gaining weight instead of losing it

alisonnicole2013
alisonnicole2013 Posts: 1
in Health and Weight Loss
I've been using MFP for about a month now and have been working really hard to stick to it. But instead of losing about 8 lbs Ive gained 4 lbs. I've been trying not to let it get my down, but I'm really disappointed and not sure what I'm doing wrong.

Ive been vegan for 4 years and vegetarian for 1.5 years before that and never had an issue before. Due to a lot of life stress and comfort eating I've noticed my weight start to creep up in recent months. I wanted to do something about it before it got out of hand.

My job is very physical and involves going up and down stairs multiple times in a few hours, often while carrying things. I use a step counter while I'm at work that converts my steps into a distance and time format so I can add that into my workout and account for my calorie consumption.

Any incite to what I might be doing wrong would be appreciated.

Replies

  • Nathanmmx
    Nathanmmx Posts: 43 Member
    Maybe try not adding the calorie count from the step counter for a week or so, and just eat the calories you need normally and see how you go. I find I accelerate my weight loss simply by eating to the standard goal or just below and not adding in my exercise calories about half of the time.
  • mrsamanda86
    mrsamanda86 Posts: 869 Member
    Put your activity to lightly active/active, don't add the steps, and buy a food scale. You're overestimating your burn, or underestimating your food.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    Put your activity to lightly active/active, don't add the steps, and buy a food scale. You're overestimating your burn, or underestimating your food.

    This!!
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    I've been using MFP for about a month now and have been working really hard to stick to it. But instead of losing about 8 lbs Ive gained 4 lbs. I've been trying not to let it get my down, but I'm really disappointed and not sure what I'm doing wrong.

    Ive been vegan for 4 years and vegetarian for 1.5 years before that and never had an issue before. Due to a lot of life stress and comfort eating I've noticed my weight start to creep up in recent months. I wanted to do something about it before it got out of hand.

    My job is very physical and involves going up and down stairs multiple times in a few hours, often while carrying things. I use a step counter while I'm at work that converts my steps into a distance and time format so I can add that into my workout and account for my calorie consumption.

    Any incite to what I might be doing wrong would be appreciated.

    I have not read other replies, but I know the problem, I think.

    If you have your activity setting at active or very active due to your work, you do not add those calories back in from the activity at work. The only exercise calories you log in are from exercise outside of work because your activity setting already takes care of work.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Your work steps don't count per se as an exercise factor. Set your budget to lightly active and forget the pedometer for the work steps. Only count intentional exercise you do outside of work for calorie burn. Adding all those calories is obviously putting your calorie budget somewhere over your maintenance calories.
  • steph6467
    steph6467 Posts: 54 Member
    Yeah, what they said. I was vegan for a year and have been veggie (d*mnit, cheese! lol) for the last 2 years. I eat healthfully, but I'm prone to eating too much (aren't we all). I seem to enjoy losing and regaining 20 pounds (not), so I've done this a few times. The only way I've successfully lost weight is to keep my calories at about 1200 a day, regardless of my activity level. I will be honest, it's difficult because being in a calorie deficit sucks. But it is effective! Now if I can just get a grip on maintenance.. ..

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