Why have I gained weight!? :(

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Skitti
Skitti Posts: 20
in Health and Weight Loss
I have been exercising daily and staying under my caloric goal each and every day! I set my caloric goal to 1400 calories a day. However, I usually eat right at 1200 every day.

Can someone tell me why this is?

I *feel* smaller, though? I look in the mirror and my stomach is a bit flatter than it was, so how come I have gained three pounds!?
Will I start losing weight again?

Please help... thank you all who have taken the time out of your day to read this post and respond. It truly means a lot.
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Replies

  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
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    Get a measuring tape and use that, if the tape says you're smaller, that's more important than what the scale says. Besides, you can gain and hold several pounds of water weight from exercising.
  • ginnyz1
    ginnyz1 Posts: 49
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    muscle tissue weighs more than fat for the same amount of volume, so if you are adding muscle you might also be adding pounds. Focus on the measurements, how you feel and how you look. Keep up the good work! And smile!
  • Skitti
    Skitti Posts: 20
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    Thanks, all!

    It's hard to be positive on this weight loss journey as it's one of the hardest things I think I've ever done... and I'm still so far from finished! Seeing extra pounds on the scale is absolutely terrifying.
  • PHATmommy68
    PHATmommy68 Posts: 112
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    muscle tissue weighs more than fat for the same amount of volume, so if you are adding muscle you might also be adding pounds. Focus on the measurements, how you feel and how you look. Keep up the good work! And smile!

    I like your concept but I MUST say that NO... muscle does not weigh more than fat. They weigh the same amount. Muscle is denser is takes up less space hence the fact that you may be losing inches but the scale isn't moving! You are getting smaller (which is what we want)!
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,293 Member
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    Wow, 1200 cals on days you workout is no where near enough. If your goal is 1400 on MFP you should be eating 1400 plus eat back the majority of the cals you burn from exercise. so if you burn 400, you should be eating in the 1800 cal range.

    Most likely what you are seeing is water weight gain. It will not be muscle as you will not gain muscle on so little calories.
  • s00sh
    s00sh Posts: 91
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    I like your concept but I MUST say that NO... muscle does not weigh more than fat. They weigh the same amount. Muscle is denser is takes up less space hence the fact that you may be losing inches but the scale isn't moving! You are getting smaller (which is what we want)!

    Original post: "muscle tissue weighs more than fat for the same amount of volume"
  • Dragonwolf
    Dragonwolf Posts: 5,600 Member
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    muscle tissue weighs more than fat for the same amount of volume, so if you are adding muscle you might also be adding pounds. Focus on the measurements, how you feel and how you look. Keep up the good work! And smile!

    I like your concept but I MUST say that NO... muscle does not weigh more than fat. They weigh the same amount. Muscle is denser is takes up less space hence the fact that you may be losing inches but the scale isn't moving! You are getting smaller (which is what we want)!

    Um....re-read what she said - "muscle tissue weighs more than fat for the same amount of volume".
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
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    People who chronically undereat like that seem to get weird results and it creates a vicious cycle. Eat your target calories and you will reach your goals AND feel better.
  • PHATmommy68
    PHATmommy68 Posts: 112
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    muscle tissue weighs more than fat for the same amount of volume, so if you are adding muscle you might also be adding pounds. Focus on the measurements, how you feel and how you look. Keep up the good work! And smile!

    I like your concept but I MUST say that NO... muscle does not weigh more than fat. They weigh the same amount. Muscle is denser is takes up less space hence the fact that you may be losing inches but the scale isn't moving! You are getting smaller (which is what we want)!



    Um....re-read what she said - "muscle tissue weighs more than fat for the same amount of volume".



    OOOPS My bad! and I thought I was sounding so smart!
  • Anna800
    Anna800 Posts: 637 Member
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    Can you make your diary public?
  • Loko_Ino
    Loko_Ino Posts: 544 Member
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    Dont forget muscle absorb water...that adds weight.
  • PHATmommy68
    PHATmommy68 Posts: 112
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    Dont forget muscle absorb water...that adds weight.

    And this is what I can't stand. I can't seem to drop the water weight! WTH!!!!
  • Loko_Ino
    Loko_Ino Posts: 544 Member
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    muscle tissue weighs more than fat for the same amount of volume, so if you are adding muscle you might also be adding pounds. Focus on the measurements, how you feel and how you look. Keep up the good work! And smile!

    I like your concept but I MUST say that NO... muscle does not weigh more than fat. They weigh the same amount. Muscle is denser is takes up less space hence the fact that you may be losing inches but the scale isn't moving! You are getting smaller (which is what we want)!

    Always good to read all of the comments before slamming someone..

    but for the record I had my 'muscle weighs same as fat' soapbox out for a second also....
  • GasMasterFlash
    GasMasterFlash Posts: 2,206 Member
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    Maybe ur pregnant
  • PHATmommy68
    PHATmommy68 Posts: 112
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    muscle tissue weighs more than fat for the same amount of volume, so if you are adding muscle you might also be adding pounds. Focus on the measurements, how you feel and how you look. Keep up the good work! And smile!

    I like your concept but I MUST say that NO... muscle does not weigh more than fat. They weigh the same amount. Muscle is denser is takes up less space hence the fact that you may be losing inches but the scale isn't moving! You are getting smaller (which is what we want)!

    Always good to read all of the comments before slamming someone..

    but for the record I had my 'muscle weighs same as fat' soapbox out for a second also....


    I don't believe I was "slamming" anyone!
  • WaterBunnie
    WaterBunnie Posts: 1,370 Member
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    Don't worry about it. I've put on a pound too this week, despite having an increased deficit from not eating back a fair percentage of my exercise calories, but I've exercised plenty so I'm putting it down to that. I feel strong, healthy and can feel the changes in body shape occurring so what do I care what a silly electronic contraption has to say?!!
  • caarsen
    caarsen Posts: 31 Member
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    Okay, I'm having the same problem. I was losing weight and then, gained a pound and a half in one week. My daily calorie goal is 1200 calories and I am exercising twice a day, weights for 25 minutes, cardio for 45 - running and elliptical. Are you now saying I should eat those calories too? Seems kind of pointless to do cardio then. I know it's good for my heart and health, but from a weight loss perspective, seems a bit pointless to exercise and then eat what I just burnt off. I'm not trying to be snarky, I'm just a bit confused.
  • WaterBunnie
    WaterBunnie Posts: 1,370 Member
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    Dont forget muscle absorb water...that adds weight.

    And this is what I can't stand. I can't seem to drop the water weight! WTH!!!!

    Why do you let that bother you if it's being retained by the muscle for healing purposes?
  • BaconMD
    BaconMD Posts: 1,165 Member
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    Dont forget muscle absorb water...that adds weight.

    And this is what I can't stand. I can't seem to drop the water weight! WTH!!!!
    Why not worry about the fat weight instead? Water is less likely to kill you than fat is.
  • lauractemple85
    lauractemple85 Posts: 109 Member
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    Along with the advice that "muscle weight more then fat for the same amount of volume", try and weigh/measure yourself at the same time everyday. On average a woman can fluctuate between 1-3 pounds difference a day. These things are usually caused by water retention, hormones, menstrual cycle etc. Try and measure/weight yourself first thing in the morning (after using the bathroom) everyday. If you do it after having a meal or working out & drinking 20+ ounces of water (and not using the bathroom) These things will add to your weight. If you're doing everything right then it shouldn't be fat. Go by how your clothes fit. You've come a long way so far! Keep it up!

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