WHY am I gaining weight??

LindsayE007

Friday I was 131.2, yesterday 133.2 and this morning I was 133.4!! I am so freaking mad! I know you shouldn't weigh yourself everyday but I like to keep an eye on the scale. I haven't even remotely went over my calories this weekend either : ( I ate maybe 200-300 more Friday and Saturday than I normally do (but still under my net) because I had a 7 mile run Saturday. I didn't eat anything high in sodium either. I don't understand!!

wocko6092

have you weighed yourself around the same time every day

MissJay75

Almost always a weight gain that quickly when you aren't over on calories is due to water. Perhaps your sodium has been high, perhaps you are nearing your TOM, perhaps you aren't drinking enough. It could be for a lot of reasons. This is a prime reason why you should avoid weighing yourself every day. Fluctuatins like that are totally normal for many people, but if they discourage you, you are doing yourself a disservice. I would challenge you to try weighing once a week for a month, and see if things don't change mentally for you.

StarryEyed500

.... because I had a 7 mile run Saturday...

You will be holding onto water while your muscles repair after your run.

R_is_for_Rachel

I know you shouldn't weigh yourself everyday but I like to keep an eye on the scale

you answered your own question!
weighing everyday is not useful and will get you into the state you're in! ie freakin mad!
honestly, weigh once a week-you'll feel much better for not obsessing

albinogorilla

you do realize that .2 lbs is the equivalent of a few sips of water right?

LindsayE007

Yes, I weigh myself naked every morning. GAH! I just don't even know where on Earth 2 pounds could come from! I am so frustrated because I seem to keep losing and gaining the same 2 pounds. I got down to 131, went back up to 133, got back down to 131, and now it's back!!! And for no obvious reason (like overeating). Seriously if it takes me all week to get back down to 131 I am going to cry. I want to see the 120's so bad, it's just a giant tease!

emmabrackpool

dont weigh so often it will just get you down

LindsayE007

I do. But my point was that it bounced up 2 pounds the next day and I wasn't concerned because I thought I just retained some water or something but then the next day it was not only still up 2 pounds, but up another 0.2!

McMeggers

You know the same thing has been happening to me , i started workign out 5 times a week instead of 3 and i added more water to my diet and ive gained whats the scale says is like 3 or 4 pounds back i was floored and then started crying. After i had my moment i went and looked it up online and i guess its normal that when you work out alot your muscle hold water so try not to freak out to much , i know personally i drive myself nuts if i weigh in to much

Keegansmum6

could TOM be lurking around the corner?

xXKatrinaXx

I dont know how much you eat so this is just a thought. maybe your not eating enough? If you dont eat enough calories your body could be hanging on to the fat.

OR

maybe your on your period?

OR...if you do strength training you could be gaining muscle?

LindsayE007

You know the same thing has been happening to me , i started workign out 5 times a week instead of 3 and i added more water to my diet and ive gained whats the scale says is like 3 or 4 pounds back i was floored and then started crying. After i had my moment i went and looked it up online and i guess its normal that when you work out alot your muscle hold water so try not to freak out to much , i know personally i drive myself nuts if i weigh in to much

Ok this makes me feel better. I am in the home stretch of training for a half marathon. I ran like 23 miles last week, cross trained 2 days and lifted 3 days. And I have been drinking between 80-90 ounces of water a day. I just feel like I am doing all the "right" things and all the scale is doing is punishing me! I have been doing awesome staying under my calories and making really good food choices (really healthy, high protein, etc). Really no junk at all the last week or so.

MellyLikestoRun

Totally agree with retaining water after long runs. I "gained" 5 pounds after my last long run (17 miles) and it was gone in a matter of days. Your muscles need to repair and will hold onto water for a couple of days. Don't sweat it!

LindsayE007

could TOM be lurking around the corner?

Nope

LindsayE007

Totally agree with retaining water after long runs. I "gained" 5 pounds after my last long run (17 miles) and it was gone in a matter of days. Your muscles need to repair and will hold onto water for a couple of days. Don't sweat it!

Ok THANK YOU everyone who keeps telling me this. I had no idea that happened.

JhKd

Same thing happened to me this week. Monday morning I weighed myself and was up 5 lbs. This after 2 weeks of dropping about .5 lb/day. I've been at about 1500 calorie deficit the whole time, and then BAM up 5 lbs overnight.

It stayed on all week, too. I started freaking out, getting discouraged, and it started coming down a little bit, but I was pssed that it seemed like a wasted week....

Friday morning, BAM. 5 lbs gone. I'm now back to 3lbs lighter than I was Sunday morning (before the big jump on Monday), which is the .5lb/day that my deficit, etc. should have me at. Still right on track with just a weird bump this week.

Don't freak out, give it some time, and hopefully it will jump back down along with the weight that your deficit should have coming off as well.

Micahroni84

Last year I was working out everyday and eating perfectly and I was gaining weight. When I went to see my nutritionist she simply said it was stress. My husband was gone for 3 months of military training and I was living with my parents, sister and her 2 kids. It was a really stressful situation. If you have an big or even little stressors in your life that could be it so make sure to take time to meditate, take a warm bath, journaling, etc.

LindsayE007

Same thing happened to me this week. Monday morning I weighed myself and was up 5 lbs. This after 2 weeks of dropping about .5 lb/day. I've been at about 1500 calorie deficit the whole time, and then BAM up 5 lbs overnight.

It stayed on all week, too. I started freaking out, getting discouraged, and it started coming down a little bit, but I was pssed that it seemed like a wasted week....

Friday morning, BAM. 5 lbs gone. I'm now back to 3lbs lighter than I was Sunday morning (before the big jump on Monday), which is the .5lb/day that my deficit, etc. should have me at. Still right on track with just a weird bump this week.

Don't freak out, give it some time, and hopefully it will jump back down along with the weight that your deficit should have coming off as well.

I am really hoping this is the case. It doesn't help that I am so eager to get into the 120's, LOL! I haven't seen them since before I got pregnant with my 7 year old, so like 8+ years. This is a HUGE milestone for me. And if my loss continues as it has I should be there at my next weight in Friday (only 1.2 technically to go). We shall see!

NathanBanks3

I spent the last few YEARS gaining weight even though I thought I was eating less. The last 2 months, by watching calories, I've managed so far to lose about a pound a week. Also the last few weeks I haven't lost much at all. The key, as others have mentioned, is to weigh yourself only once a week. As you may know it takes a few 100 less calories per day for about 6-7 days to lose 1 pound. Also due to water retention and menstrual cycle issues it's normal for a woman to be off in weight at least once a month. Just weigh yourself once a week at about the same time & day. Be patient and your weight will gradually come off. Best of luck with being a loser. I and everyone here has the same exact problem every once in a while. It really is hard to be a loser!

rileysowner

Yes, I weigh myself naked every morning. GAH! I just don't even know where on Earth 2 pounds could come from! I am so frustrated because I seem to keep losing and gaining the same 2 pounds. I got down to 131, went back up to 133, got back down to 131, and now it's back!!! And for no obvious reason (like overeating). Seriously if it takes me all week to get back down to 131 I am going to cry. I want to see the 120's so bad, it's just a giant tease!

It is very likely water weight. Stop freaking out. A person's weight can vary several pounds because of thing that have nothing to do with fat, this is why the scale is such a back measure of success.

jlr_12

Question...how many calories do you eat daily? You said you ate an EXTRA 200-300 on the weekend, but were still under your net. Does that mean that you regularly eat 200-300 calories less than MFP tells you you should? Are we talking the original number they gave you, or including your exercise calories? If you aren't eating your exercise calories AND are stopping 2-300 short of your daily goal, then there's a very good chance your problems stem from not eating ENOUGH. It seems as though you have a pretty rigorous exercise schedule, so you really should be eating quite a bit. I know it seems counter-intuitive, but it really does help. You might gain for a week or 2, but then it'll start coming off again, and you'll have an easier time reaching the 120s. If you're going to train like an athlete you need to eat like one.

LindsayE007

Yes, I weigh myself naked every morning. GAH! I just don't even know where on Earth 2 pounds could come from! I am so frustrated because I seem to keep losing and gaining the same 2 pounds. I got down to 131, went back up to 133, got back down to 131, and now it's back!!! And for no obvious reason (like overeating). Seriously if it takes me all week to get back down to 131 I am going to cry. I want to see the 120's so bad, it's just a giant tease!

It is very likely water weight. Stop freaking out. A person's weight can vary several pounds because of thing that have nothing to do with fat, this is why the scale is such a back measure of success.

I agree. I just bought a new scale that measures body fat (new toy!) and have taken all my measurements. I plan on doing those once a week so I can see improvements in those areas even if the scale is not budging. So I will do all that again next Friday.

LorinaLynn

.... because I had a 7 mile run Saturday...

You will be holding onto water while your muscles repair after your run.

Bingo!

LindsayE007

Question...how many calories do you eat daily? You said you ate an EXTRA 200-300 on the weekend, but were still under your net. Does that mean that you regularly eat 200-300 calories less than MFP tells you you should? Are we talking the original number they gave you, or including your exercise calories? If you aren't eating your exercise calories AND are stopping 2-300 short of your daily goal, then there's a very good chance your problems stem from not eating ENOUGH. It seems as though you have a pretty rigorous exercise schedule, so you really should be eating quite a bit. I know it seems counter-intuitive, but it really does help. You might gain for a week or 2, but then it'll start coming off again, and you'll have an easier time reaching the 120s. If you're going to train like an athlete you need to eat like one.

I am eating between 1200-1600 total depending on the day. I know that is probably under, but some days I just don't feel like eating more. I eat a ton of fruits and veggies that fill me up. I try to eat meat but I can only do about 3 ounces at a time, generally on a salad. I also eat a lot of eggs and greek yogurt to keep my protein up. I also bought some protein powder this weekend to start making to ensure my I am getting enough protein.

LindsayE007

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Breakfast Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Fiber
Big Sky Bread - Whole Wheat Bread, 1 Slice 100 0 0 0 0 0 Ico_delete
Deleted Duplicate Banana - Medium (7" to 7-7/8" Long) (118g), 0.88 banana 7" - 7 7/8 92 24 0 1 0 2 Ico_delete
Smuckers - Organic Peanut Butter Creamy, 1 tbsp 100 3 8 4 25 1 Ico_delete
Homemade - Strawberry Freezer Jam (Sure Jell Recipe), 0.67 tbsp 30 8 0 0 0 0 Ico_delete
Generic - Boiled Egg (White Only), 3 egg white 45 1 3 11 165 0 Ico_delete
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367 36 11 16 190 3
Lunch
Muir Glen Organic - Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes , 0.25 cup 15 3 0 1 145 1 Ico_delete
Spaghetti Squash - Spaghetti Squash, 1.5 cup (155g each) 63 6 2 2 42 3 Ico_delete
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78 9 2 3 187 4
Dinner
Cream Balsamic Vinaigrette, 1 serving(s) 72 11 2 2 380 0 Ico_delete
Athenos - Natural Feta Cheese- Chunk Traditional, 1 ounce 70 0 6 5 340 0 Ico_delete
Marketside - Organic Spring Mix, 4 1/2 cups (85 g) 15 3 0 2 50 2 Ico_delete
Salad - Cherry Tomatoes, 0.75 cup 20 5 0 1 6 2 Ico_delete
Generic - Sirloin Steak Grilled, 3 oz 166 0 6 25 0 0 Ico_delete
Raw Honey - Honey, 2 Teaspoon 40 0 0 0 0 0 Ico_delete
French's Dijon W/Chardonnay - Mustard, 1 tsp 5 0 0 0 130 0 Ico_delete
Sweet potato - Cooked, baked in skin, without salt (Sweetpotato), 0.88 large 142 33 0 3 57 5 Ico_delete
Ardoino - Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 0.67 Tbsp (14) g 80 0 9 0 0 0 Ico_delete
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610 52 23 38 963 9
Snacks
Generic - Blueberries Frozen, 0.5 Cup 40 9 1 1 0 2 Ico_delete
Fage - Fat Free Greek Yogurt Total 0%, 149.82 g (1 cup) 86 6 0 15 56 0 Ico_delete
Laughing Cow - Mini Babybel Cheddar, 1 piece 70 1 5 5 140 0 Ico_delete
Apples - Apples With Skin Raw, 4.2 oz 63 16 0 0 0 4 Ico_delete
Braum's - Chocolate Frozen Yogurt, 1 cup 240 34 9 6 100 2 Ico_delete
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499 66 15 27 296 8
Supplements
One A Day - Women's Multivitamin, 1 tablet 0 1 0 0 0 0 Ico_delete
Generic - Otc Medication, Probiotic, Culturelle, 1 Capsule, 1 capsule 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ico_delete
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I know this is an awful copy and paste, but I can't figure out how to do it right. I also had 12 cups of water today.

LorinaLynn

With as few pounds as you want to lose, and especially with half marathon training, you should be eating more than you are. Be sure your goal is set to a half pound a week, and eat most of the exercise calories.

With a low calorie intake and a fairly low protein intake, plus a lot of cardio... you're on a path to lose muscle mass.

jlr_12

The healthiness of your meals won't make a difference if you're not getting enough calories, though you look like you have a great diet! On days where you run, do you eat your exercise calories? 23 miles a week would burn a lot of calories...and if you're not eating some or most of those back, then your deficit is too large..which would cause your weight loss to stall. I'm guessing you burn more than 400 calories during a 7 mile run, right? So even when you're eating 1600 calories, you're still not netting enough (you don't want to be lower than 1200 NET at the end of the day). If you try to add more calories into your day (extra protein shake, nuts, good fats, more snacks..) then you'll see improvements. At this point any strength training you do isn't really helping you because there's not enough fuel to go around in your body, so your muscles cannot build. If you eat more, you will notice improvements with your energy, muscle mass, and weight loss. It's just one more thing you can try if you find this plateau to be a persistent problem.

pumpkin_mel

bump

gremlet

I see someone else mentioned putting on weight after a run... just FYI after I ran a marathon last year, I 'gained' nearly 7lbs the following week.

It all came off the week after. Don't sweat it.

LindsayE007

The healthiness of your meals won't make a difference if you're not getting enough calories, though you look like you have a great diet! On days where you run, do you eat your exercise calories? 23 miles a week would burn a lot of calories...and if you're not eating some or most of those back, then your deficit is too large..which would cause your weight loss to stall. I'm guessing you burn more than 400 calories during a 7 mile run, right? So even when you're eating 1600 calories, you're still not netting enough (you don't want to be lower than 1200 NET at the end of the day). If you try to add more calories into your day (extra protein shake, nuts, good fats, more snacks..) then you'll see improvements. At this point any strength training you do isn't really helping you because there's not enough fuel to go around in your body, so your muscles cannot build. If you eat more, you will notice improvements with your energy, muscle mass, and weight loss. It's just one more thing you can try if you find this plateau to be a persistent problem.

I totally see what you are saying. I will try to get my calories up eating some healthy calorie dense foods like you mentioned, nuts, shakes, etc. Hopefully that will get the scale moving!