Gaining at 1200??? WTH

sarahkalt88 · April 2013

Sometimes cutting your calories too low can cause your metabolism to slow down, and you hold on to food longer hence you gain weight. Try eating a few hundred calories more, but in smaller quantities 6 times a day maybe?

Ed98043 · April 2013

Are you weighing and measuring everything you eat, or just estimating? There are a lot of days where you eat very small portions of particular foods - 1.5 oz of meat, 1/4 cup of ice cream, 0.4 of an english muffin (?) etc. - and I'm wondering if you're just eyeballing.

escapepod · April 2013

Has the macro composition of what you're eating shifted? Our bodies retain water differently when we're consuming more carbs. I'm not saying you need to eat lower carb, I'm just saying that if you're eating higher carb that was the case before, even at the same calorie count, you'll see a shift in weight due to the increase in water your body stores to process those carbs.

heathermcclellan · April 2013

I had a quick look at your diary and there are a few things which might be confusing your calorie intake.

e.g. you have oats for breakfast quite often. Do you make them with water, or milk? Don't forget to add any milk you add to cereal, coffee etc as it soon adds up.

also - weigh the oats! I have a tiny portion for breakfast sometimes and it's 200 cals.

You put in a few "one serving" entries for meals, which is OK as long as you are aware of the calories for that particular meal and just want to enter something quickly. Have you taken the time to weigh the ingredients and work out how many calories there really are?

Surely it's physically impossible to have a calories deficit for months on end and gradually put on weight? (please correct me if I am wrong!)

I made the oats and did not cook with milk. I measured everything as I made a big pot and froze the rest in measured portions. I did the same with the chili. I made my own, measured everything I put in the pot, estimated the number of servings and that is how I got my calorie count for one serving. Other things, like 1 ounce meat, yes I did measure those. I do own and scale and do use it. I try to be as precise with my counts as possible.

kgoodman0108 · April 2013

If you are measuring food and calculating your calories properly, something else must be wrong. It sounds like you need to see a doctor and have blood work done. You could have something going on, such as thyroid trouble or insulin resistance.

birdgal · April 2013

Stay the course. It can take 7-10 days for the scale to show the results of diet and exercise. 3 days is not enough time.

I'm sure that you are drinking a lot of water.

Intense exercise can cause one to retain water as the muscles repair themselves . I do think higher protein, at least 80 mg would be better than 65. IMHO.

The weight is going to come off much slower than it did when you had more to lose.

Track your sodium intake.

IMHO

Griffin220x · April 2013

sigh....another 1200 thread. Why do people post 1,000 of these a day?

Some_Watery_Tart · April 2013

Will increasing my calories to 1300 cause a weight gain? And yes, I have looked at the Road map. When I do the calculations my BMR is 1227, TDEE is 1902 and I figured my goal calories to be at 1522. How is it logical that I would gain on 1200??

I was gaining on 1200/day prior to switching to TDEE/road map. At 1800/day I started losing again. I know it doesn't seem logical, but it worked for me.

Some_Watery_Tart · April 2013

sigh....another 1200 thread. Why do people post 1,000 of these a day?

Not helpful or necessary.

Griffin220x · April 2013

sigh....another 1200 thread. Why do people post 1,000 of these a day?

Not helpful or necessary.

ladyraven68 · April 2013

Here's the backstory: I have been maintaining my weight at around 135 for about 2 years. All was peachy keen. No issues, eating healthy and working out. Over the holidays I got a little carried away and gained a few pounds - up to about 141. I started to cut back, started to log but continued to gain. I've been doing this since about January. I was staying at around 1100 calories, exercising and gaining and going into complete freak-out and stress mode when every couple days I would get on the scale and see another gain. Last week, I went to the nutritionist and she thoroughly looked over my logs and told me to increase my calories, increase fiber and lower my protein intake. I saw her on Thursday and when I weighed myself that morning I was 144. I weighed myself yesterday and I was up to a whopping 148 pounds!! HOLY FREAKING SMOKES!! How could I gain 4 pounds in 3 days?? When I weighed this morning, I was 147.

My question to you is I'm really afraid to increase my calories because I'm afraid my weight is just going to keep climbing and climbing. What else could be causing this dramatic weight gain? I do drink tons of water, and for the most part - cook all our meals. We do not eat much processed foods. I do exercise about 4-6 days a week with a combo of cardio and strength. I know I'm gaining because I have pants I can't wear any longer because they are too tight.

Will increasing my calories to 1300 cause a weight gain? And yes, I have looked at the Road map. When I do the calculations my BMR is 1227, TDEE is 1902 and I figured my goal calories to be at 1522. How is it logical that I would gain on 1200??

To gain 3lbs of fat, you would need to eat 10500 calories over maintenance, that is not possible eating at 1200, so it is just water retention.

http://www.justinowings.com/understanding-bodyweight-and-glycogen-de/

Increase gradually to your 1500, and ignore the scales for a few weeks.

Some_Watery_Tart · April 2013

sigh....another 1200 thread. Why do people post 1,000 of these a day?

Not helpful or necessary.

Neither is this thread

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/419136-what-am-i-doing-wrong
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/419393-need-serious-help-please
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/420759-gaining-weight-on-a-low-carb-diet-please-help
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/421412-so-fed-up-there-has-to-be-an-easier-way
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/446248-why-am-i-gaining-weight
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/447513-disillusioned
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/448803-not-loosing-weight-or-inches
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/454374-gaining-with-scrict-diet-and-workouts
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/455392-no-results-at-all-despair
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/457566-why-cant-i-loose-weight-or-inches
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/457037-feeling-disheartened
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/467001-why-1200-c-a-day-and-still-no-weight-loss
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/480698-assistance-please-this-is-getting-ridiculous
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/480186-tiredness
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/487729-the-scale-wont-move
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/493331-i-need-some-straight-up-advice-on-this-dieting
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/503342-mfp-lied-help
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/509836-i-can-t-seem-to-lose-any-weight
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/517635-what-is-wrong-with-me
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/526497-1000cal-day-diet-daily-work-out-not-losing
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/552142-giving-up
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/557832-why-am-i-not-loosing-weight-help-im-doing-everything-i
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/585081-help-working-out-and-eating-1200-calories-no-change
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/589043-sick-of-trying-with-no-results
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/665625-could-someone-look-at-my-logs
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/668039-why-haven-t-i-lost-weight-in-2-weeks
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/680195-helppppp
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/705854-hair-loss
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/713154-900-calories-a-day
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/713967-not-seeing-any-progress
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/721909-1200-every-day-and-no-change-demotivated-completely
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/739340-1200cal-daily-for-3-weeks-and-havent-lost-a-single-pound
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/854231-calorie-problem
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/854236-stuck-fat
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/867360-i-m-scared
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/873449-need-advice
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/890176-not-losing-with-1200-calorie-plan
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/892991-4-weeks-dieting-and-haven-t-lost-1-pound
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/901715-anybody-busting-their-butts-and-seeing-no-results
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/905033-why-am-i-not-losing
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/905493-daily-600-net-calories-no-weight-lost-what-s-wrong

Then go read a book.

Energizer06 · April 2013

3 Key points to Successful Weight Loss

1. Weigh everything you eat. Yes, it takes more effort, but well worth it in the long run.
2. Exercise 4-6 times per week. Lifting and Cardio (if your gonna lift...lift heavy, Cardio HIIT)
3. Set your calories up right. TDEE-20% (I personally like this method http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/943139-weight-loss-cheat-sheet-ipoarm)

That's it.

For the OP, Eat your 1500 cal/day....workout and measure. Scales are just one tool to gauge which direction your headed. As for your weight gain. You would have had to eaten close to 1900 cal/day + and additional 500 cal/day for a week to gain close to a lb of fat. Did you do that? If no, then its not 100% fat you gained. Eat you calories, log everyday, weigh everything, workout (lift heavy), do some cardio, measurements every 4-5 weeks, stay off the scale, sleep at least 7-8 hours and enjoy being alive.

Good Luck and Best Wishes!

Griffin220x · April 2013

sigh....another 1200 thread. Why do people post 1,000 of these a day?

Not helpful or necessary.

Neither is this thread

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/419136-what-am-i-doing-wrong
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/419393-need-serious-help-please
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/420759-gaining-weight-on-a-low-carb-diet-please-help
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/421412-so-fed-up-there-has-to-be-an-easier-way
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/446248-why-am-i-gaining-weight
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/447513-disillusioned
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/448803-not-loosing-weight-or-inches
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/454374-gaining-with-scrict-diet-and-workouts
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/455392-no-results-at-all-despair
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/457566-why-cant-i-loose-weight-or-inches
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/457037-feeling-disheartened
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/467001-why-1200-c-a-day-and-still-no-weight-loss
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/480698-assistance-please-this-is-getting-ridiculous
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/480186-tiredness
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/487729-the-scale-wont-move
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/493331-i-need-some-straight-up-advice-on-this-dieting
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/503342-mfp-lied-help
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/509836-i-can-t-seem-to-lose-any-weight
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/517635-what-is-wrong-with-me
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/526497-1000cal-day-diet-daily-work-out-not-losing
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/552142-giving-up
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/557832-why-am-i-not-loosing-weight-help-im-doing-everything-i
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/585081-help-working-out-and-eating-1200-calories-no-change
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/589043-sick-of-trying-with-no-results
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/665625-could-someone-look-at-my-logs
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/668039-why-haven-t-i-lost-weight-in-2-weeks
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/680195-helppppp
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/705854-hair-loss
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/713154-900-calories-a-day
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/713967-not-seeing-any-progress
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/721909-1200-every-day-and-no-change-demotivated-completely
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/739340-1200cal-daily-for-3-weeks-and-havent-lost-a-single-pound
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/854231-calorie-problem
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/854236-stuck-fat
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/867360-i-m-scared
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/873449-need-advice
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/890176-not-losing-with-1200-calorie-plan
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/892991-4-weeks-dieting-and-haven-t-lost-1-pound
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/901715-anybody-busting-their-butts-and-seeing-no-results
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/905033-why-am-i-not-losing
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/905493-daily-600-net-calories-no-weight-lost-what-s-wrong

Then go read a book.

Any recommendations?

LoveCR22 · April 2013

sigh....another 1200 thread. Why do people post 1,000 of these a day?

Not helpful or necessary.

Neither is this thread

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/419136-what-am-i-doing-wrong
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/419393-need-serious-help-please
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/420759-gaining-weight-on-a-low-carb-diet-please-help
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/421412-so-fed-up-there-has-to-be-an-easier-way
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/446248-why-am-i-gaining-weight
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/447513-disillusioned
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/448803-not-loosing-weight-or-inches
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/454374-gaining-with-scrict-diet-and-workouts
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/455392-no-results-at-all-despair
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/457566-why-cant-i-loose-weight-or-inches
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/457037-feeling-disheartened
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/467001-why-1200-c-a-day-and-still-no-weight-loss
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/480698-assistance-please-this-is-getting-ridiculous
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/480186-tiredness
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/487729-the-scale-wont-move
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/493331-i-need-some-straight-up-advice-on-this-dieting
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/503342-mfp-lied-help
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/509836-i-can-t-seem-to-lose-any-weight
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/517635-what-is-wrong-with-me
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/526497-1000cal-day-diet-daily-work-out-not-losing
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/552142-giving-up
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/557832-why-am-i-not-loosing-weight-help-im-doing-everything-i
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/585081-help-working-out-and-eating-1200-calories-no-change
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/589043-sick-of-trying-with-no-results
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/665625-could-someone-look-at-my-logs
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/668039-why-haven-t-i-lost-weight-in-2-weeks
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/680195-helppppp
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/705854-hair-loss
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/713154-900-calories-a-day
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/713967-not-seeing-any-progress
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/721909-1200-every-day-and-no-change-demotivated-completely
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/739340-1200cal-daily-for-3-weeks-and-havent-lost-a-single-pound
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/854231-calorie-problem
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/854236-stuck-fat
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/867360-i-m-scared
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/873449-need-advice
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/890176-not-losing-with-1200-calorie-plan
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/892991-4-weeks-dieting-and-haven-t-lost-1-pound
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/901715-anybody-busting-their-butts-and-seeing-no-results
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/905033-why-am-i-not-losing
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/905493-daily-600-net-calories-no-weight-lost-what-s-wrong

Then go read a book.

Any recommendations?

try...

judychicken · April 2013

Bump

lizzardsm · April 2013

Then go read a book.

Any recommendations?

try...

Oh, so you've read it? Perhaps you should read it again.

OP! Yes, your nutritionist is right! You totally haven't gained 3lbs. It's likely water weight and you'll lose it relatively quickly. Also, be aware that if you've been eating at 1200 cal for a long time, it might take 4-6 weeks for your metabolism to repair (took me about 6 weeks). So, be patient. In the meantime, read up on why 1200 is too little. Here's a good starting place: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/937712-in-place-of-a-road-map-ver-3-0

(edited to repair quotes)

darrellhenderson · April 2013

I agree with getting your thyroid checked. One other suggestion is, are you sure your food scale is correct? 1 oz. of meat would be tiny. You figure that the regular hamburgers at Wendy's or such are 1/4 pound so that is 4 ozs. and that's not much meat at all...so 1 oz would be super, super small. If it's correct then do consider seeing a doctor for guidance and don't give up!!!!!

marissastephens13 · April 2013

I would say, even if you are afraid, increase your calories! I really wish someone would have pounded this into my head earlier. Under-eating (which you are doing) ONLY leads to bad results. The perfectionist in us all wants to stay around 1200 because that's the lowest goal we can do and so it must be the best one, right? WRONG! Once you increase to about 1500, you will start losing again. Just give it at least a month and don't weigh yourself every day. Your body is probably just fighting back due to the restriction. If, after a month or so, your weight is not declining, then I would say that there is something else going on.

paigelouise69 · April 2013

maybe you havnt gained, could just be water retention.?

Gaining at 1200??? WTH

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