Help!!!

KarenLiliana11
KarenLiliana11 Posts: 5 Member
edited January 25 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi Everyone, my name is Karen.
I am 20 years old, I used to weight 148 and my height is 5'1. I started working out 2 1/2 weeks ago and started eating very healthy. I started with 30 mins of cardio and now I am up to 1 hour and 20 mins of cardio daily. During these weeks I lost a total of 10 lbs. I thought it was great, until today when I weighed myself, I was 4 lbs heavier, so from 148 lbs to 138 lbs and now I went up to 142 in (two days). What can I be doing wrong?
I haven't broke my diet, I eat very well (veggies, fruits and chicken (no grease at all), I drink at least 100 oz of water, and like I said I have been working out.
Please Help!
Thanks,
Karen A.

PS. My goal is to be 120 lbs (just like I used to be 2 years ago). But I am planning on reaching my goal the healthy way.

Replies

  • XoChelsea2
    XoChelsea2 Posts: 7 Member
    I believe if it's that time of month, you get a few extra lbs that disappear afterwards. If its not your time of month, are you taking rest days so your muscles can relax? I believe not resting causes water retention.
  • missshyeviolett
    missshyeviolett Posts: 310 Member
    It's probably just a water weight fluctuation. Or did you have a high sodium day? If I eat chinese I go up 3-4 lbs for a couple of days.
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    Could be lots of things - weight fluctuations are normal and can be caused my time of the month/hormones, too much sodium, not enough water, a new workout, etc....

    What is your daily calorie goal and are you meeting it? What sort of cardio are you doing, and is it all cardio, or do you do any sort of resistance training, weights, machines, body weight exercises? If you could make your diary public, that would help us offer better advice.
  • KarenLiliana11
    KarenLiliana11 Posts: 5 Member
    Not time of the month and yeah my rest days are the weekends. However, I just don't understand how this happened. I am kind of bummed out but yet happy for the weight lost. Thanks for your reply.
  • missshyeviolett
    missshyeviolett Posts: 310 Member
    It sucks but don't worry about it. The way I look at it is, if I haven't gone over my calories, it's impossible that I gained any actual fat. It'll even out. You'll probably see a huge drop soon.
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    Not time of the month and yeah my rest days are the weekends. However, I just don't understand how this happened. I am kind of bummed out but yet happy for the weight lost. Thanks for your reply.
    I'm a daily weigher, it's just a habit, and I don't let the numbers bug me - which is a good thing, because I can be doing everything "right", and still see a 2-5lb fluctuation during the week for no apparent reason. It's normal. Weight loss isn't linear - I've lost inches & been out buying new smaller jeans while the scale hasn't changed a bit. :tongue: Go with overall losses in inches and pounds over time, and try to not let the little fluctuations get to ya. And take measurements instead of just weighing.
  • KarenLiliana11
    KarenLiliana11 Posts: 5 Member
    My Calorie intake is 1,200 calories. I usually eat around that amount, or sometimes 1,000. But no higher than 1,200. But yeah you are right, I know it can't be fat, it might be water retention. Let's see what happens.
    Thanks!
  • ShellyBell999
    ShellyBell999 Posts: 1,482 Member
    Weight fluctuations are going to happen for many reasons, some of which have already been mentioned.

    I suggest you put the scale away as a 2-3 lb gain after consistent healthy habits can be a disappointment.

    Over time, within just the next few months, you will find yourself right at that 120 you're aiming for.

    Be patient and enjoy the ride!
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    My Calorie intake is 1,200 calories. I usually eat around that amount, or sometimes 1,000. But no higher than 1,200. But yeah you are right, I know it can't be fat, it might be water retention. Let's see what happens.
    Thanks!
    So eating 1000 to 1200 cals a day, and doing an hour and a half of cardio - are you eating back exercise cals so that your NET cals are 1000 to 1200?
  • sexymuffintop
    sexymuffintop Posts: 636 Member
    IMO too much cardio and not enough food is your problem. Oh and not doing any weight training. That blows. You need to do some while you're trying to lose weight or you risk losing excessive muscle as well as fat
  • KarenLiliana11
    KarenLiliana11 Posts: 5 Member
    My Calorie intake is 1,200 calories. I usually eat around that amount, or sometimes 1,000. But no higher than 1,200. But yeah you are right, I know it can't be fat, it might be water retention. Let's see what happens.
    Thanks!
    So eating 1000 to 1200 cals a day, and doing an hour and a half of cardio - are you eating back exercise cals so that your NET cals are 1000 to 1200?

    Actually no.
  • natasa26ca
    natasa26ca Posts: 107 Member
    I cant see your diary so i cant say exactly. Could be many things.
    How much sodium do you intake daily?
    Sodium is known to retain water in your body so it could be just water weight.
  • natasa26ca
    natasa26ca Posts: 107 Member
    Also it depens at what time during day you measure yourself.
    Make sure you measure in mornings cause your weight will go up during day time, few pounds.
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    My Calorie intake is 1,200 calories. I usually eat around that amount, or sometimes 1,000. But no higher than 1,200. But yeah you are right, I know it can't be fat, it might be water retention. Let's see what happens.
    Thanks!
    So eating 1000 to 1200 cals a day, and doing an hour and a half of cardio - are you eating back exercise cals so that your NET cals are 1000 to 1200?

    Actually no.
    Ah, well this could be part of your problem, and certainly has the potential to become one if it's not already. Sounds like a classic case of under eating and over training. You're probably burning about what you eat every day, yeah? Net calories only in the few hundreds, maybe 400-500 on a good day? Low or negative net calories = OUT OF GAS! :sick:

    Eat too low for too long and you're giving your body a reason to store fat, not burn it. You push and push through longer workouts ,meanwhile cutting calories and giving your body very little fuel, leading to exhaustion and burnout on exercising, screwed up hormones, and a very slowed metabolism. No bueno. :noway:

    Great article on this sort of thing right here: http://www.shapefit.com/overtraining-exercising-too-much.html

    Another great topic on figuring out how much you should be eating right here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974889-in-place-of-a-road-map-short-n-sweet <
    This is great information, and I have had my absolute best success with fat loss since eating according to the info there. Give it a read, then read the full version, and read it again if you need to - it's a lot of info! :tongue: But it's worth it.

    Food is fuel and you aren't giving your body nearly enough of it.
  • tcraw15
    tcraw15 Posts: 223 Member
    My Calorie intake is 1,200 calories. I usually eat around that amount, or sometimes 1,000. But no higher than 1,200. But yeah you are right, I know it can't be fat, it might be water retention. Let's see what happens.
    Thanks!
    So eating 1000 to 1200 cals a day, and doing an hour and a half of cardio - are you eating back exercise cals so that your NET cals are 1000 to 1200?

    Actually no.
    Ah, well this could be part of your problem, and certainly has the potential to become one if it's not already. Sounds like a classic case of under eating and over training. You're probably burning about what you eat every day, yeah? Net calories only in the few hundreds, maybe 400-500 on a good day? Low or negative net calories = OUT OF GAS! :sick:

    Eat too low for too long and you're giving your body a reason to store fat, not burn it. You push and push through longer workouts ,meanwhile cutting calories and giving your body very little fuel, leading to exhaustion and burnout on exercising, screwed up hormones, and a very slowed metabolism. No bueno. :noway:

    Great article on this sort of thing right here: http://www.shapefit.com/overtraining-exercising-too-much.html

    Another great topic on figuring out how much you should be eating right here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974889-in-place-of-a-road-map-short-n-sweet <
    This is great information, and I have had my absolute best success with fat loss since eating according to the info there. Give it a read, then read the full version, and read it again if you need to - it's a lot of info! :tongue: But it's worth it.

    Food is fuel and you aren't giving your body nearly enough of it.

    I agree with all of this. And I agree that you should be doing some form of strength training. It's a LOT easier to lose fat than it is to gain muscle back that you have lost.

    My question is.. Not to be negative or condescending or anything like that, but.. how are you NOT starving to death doing all that cardio and not eating your exercise calories back? I'm pretty sure if I did that, I would die. :laugh:

    Also, don't obsess over the number on the scale. I see too many people do that, and to me, it's a rather negative thing.. I would focus on losing inches, lowering your body fat percentage, and gaining better health more than anything else. That's FAR more important than whatever the scale tells you..

    I can tell you this.. I am currently 190 lbs, and I look and feel better now than I did last year when I was trying to lose weight, and got down to 180. So.. 10 lbs heavier, but look and feel better. That to me, is more important. I decided to take a different approach to weight loss this time around, and I have a more positive outlook now. I stress out less about obsessing over what the scale tells me.

    But really, just be patient. That is key to any weight loss journey.
  • ddky
    ddky Posts: 381 Member
    don't weigh yourself so often. Once a week is more than enough. Weighing every day will drive you crazy.
  • KarenLiliana11
    KarenLiliana11 Posts: 5 Member
    I dont starve myself because I eat well in the morning. Then around noon I do my work out and after I eat a fruit or something. Then I eat my lunch, snack and finally dinner. So eventually I don't starve myself at all. I will start strength training. Thanks for the advice.
    My Calorie intake is 1,200 calories. I usually eat around that amount, or sometimes 1,000. But no higher than 1,200. But yeah you are right, I know it can't be fat, it might be water retention. Let's see what happens.
    Thanks!
    So eating 1000 to 1200 cals a day, and doing an hour and a half of cardio - are you eating back exercise cals so that your NET cals are 1000 to 1200?

    Actually no.
    Ah, well this could be part of your problem, and certainly has the potential to become one if it's not already. Sounds like a classic case of under eating and over training. You're probably burning about what you eat every day, yeah? Net calories only in the few hundreds, maybe 400-500 on a good day? Low or negative net calories = OUT OF GAS! :sick:

    Eat too low for too long and you're giving your body a reason to store fat, not burn it. You push and push through longer workouts ,meanwhile cutting calories and giving your body very little fuel, leading to exhaustion and burnout on exercising, screwed up hormones, and a very slowed metabolism. No bueno. :noway:

    Great article on this sort of thing right here: http://www.shapefit.com/overtraining-exercising-too-much.html

    Another great topic on figuring out how much you should be eating right here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974889-in-place-of-a-road-map-short-n-sweet <
    This is great information, and I have had my absolute best success with fat loss since eating according to the info there. Give it a read, then read the full version, and read it again if you need to - it's a lot of info! :tongue: But it's worth it.

    Food is fuel and you aren't giving your body nearly enough of it.

    I agree with all of this. And I agree that you should be doing some form of strength training. It's a LOT easier to lose fat than it is to gain muscle back that you have lost.

    My question is.. Not to be negative or condescending or anything like that, but.. how are you NOT starving to death doing all that cardio and not eating your exercise calories back? I'm pretty sure if I did that, I would die. :laugh:

    Also, don't obsess over the number on the scale. I see too many people do that, and to me, it's a rather negative thing.. I would focus on losing inches, lowering your body fat percentage, and gaining better health more than anything else. That's FAR more important than whatever the scale tells you..

    I can tell you this.. I am currently 190 lbs, and I look and feel better now than I did last year when I was trying to lose weight, and got down to 180. So.. 10 lbs heavier, but look and feel better. That to me, is more important. I decided to take a different approach to weight loss this time around, and I have a more positive outlook now. I stress out less about obsessing over what the scale tells me.

    But really, just be patient. That is key to any weight loss journey.
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