Working out but getting bigger?

amyoliver85
amyoliver85 Posts: 353 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I searched the forums a bit and saw a bunch of people complaining that they were gaining weight although they'd been exercising a while, but couldn't quite find my problem.

I have been exercising and gaining inches. There's no possibility that this is muscle gain because it is around my waist. I have checked my body water and it does not appear to be water retention. I watch what I eat. I'm not pregnant (not a chance). I have a healthy thyroid and adrenals.

I'm frustrated because I don't understand how this can happen. I am clearly gaining fat because my weight change has been minimal but my pants are almost too tight to fit and were loose before.

Has anyone else experienced this? Could it be inflammation? I've been eating more protein and was wondering if that could make me fat, but seriously, I burn enough calories to take care of the protein. I do plenty of cardio and strength training. It's just really weird. I feel like I was better off on the "inches lost" front when I was not exercising. I was losing inches and my body was slimming down on site. Since I started working out again I feel like my body has become more ugly.

Please no know-it-alls, no jerks, and no people who refuse to read what I'm actually asking. Becoming healthy is very important to me and I have talked to my doctor and he's stumped by this weirdness. I just want to figure out what I'm doing wrong.

Replies

  • j75j75
    j75j75 Posts: 854 Member
    What kind of ab work do you do?
  • ericarae33
    ericarae33 Posts: 211 Member
    I'll tell you what works for me....I have a major problem with bloat in my stomach, and everything I eat goes right there...I starting eating a ton of fiber, and I drink 3 liters of water a day. I also do cardio and strength training multiple times a day. My calories set by my trainer are 1350 and I try not to eat back my exercise calories. I cut out drinking and that helps too.

    The scale doesn't change much but I can tell a huge difference depending on what I've been eating and how much water I'm drinking if my pants are feeling tighter.

    Hope this helps...
  • n_unocero
    n_unocero Posts: 445 Member
    how long have you been working out?
  • amyoliver85
    amyoliver85 Posts: 353 Member
    It's been about three months since I started working out on my regular routine again and I'm pretty active--don't always log it on MFP but I log it on my other counter. I do boot camp 3-4 times a week with lots of strength training, tabatas, cardio like dance and treadmill...it's just dumb.

    I eat roughly between 1200 and 1400 calories per day and do tend to eat back at least some, if not all of my exercise calories because I need the fuel. I know some people don't. It's weird, because I've done the system before like this --I've been maintaining the past 8 months--and didn't have any problems like this. It's definitely not water retention, so I guess all that's left is inflammation.
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    It's been about three months since I started working out on my regular routine again and I'm pretty active--don't always log it on MFP but I log it on my other counter. I do boot camp 3-4 times a week with lots of strength training, tabatas, cardio like dance and treadmill...it's just dumb.

    I eat roughly between 1200 and 1400 calories per day and do tend to eat back at least some, if not all of my exercise calories because I need the fuel. I know some people don't. It's weird, because I've done the system before like this --I've been maintaining the past 8 months--and didn't have any problems like this. It's definitely not water retention, so I guess all that's left is inflammation.

    actually, it might not be inflammation. About 10 years ago I was on WW, and going to a curves type ladies gym 4x a week, but still gained weight ( and inches) I went to my doctor who did blood work, and found out that I was insulin resistant. She prescribed a low carb diet ( 50g net per day) for 2 months before deciding if I needed medication. In that 2 months I lost almost 20lbs...and got pregnant. It was enough to re-set my system, and I was able to go back to a normal diet for years before I gained weight.
  • n_unocero
    n_unocero Posts: 445 Member
    i would say maybe eat more? 1200-1400 is kinda low.
  • heathermg1973
    heathermg1973 Posts: 1
    I have the same problem. I work out 5 honest days (sometimes 6 sometimes not) per week. I run, do intervals (at least once per week) and do weight training. I eat a lower carb diet with healthy proteins and non-processed food at a calorie restriction of 1400 per day.... despite all of this I feel ginormous. My pants are all tight and some of my shirts feel tight. Some days I feel like a million bucks but most days I just feel like a blob. I'm not sure what else to do to lose inches. My leg muscles are big so some of my pants do not pull up over my legs (i.e. my old skinny jeans).. but seriously I expected a bigger difference. I sometimes feel defeated like there is no possible way I can do anything more here... anyways.. since you posted in January I'm wondering if it's got any better for you since then? Also... I drink at least 3 litres of water a day... before someone tells me I need to drink water... lol
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    It's been about three months since I started working out on my regular routine again and I'm pretty active--don't always log it on MFP but I log it on my other counter. I do boot camp 3-4 times a week with lots of strength training, tabatas, cardio like dance and treadmill...it's just dumb.

    I eat roughly between 1200 and 1400 calories per day and do tend to eat back at least some, if not all of my exercise calories because I need the fuel. I know some people don't. It's weird, because I've done the system before like this --I've been maintaining the past 8 months--and didn't have any problems like this. It's definitely not water retention, so I guess all that's left is inflammation.

    How do you estimate log your calorie burn?
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,985 Member
    It's been about three months since I started working out on my regular routine again and I'm pretty active--don't always log it on MFP but I log it on my other counter. I do boot camp 3-4 times a week with lots of strength training, tabatas, cardio like dance and treadmill...it's just dumb.

    I eat roughly between 1200 and 1400 calories per day and do tend to eat back at least some, if not all of my exercise calories because I need the fuel. I know some people don't. It's weird, because I've done the system before like this --I've been maintaining the past 8 months--and didn't have any problems like this. It's definitely not water retention, so I guess all that's left is inflammation.

    actually, it might not be inflammation. About 10 years ago I was on WW, and going to a curves type ladies gym 4x a week, but still gained weight ( and inches) I went to my doctor who did blood work, and found out that I was insulin resistant. She prescribed a low carb diet ( 50g net per day) for 2 months before deciding if I needed medication. In that 2 months I lost almost 20lbs...and got pregnant. It was enough to re-set my system, and I was able to go back to a normal diet for years before I gained weight.
    THIS. I've seen this happen too.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    My gues would be that you're underestimating consumpton and/or overestimating burn. Barring that, get your blood work done and see if you have a medical condition or have some kind of vitamin deficiency.
  • sarahstumpff
    sarahstumpff Posts: 6 Member
    Im curious if you have found any answers? Im in the same boat here... not sure what is going on, i have changed the way I eat and I work out 4 times a week yet my clothes were not feeling any looser actually tighter... I do a lot of cardio and see my trainer once a week. I had blood work done a couple months ago and everything was normal.
    Its so frusterating, my bf and I have been going to the gym together now for several weeks and he has gotten so skinny I think he is a bit too skinny LOL and Im the fat gf that cant seem to lose one friggin pound. i stay away from the scale because for three weeks i worked out and ate healthy counted my calories watched my carbs and sugars and every single weigh in was exactly the same its been over a month now since i weighed in, and I feel heavier and my clothes are tighter. If I get on the scale now I think I would cry.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    I see no logging in your diary....how do you know what you are eating?????
  • jmerseal1
    jmerseal1 Posts: 8
    I am having the same issue. I recently started working out (really working out) and I've completely revamped my diet. I just joined MFP the other day. I was just saying this morning that my pants are feeling tighter around my thighs than they did prior to working out and changing my diet.

    Anyway, last night I saw a Dr. Oz special regarding women and bloat. Basically it boils down to dairy is a big cause of bloat (which in my case, when I'm bloated, I actually do weigh more). The segment went into the digestive system of women and how it works, you may want to look it up. I found it interesting and will be trying a few things suggested.

    If anyone has any idea what could be the cause of this, advise is greatly appreciated.
  • dillree
    dillree Posts: 1
    I'll join the club too. I am 47, weigh 176. I have been working out for the past 4 months (Aerobic DVDs, weights, elliptical, walking). I eat well. No processed food, lots of water, I don't eat any fast food...I have gained 4 pounds, my pants don't fit anymore. I do think my body is firmer but I want my pants to get looser for all this effort.

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