Confused on Net Cals- Stalled Weight Loss.

abetterbrandi
abetterbrandi Posts: 131 Member
edited February 16 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi forums

For the past two weeks I have seen an increase in my weight of .6lbs. For comparison I lost 11lbs last month with an average of 2-3lbs lost a week. I weigh my food, I am very careful to not put a single piece of gum in my mouth without logging it.

That being said, I have been totaling anywhere between 1200-1500 calories a day NET. My confusion and question is...I heard you could stop losing weight if you do not eat enough but I am confused as to whether that is before or after exercise. So say I eat my 1910 calories MFP wants me to eat to lose 2lbs/wk but I work out and end up netting around 1200. Could this be a reason for my body refusing to lose the weight? Why would this start now but not prior months if so?

Another possible thing is I have been ramping up my workouts lately, and perhaps I'm retaining water?

Thank you for any feedback :)

Replies

  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    Weightloss is not linear your body does not know one week from another. .6 pounds you can vary that weight in an hour as your weight will vary 4 to 5 pounds during the day. I'd just have a bit more patience if in a few weeks it's still not moving then have a look at what you're doing overall.
  • abetterbrandi
    abetterbrandi Posts: 131 Member
    Thanks, I just really want to be doing whats best as this is my primary goal and I want to be doing things correctly.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    k lets clear one thing up...you will not stop losing weight if you are in a deficet...any deficet...big or small. There is no starvation mode and you can't lose more weight by upping your calories..if you aren't losing at your current deficet.

    If you are diligent on weighing and logging your food which includes choosing the correct database entries (can't tell because your diary is closed) then it's in your exercise calories.

    Yes you should eat some of those back but because MFP over estimates them most people should be aiming to eat back 50-75%.

    For example...my HIIT burns between 162-254 calories (per fitnessblender) MFP logs it at 274....

    As well yes if you are ramping up your workouts and doing new things (esp if you are sore) you are experiencing water retention.
  • abetterbrandi
    abetterbrandi Posts: 131 Member
    There is so much conflicting info regarding the whole starvation mode sometimes it can be really confusing!

    I wear a Polar FT4 for estimating my burns, and I've heard they are fairly accurate. Perhaps I shouldn't be eating back maybe but half of them?

    I am very sore every day since starting my new workouts. You are right this is probably part of it with water retention.
  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,528 Member
    I think its the workouts too, I notice and weight increase when I am sore sometimes. Forget about starvation mode.
  • abetterbrandi
    abetterbrandi Posts: 131 Member
    I appreciate it guys, I'll just stop worrying and keep on doing what I'm doing now with an adjustment to only eating back 50% max of my exercise calories.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,297 Member
    There is so much conflicting info regarding the whole starvation mode sometimes it can be really confusing!

    I wear a Polar FT4 for estimating my burns, and I've heard they are fairly accurate. Perhaps I shouldn't be eating back maybe but half of them?

    I am very sore every day since starting my new workouts. You are right this is probably part of it with water retention.

    If you started new workouts or increased intensity then your muscles will be retaining water. So you may have lost a lb or so of fat but are retaining an extra 2 lbs or so of water.
  • cingle87
    cingle87 Posts: 717 Member
    There is so much conflicting info regarding the whole starvation mode sometimes it can be really confusing!

    I wear a Polar FT4 for estimating my burns, and I've heard they are fairly accurate. Perhaps I shouldn't be eating back maybe but half of them?

    I am very sore every day since starting my new workouts. You are right this is probably part of it with water retention.

    They are only accurate for steady state cardio not for resistance or even HIT, even for steady state they are not 100% best eating 50-75% giving you the wiggling room for overesitmate.
  • chasetwins
    chasetwins Posts: 702 Member
    I was losing consistently over the past year - was still losing but wanted something more intense & fun. i switched from Zumba and Hip Hops abs to Turbo Jam and I either stalled or gained the first two weeks...then BAM it started falling off again..both inches & pounds. Beginning a new - more intense workout can cause a stall or gain...temporary so give it time and stick to it :)
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