Stumped at this weight loss/weight gain cycle every year
whoaeyekneex3
Posts: 33
Here's a quick run-down...
For as long as I can remember, I am able to lose/maintain weight almost effortlessly during the warmer months of the year but once fall rolls around, I start gaining weight despite similar eating/exercising habits. I was told once about 9 years ago I had a very slight hypothyroid but earlier this year I went to an endocrinologist to try and figure out my weight situation and he said my thyroid was normal, but I had a vitamin D deficiency and since then I've been taking supplements and my levels are now normal.
I've always been an athlete but it wasn't until about 2.5 years ago that I exercised consistently and started tracking what I ate. Before the consistent exercise, I was 120 but I wasn't strong nor as educated in fitness and eating right as after I started doing some research. After the consistent exercise and food tracking, I dropped down to 113-115 eating 1200 NET calories a day (if I worked out extra hard or ran, etc., I would eat around 1800-2000 calories a day, calories burned using MyFitnessPal). I was walking around at 115 for a while after that and my trainer said I would fight at 105 lbs (I compete in Muay Thai, and most of the weight from 115 to 105 would be from dehydration until weigh ins, not permanently 105). It wasn't until I started lifting heavy/started on the Paleo diet with my CrossFit gym that I started putting on more weight, about a year ago. I got a lot stronger because of lifting, and the good thing about the Paleo diet is that with no starchy carbs, I crave less food in general (for example, if I had rice with a meal, I would feel like I would continue wanting to eat but without it I fill up on vegetables and I am satsified). I felt better and leaner (even though the scale said I gained weight) after completing the one month Paleo challenge so I decided to stick with it and watch my calories al ittle more so I don't gain more weight (I was at 120 by the end of September 2012, but knew my body looked different than the 120 from before consistent exercise. On Paleo I was eating 1200-1500 net calories a day) but the scale started crawling up and up...until I hit 130 about end of December 2012/beginning of 2013.
Seeing the scale then REALLY frustrated me, and from January to May, I manipulated my calorie levels (I even tried eating 900 calories for a week), tried to stop lifting heavy to see what would help me lose weight. The first week I may get down a few pounds but from there I would either stay at the same weight or end up gaining more weight! I tried incorporating more cardio, more running, and it didn't seem like anything would work...
Beginning of June 2013, I got word that I was having my first Muay Thai fight at 115 pounds. What did I do? Nothing different really, but I ate a little less (~1000 net calories) on top of training 1.5-2 hours 5x/week for 3 weeks and dropped down from 130 to 119 in a matter of two or three weeks. The only thing that seemed different in the equation was the temperature of the weather.
When I am not having a fight coming up, I still do Muay Thai 4-5x a week (about 1.5 hours each session), with a 30 min run before class. Since it got cold again, I noticed the scale crawling back up and I do not want a repeat of last year (I already hit 125 last week). I was wondering if you could possibly be of any help? If you saw this before? What I could do? My next bout is at 110 lbs and my trainer eventually wants me to compete int he 105 lb weight class. So my goal for now is to walk at 115.
I am 21 years old, and most of my exercise comes from Muay Thai (when you look at it, it's like very high intensity interval training - think 4 minutes hard work, 30 seconds rest for >1 hour) and running. I do body weight/3-5 lb dumbbell calisthenics, and have stayed away from heavy weights for a while. I don't think the working out is the issue since every day is different during my training. I haven't been tracking consistently for the past week because I wanted to give my head a break from calorie counting, but I haven't been eating unhealthy either.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/diary/whoaeyekneex3 password: myfitnesspal
Thank you so much for anyone who can help, I know this is very long. I look forward to your replies!
For as long as I can remember, I am able to lose/maintain weight almost effortlessly during the warmer months of the year but once fall rolls around, I start gaining weight despite similar eating/exercising habits. I was told once about 9 years ago I had a very slight hypothyroid but earlier this year I went to an endocrinologist to try and figure out my weight situation and he said my thyroid was normal, but I had a vitamin D deficiency and since then I've been taking supplements and my levels are now normal.
I've always been an athlete but it wasn't until about 2.5 years ago that I exercised consistently and started tracking what I ate. Before the consistent exercise, I was 120 but I wasn't strong nor as educated in fitness and eating right as after I started doing some research. After the consistent exercise and food tracking, I dropped down to 113-115 eating 1200 NET calories a day (if I worked out extra hard or ran, etc., I would eat around 1800-2000 calories a day, calories burned using MyFitnessPal). I was walking around at 115 for a while after that and my trainer said I would fight at 105 lbs (I compete in Muay Thai, and most of the weight from 115 to 105 would be from dehydration until weigh ins, not permanently 105). It wasn't until I started lifting heavy/started on the Paleo diet with my CrossFit gym that I started putting on more weight, about a year ago. I got a lot stronger because of lifting, and the good thing about the Paleo diet is that with no starchy carbs, I crave less food in general (for example, if I had rice with a meal, I would feel like I would continue wanting to eat but without it I fill up on vegetables and I am satsified). I felt better and leaner (even though the scale said I gained weight) after completing the one month Paleo challenge so I decided to stick with it and watch my calories al ittle more so I don't gain more weight (I was at 120 by the end of September 2012, but knew my body looked different than the 120 from before consistent exercise. On Paleo I was eating 1200-1500 net calories a day) but the scale started crawling up and up...until I hit 130 about end of December 2012/beginning of 2013.
Seeing the scale then REALLY frustrated me, and from January to May, I manipulated my calorie levels (I even tried eating 900 calories for a week), tried to stop lifting heavy to see what would help me lose weight. The first week I may get down a few pounds but from there I would either stay at the same weight or end up gaining more weight! I tried incorporating more cardio, more running, and it didn't seem like anything would work...
Beginning of June 2013, I got word that I was having my first Muay Thai fight at 115 pounds. What did I do? Nothing different really, but I ate a little less (~1000 net calories) on top of training 1.5-2 hours 5x/week for 3 weeks and dropped down from 130 to 119 in a matter of two or three weeks. The only thing that seemed different in the equation was the temperature of the weather.
When I am not having a fight coming up, I still do Muay Thai 4-5x a week (about 1.5 hours each session), with a 30 min run before class. Since it got cold again, I noticed the scale crawling back up and I do not want a repeat of last year (I already hit 125 last week). I was wondering if you could possibly be of any help? If you saw this before? What I could do? My next bout is at 110 lbs and my trainer eventually wants me to compete int he 105 lb weight class. So my goal for now is to walk at 115.
I am 21 years old, and most of my exercise comes from Muay Thai (when you look at it, it's like very high intensity interval training - think 4 minutes hard work, 30 seconds rest for >1 hour) and running. I do body weight/3-5 lb dumbbell calisthenics, and have stayed away from heavy weights for a while. I don't think the working out is the issue since every day is different during my training. I haven't been tracking consistently for the past week because I wanted to give my head a break from calorie counting, but I haven't been eating unhealthy either.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/diary/whoaeyekneex3 password: myfitnesspal
Thank you so much for anyone who can help, I know this is very long. I look forward to your replies!
0
Replies
-
One explanation for colder months weight gain may be due to less spontaneous activity (it being cold outside and all) and perhaps a want to just bundle up and stay warm (which reduces the workload on your body, thus "slowing" metabolism). But the vitamin D deficiency could also be causing problems, which would again be due to the fact that there is less sunlight (usually) and you are probably outside less because it is cold, and are not getting the D from the sun.
Stop looking at the scales for a week or so. Put it away. I know weight is important because of Muay Thai, but you need to assess your actual levels of fat and muscle. If you have put on muscle, then unfortunately you might be stuck having to compete at a higher weight class, as getting smaller would be less healthy (you need adequate levels of body fat for function, and this is especially important if you are relying on your body to fight). If it is fat, then I suggest you look up "Metabolic Damage" by Layne Norton on Youtube. He may have some insight as to why you are gaining fat (if indeed it is fat and not water or muscle).
As for your trainer, you need to make him/her aware of what is happening and if you have gained lean body mass (which it sounds like you have) and you need to compete in a higher weight class, they need to re-evaluate your program and the advice they are giving you. I appreciate you can drop 10-15lbs through water manipulation, but it sounds like the trainer either 1. Doesn't know what you have been going through, or if they do, 2. Do not know what they are talking about in this regard.
Also, you should consistently track, but don't beat yourself up or make it too stressful: high stress will hurt you more than some inaccurate tracking.
Good luck! I hope your fight goes well.0 -
How tall are you and do you weigh your food with a scale? My big question is, why are you eating so little when you are extremely active and young?0
-
STC1188 - Thanks for your input! I'm taking vitamin D supplements for the deficiency but it's hard because I also go to school and am up before the sun is and outside after the sun is gone. Anyway, I don't know WHERE the weight is coming from at this point because this happens literally every single year when it turns cold. If I am putting on lean muscle mass, what am I losing during the warmer months? It can't be water, right? I drink lots of water. It seems like things I do in the summertime will help me lose weight but when I try those same things in the wintertime I don't.
psulemon- I am 5'2". I do weight my food with a scale. I never tracked calories prior to joining MyFitnessPal and don't know how much I was eating but when I started tracking and ate 1200 net calories, I was losing weight so I just thought that was what would help me lose weight. When I eat 2000 consistently, exercise or no exercise, I actually end up gaining weight.0 -
People have also mention Seasonal Affective Disorder--basically the body changes a bit during different seasons in adaptation. Many people report gaining weight during the winter, but again I think it is because we put less stress on the body to burn calories.
For instance, during the warmer months, people are more active outside and more willing to go out and exercise, and while not exercising, their NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis, or non-exercise activity that burns calories) tends to go up due to increased yard work, willingness to do chores, etc. Add sweating more on top of that (which is a calorie consuming activity) and assuming intake stays the same, people will lose weight because they are burning more calories.
During the winter, people tend to bundle up and stay in and do less physical activity. Because they were sweatshirts and jackets, their bodies burn fewer calories trying to stay warm, and because the weather is less favorable, NEAT activities decrease. This means that with the same intake, weight can be gained.
Again I want to stress that you should talk to your trainer about this, since their wanting you to cut can be dangerous to your health. As psulemon pointed out, you really should be eating more for your activity level. Maybe not tons more, but 1200 calories isn't going to cut it. I know that when I eat more, my NEAT and effort exertion goes up exponentially to more than cover the extra consumed calories (which explains why people tend to lose with more calories).
Good luck and stay safe!
ETA: Also, looking at your food diary, I see a lot of volume measurements (cups, tablespoons, etc.) and not weight measurements (grams, oz, etc.) Make sure you are using the scale for everything if there are any concerns about overconsumption. Also, you might want to drop your protein and carbs a bit and substitute in some fat--it is at pretty low levels most days, which can have a big affect on mood and hormones (espcially for females)0 -
STC1188 - Thanks for your input! I'm taking vitamin D supplements for the deficiency but it's hard because I also go to school and am up before the sun is and outside after the sun is gone. Anyway, I don't know WHERE the weight is coming from at this point because this happens literally every single year when it turns cold. If I am putting on lean muscle mass, what am I losing during the warmer months? It can't be water, right? I drink lots of water. It seems like things I do in the summertime will help me lose weight but when I try those same things in the wintertime I don't.
psulemon- I am 5'2". I do weight my food with a scale. I never tracked calories prior to joining MyFitnessPal and don't know how much I was eating but when I started tracking and ate 1200 net calories, I was losing weight so I just thought that was what would help me lose weight. When I eat 2000 consistently, exercise or no exercise, I actually end up gaining weight.
We can pretty much rule out muscle gain because it's extremely difficult for a woman to gain muscle. Also, if you have the ability to cut 10 lbs in a few weeks, it's most likely a lot of water retention, keeping in mind that it would take a reduction of 35,000 calories below your TDEE to lose that much fat.
Based on your stats, a total of 1700 calories daily is a good weight loss amount; which makes sense if you weren't really losing at 2000 calories as it's close to maintenance (which I estimate around 2150. What we also have to consider is how accurate your logging is. If your past logging is anything close to your current logging, it's intermittent at best. It's truly hard to under where your sweet spot is until there is at least 4-6 weeks worth of data. But your results can be affected by the fact that getting to a fighting weight requires extremes at time which could easily have an effect on your resting metabolic rate.
So why don't you set your goal to 1700 (macro's around 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fats) and log consistently and as accurately for 4-6 weeks and report back.0 -
People have also mention Seasonal Affective Disorder--basically the body changes a bit during different seasons in adaptation. Many people report gaining weight during the winter, but again I think it is because we put less stress on the body to burn calories.
For instance, during the warmer months, people are more active outside and more willing to go out and exercise, and while not exercising, their NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis, or non-exercise activity that burns calories) tends to go up due to increased yard work, willingness to do chores, etc. Add sweating more on top of that (which is a calorie consuming activity) and assuming intake stays the same, people will lose weight because they are burning more calories.
During the winter, people tend to bundle up and stay in and do less physical activity. Because they were sweatshirts and jackets, their bodies burn fewer calories trying to stay warm, and because the weather is less favorable, NEAT activities decrease. This means that with the same intake, weight can be gained.
Again I want to stress that you should talk to your trainer about this, since their wanting you to cut can be dangerous to your health. As psulemon pointed out, you really should be eating more for your activity level. Maybe not tons more, but 1200 calories isn't going to cut it. I know that when I eat more, my NEAT and effort exertion goes up exponentially to more than cover the extra consumed calories (which explains why people tend to lose with more calories).
Good luck and stay safe!
ETA: Also, looking at your food diary, I see a lot of volume measurements (cups, tablespoons, etc.) and not weight measurements (grams, oz, etc.) Make sure you are using the scale for everything if there are any concerns about overconsumption. Also, you might want to drop your protein and carbs a bit and substitute in some fat--it is at pretty low levels most days, which can have a big affect on mood and hormones (espcially for females)
I understand what you're saying about moving less in the winter. I tried to exercise more in lieu of that but..haha. I will talk to my trainer about it, but he doesn't want me to compete at 105 any time soon, he just expressed that eventually he would like me there.
About the measurements - I don't measure mostly because I add in spices/herbs/garlic to my vegetables and chicken which changes the weight and I don't know how to go about calculating that to be honest. And I know nutrient content and even calories change as you go from raw to cooked in vegetables. I will try to eat more fat, thank you.0 -
STC1188 - Thanks for your input! I'm taking vitamin D supplements for the deficiency but it's hard because I also go to school and am up before the sun is and outside after the sun is gone. Anyway, I don't know WHERE the weight is coming from at this point because this happens literally every single year when it turns cold. If I am putting on lean muscle mass, what am I losing during the warmer months? It can't be water, right? I drink lots of water. It seems like things I do in the summertime will help me lose weight but when I try those same things in the wintertime I don't.
psulemon- I am 5'2". I do weight my food with a scale. I never tracked calories prior to joining MyFitnessPal and don't know how much I was eating but when I started tracking and ate 1200 net calories, I was losing weight so I just thought that was what would help me lose weight. When I eat 2000 consistently, exercise or no exercise, I actually end up gaining weight.
We can pretty much rule out muscle gain because it's extremely difficult for a woman to gain muscle. Also, if you have the ability to cut 10 lbs in a few weeks, it's most likely a lot of water retention, keeping in mind that it would take a reduction of 35,000 calories below your TDEE to lose that much fat.
Based on your stats, a total of 1700 calories daily is a good weight loss amount; which makes sense if you weren't really losing at 2000 calories as it's close to maintenance (which I estimate around 2150. What we also have to consider is how accurate your logging is. If your past logging is anything close to your current logging, it's intermittent at best. It's truly hard to under where your sweet spot is until there is at least 4-6 weeks worth of data. But your results can be affected by the fact that getting to a fighting weight requires extremes at time which could easily have an effect on your resting metabolic rate.
So why don't you set your goal to 1700 (macro's around 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fats) and log consistently and as accurately for 4-6 weeks and report back.
You mean gain muscle as in muscle weight, right? I would also liek to add that when I lost those 10 pounds in June for my first fight, when I went back to eating more, I didn't gain any weight. But it seems to be a routine thing every summer to lose weight.
When you say 1700 total calories, do you mean gross calories? 1700 with exercise and everything? (Just making sure)0 -
STC1188 - Thanks for your input! I'm taking vitamin D supplements for the deficiency but it's hard because I also go to school and am up before the sun is and outside after the sun is gone. Anyway, I don't know WHERE the weight is coming from at this point because this happens literally every single year when it turns cold. If I am putting on lean muscle mass, what am I losing during the warmer months? It can't be water, right? I drink lots of water. It seems like things I do in the summertime will help me lose weight but when I try those same things in the wintertime I don't.
psulemon- I am 5'2". I do weight my food with a scale. I never tracked calories prior to joining MyFitnessPal and don't know how much I was eating but when I started tracking and ate 1200 net calories, I was losing weight so I just thought that was what would help me lose weight. When I eat 2000 consistently, exercise or no exercise, I actually end up gaining weight.
We can pretty much rule out muscle gain because it's extremely difficult for a woman to gain muscle. Also, if you have the ability to cut 10 lbs in a few weeks, it's most likely a lot of water retention, keeping in mind that it would take a reduction of 35,000 calories below your TDEE to lose that much fat.
Based on your stats, a total of 1700 calories daily is a good weight loss amount; which makes sense if you weren't really losing at 2000 calories as it's close to maintenance (which I estimate around 2150. What we also have to consider is how accurate your logging is. If your past logging is anything close to your current logging, it's intermittent at best. It's truly hard to under where your sweet spot is until there is at least 4-6 weeks worth of data. But your results can be affected by the fact that getting to a fighting weight requires extremes at time which could easily have an effect on your resting metabolic rate.
So why don't you set your goal to 1700 (macro's around 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fats) and log consistently and as accurately for 4-6 weeks and report back.
You mean gain muscle as in muscle weight, right? I would also liek to add that when I lost those 10 pounds in June for my first fight, when I went back to eating more, I didn't gain any weight. But it seems to be a routine thing every summer to lose weight.
When you say 1700 total calories, do you mean gross calories? 1700 with exercise and everything? (Just making sure)
I mean total calories. It's much easier to eat the same thing daily and track progress.0 -
STC1188 - Thanks for your input! I'm taking vitamin D supplements for the deficiency but it's hard because I also go to school and am up before the sun is and outside after the sun is gone. Anyway, I don't know WHERE the weight is coming from at this point because this happens literally every single year when it turns cold. If I am putting on lean muscle mass, what am I losing during the warmer months? It can't be water, right? I drink lots of water. It seems like things I do in the summertime will help me lose weight but when I try those same things in the wintertime I don't.
psulemon- I am 5'2". I do weight my food with a scale. I never tracked calories prior to joining MyFitnessPal and don't know how much I was eating but when I started tracking and ate 1200 net calories, I was losing weight so I just thought that was what would help me lose weight. When I eat 2000 consistently, exercise or no exercise, I actually end up gaining weight.
We can pretty much rule out muscle gain because it's extremely difficult for a woman to gain muscle. Also, if you have the ability to cut 10 lbs in a few weeks, it's most likely a lot of water retention, keeping in mind that it would take a reduction of 35,000 calories below your TDEE to lose that much fat.
Based on your stats, a total of 1700 calories daily is a good weight loss amount; which makes sense if you weren't really losing at 2000 calories as it's close to maintenance (which I estimate around 2150. What we also have to consider is how accurate your logging is. If your past logging is anything close to your current logging, it's intermittent at best. It's truly hard to under where your sweet spot is until there is at least 4-6 weeks worth of data. But your results can be affected by the fact that getting to a fighting weight requires extremes at time which could easily have an effect on your resting metabolic rate.
So why don't you set your goal to 1700 (macro's around 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fats) and log consistently and as accurately for 4-6 weeks and report back.
You mean gain muscle as in muscle weight, right? I would also liek to add that when I lost those 10 pounds in June for my first fight, when I went back to eating more, I didn't gain any weight. But it seems to be a routine thing every summer to lose weight.
When you say 1700 total calories, do you mean gross calories? 1700 with exercise and everything? (Just making sure)
I mean total calories. It's much easier to eat the same thing daily and track progress.
So I would eat the same amount regardless of how much I exercise? I'll try this out once I get a plan formulated0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.9K Introduce Yourself
- 43.9K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 176K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.6K Fitness and Exercise
- 430 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153.1K Motivation and Support
- 8.1K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 15 News and Announcements
- 1.2K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.7K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions