aerobic and anaerobic exertion. We can sweat out upwards of an entire gram or even 2 grams of sodium in a single exercise period. Don't go adding loads of it to all of your foods, but there is nothing wrong with dashing some salt on your food - IF you are also exercising regularly. If you are sedentary, avoid extra salts period.

lniedosik

I am having the same problem. I have been working out and sticking to the plan for 3 weeks with only a few slip ups. I have been told by several trainers that when you start working out your body holds on to water weight. I highly doubt you are gaining pounds of muscle in such a short time, especially being a woman. I have been told to stick with it and my body will adjust and drop the water weight, and the pounds will begin to drop off after my body adjusts. I understand your frustration. It's hard to eat healthy and work out and have to wait along time to see results WHILE seeing the scale go UP instead of down. It feels hopeless. Try to give it more time!

km47

Hey Guys: I have asked a smiliar question and not had anyone reply----I am eating 1300-1500 cals, working out 3-4 times a week for an hour each session. I am extremely good about logging and drinking my water. I am targeting 100 gms protein and eating really good food but feel bloaty and puffy. I am not losing anywhere close to the amount MFP says I will if I follow the plan even though I am following the plan. What gives? appreciate any input

jhunny31

I dont know, I added more calories by consuming more then usual and I gained 5 pounds. I've also increased my workouts in the last 2 months and still haven't got out of the range I'm in. Its horrible trying to lose weight especially when you're trying really hard.

km47

forgot to say---I am 5'7'' and weigh 238

psuLemon

Just want to be clear to the whole community here that this is false. Muscle growth can and frequently does occur in as little as 24-hours. Men especially can put on several pounds of muscle in a single month, particularly when we are still new to lifting. For women, 2lbs a month is not an unrealistic goal.

And just to be more clear, you can't gain muscle on a caloric deficit. And even with the best workout, when you gain weight to gain muscle, you tend to add a bit of fat as well.

psuLemon

Hey Guys: I have asked a smiliar question and not had anyone reply----I am eating 1300-1500 cals, working out 3-4 times a week for an hour each session. I am extremely good about logging and drinking my water. I am targeting 100 gms protein and eating really good food but feel bloaty and puffy. I am not losing anywhere close to the amount MFP says I will if I follow the plan even though I am following the plan. What gives? appreciate any input

Add another 250 calories to your diet. You are still probably under eating. Although the best approach is to figure out your TDEE and back off 20%

ammiehill79

Have you tried a good gentle cleanse? Getting rid of all the built up gunk in your body is a great way to lose a few lbs. I did the AdvoCare gentle herbal cleanse and lost 4 lbs in 10 days. My body was then prepped to take on all the good nutrients and supplements I began feeding it. I can answer more questions specfically on AdvoCare if you have them...message me!

km47

what is a TDEE?

samatalma

Your weight fluctuates. It's only 2 lbs. And it's only 1 little week. Calm down!
Seriously, there are a number of factors that influence our weight. In fact, our weights can fluctuate anywhere from 2-5lbs in one DAY.
Try eating your exercise calories back. You may not be eating enough.
It could water weight, drink more water.
Could be TOM.
So many factors. Just calm down a little bit. I know it's easy to get frustrated easily with this. I get frustrated all the time!

Shanna_Inc86

Ok, I'm 5'5" and stuck in the 140s eating around 1400cals/day
Finally took my friends' advice and been eating 1700-1800cals/day...3.5lbs down in 2weeks

Eat more

sssygirl

I agree you are NOT EATING ENOUGH! You have to eat to lose..I know its something we have been told for years not to do..but its true.
If you are working out hard, you need to fuel your body. Add in a couple small snacks each day, like apple and PB or carrots and hummus or a small wrap sandwich.

Also check your sodium...canned soups and diet meals tend to have a lot of that...go for fresh foods and whole grains.

All the best!

Sweet_Potato

I don't think tall or heavy people should be accusing a petite woman of not eating enough at 1200 calories a day-- we small women don't need as many calories as the rest of you. I've experimented with different calorie amounts and the ONLY way I can lose is if I stick to a strict 1200 calorie diet.

To that end, I have to ask whether you're actually limiting yourself to 1200 calories every or whether you're going "just a little" bit over most of the time. I was frustrated by my lack of progress, until I realized going over by 50-100 calories a day really adds up. The weeks I never go above 1200 are the weeks the scale goes down.