I need an honest person's help!

PurpleFlower777
PurpleFlower777 Posts: 12
in Health and Weight Loss
I've been losing about a pound to 2 pounds a week. I am 5 feet 1 inch and my body weight should ideally be around 120lbs. I currently weigh 133.2 pounds. Now last week I was at 131.8 pounds. How did I gain almost a pound and a half in one week? My net calorie intake was below 1200 a day all last week. I exercise every day or every other day. I don't eat what I lose in calories to exercise. I find exercising lowers my appetite. I did eat a little more this past Sunday (you can view my diary). I don't understand this. I hear people saying eating too little can cause you to STOP losing weight but not gain! What is going on here? I'm really really upset about this. Can anyone help me....maybe someone who has some knowledge in nutrition?

Replies

  • Mia_RagazzaTosta
    Mia_RagazzaTosta Posts: 4,885 Member
    Search "in place of a roadmap" in the forums. Everything you need to know is there.
  • jzammetti
    jzammetti Posts: 1,956 Member
    You can fluctuate with just normal bodily function - water retention is most common. You can, however, retain a lot of fluid if you are not eating enough, making it look like you are gaining weight.

    I agree you are not eating enough - I am 42 and 125 pounds eating 1800 calories er day and I only workout three days a week. I am still losing. Eating too little will damage your body's ability to function properly - so eat more.
  • NicoleNeverman
    NicoleNeverman Posts: 41
    From looking at your diary I think the problem is sodium, you have quite a lot of it in your diet. The weight you 'gained' is likely to be due to water retention rather than a real weight gain. Try to lower your sodium levels and in a few days that weight should be gone.
  • shlevon
    shlevon Posts: 30 Member
    I've been losing about a pound to 2 pounds a week. I am 5 feet 1 inch and my body weight should ideally be around 120lbs. I currently weigh 133.2 pounds. Now last week I was at 131.8 pounds. How did I gain almost a pound and a half in one week? My net calorie intake was below 1200 a day all last week. I exercise every day or every other day. I don't eat what I lose in calories to exercise. I find exercising lowers my appetite. I did eat a little more this past Sunday (you can view my diary). I don't understand this. I hear people saying eating too little can cause you to STOP losing weight but not gain! What is going on here? I'm really really upset about this. Can anyone help me....maybe someone who has some knowledge in nutrition?

    Fluctuations in water weight (particularly for a woman) can swing you a few lbs in either direction (gains or loss) quite easily. Stated differently, the weight you "gained" is meaningless, as it's almost certainly not fat.
  • lisa483
    lisa483 Posts: 105 Member
    Eat above your BMR which is about 1400.

    I agree with the other post, search "in place of a roadmap" you will learn so much from it

    Good Luck :0)
  • S_Arr_Uh
    S_Arr_Uh Posts: 77 Member
    From all that I've read over the past few weeks, plus looking at your diary, it seems like you have too much sodium in your diet, which means you're probably retaining water.

    You also only have about 13 lbs to lose which theoretically speaking, isn't that much so you should be looking to lose the weight slowly & I think 1200 calories per day is way too low. Try upping your calories over the next few weeks and see what happens.
  • PurpleFlower777
    PurpleFlower777 Posts: 12
    Thanks everyone. So my sodium intake goal for the day is 2500mg. I only go over that every once in a while if I am remembering correctly. So what goal should I really stick to?
  • 1ConcreteGirl
    1ConcreteGirl Posts: 3,677 Member
    Eat above your BMR which is about 1400.

    I agree with the other post, search "in place of a roadmap" you will learn so much from it

    Good Luck :0)

    This.

    You aren't eating enough; your caloric intake is too low and is stressing your body.
  • NicoleNeverman
    NicoleNeverman Posts: 41
    Thanks everyone. So my sodium intake goal for the day is 2500mg. I only go over that every once in a while if I am remembering correctly. So what goal should I really stick to?

    In my opinion the sodium goal on here is WAY too high. I live in New Zealand where it is suggested that we have no more than 1000 mg of sodium a day. I find that if I go over 1500 mg of sodium I start retaining water.
  • suzely0530
    suzely0530 Posts: 150 Member
    Eat above your BMR which is about 1400.

    I agree with the other post, search "in place of a roadmap" you will learn so much from it

    Good Luck :0)

    This.


    I agree that you should be eating at least your BMR. Since you are eating below 1200, your body may also be holding on to whatever it can because you'e not eating enough.
    You aren't eating enough; your caloric intake is too low and is stressing your body.
  • AmazonRDH
    AmazonRDH Posts: 203 Member
    since you're female it might be hormonal weight gain too, around "that time" i can put on 3 to 5 pounds in one day and then it falls back off again..... :smokin:
  • Serah87
    Serah87 Posts: 5,481 Member
    Search "in place of a roadmap" in the forums. Everything you need to know is there.


    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
  • Ultragirl2374
    Ultragirl2374 Posts: 390 Member
    Sometimes hormones that go up and down during your monthly cycle can make you retain water. Nothing that you did right or wrong
  • jenniferrusso7393
    jenniferrusso7393 Posts: 189 Member
    I'm in line with the hormonal thing-- I gain like 3lbs one week every month... sucks! And it is literally 3 pounds, and I try to eat pretty low sodium due to hereditary blood pressure issues... that being said,I agree with everyone on here that too much sodium is an enemy!
  • PurpleFlower777
    PurpleFlower777 Posts: 12
    I read Dan's post and looked up my body fat percentage. I have a serious problem with this. I am 5'1'' and 133.2 pounds. According to my body fat percentage, I am 37.5% body fat. Which classifies me as obese. I am size 6/8. I can't see me being obese. Since this percentage is used for my BMR calculation, I don't think it is accurate at all. I'm Italian, I have hips....but I wouldn't say I am obese and fit into a size 6-8. This makes no sense to me.
  • MartiKritzer
    MartiKritzer Posts: 2 Member
    Make sure you are getting enough protein in your diet. Keep a good balance between
    carbs and protein. Eating too little is not good for you. Find out how many calories you
    are supposed to eat to lose the weight you want then with the exercise you are doing,
    you should see a difference. I need about 1300 calories just to keep by body going, so I
    try to stay with in those limits with some days going over. I want to lose slowly, so I am
    not focusing on cutting 3500 to lose a pound a week. Let me know how you are doing.
    I will help as much as I can.
  • lisa483
    lisa483 Posts: 105 Member
    Do not worry about your body fat, unless you have a good source to give you your percentage correctly.

    Workout your BMR and TDEE and eat 20% under that and don't eat back exercise cals
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    2 things

    1. weight fluctuates
    2. staying below 1200 calories is a setup for failure for most people. figure out your TDEE and i think you will see that your calorie deficit is unreasonably large
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    If you want, check out this link by MFPer Heliotsdan - It'll give you a detailed walkthrough (with pictures even) on finding your TDEE and calculating what you should be eating.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

    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: (Read all the stickies. It's great information to know.)
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10118-eat-train-progress
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/865230-resources-and-references

    For those eating below their BMR (which I think 1200 is below your BMR to be honest), not going to preach at you, but here's something you might want to look at:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/81391-starvation-mode-myths-and-science
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/859495-if-only-i-had-known?page=1#posts-12919931
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing
    http://www.fitwatch.com/weight-loss/3-reasons-why-eating-less-than-1000-calories-is-a-waste-of-time-3347.html


    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.
  • Prayforya
    Prayforya Posts: 68 Member
    Obese, not in the sense that you look big or fat, but obese in the sense that you have a disproportionate amount of body fat. Its not just a numbers/weight/scale thing, its a body fat/lean muscle percentage thing as well. I know iconically "obese" is related only to those who "look fat" but its not solely about a pant size. I could weight 155 and have lower body fat percentage than someone who weighs 120. It requires a comprehensive look at health and nutrition to get to a healthy place physically, not just a numbers game. :)
  • hnfelix
    hnfelix Posts: 1
    Naturally a person's body weight will fluctuate 1-2 pounds. This is especially true for women who must deal with the drastic hormone changes our bodies go through throughout our "monthly cycle". Excessive salt intake can make you retain extra water weight and so on and so on. I am a 32 year old mother of two in need of losing a few pounds (we will use the word "few" somewhat loosely here, lol) I have gained wieght and lost weight even back to my pre-baby size 3 times since my first child was born 13 years ago. Stress is usually a key factor in putting the weight on and hard work and healthy food choices over time takes it off. My advice to you would be not to beat yourself up over a pound or two. Instead focus on the progress you have made. Each day is a new day and a new opportunity to jump back on the wagon if you've fallen off or hit a plateau. Remember to make good food choices and try to fit some form of exercise into your day and you will reach your goals. Nothing worth having comes easy!!!
  • PurpleFlower777
    PurpleFlower777 Posts: 12
    My only issue is that I have wide hips. So does my mom. Its genetic. I'm not saying that I couldn't lose an inch or two there but I did cross country in high school because I can run for long distances. I have big hips. So I feel like the calculation is off. Not everyone who is healthy has the same hip span. Like look at Jennifer from weightwatchers. She has wide hips but she is a beautiful woman who is probably maintaining a healthy body weight. Yet if she calculated her body fat percentage, she would probably cry.
  • missmince
    missmince Posts: 76 Member
    I just joined MFP Monday because I weighed myself that morning and was 132, several pounds over my normal weight. I already logged exercise rotations and food, but not with the specific macronutrient and more exact calorie counts I get with MFP. Yesterday morning I was at 128, this morning at 127. No differences in habits - just normal female fluctuations. I'm 5'4", BTW.
  • MJH2
    MJH2 Posts: 55 Member
    I've been at this a long time, and the most important thing I've learned is "YOU MUST EAT TO LOOSE". I've lost 171lbs, am 5'3 and eat 1400 calories per day, but not always my exercise ones. I can also say that the first 100lbs was lost 5lbs one week and gain 3lbs the next, then the last 71lbs was .5lbs per week, talk about painfully slow. I've had significant health issues the last year am working off 80lbs again, but the drill's the same. Slow, steady and EAT TO LOOSE.
  • missmince
    missmince Posts: 76 Member
    I read Dan's post and looked up my body fat percentage. I have a serious problem with this. I am 5'1'' and 133.2 pounds. According to my body fat percentage, I am 37.5% body fat. Which classifies me as obese. I am size 6/8. I can't see me being obese. Since this percentage is used for my BMR calculation, I don't think it is accurate at all. I'm Italian, I have hips....but I wouldn't say I am obese and fit into a size 6-8. This makes no sense to me.

    I read that post, too. But I've also read that tape measures are better for quite heavy people, which you aren't. Calipers are supposed to be more accurate if you don't have huge folds of body fat. Of course, you have to learn to use them and maybe have help with measuring.
  • PurpleFlower777
    PurpleFlower777 Posts: 12
    You know I've heard that too. I forgot about it though. Maybe I will try that. Thanks for the advice. I don't mind spending some extra time in learning something new! Thanks so much everyone!
  • Ultragirl2374
    Ultragirl2374 Posts: 390 Member
    I don't think the fat calculator is accurate. I think my bf% was way UNDERestimated for myself. I wouldn't put much stock into it if I were you.
  • Lynn_is_happy
    Lynn_is_happy Posts: 152 Member
    I am similar at 5' and 145 pounds shooting for 125lbs. I see a dietician monthly. I was doing 1200 calories and then hit the plateau and she said to increase 100 calorie of protein for lunch and dinner especially after a good workout. On days I don't go crazy exercising I go down to 1200. She told me that was safe. but, I do agree water retention and or sodium could be the culprit especially if you haven't changed your exercise routine.
  • sarah197436
    sarah197436 Posts: 133
    water weight is defenatly a possibility especially when your period is due ... sorry tmi... stick with it .. try and eat more calories too .. ive heard our bodys can go into starvation mode when we arent eating enough .. good luck you will loose you've just got to find that balance :)

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