Need Input on Daily Caloric Intake after Upping Exercise

jessica05h

I came to MFP weighing about 138 at 5'4'. My goal weight was 130, which I later decreased to 120 (after I had great success reaching 130). I had been running intervals daily to every other day at 2-4 miles. In preparation for a race I have coming up in November I upped my miles to 4-6 miles 3 times a week. I have one "off" day, and two weight training days in between running days.

Although I have increased my exercise, and am eating back all if not more of my exercise calories I have gained 6 lbs and my clothes are fitting tighter. (I think this is a good time to say that I am NOT pregnant.) Haha. I wonder if bumping up my calorie intake will help? Perhaps my body is going into starvation mode? Anyone had a similar experience?

Please post advice with examples or experiences. Thanks!!

mydeloo78

Posts like this it helps if we can see your diary to make informed suggestions. You say you are eating back all if not more than your exercise calories. Are you using a HRM to get your calorie counts? MFP can be WAY over on calories given for exercise. Try only eating 1/2 your exercise calories. You said you're going over on calories and gaining weight.. to me this doesn't seem like the time to add in mroe calories? but then I don't know what you're eating to begin with, if you're only eating 1200 then maybe.. if you're 1500-1800 then maybe not. Need more information.

jessica05h

I only ask about increasing because my muscles feel really fatigued and I'm starving most of the time if I only eat back my exercise calories. I just feel like my body in this shape burns more calories at rest than MFP is accounting for.

susannamarie

Where are your clothes fitting tighter? Around the belly or around the legs?

Maybe your body is telling you that 130 is a better weight than 120? Really, both are in the healthy range for you.

jessica05h

They are tighter in the tummy area and my boobs have gained weight too. So I guess everywhere. My legs I haven't seen a real difference. Sigh. IDK.

susannamarie

Could it be inadequate nutrition for your body type, that's making you hungry? I've got no idea what you're eating, but my body feels a lot more energized on fat/protein. I have to make sure I get enough before exercise or my body will run out halfway through. One of my good friends, though, lives off carbohydrates, and he has to make sure not to eat fat before exercise, as it makes him feel sluggish.

jlr_12

Is it almost that time of the month? That would explain the belly and the boobs haha. Also, if you've just increased your exercise recently, you could be experiencing a gain from water weight, due to the increased fatiguing of your muscles...in which case it should go away soon.

TLC1975

You would need to open ur diary to get any real feedback, not knowing how many calories you are taking in or more importantly WHAT calories you are taking in makes it difficult for anyone to suggest anything here.

jessica05h

J: It has been that time and then also too I did just add weights on top of that. I'm down 3 lbs but still over what I was before. Perhaps I am just "swelling" Haha.