New w/a Question

mommab23k

Hi all, new to MFP and excited to be here. Over the past year I've lost almost 110 pounds. All by eating less, very minimal exercise. Almost a month ago, I started power walking (3.5-4mph) 60 min day/7days week. I had hit my goal weight before starting my walking routine, so I was just maintaing at that point. I did increase my calories slightly (based on MFP and other site recommendations) to maintain weight and to stop losing. I keep a food journal, track everything I eat and weigh it all to make sure I'm staying on track. I've bought a pedometer to verify the speed at which I'm walking, but other than that I'm not sure as to what else I should do. Even with my calorie increase to maintain my weight, I'm still about 150-200 under per day what my net calories should be post workout but I've gained instead of lost since beginning my exercise routine. Since starting to walk, I've gained almost 2 lbs. Anyone have any similar things happen? Suggestions?

Mellie289

Maybe you are putting on more muscle? That wouldn't be a bad thing.

ncwall

first off I want to say congradulations on the great and inspiring loss. I am by far no means an expert but it may also be that you are getting water weight and or building muscle sinc emuscle does weight more then fat.

another thing is when you set up your goals set your life style to your normal routine without your walking program That should caculate what it should be to maintain wait.

There are debates back and forth to eat back work out calories or not may go to message board and do a search on eating back calories

and the other thing may depend on what you are eating. Sounds li9ke you have a good grasp on Healthy eating but may look at your log and see if something my being counter productive

Hope that helps a little and know its not the best info either

shool7

This is what I believe is going on based on things I have read many times. You recently started exercising and that is a very good thing for you, but your calorie intake may need to be higher. Our bodies do something weird yet wonderful. If we don't supply them with enough calories, they hang onto them. It does not want to go into starvation mode. While eating less and exercising more is the simple formula for weight loss, the body is more complicated than that. My daughter in law had their same problem recently when she started MFP. She was on 1200 calories to lose fast and had little success until she upped her calories to 1600 and then she started dropping! Also, change your exercise routine. Skip a day, walk slower, or for less time, ride a bike or swim instead. Trick your body so it doesn't know what to expect.
Mellie 289 also made a good observation. It could be muscle. You should get your body fat checked once a month. If the fat % is going down and the weight is going up, but you are not bigger, and your clothes fit well, then that's what it is!

mommab23k

Thanks for the replies. I honestly haven't hit too many roadblocks on this journey, and this one isn't huge. I reset my goals to lose the 2 lbs and we'll start there and see what happens. I also will use my pedometer to calculate how many calories I am actually burning (distance traveled in what time) vs. relying on the MFP calculation.

If I can lose over 110 lbs, I can figure this out, right?:happy:

mstifb

It all gets confusing to me too! I'll be interested in reading all the answers. I'm just starting on my journey but your are an inspiration! :flowerforyou:

ncwall

Please keep us posted/ add me as a friend that was one of my questions is what to do when i get to goal to maintain ( long journey still) but lost 5 lbs in 2 weeks so happy so far


and congrats again

robebo

I am so very proud of you! I agree with these folks! Your hubby!