I don't understand weight gain

Becca21

so for 2weeks I ate 1400-2000 cals a day and did one would workout a day. and lost 2lb a week

but this week ive ate 1200-1400 and gained weight.

y does eating less make me gain

Becca21

bump

lbesaw

Calories in VS Calories out. Depends on your weight too. You may be eating too many calories = weight gain or too few = weight gain because your metabolism is "shutting down". You need to make sure you are "fueling" your body appropriately. Once you get on track just keep doing what you are doing---your weight may fluctuate but you will see the results of all your effort. Let the MFP calculate your calories for you as a guide. I did that and then subtracted 250 calories on my own to customize my program and speed my loss to a little more than a pound a week. Good luck!

Gramps251

Many studies have shown that people who can't lose weight are consistantly understimateing their food intake. When you put them in an environment where their calories are truly controled the weight does drop.

auddii

Weight often fluctuates due to water weight, both up and down. If you've eaten salty things, you could be retaining water weight, if you're dehydrated when you weigh, you might weigh less that day. I wouldn't get discouraged by a small gain.

That said, I would pick a calorie level and stick with it for a least a month before adjusting. If you don't know what calorie intake is right for you, check out some of these threads:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

cubbies77

Going lower isn't always better. Your body wants to hang onto your fat/fuel, so if it senses it isn't getting enough food, it will stop burning the fat. When your car gets low on gas, do you pull over and fill up or try to drive another 100 miles?

acogg

Many studies have shown that people who can't lose weight are consistantly understimateing their food intake. When you put them in an environment where their calories are truly controled the weight does drop.

Yes, I believe this is probably the answer. I read a thread last week where a young woman had been stuck at her weight even though she believed that she was under her calories. She had an ah-ha moment when she realized she was logging plain chicken, but she was eating KFC, full of breading and oil. When she started logging correctly, she was over her cals. Problem solved.

ladyraven68

so for 2weeks I ate 1400-2000 cals a day and did one would workout a day. and lost 2lb a week

but this week ive ate 1200-1400 and gained weight.

y does eating less make me gain

If you were losing well on 1400-2000 calories a day, why did you switch to 1200?

you haven't eaten 3500 over your maintenance calories so the gain isn't fat, it's going to be water weight. Everybodies weight fluctuates from day to day, week to week, due to many reasons, including hormones, sodium, muscles retaining water after a strenuous workout etc

chimp517

Many studies have shown that people who can't lose weight are consistantly understimateing their food intake. When you put them in an environment where their calories are truly controled the weight does drop.

yes

supplemama

Check where you are on your cycle. If you are about to start, are on, or recently finished your period that would account for water weight gain. Most women gain 'weight' during Lady Days, anywhere from 2-7 pounds.

MacysMassiveMommy

It's your metabolism. If you eat too few calories for too long your body slows down its burning power. Plus, exercise burns calories-duh but it also makes your body continue burning more calories throughout the day.

benflando

Depends what your eating.

kbeckley11

Check where you are on your cycle. If you are about to start, are on, or recently finished your period that would account for water weight gain. Most women gain 'weight' during Lady Days, anywhere from 2-7 pounds.

This is what I was thinking.

bagge72

It's amazing how many people think that their metabolism just shut off after eating to few calories in a week...

It's just a change that you've done to your body, give it a chance to catch up... if you truely are eating what you are saying, and not on TOM.