After cleanse still lost weight, now gaining

greynotesfall
greynotesfall Posts: 28 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So I had started a cleanse, but ended it on day 5 (August 6) because I couldn't force myself to drink enough to come anywhere close to meeting my calorie goal because I just wasn't hungry. Please no lectures on doing a cleane, to each their own. I have been slowly increasing my calorie consumption every day and only started adding in exercise on August 11. I waited so long to make sure I had enough calories to keep me going. I was still losing weight just fine...until I started exercising. The morning after my first exercise, I had gained .4 pounds (my calories were at 800 for the day, with a burn of around 130). I decided it was a fluke, so I exercised again yesterday (calories at around 900 with a burn of around 120). My weight hasn't changed. Before anyone yells at me for the low calorie intake, as I said I am slowly increasing my consumption. It was difficult to even make 600 calories the day after my cleanse ended, so I'm taking it slowly until I get back to 1200. Now, I was steadily losing weight all the way up to the day I added exercise back in (11 days). Why is that? My exercise is strictly cardio right now (trying to lose these last 4 pounds as quickly as possible, while being safe). If I were weight lifting I might have thought I gained back some muscle mass, but I'm not. Any thoughts about why this is and what I could do to get my weight loss going again?
Please remember that I know that I need to increase my calorie consumption and that I understand weight training can be better for weight loss in the long run. I had a very good system going prior to my cleanse, but August is my month to lose this weight. I'm down 5 pounds and only have 4 to go to make the weight I need. Once I've managed that, I will go back to my safe, healthy, slow and long term weightloss plan!

Replies

  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    Multiple factors can make your body retain water. Common ones are: starting a new strength or fitness program, increasing intensity of a fitness program, high sodium intake, stress, lack of sleep, hormones.

    A slight weight gain over a short period of time is most likely water weight. The body weight also fluctuates due to timing of food/drink intake and output. It IS hard, but try not to stress over the scale. Focus instead on setting goals to help yourself get to where you need to be - such as getting proper nutrition. Look for non-scale victories, such as having a pair of tight jeans and trying them on Sept 1st to check for progress. If the scale infuriates you, stay off. Check your weight every 7-14 days to look for overall trends. But if you're confident you're doing what it takes to lose weight (eating at a deficit) then you may need to give it 4-6 weeks to see real results.
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  • 365andstillalive
    365andstillalive Posts: 663 Member
    It's water weight, and a tiny bit at that. Your muscles swell/hold fluid after doing workouts.
    I wouldn't be surprised if you put back on more weight as you switch into solid foods, regardless of if you're working out or not.
  • liekewheeless
    liekewheeless Posts: 416 Member
    It's water weight, and a tiny bit at that. Your muscles swell/hold fluid after doing workouts.
    I wouldn't be surprised if you put back on more weight as you switch into solid foods, regardless of if you're working out or not.

    This
  • greynotesfall
    greynotesfall Posts: 28 Member
    I've been eating solid food for a week now and still had a consistent weight loss. I could see that it might be water weight, but I've consistently drank at least 64 oz of water everyday, for as long as I can remember (last few months at least). I am losing the weight to join the military, and I agree that being half starved would be bad, but I promise I'm not! I eat very healthy, mostly vegetarian, and am focusing on cardio only this month (with sit ups and push ups).
    Prior to August I had a very healthy diet and workout schedule, but my weight rarely changed. This is my month to do everything that I can to lose these last 4 pounds (my husband is at a training exercise in another state and when he's home, we both tend to not do too well).
  • adamgoleafs87
    adamgoleafs87 Posts: 129 Member
    It could also be your body reacting to only being on the cleanse for 5 days. The 900 calories as well isn't cutting it, you should try to up those quicker. Your body isn't getting enough and will just end up storing fat.

    I would also watch your sodium levels, I find when I monitor mine closely that I have much more success in losing weight. I heard this may be more prevalent in women.
  • greynotesfall
    greynotesfall Posts: 28 Member
    Alright, upping my calories more quickly and watching my sodium levels more. Got it. Thank you all!
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  • Asherah29
    Asherah29 Posts: 354 Member
    A: Your not eating enough. You know it.
    B: You just started exercising that ='s water weight.
    C: You know your being unhealthy with your body, otherwise you wouldn't have mentioned the working back up to 1200 calories. Instead of doing all this stuff that is hurting you in the long run work out a program that will be sustainable for you. Unless you want to eat 800 calories for the rest of your life, which at that rate of consumption would not likely be a long one. A 600-800 calorie diet isn't "being safe"
  • greynotesfall
    greynotesfall Posts: 28 Member
    I'm so confused by the tone of your reply. I cleansed for 5 days and stopped because I realized how low my calorie consumption was and that it wasn't healthy. My diet before and after the cleanse has nothing to do with while I was doing the cleanse, so yes, I doeat healthy. What do you mean I'm dead set on fads and quick fixes?! I did one cleanse and didn't finish it because I was worried about my health! I'm upping my calories. It has been a week since I ended my cleanse so I didn't want to jump right back into 1200 calories and gain everything back. I slowly upped them, to prevent that. I'm still getting there. As far as dehydrating? I said the LEAST I drink is 64oz a day. All I drink is water. I try for 80oz a day.I've never used a wrap, nor do u take pills other than a multivitamin. I understand that you are trying to be helpful, but the tone of that reply that was so condescending, and I can't understand where it is coming from. As far as the actual helpful advice in your posts, thank you.
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    Please no lectures on doing a cleane, to each their own.
    Then why mention it?

    Just eat a healthy amount and throw out the concept of losing as much as possible quickly. As you can see it doesn't work. Just eat the amount suggested by MFP and try to hit your macros (carbs, protein, fats). You need to find a sustainable diet or you'll just end up crashing due to lack of energy or rebounding and gaining the weight back.

    If you just started a fitness program then you can gain several pounds of water weight easily. This is used for muscle recovery and fuel for your next workout. This is why you can't do quick fixes. Your body doesn't work that way. I gain 3 - 5 pounds after my weekend workout every week. It drops off after a few days. The average over the month is what I'm more concerned about. That's all that matters.
  • greynotesfall
    greynotesfall Posts: 28 Member
    Obviously not mentioning it would have been the better idea. I just try to be honest so that someone is better able to help.

    Thank you for your response. I never realized before these responses that muscles could cause water weight.

    I'm just anxious for this because I've been trying to lose this weight for a year. I promised my husband that by the time he got back, I would make weight and would have already started the process for enlistment. I guess I need to step back and reevaluate.
  • Asherah29
    Asherah29 Posts: 354 Member
    Do you even have to make weight before enlistment? I don't remember what the weight requirements were back when I signed up (Never went to basic, but I went through MEPS) but if you are within such a small goal of those requirements I would imagine it will come off in basic.
    Why not start a routine as if you are in basic training? You are going to have to be strong enough to carry a heavy pack all day or a fallen companion if the need arises and you are going to eat A LOT of food in order to meet your calorie requirements during that time. Do some serious weight training along with cardio and up your calories. Even 1200 intake is very very low for the amount of activity you will be doing if you enlist.
  • greynotesfall
    greynotesfall Posts: 28 Member
    Yes, my husband enlisted when we were still at war, so they were more lenient with people back then. Now a days, since they are decreasing the number of soldiers so drastically, you have to be at or below a certain weight/measurement. I'm 4 pounds from making weight and about 2-3 inches from making tape.
    You also have to pass a 1-1-1 test before they will even allow you to ship to basic. 1 mile run, 1 minute of push ups and 1 minute of sit ups. These are the things I am working on the most right now.
    This is exactly why my usual diet is 1200 calories, or more depending on my daily burn. I run, I walk, I use the elliptical, I bench (because I still cannot do a push up), and I do lots of an workouts. I also do some fun kinect games so that I don't get burnt out with exercise.
    Once I make it through MEPS I can gain a little bit of weight and not worry too much. Ship out dates are typically 2-4 months out, unless you get lucky. They will not let you take the ASVAB (unless you have an awesome recruiter) or go to MEPS unless you are at or under the max weight/measurements.
    Once I get to basic, all bets are off. I know they will be having us do enough throughout the day to compensate for almost any calories we consume, I just need to actually make it there.
    I do need to start practicing ruck marches, though...
  • greynotesfall
    greynotesfall Posts: 28 Member
    Ab workouts* Also, so it isn't misunderstood, they will not let you ship to basic if you don't make weight/tape, either.
  • Asherah29
    Asherah29 Posts: 354 Member
    I enlisted back a year or two after the war started and like you said they were trying to push us through as fast as possible. I don't remember the whole making weight thing as being a big deal.

    Worst comes to worst you put off doing the naked duck walk for a month or two!
    Personally I really think you should up both the exercise and the calories. You're going to need to be able to do those push ups! Will it make any difference if you make weight but can't do the required 1-1-1?
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    Once I make it through MEPS I can gain a little bit of weight and not worry too much. Ship out dates are typically 2-4 months out, unless you get lucky. They will not let you take the ASVAB (unless you have an awesome recruiter) or go to MEPS unless you are at or under the max weight/measurements.
    I was delayed enlistment for months. Every monthly meeting with the recruiter he would have us weigh in and then we all got free pizza. LOL

    We were all weighed again at MEPS although they didn't do any tape measurements there.
  • Asherah29
    Asherah29 Posts: 354 Member
    wait do they not give the ASVAB in school anymore?
  • greynotesfall
    greynotesfall Posts: 28 Member
    The 1-1-1 has to be passed before shipping to basic. So by the time I can pass it, I will have already made weight and enlisted :)

    Pizza after a weigh in! What nice guys lol

    I'm not sure if they still give the ASVAB in school. I'm 25 and never took it while in High School. The recruiters here refuse to let me take it until I make weight/tape, which In understand, but totally disagree with.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,030 Member
    With only 10lbs to lose, your aggressive approach may have slowed metabolic rate just at fast. The cleanse helped you dropped water weight and now you're getting it back. Exercise also will temporarily increase water and glycogen storage which will increase weight.
    I had this issue a few years ago with a kid who was trying to lose weight to get into the military. Wanted to lose 30lbs in 3 months. Doable, but I told him that if it don't happen, then you reapply when you are at weight. Realistically, what else will someone do if they don't make weight? They try again later. He didn't make weight, but did the next time he applied.

    A.C.E. Certified Group Fitness and Personal Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • ElliottTN
    ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member
    How much weight loss did you see during the week of your cleanse? Possibly your body may be upticking your water retention if it dropped way too low during your cleanse. That is what usually happens with the low carb crowd when they glance in the direction of a carb after they "dropped" fat.
  • greynotesfall
    greynotesfall Posts: 28 Member
    I lost 3 pounds during the cleanse. 1.8 pounds since then. 4.8 pounds during a two week period isn't too much, though I understand the means wasn't the greatest. I'm giving up my "slow increase" and jumped back to 1200 calories a day, plus 64+ oz of water and regular exercise. Thank you so much to everyone who commented!

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