12,000 calories per day and exercise and I am GAINING?!
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i have the same problem.
i weighed 187.5- i was eating so healthy. and working out!
i eat fast food and don't work out and i am down to 186.5...
i think it might have something to do with if you aren't eating enough calories. at least i think that's what my problem was!0 -
Maybe mix up your diet make-up... More protein, less carbs, along that line.
Additionally, it is probably time to up your calories a little. You might see wome progress by just adding in a protein shake each day.0 -
I'm not gonna lie... I read the title and thought this was going to be a troll thread. haha.0
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I do have 1 shake a day. Maybe I need to get in a second shake every day?0
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Thank you for the encouraging words! Maybe right after exercise and drinking a ton of water is not the best time to weigh myeslf. But after seeing the number on the scale go down/stay the same but never go up for a couple months, seeing the wt. gain really burst my bubble.
I have a history of the gym not being my friend. I love to go and get exercise, but it seems when I work out i cant lose wt.
In college I went for 2hrs a day 5 days a week and ended up 170lbs of solid muscle. It's nice, but im still considered obese at 5'3 and 170! Despite not having much jiggle at that time.
In my profile picture (the blond girl way over to the left) I weighed about 170, pre exercise. I could have used some toning but I do not consider myself fat in that picture. I am just built bigger than your average girl. And, my body builds muscle WAY too readily.
Like you, I am addicted to the scale and it will drive you batty! It may be just my opinion, but I feel you need to go off of your measurements, how you're looking, how your clothes fit, and not what some formula says you should weigh. A fit 170 pounds looks much different than a non-fit 170 pounds. Best of luck and hang in there!0 -
I feel ya! I had my husband put the scale on top of the cabinets in the bathroom where I can't reach it... and I don't get it back until HALLOWEEN... It's already driving me nuts not being able to weigh, but now I can focus on how my clothes fit and how I feel instead of obsessing over that stupid little number. That's all it is... a number. It doesn't define you or me. Your actions define you, and if you're working out, KUDOS!! You're living a fit life. Keep it up!! We're all in this together!!0
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You changed your routine, and your body's response was to store weight (probably in the form of water). If you're working on physical fitness, you are now looking for a body that can perform great things. Feed your body 800 calories a day and it's not going to be able to accomplish much. You should really increase your calories a little bit to give your body something to work on. During cardio exercise, anywhere between 70-80% of the "fuel" used is from dietary calories.
And yes, you may need to turn a blind eye to the scale so that you can focus on how your body looks and, more importantly, feels.
You made a big change by going from zero exercise to regular workouts. It's going to take some time and adjustment.0 -
It was probably the water you drank before you weighed in0
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I do understand. When it is put into those terms. But, I guess I would THINK that if my body needed more calories it would say to my brain, "feed me, you fool!".
Yes, three total workouts this week including weights and jogging.
Not necessarily. Because think about it: most people get overweight because they ate too much. And they ate too much because their brains said, "I'm hungry, feed me you fool!" So they did. Sometimes our brains don't always translate our bodies' needs accurately, for a variety of reasons.
Eat more whole foods. Include healthy fats like peanut butter (try natural peanut butter, it's so good), nuts, olive oil, etc. Drink plenty of water. Eat your salt if you want to, as long as you're aware that high sodium days can increase water weight retention and that's going to give you an inaccurate scale reading. After you've been eating healthy, whole foods for a while, you'll start recognizing your body's hunger cues more accurately.0 -
I know it's been said, but I'll say it again.
Most likely, you are retaining water. Also, don't weigh yourself after you drink a whole bunch of water. It's heavy. Weigh first thing in the morning, with a nice freshly emptied bladder and rockin it out sans clothing.
I went off track for a few weeks and gained a couple of pounds. I've been back in track, but even though I'm within my calories, the scale isn't budging, because my body is clinging tightly to water, holding it in my muscles. I'm not worried about it, because I can tell my clothes are fitting how they should, and that belt loop isn't snug anymore. Once I get used to lifting and running again, I know I'll stop retaining so much water, and things will be groovy again where the scale is concerned.
You can do this. Don't let the scale freak you out so much. Being stronger and more toned is totally worth a stuck scale. After all, you don't introduce yourself with your weight, do you? Nope, you do it with your awesome body. Feel great, look great, and who gives a flying fudgenugget what the scale says.0 -
"I stepped on the scale yesterday to find to my dismay I weighed 179-180. I had not eaten yet at that time and had consumed abou 2L of H20. "
Weight fluctuates a lot. Do you mean you drank 2 liters of water before weighing in? If I weigh myself, go drink 2 liters of water, then weigh myself again, I will weigh quite a bit more.
"This has been an issue for me in the past. When I go to the gym my body will not shed pounds. My fat turns into muscle and the scale wont budge. "
Fat does not turn to muscle. And if it did, wouldn't that be a GOOD thing? :ohwell:
"I don't know what to do! I am so discouraged. I am trying to be healthier all around and would like to get into shape. But, not if that means sacrificing my wt. loss! Anyone else have this problem? Advice?"
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I had plenty of weeks when I was up in weight. Weekly weigh ins don't mean much. It can have to do with how much food is left in your digestive system one day vs another, how much water you just drank, where you are in your menstrual cycle, water retention for any reason, etc, etc, etc.0 -
I'm not gonna lie... I read the title and thought this was going to be a troll thread. haha.
I know! after I posted the topic, I was scrolling the forum topics. I came across my post title and thought, "who is this fool?!" then realized it was me! Thats what I get trying to post topics before my morning coffee!0 -
#1. . . you HAVE to feed the machine properly. Eat nutrient dense foods and choose some with healthy fats (nuts as an example) that can help your body get the calories it needs.
#2 . . . fit over flab any day of the week. no matter what the scale says. I haven't lost weight in 6 months, but I've dropped a pant size. I'll take FIT every day of the week and twice on Sunday!0 -
stop thinking about the scale and think about body composition.my body builds muscle WAY too readily.
hmmm, I really doubt that.
Or at least it LOOKS like it does. When your 5'3" and of stocky build wt. loss/gain is very different.
You are right!! It does look different. I am 5'3" myself and in any weight gain will make me look like a bloated muffin. I started my weight loss @ 213 lbs & in February 2012 I was at my lowest of 168 lbs. Ever since then I haven't been able to loose it but it's because I haven't really tried either and here's why.
After shedding 40 lbs I feel great. I lost inches in my waist, thighs and arms. My body has never been this toned in it's entire life and I am so happy others have noticed. So yeah I haven't lost everything I wanted to but I look great. Fitting into smaller sized pants than the size 18 I was used to, makes me feel "skinny".
Now that I'm full force back on MFP and watching what I am consuming, I don't eat anything less 1,200 calories a day. Even if I am not hungry, I still force my self to eat. Your body really needs the energy to burn & w/o fueling your body, you're just clunking it out. And also give your body rest. It needs time to heal. I workout 5 days a week but the other 2, I just let my body take a breather. Muscles can get exhausted too.
Another word, don't give up. Just because the scale says 178 or 179 doesn't mean you don't like you're 150. If you were to ask someone how much do they think you weigh, no one would be exact. Good luck!!0 -
One thing I've found helpful is to know my body composition--lean tissue to fat ratio. Your gym may have this machine, but so may your health care provider or a trainer. Just knowing that the lean is increasing and the fat is decreasing in measureable numbers may help to encourage you.0
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Fat does not turn into muscle. They are different cell types.
You are likely retaining water. If you are experiencing any soreness, you definitely are.
If you're going to do weight training, you need to eat more. Fuel your workouts. Eat whole foods and try to watch your sodium levels to help decrease water retention.
I have been quite lame actually!
For some reason I LOVE salt! I can cut almost anything else from my diet. But, I cannot get rid of the salt. When I try I become tempted to purchase myself a salt lick. I am trying to work on this though!
Now THAT'S interesting to know. How much water do you routinely drink if you crave salt that bad, and have you also ever had bloodwork done to check your sodium and potassium?
P.S. There's salt alternatives (potassium salt, yeast salt, etc.) that taste like the real thing. My fiance was a salt fiend and we went over to that because of his high blood pressure. Made a huge difference!0 -
I do have 1 shake a day. Maybe I need to get in a second shake every day?
Honestly, I'd go for eating more real food every day. I ate around 1500-1700 for most of my weight loss and now I eat around 1900-22000 -
you only eat 800-1200 calories per day? wow. that's really low calorie. how do you survive let alone run and do weight training. how confusing.0
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When you really step up the amount you are exercising, your body produces more fluids and blood to transport oxygen around your body more effectively to cope with the increase in demand. As a result, it can appear that you are maintaining or gaining weight. You won't have increased your muscle mass significantly after only a few weeks exercise - the additional fluid will balance out over time and will help you to be able to exercise more strenuously and increase your fitness, thereby burning more calories per session. Don't worry, it will all come good in the end just stick with it - you'll start to notice you can do more per exercise session quite quickly and this will hopefully help you to stay motivated.0
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FYI, about the whole "muscle" thing, you generally can't build muscle at such a deficit you've been eating; I second, third, whatever, the responses saying water retention.0
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Opps! That is supposed to 1,200 cal a day NOT 12,000!
Excuse my foolishness, I just woke up!
Thanks for the giggle though, I figured this was someone being sarcastic.
You may need to eat more, seriously. People will be like "That's crazy!" but the truth is, when you're eating very little, your hormones are out of whack. Your body hates being in a calorie deficit to begin with, an extreme one will cause it to hold on dearly to anything you give it.
http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bmr/
Run your numbers, adjust MFP calorie goals manually, get lots of lean protein to make sure you're keeping your lean muscle mass while losing weight, lots of fibrous fruits/veggies to keep you full, drink lots of water, and be patient. If you're moderately active and logging truthfully, you'll see a difference. Not as fast as you'd like, but you will. And you'll feel better.
Best of luck!0 -
I have gone from a tight size 16 jeans to a comfortable size 12. So, in that regard there has been quite a difference. And, that is encouraging.
I just get so sick of looking at the height/weight charts and seeing that I am overweight. I feel I am very large for a woman of my height. My lowest EVER adult weight is 145lbs. At that weight my ribs and hip bones are visible and my collar bone protrudes obnoxiously. A size 10 jeans fit losely, I have difficulty accepting I will never be in a "healthy" weight range. Damn those charts!
And, yes the drinking lots of water before weighing makes sense in terms of higher number on the scale. I kind of thought maybe that was the problem, but needed confirmation form others.0 -
Opps! That is supposed to 1,200 cal a day NOT 12,000!
Excuse my foolishness, I just woke up!
Thanks for the giggle though, I figured this was someone being sarcastic.
You may need to eat more, seriously. People will be like "That's crazy!" but the truth is, when you're eating very little, your hormones are out of whack. Your body hates being in a calorie deficit to begin with, an extreme one will cause it to hold on dearly to anything you give it.
http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bmr/
Run your numbers, adjust MFP calorie goals manually, get lots of lean protein to make sure you're keeping your lean muscle mass while losing weight, lots of fibrous fruits/veggies to keep you full, drink lots of water, and be patient. If you're moderately active and logging truthfully, you'll see a difference. Not as fast as you'd like, but you will. And you'll feel better.
Best of luck!
I do use the fat2fitradio military body fat calculator I LOVE it. It tells me my body fat % is 28%! I will try upping my calories a little and see what happens!0 -
FYI, about the whole "muscle" thing, you generally can't build muscle at such a deficit you've been eating; I second, third, whatever, the responses saying water retention.
Even if the majority of my calories are protein?0 -
I just get so sick of looking at the height/weight charts and seeing that I am overweight.
Then don't look at them. Where you are in the process right now matters VERY LITTLE compared to the direction you're actively headed in. Why constantly remind yourself that you aren't there yet? Keep your eye on the finish line... not down at your feet...
If I weighed myself after drinking 2l of water, I'd weigh the same amount as I would if I were holding a 2l bottle of water in my hand. But in the latter case, I'd be able to understand that the weight on the scale didn't accurately reflect my body mass
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Opps! That is supposed to 1,200 cal a day NOT 12,000!
Excuse my foolishness, I just woke up!
Thanks for the giggle though, I figured this was someone being sarcastic.
You may need to eat more, seriously. People will be like "That's crazy!" but the truth is, when you're eating very little, your hormones are out of whack. Your body hates being in a calorie deficit to begin with, an extreme one will cause it to hold on dearly to anything you give it.
http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bmr/
Run your numbers, adjust MFP calorie goals manually, get lots of lean protein to make sure you're keeping your lean muscle mass while losing weight, lots of fibrous fruits/veggies to keep you full, drink lots of water, and be patient. If you're moderately active and logging truthfully, you'll see a difference. Not as fast as you'd like, but you will. And you'll feel better.
Best of luck!
I do use the fat2fitradio military body fat calculator I LOVE it. It tells me my body fat % is 28%! I will try upping my calories a little and see what happens!
Don't freak out if the scale goes up a bit. That's typical for upping calories but it evens out after a couple of weeks. 0 -
Don't define yourself by a number on the scale! I know it can be discouraging to see no change on the scale..but the changes will definitely come in the loss of inches and fat ! Go by how your clothes fit!0
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Get a body fat caliper and aim for a healthy body fat percentage. I'm 5'3" and nearing 170 as well. EAT. I have been having some off days when I am stressed and I don't eat my normal amount, and I've been feeling like crap. Your body will thank you.0
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Sorry to be the barer or bad news, but fat does not turn to muscle. You could be retaining water, and your body is working inefficiently because you're not feeding it enough. More food, more water, more pictures and measurements, less stress.
^^^^This plus keep your eye on your sodium intake causes water retention and add more protein. Protein is necessary for the building and repair of body tissues.0 -
Eat smart - exercise smart - don t pay attention to the scale for 30 days and then see where you are at. If you feel good , that is what is REALLY important.0
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