TRYING TO UNDERSTAND MY BODY!

djwife03
djwife03 Posts: 333 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I know, I know.....Good luck with that right?!!

So, yesterday I did a lot of manual labor outside. I'm talking picking rocks and tossing them into a trailer. I did this for about 4hrs....with a break for lunch in there. it was very hot and I was dripping in sweat the whole time, and was not good about drinking my water! :( So, by dinner time, after I was done working and took a shower, it was like I couldn't get enough water!

Now, I'm like 3 lbs heavier today! What the?? I know.....water weight right? but what does this mean exactly? I still can't seem to get my eating right. I did by a food scale, and there are some times where I found that I was eating LESS than the serving size on the food. I keep gaining weight, even though I run, ride bike, do workout dvd's. I can't seem to find that magic number for my calorie intake. I haven't been to diligent of late, keeping my food diary, but you're welcome to go in and go back a little ways and check it out. I'm not perfect, but I do the best I can. I can honestly say that I do try my best to eat healthy. Lots of raw veggies and fruit. I know that if I'm gaining and not losing, then "I'm eating too much" or "eating more than I burn". But, when I run, I run about 4 miles, which according to my fit bit, i burn around 400 calories. I don't believe i'm eating 400 calories more than I should. I've recently had my hormone levels done, and my thyroid checked.....they're all normal.

Like said, I really need to understand my body, and what I need to do, and how to fuel my body correctly. i have lost inches, so I'm good with that. I just am not sure what is going on with me.

try to be honest without being rude, if you please! I don't need to fee more stupid, than I already do! :)

Replies

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    When you say you 'keep gaining weight' how much have you actually gained in what time period?
  • EmmieBaby
    EmmieBaby Posts: 1,235 Member
    water retention happens when your muscles need to repair from the damage of working them. drink plenty of water to flush it out (fight water with water)

    also weight loss is never linear, you have to look at your weekly/monthly trend and not the individual numbers to see if your weight is going up or down.

    keep at it =)
  • earthboundmisfit
    earthboundmisfit Posts: 192 Member
    If you have lost inches, you have probably gained muscle and lost fat. Muscle is denser than fat which is probably why you haven't seen a difference on the scale. Taking measurements is as important as tracking weight. You might want to try interval training or circuit training to boost your calorie burn if you really think you're stuck.
  • LuckyMe000
    LuckyMe000 Posts: 55
    If you have lost inches but not weight...most likely it is fat turning into muscle....this is a good thing.... don't judge your success by the scale...always track it by inches
  • katiescarlettmartin
    katiescarlettmartin Posts: 3
    There is always a possibility you are maintaining your weight because you are losing fat but replacing it with some muscle (not a bad thing!) If you haven't already, consider taking measurements of you waist, butt, arms, etc. and see if you are losing inches anywhere. You may be pleasantly surprised! Also, make sure you are getting enough protein and calories to prevent your body from going into "starvation mode" and slowing your metabolism down, which in turn prevents you from burning fat and losing weight.
  • chubby_checkers
    chubby_checkers Posts: 2,352 Member
    I flipped back through your diary, and I know you said that you haven't been diligent about your logging recently, so I think that's where you need to start. Log EVERYTHING. Several of your days, you didn't log dinner. Did you eat or just not log?

    If you're losing inches, then I think you need to continue to focus on that. How often do you weigh yourself? Fluctuations are going to happen.

    How long have you been trying to lose? How much are you trying to lose?
  • TheRealJigsaw
    TheRealJigsaw Posts: 295 Member
    Just last week alone, you either didn't log at all or you ate under 1,000 calories. Consistency is key.
  • hannamae05
    hannamae05 Posts: 5 Member
    Perhaps you need to switch things up. Change your workout routine in some way - resistance training, yoga, pilates, etc.

    Drink more water. It's amazing what an extra 4 cups or more can do for your body.

    Limiting the fruits to 1 or 2 per day to cut down some of the (natural) sugar intake.

    Try cutting some of the refined/package foods and replace them with healthier options - more veggies (that you can eat raw, roasted, sauteed).

    Are you getting enough protein? I try to eat a form of protein at every meal and often add an extra source in.

    I went in and looked at your food diary. There are many days where you're not eating over 1200 calories. Your body needs those 1200 calories at minimum to be able to lose weight. Anything lower and you're putting yourself into starvation mode.

    I've been struggling to lose weight since Sept. I'm officially (and finally) down 27lbs in these ten months. I've had to do this by reexamining my food choices and eating habits. I've discovered that I've become intolerant to gluten and nightshades. If I eat a source of gluten, I gain 2+ pounds over night and nightshades bother my stomach. I've just recently been able to add eggs back into my diet and I seem to be okay with dairy, though I consume that in moderation.
  • djwife03
    djwife03 Posts: 333 Member
    I've been here for almost 2 years. i started wanting to lose 10lbs, but with my weight going up, now, it's more like 15.

    I do eat dinner every night! we eat a lot of fish(my husband is a fishing fanatic) and chicken. I don't remember the last time I even had a steak! So a lot salmon, steelhead, turkey burgers(no bun for me) usually a salad, and some low fat cottage cheese, and some broccoli or green beans.

    I've tried changing up my workouts too. I've started running outside on the road, i ride the stationary bike(went 11 miles on it one day last week), then I'll do some free weights and some abs. I do sit all day at work, so I'm never sure of my activity level. My BMR is 1532( according to scooby's workshop) and my TDEE-20% is 1900(and some change....I can't remember the exact, but it is 1900) for Scooby, I set my activity level to lightly active......

    and also.....the whole water weight thing...??!!
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    Perhaps you need to switch things up. Change your workout routine in some way - resistance training, yoga, pilates, etc.

    Drink more water. It's amazing what an extra 4 cups or more can do for your body.

    Limiting the fruits to 1 or 2 per day to cut down some of the (natural) sugar intake.

    Try cutting some of the refined/package foods and replace them with healthier options - more veggies (that you can eat raw, roasted, sauteed).

    Are you getting enough protein? I try to eat a form of protein at every meal and often add an extra source in.

    I went in and looked at your food diary. There are many days where you're not eating over 1200 calories. Your body needs those 1200 calories at minimum to be able to lose weight. Anything lower and you're putting yourself into starvation mode.

    I've been struggling to lose weight since Sept. I'm officially (and finally) down 27lbs in these ten months. I've had to do this by reexamining my food choices and eating habits. I've discovered that I've become intolerant to gluten and nightshades. If I eat a source of gluten, I gain 2+ pounds over night and nightshades bother my stomach. I've just recently been able to add eggs back into my diet and I seem to be okay with dairy, though I consume that in moderation.

    Most of this is just a no...

    to lose weight you need to be in a calorie deficit period. If you don't log consistently and accurately how do you know you are in a deficit...

    If you really want to lose then do what you have to do...log everything...solids by weight, liquids by measurment and don't skip anything...everyday...every meal, everything...

    I easily lost weight eating on average 1750 calories a day and lifting heavy weights and walking.

    I did not give up anything...I ate chocolate, drank on the weekends, had chips etc...the only difference is I logged it all and stayed in goal...
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    If you have lost inches, you have probably gained muscle and lost fat. Muscle is denser than fat which is probably why you haven't seen a difference on the scale. Taking measurements is as important as tracking weight. You might want to try interval training or circuit training to boost your calorie burn if you really think you're stuck.

    highly unlikely...unless doing a progressive load lifting program and getting in lots of protien as a brand new lifter no muscle will be gained...or if you eat at a surplus and do the above as well...
  • SomeGirlSomewhere
    SomeGirlSomewhere Posts: 937 Member
    Two different doctors....my family doctor and my endocrinologist...have both told me that the "calories burned" estimates given by Fitbit (and similar tracking devices) are exaggerated. They also said that one should NOT eat back any of their exercise calories if they are trying to lose weight.
  • djwife03
    djwife03 Posts: 333 Member
    Two different doctors....my family doctor and my endocrinologist...have both told me that the "calories burned" estimates given by Fitbit (and similar tracking devices) are exaggerated. They also said that one should NOT eat back any of their exercise calories if they are trying to lose weight.

    i don't eat back exercise calories most of the time. If I'm hungry, I do eat them back.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    Two different doctors....my family doctor and my endocrinologist...have both told me that the "calories burned" estimates given by Fitbit (and similar tracking devices) are exaggerated. They also said that one should NOT eat back any of their exercise calories if they are trying to lose weight.

    i don't eat back exercise calories most of the time. If I'm hungry, I do eat them back.

    If you are following MFP method of NEAT than yes you should. MFP gives you a deficit that allows you to lose the weight you want...if you exercise then eating back some of them is important esp for fueling your next workout.

    Think about it like this...you fill your car with gas...full up...drive around, don't put in more gas...drive around some more...no gas in...continue like this for a week or two and guess what...the car will run out of fuel and stop...but before it totally stops it will stutter and go and act all weird then bam...done.

    Doctors are given about 1/2 semester of nutrition and diet training during their entire time at medical school...unless they go onto become a specialist in nutrition and diet...I wouldn't take advice from them about nutrition or eating back exercise calories for love nor money.

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