calorite deficit & excersing but GAINING weight

Sid1988

Hi

I've been using MFP since May this year, i have lost 18lbs since; it's been a slow progress but i would rather lose weight sensibly and change my habits than a crash diet that wont work in the long run.

My weight loss came to a stall last month, so in the last few weeks i have decided to really make a go of it, i have been going to the gym 4 times a week, upping the levels and time on the cardio, doing more weights etc and still sticking to my calaorie intake of 1200, cutting down on carbs, upping the protein but occasioanlly going over the 1200 a day or too (but not too much).

Last week i weighed myself and i was 9.11 and today i am 10.3 which is really frustrating as i have been working really hard.

2 months ago i was put on 10mg citalopram, i'm wondering if this has anything to do with the weight gain?

does anyone have any advice? i have read about water retention but i drink alot of water.

Thanks.

richx83

Can't comment on the drugs you are taking but remember weight is a number on a scale, take a look at Staci on Nerd Fitness and compare her before and after pictures.

She weighs more in the after pictures http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

kiangel

Hi , I gained when I took this , wasn't calorie counting or watching my weight back then , but Dr changed meds . The medication worked though

AllTehBeers

A few things can cause you to gain on the scale.

When you start a new/harder exercise plan your muscles retain water to repair themselves.
TOM/salt can make you bloat, for this reason I only record my weight once a month.
Margin of error. I can flutuate a pound or two just by stepping on and off the scale.

Keep doing what you're doing, you'll see results in the mirror.

bmqbonnie

First of all, you should really eat more assuming you aren't under estimating what you're eating.. I know, it's counter intuitive, just trust me on this. There are tons of threads about it that can explain better than I. 1200 is nothing and might be reasonable if you are totally sedentary. I eat 2000 and am still losing. At the very least eat your exercise cals back.

Second, I gain temporarily whenever I start a new workout program. It's not necessarily muscle gain (can pretty much guarantee it isn't at that deficit) but it can cause you to swell up and retain some water. So drink ridiculous amounts of water and be patient. This is why I like to take photos regularly along with weighing myself because weight gets really tricky at this stage.

Then maybe it's the meds. No idea there.

And THANKS SO MUCH for posting the link to Staci's article. I read it a long time ago and was trying to find it so I could keep it saved on pinterest. OP, it's an excellent read! The after pic got cut out.