Need help

Molly08

Hello!

I need some insight. I'm >100lbs over weight and have made the decision to lose weight. In 2011 I lost approximately 70lbs and then in 2012 I gained back roughly 35lbs. I don't want to become a serial dieter and I absolutely want to be healthy. I want to be thin and fit.

Here's the problem: I've recommitted to a healthier lifestyle the last 3 weeks. I eat between 1200-1500 net calories a day. I exercise 30minutes 5x a week (moderate level aerobics). I'm hoping to slowly work up to 50minutes 6x a week. I drink 8-12 glasses of water a day. I drink 2 glasses of green tea a day. My exercise calories are measured with a polar heart rate monitor and I use a food scale and measuring cups for food portions. Anyway, I've somehow gained 5lbs!! I'm really discouraged and frustrated. Two years ago when I started losing weight I managed to lose like 10lbs in the first month. How can I gain 5lbs in 2.5 weeks this time?

Please, if you could give me any advice I would really appreciate it. I'm Really upset by my lack of progress and by the fact that somehow I'm heading in the opposit direction. I feel like I am defying science here!

Thanks in advance!

melsinct

Can you open up your food diary? Go to settings and make it public. Many times if someone can't lose the answer is in there. If we can see it, we may be able to point out the problem.

AmyRhubarb

Deja-vu - didn't I just read this exact post in a different section of forums?

Molly08

Yeah I posted this in another category to increase the odds it was read. My diary is open to friends, not public. I'm not comfortable making it completely public.

californiansun

Yeah I posted this in another category to increase the odds it was read. My diary is open to friends, not public. I'm not comfortable making it completely public.

We may not be able to help you otherwise! You could not be eating enough calories for the exercise you're doing. 1200-1500 seems low. Or, you could be gaining muscle.

dawningr

If you need to lose over 100 pounds, and are only eating 1200 calories per day, you're most likely not eating enough. Opening your diary would help people help you.

Also I know when I start exercising after not doing it for awhile, my muscles hold water (are you sore?) and that fluctuates the scale as well.

lyrical_melody

8-12 glasses of water is WAAAAAAAAY too much.

I knew someone I worked with that heard you could lose weight by drinking 8 glasses of water a day, so she doubled it and drank 16. She became so bloated that she had to go to the doctor.

Just saying. dont drink so much water.

dawningr

8-12 glasses of water is WAAAAAAAAY too much.

I knew someone I worked with that heard you could lose weight by drinking 8 glasses of water a day, so she doubled it and drank 16. She became so bloated that she had to go to the doctor.

Just saying. dont drink so much water.

this is false

lasmit4477

I recommend that you take a look at this link:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

Also, if you have just recently started working out, you could be holding water. When most people start this process, they typically do not set excerise goals to what will become a lifestyle for them, easily becomming burnt out. Make sure that the goals you have set up are something that you see yourself doing long term.

I would recommend that you take measurments and instead of doing so much cardio, think about strength training to help preserve lean body mass while you are in a deficit.

lasmit4477

Yeah I posted this in another category to increase the odds it was read. My diary is open to friends, not public. I'm not comfortable making it completely public.

We may not be able to help you otherwise! You could not be eating enough calories for the exercise you're doing. 1200-1500 seems low. Or, you could be gaining muscle.

You can't gain muscle mass while in a calorie deficit.

4_Lisa

A few questions, When did you start again? is the caloric intake significatnly less than you were eating (your body may be storing thinking you are in distress and saving everything you eat), 1200 calories seems low for someone who has to lose 100lbs (i have 120 to lose, and lowest activity level and mine is at 1450/day.) are you eating back your exercise calories?

lasmit4477

8-12 glasses of water is WAAAAAAAAY too much.

I knew someone I worked with that heard you could lose weight by drinking 8 glasses of water a day, so she doubled it and drank 16. She became so bloated that she had to go to the doctor.

Just saying. dont drink so much water.

This is false! I drink over a gallon of water a day.

californiansun

8-12 glasses of water is WAAAAAAAAY too much.

I knew someone I worked with that heard you could lose weight by drinking 8 glasses of water a day, so she doubled it and drank 16. She became so bloated that she had to go to the doctor.

Just saying. dont drink so much water.

It is recommended by health care professions for people to drink at LEAST 6-8 cups of water a day. And more if you're exercising. Exercising alone I will down 3 cups or more of water. I drink about 10-13 cups a day and I've always been fine! Women lose about 9 cups of water a day just by living, men lose about 13 cups... you need to drink water to replenish what you've lost!

Now, if she drank 16 cups and she didn't exercise, that could be a bit much.

PikaKnight

8-12 glasses of water is WAAAAAAAAY too much.

I knew someone I worked with that heard you could lose weight by drinking 8 glasses of water a day, so she doubled it and drank 16. She became so bloated that she had to go to the doctor.

Just saying. dont drink so much water.

this is false

I drink 10-14 glasses a day and I'm fine. OP - find what works for you. Some people are okay at 6 or 8. Others can handle more - especially when they work out.

If your pee is clear or a light yellow - you are fine. If it is dark yellow, you need hydration.

VDR928

You may be insulin resistant. You can google this and read up... If that is the case, you may be one that benefits from a lower carb way-of-eating. Try avoiding all processed stuff and eat only fresh, whole foods. There is a plan called the "Whole 30" to get you going. If you do the 30 days and lose, lose... you will have your answer! I eat Paleo and no junk and love it. The weight falls off naturally. I do not count "calories". I read Good Calories, Bad Calories by Gary Taubes. The scientific research today shows a calorie is NOT a calorie. It matters what KIND of calories we eat.

I have a friend who is very skinny but she "does" WW and eats "one point" cupcakes and drinks diet pepsi all day. This is NOT healthy and not the goal!!! Try just eating healthy foods (shop the perimeter of the grocery store) and eat ONLY until full. If you are truly hungry you can eat again... if not don't. It is really simple and we sometimes make it SO complicated! I bet the weight will start coming right off! Good luck (and by that I mean make your OWN luck!)

PikaKnight

Someone already gave you Helliotsdan's thread post link. Definitely read that. Or for a different version to figure out your TDEE, as well as some great advice...check out:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833500-what-do-i-do-common-sense-cliff-notes
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/844040-raspberry-ketones-for-the-rest-of-us


Also, if you are worried about the calorie intake, I also suggest you read this thread that has numerous people who met their goals and are maintaining. Some for years and they also provide their calorie intake and how often they work out.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/816542-let-s-hear-it-for-maintainenance

For more information about fitness and nutrition, I highly suggest checking out and joining this group:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10118-eat-train-progress

Read all the stickies. It's great information to know.

For info about your macros (proteins/fats/carbs) - check out this link. It will give you the formula to figure out your #s and also how to custom change them in MFP:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets


Yes, this is can all be overwhelming and complicated , but you are more than welcome to ask questions on the post.
One of the things that I have found that has been one of the best methods for me to get fit is to understand fitness. To understand where all these figures, etc come from.

The good thing is once you get the hang of it - it is something you'll be aware of constantly and you'll get a better understanding about your eating habits.

So I HIGHLY suggest making the effort to take every chance to educate yourself. Even if you don't end up going with any of these methods, calculations, etc - at least you understand what they are, where others are coming from, and maybe they will still be able to help you figure out what is best for you.

Annaruthus

8-12 glasses of water is WAAAAAAAAY too much.

I knew someone I worked with that heard you could lose weight by drinking 8 glasses of water a day, so she doubled it and drank 16. She became so bloated that she had to go to the doctor.

Just saying. dont drink so much water.

this is totally untrue. I drink about 3-4 liters per day, and sport a 6 pack pretty much all the time. You shouldn't drink 8-12 glasses of water at ONE time. That will bloat you for sure!

Aedrah

Something you should keep in mind - the weight loss (or lack of) you see today isn't from an immediate change. Sometimes I find that it takes a few weeks for the weight loss to start (and have often heard that the loss at first is just water weight. Maybe you didn't have excess water to lose? Maybe the excess calories you ate a few weeks back before starting are making their appearance now? Maybe you're retaining water in your muscles because you've been exercising more? (not a bad thing)).

Whether that applies to you or not I cant say - but keep that in mind. It might just be too early to tell. If you think you are doing everything right and you are being honest with your diary, keep it up. The weight will come off.

As I understand it - to gain a pound you need to eat something like 3500 calories in excess of what you've burned. So for example if you did nothing all day and burned 1200 calories - you'd need to eat 4700 calories total that day to gain a pound.

Good luck!

melsinct

Yeah I posted this in another category to increase the odds it was read. My diary is open to friends, not public. I'm not comfortable making it completely public.

It is difficult to help when we only get part of the story. It is like bringing your car to the mechanic but forbidding them to look under the hood. I guarantee you your diary shows exactly what the problem is. We can speculate that you aren't eating enough calories (that's my guess) but no one can give you any answers if you aren't willing to share more details. Perhaps you can ask your friends via your news feed for a diary critique to see if someone there can point out what the issue is. Good luck, I hope you get to the bottom of it all. I know from experience how annoying it is to do what you think is the right thing and then not see results!

AliciaStinger

Five pounds is 17,500 calories, so unless you are sleep-eating hamburgers, milkshakes and cheesecakes every night, chances are good that you did NOT actually gain this weight. Many times, weight just fluctuates. I'd say 1-3 pounds is average (I've read that a person will be three pounds heavier in the evening than he/she is after just waking up), which is why I'm guessing that your five pounds is water weight. Seeing a "good number" on the scale is really rewarding, but if you check your weight regularly, you're going to see these fluctuations, including water weight. To avoid the disappointment that comes with these fluctuations, try weighing yourself only once a week, or use a tape measure (or a shirt/pair of pants that you'd like to fit into) as a measure for weight loss until you get into a routine.

Four pounds can be put on fairly easily just by starting a new workout routine because the muscles will hold water. If you stick with the workout, your body will get used to doing that and the weight will come off. From what I've read, it can take up to two weeks for your body to get used to a routine...which, I know, is a long wait. Until then, keep drinking water...also try diuretics like cinnamon to help flush the water from your system.

Now, if you're only watching what you eat and haven't actually started working out...it could still be water weight. I gain about four pounds every month the week before my period. If you weren't looking at the scale very much until the last three weeks, you may gain weight every month also and may not have realized it. (Sometimes I gain the weight and don't know it until I'm on the scale, and sometimes I'll gain it and need to wear my bigger pants. I don't know why this is.) I once started "30 Day Shred" the week before my T.O.M. and gained eight pounds in a few days. I don't think I could even put enough food into my body to gain that much in such a short time.

I also agree with others who said you may not be eating enough. Check this out: http://exercise.about.com/od/weightloss/f/gainingweight.htm -- obviously a calorie deficit is required to lose weight, but when you cut your calories too much, your body goes, "noooo! I'm staaaarviiiing!" and tries to maintain your weight. Also, higher intake is supposed to bump up your metabolism.

It could be a lot of things, but if you're eating right and working out, it's only a matter of time before the weight comes off. Good luck!