Lost it all, then gained it back.

abbyinprogress
abbyinprogress Posts: 2
in Health and Weight Loss
Hey everyone. I was on MFP for pretty much the whole summer and lost 30 lbs. I started back at my second year of college, moved away and such, and gained it all back even though I've been eating relatively the same but add a piece of pizza every now and then. I don't know how I gained it all back eating the way I am since I workout more now then I would've at home, walking a 30 minute walk to class and back each day and more. I'm starting to blame it on stress, or a hormone deficit but I'm not sure.

Has this happened to anyone? Anyone have any input on why this could be happening?

Replies

  • lilpoindexter
    lilpoindexter Posts: 1,122 Member
    Log everything you eat, absolutely everything, down to a ketchup packet and a little thing of creamer for your coffee, mazola, everything. Be religious about logging your food for a week. It will be an eye opener.
  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 Posts: 2,720 Member
    1. Did not log everything and, thus, was unaware of all the calories you were actually consuming.
    2. Did not increase lean body mass which increases the amount of calories you can eat yet still maintain weight.
    3. Cortisol levels are elevated.
  • Mels707
    Mels707 Posts: 101
    My hunch is that your metabolism was significantly slowed from the weight loss over the summer. Did you strength train?

    Definitely recommend a solid lifting program as you begin to lose again. The scale may move slower, but it should be easier to maintain.
  • Elleacive
    Elleacive Posts: 18
    Do you drink alcohol at all?
  • needernt
    needernt Posts: 675 Member
    you probably reduced physical activities and calory burning.
    Remember when you lose considerable weight it is not like losing a bucket of water. your body addopt to yourweigh your brain and nerve system , hormones and every things. So if you do not look after your diet after loosing weight you body natirally will try to get back to its normal state.
    It will take a while for the body to adopt to the new weight, until that time watch your diet.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    You are most likely eating and/or drinking more calories than you think. Depending on the pizza, one piece could be more calories than you burn in and hour of exercise.
  • sandip69
    sandip69 Posts: 20
    Pizza a major no no. Also, it's easy to forget the odd food item. For example, i just finished off my 3 year old's fairy cake and chicken breast. At the end of the day, you have to eat more to gain weight. Exercise is a anabolic activity and does not in and of itself stimulate weight loss. It does stimulate the appetite though!
  • abbyinprogress
    abbyinprogress Posts: 2
    The thing is, I've been eating the same amount of food as I was before. I stopped tracking everything because I became busy with a family emergency but I'm trying to get back into the swing of it after my thanksgiving holiday. I don't drink, and I don't eat pizza regularly, like it may have sounded like I meant before. It's like, I'll have a piece once in a long while if I'm running late from class to work or something. I've done mostly cardio exercises, as I can't afford a gym membership and I can do cardio in my own home, as well as basic strength training like sit ups and push ups. It's just getting discouraging, as I lost it all and then gained it all back. I'm starting from phase 1 again.
  • wreath7
    wreath7 Posts: 104 Member
    This happened to me as well! I lost a lot of weight and was made in the shade and still kept up here with MFP. However, I've since gained it back and can't lose it or have been trying unsuccessfully. I know the feeling.
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    Pizza a major no no.

    Not true. There are no foods that are a "major no no"... but tracking/logging is empowering. Once you know what you're eating, you can adjust based on your goals. It's okay to eat pizza here and there if it fits your calorie goal.
  • icimani
    icimani Posts: 1,454 Member
    Yes - log everything you eat. I'll bet you'll be surprised at how much "extra" you're eating. You're a college student - are you drinking alcohol? Drinking is a LOT of empty calories! I agree that there are no real no-no's, but it is important that you know what you're eating (and drinking), especially now when you're so frustrated.

    Do you have a gym at the college you're attending? Most colleges do, and it's free for students. Might be something to check out.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Pizza a major no no.

    It doesn't have to be. I eat pizza fairly often. Homemade healthy lower calorie pizza sometimes, and sometimes the not-so-healthy high calorie delivery kind. I've been maintaining my weight loss for well over a year.

    It all comes down to the balance of eating and exercise. If you balance correctly, it's okay to splurge once in a while.
  • Weezoh
    Weezoh Posts: 171 Member
    You're now in classes for several hours a day, yes? When you were home and lost the weight were you sitting still for the same amount of hours? I think you might be underestimating just how much activity you engaged in during the summer even if it wasn't dedicated exercise.
  • Greenrun99
    Greenrun99 Posts: 2,065 Member
    If you lost all your weight before eating below 1200 calories or very low calories then when you start eating normally, its very possible your body put all the weight back on.. Would suggest figuring out your TDEE from the numerous calculators listed in the forums and then eat at a 15% cut from that number.. That way you can have a sustainable weight loss.. Or you can go back to eating the way you did, lose it and regain it most likely again...
    You can have pizza, or whatever you want, as long as they are in your daily goal.. but if you are on a low cal diet to lose weight, you will most likely gain that weight back when you eat more.. even though it doesn't seem like more.
  • juliesjuke
    juliesjuke Posts: 93 Member
    I agree with the above.If you start writing down everything that goes into your mouth you will be amazed how much you are actually consuming.It is also very important to drink a lot of water. good luck.:wink:
  • MtnKat
    MtnKat Posts: 714
    You gain weight with a calorie surplus, Try eating less and moving more. It works great.

    Good luck!
  • lisamarie2181
    lisamarie2181 Posts: 560 Member
    If you are not logging your food, you can't guarantee that you are eating the same. Sometimes we eat without thinking, take a bite of something or grab on the go, and those things can be easily forgotten and no counted into your cals. Also stress can cause your body to be a bit out of whack too, just something to think about.

    I would suggest trying to get back into logging, might be the best thing you can do.

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