Body fat increasing while I eat healthy

mongoosepouco
mongoosepouco Posts: 9 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all,

Let me introduce myself first; I'm 25, 127lbs, 5'4, moderately active (walk 40 minutes 4 times a week but have a desk job).

I need to lose maybe 6 lbs. So I did some calculations on TDEE and BMR, and my suggested calorie intake is around 1400. I have followed this for three weeks. Initial weigh in was 128lbs, and body fat of 25%. The next week, I was 127lbs, but 27% body fat, and today I am still 127lbs but now 29% body fat. What's going on?!

I look trimmer depsite not losing weight, but my fat is increasing? So confused! I'm worried that if I eat more, I'll put weight on, so I seem to be stuck in this loop of 1200-1400 calories a day, but to no avail.

Thanks,
Alicia

Replies

  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    How are you measuring your body fat?

    It is very difficult to measure accurately - you could do a +/- 10% or more on any figures you're getting.

    Also, are you doing any strength training?
  • mongoosepouco
    mongoosepouco Posts: 9 Member
    Hi Melanie,

    I have used the Boots Chemist machine to measure body fat each time.

    I did strength training for a month but it made me light headed. I should probably start again.

    Thanks for your reply.
  • mcorsaletti
    mcorsaletti Posts: 13
    If you're using a fat caliper some of the 'fat' you are measuring could in-fact just be water weight. Drink at least 8 glasses a day to reduce your water retention, also watch your sodium levels, sodium increases water retention
  • DrMAvDPhD
    DrMAvDPhD Posts: 2,097 Member
    There is pretty much no accurate way to monitor body fat percent at home. Chances are your bodyfat is not increasing (especially since you think you look trimmer). However, if you are concerned about losing muscle mass, the best way to prevent that from occurring is to add resistance training to your exercise regimen.
  • mongoosepouco
    mongoosepouco Posts: 9 Member
    Not a caliper! I would probably find that too distressing ;)
  • mongoosepouco
    mongoosepouco Posts: 9 Member
    Ok, so strength training is really the key thing here. I used the Jillian Michaels Shred routine, but to be honest, after a month I didn't enjoy it so much.

    I will have a look at some HIIT strength workouts.

    Thanks guys!
  • mongoosepouco
    mongoosepouco Posts: 9 Member
    For anyone's interest, I have now made my food diary public.
  • moglovesshoez
    moglovesshoez Posts: 83 Member
    Hi

    Had a quick look at your diary, you don't seem to be eating much. Try low carb, high fat, avocados, coconut the good stuff. With regards to the strength training those dvd's are pretty intense if your just starting out (and not eating enough). Try some basic weight training with some 5lb hand weights. There are loads of videos on you tube to show you how to do things safely. This should just help with muscle tone and help firm up any areas you are unhappy with.
  • EDollah
    EDollah Posts: 464 Member
    I did a little digging to see what Boots uses to measure bodyfat. Apparently it's bioelectrical impedance, which is not the most reliable means of determining BFP. They are prone to fluctuations based on a number of factors, such as dehydration.

    The results you (OP) posted clearly reflect erroneous readings.

    Reading 1: 128 pounds, 25% BFP, 32 pounds fat, 96 pounds lean
    Reading 2: 127 pounds, 27% BFP, 34.3 pounds fat, 92.7 pounds lean
    Reading 3: 127 pounds, 29% BFP, 36.8 pounds fat, 90.2 pounds lean

    It is basically impossible to lose 1 pound in total and gain 2 pounds of fat. The next week is even more unlikely.

    If you're truly interested in body fat, I'd seek a more reliable measurement, such as a bod pod or dunking.
  • mongoosepouco
    mongoosepouco Posts: 9 Member
    Moglovesshoez, thanks. I will have a look at some workouts. I have the weights already so will give it a shot. I love avocados too, good fats, but high cals... Thank you.

    EDollah, that's really interesting! Maybe I shouldn't focus on BFP at all, as it's quite disheartening to think I've increased it when trying to eat lower cals and also relatively clean. Even so, I haven't actually lost weight in the three weeks I've been eating fewer cals so I'm definitely doing something wrong.

    This forum is great. Really appreciate all your help!
  • neintical
    neintical Posts: 20
    You seem to be the same situation as me even our calorie intakes are the same. I have been eating carefully since June and occasionally worked out (have a desk job) Last time when I lost significant weight was when I was building muscles. I can't right now but diet a lone seems to not be helping me.
  • mongoosepouco
    mongoosepouco Posts: 9 Member
    Neintical, at least you lost 2lbs! It must be our body types. Were you quite athletic during puberty? I was, and I think that's what set my body standard somehow. If we build muscles we'll have no trouble I guess, but it's the motivation to work out for me that is stalling my progress!
  • neintical
    neintical Posts: 20
    Neintical, at least you lost 2lbs! It must be our body types. Were you quite athletic during puberty? I was, and I think that's what set my body standard somehow. If we build muscles we'll have no trouble I guess, but it's the motivation to work out for me that is stalling my progress!

    Nope! Unfortunately, I was not. Because I wasn't athletic, I decided I want to be like the others, where its easy to be active. So what I did is Just start out slow! I feel like people push me to start running first. Don't be pressured, you need to tell yourself, "where do I start?" okay Ill walk for 40 minutes. Next week do intervals. For example you can say "I will run as fast I can for 10 seconds and then continue walking for 2 minutes for 40 minutes" Little things like that makes a big difference in the long run. Thank yourself! I know you can do it Mongoose!!!!!! :D

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