Gaining weight?!

chattertess
chattertess Posts: 45 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hey everyone!

I'm feeling a little confused and frustrated at the moment, because the last two times I've got on the scales, its shown I've put on weight! I'm wondering if anyone can help me figure out why...

I'm aiming at around 1300 cal per day, more or less, which is under my 1510 daily allowance (not even counting the added exercise ones). I've also been going to the gym 5-6 days a week, doing around 30-50 mins of cardio and weights on top.

Is it likely that I'm just gaining muscle? I've assumed this is the reason, as I've been working hard at the gym to gain strength and general fitness.

Anything I could be doing better to aid my weight loss? My diary is public so you can all scrutinise my food intake/exercise hah. Don't judge me on the cake bits...I'm a cake maker!!

Thanks in advance for any help :) hope you're all having a good weekend!

Replies

  • allaboutthecake
    allaboutthecake Posts: 1,535 Member
    Quick look-see at your food diary, you are way under protein. Cut back your carbs in 1/2 and up the protein. That will help your muscle recovery tremendous and you will see quite the definition at your gym efforts. I did not look any further on your calories for your status. :) hth
  • pteryndactyl
    pteryndactyl Posts: 303 Member
    It's likely that you're not eating enough. Don't think of 1510 as your daily "allowance", think of it as your goal. You should be able to eat approximately that amount (+ some exercise calories) and lose weight. I know it seems counter-intuitive to eat more to lose weight, but it does work for many people. You need to fuel your body if you expect it to do anything, and eating <1300 and burning 400+ calories some days doesn't help you at all.

    It's also doubtful you're gaining any actual muscle on such a deficit.
  • chattertess
    chattertess Posts: 45 Member
    Thank you both :) I'll try to up my protein and lower carbs. I still dont really understand why I've gained weight though...especially if I've under eaten, as surely that would mean I would stay the same?
  • chandanista
    chandanista Posts: 986 Member
    For me, if I under eat, my body wrangles every bit of energy it can out of the food I do eat. I know this happens because I put on weight and my bowel movements become irregular, but I'm not constipated. When I eat enough, my body goes ahead and shovels the crap (heh) on through.
  • kristinadalba
    kristinadalba Posts: 21
    First take a reflection test and make sure every morsel of food is calculated to what it says in your diary.
    Switch up routine or intensity.
    Muscle weights more than fat,have you measured recently?
    Females can retain water certain times of the month and can fluctuate up to five lbs daily.
    Keep in there you will be fine
  • sa11yjane
    sa11yjane Posts: 491 Member
    bump as I am also slowly gaining weight
  • rawr9187
    rawr9187 Posts: 12
    You would think under eating would cause you to stay the same weight, but it doesn't. If you don't eat enough calories or eat enough of your workout calories back you body will start to think it is in starvation mode and will hold on to any food you eat. This could be why you are gaining a little bit of weight back.
  • Achrya
    Achrya Posts: 16,913 Member
    With all due respect if you're actually gaining weight, and it's not just water weight, somewhere along the line you are eating more/burning less than you think.
  • socajam
    socajam Posts: 2,530 Member
    Hey everyone!

    I'm feeling a little confused and frustrated at the moment, because the last two times I've got on the scales, its shown I've put on weight! I'm wondering if anyone can help me figure out why...

    I'm aiming at around 1300 cal per day, more or less, which is under my 1510 daily allowance (not even counting the added exercise ones). I've also been going to the gym 5-6 days a week, doing around 30-50 mins of cardio and weights on top.

    Is it likely that I'm just gaining muscle? I've assumed this is the reason, as I've been working hard at the gym to gain strength and general fitness.

    Anything I could be doing better to aid my weight loss? My diary is public so you can all scrutinise my food intake/exercise hah. Don't judge me on the cake bits...I'm a cake maker!!

    Thanks in advance for any help :) hope you're all having a good weekend!

    As someone said, eat more protein. I would cut back on WW bacon (1800 grams of sodium) that a daily dose (for 2 rashers) not worth it at this time when you are trying to lose weight and the marmite.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator
    How much weight we talking? Its probably water retention from exercise or large amounts of carbs.
  • ecdce
    ecdce Posts: 129 Member
    Is the water you've tracked in your diary accurate to what you're drinking, or are you drinking more than that? Sometimes, if you're retaining water (making you heavier on the scale), drinking more water can help with it, as well as reducing sodium and carbs.
  • chattertess
    chattertess Posts: 45 Member
    Is the water you've tracked in your diary accurate to what you're drinking, or are you drinking more than that? Sometimes, if you're retaining water (making you heavier on the scale), drinking more water can help with it, as well as reducing sodium and carbs.

    The water levels are more or less right, although usually its the thing I forget to update *oops* I mainly get up to the recommended amount.
  • chattertess
    chattertess Posts: 45 Member
    How much weight we talking? Its probably water retention from exercise or large amounts of carbs.

    Only a couple of lbs! I was just wanting to know for future reference :)
  • chattertess
    chattertess Posts: 45 Member
    As someone said, eat more protein. I would cut back on WW bacon (1800 grams of sodium) that a daily dose (for 2 rashers) not worth it at this time when you are trying to lose weight and the marmite.

    lol thats the one time I've had ww bacon :P I don't usually have it, but my OH was making dinner and put it in. I heard that marmite is actually pretty good for protein if you're needing a snack? Again, something I don't regularly have, but its yummy :P
  • chattertess
    chattertess Posts: 45 Member
    With all due respect if you're actually gaining weight, and it's not just water weight, somewhere along the line you are eating more/burning less than you think.

    I'm recording everything I have and do, I assure you! As soon as I eat/do something, I log it so I don't forget. Either way I do enough exercise on a daily basis to easily cover any small details I might have missed (oil sprays for cooking etc).
  • sexymuffintop
    sexymuffintop Posts: 636
    It takes a huge amount of effort to gain muscle. Diet needs to be high protein, an excess of cals, good lifting routine. OP do all those things apply to you? If not, it's probably not muscle.
  • chattertess
    chattertess Posts: 45 Member
    It takes a huge amount of effort to gain muscle. Diet needs to be high protein, an excess of cals, good lifting routine. OP do all those things apply to you? If not, it's probably not muscle.

    It probably isn't - I'm not very knowledgeable about that sort of thing, so thought I'd ask.

    I do:

    3 x 12-15 hip abductions (45)
    3 x 12-15 leg press (50)
    3 x 12-15 low row (40)
    3 x 12-15 bench press (25)
    3 x 12-15 shoulder press (20)

    Thats my routine each time I go to the gym. Cardio 30-50 minutes too.
  • sexymuffintop
    sexymuffintop Posts: 636
    It takes a huge amount of effort to gain muscle. Diet needs to be high protein, an excess of cals, good lifting routine. OP do all those things apply to you? If not, it's probably not muscle.

    It probably isn't - I'm not very knowledgeable about that sort of thing, so thought I'd ask.

    I do:

    3 x 12-15 hip abductions (45)
    3 x 12-15 leg press (50)
    3 x 12-15 low row (40)
    3 x 12-15 bench press (25)
    3 x 12-15 shoulder press (20)

    Thats my routine each time I go to the gym. Cardio 30-50 minutes too.

    Are you fit and healthy? Do you have any medical problems that would stop you using free weights for more of your routine?
  • chattertess
    chattertess Posts: 45 Member
    [/quote]

    Are you fit and healthy? Do you have any medical problems that would stop you using free weights for more of your routine?
    [/quote]


    I'm getting fitter, but no where near fit! I have crohns disease which affects my joints and energy levels a lot. I've only just been able to join the gym again, so I'm still getting used to all the equipment! The other weight stuff is a whole other world to me right now haha.

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