Gaining seven pounds now :(

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Hello, I have been actively logging in every day now for 15 days. I log all that I have to eat, drink, and when I workout. I even log the guilty food I eat such as a cookie or slice of cake. MFP says I should be losing weight, but I just weighted myself and I gain 7 pounds. I just started a new workout program two weeks ago, could it be water weight? Another thought could it be eating too much salt? Any thoughts would be great. Thanks in advance. :)

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  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
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    Water retention from sodium and a new workout could do it.

    How are you measuring your food - measuring cups and a food scale, or just eyeballing it? Accurate logging is key and can make a huge difference.

    But it's also only been two weeks, and it can take some time for the body to adjust to all the new things. If you don't have a food scale, consider picking one up - they don't cost much and are a great tool to have.
  • kenc1971
    kenc1971 Posts: 107 Member
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    How accurate is the workout data you're supplying? Are you eating back your workout calories. Many times, the fault lies in overestimating the calories burned, and underestimated the calories eaten :)

    Make sure you're drinking enough water, too!
  • SamLD88
    SamLD88 Posts: 111 Member
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    Yeah, a food scale makes all the difference. I picked mine up for $0.99 in a thrift store. Also, be careful not to do too much, too soon. Not sure about you, but every time I've ever "tried to get healthier (lose weight)" I started off strict and ended up either hurting myself or starting to binge when I didn't see results. This time, I'm taking it slow (1 lb loss / week) and easy (lifting 3x a week, cardio just for fun).
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
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    Aside from the possibility that you are retaining water due to starting or changing your workout routine, are you nearing your period?

    Also, another vote for getting a food scale if you aren't using one.
  • kenc1971
    kenc1971 Posts: 107 Member
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    I picked mine up for $0.99 in a thrift store.

    Song...stuck in...my head....
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,150 Member
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    Make sure you are weighing and measuring EVERYTHING! When on a new exercise regimen, its normal to retain water-(also women close to TOM).
  • krennie8
    krennie8 Posts: 301 Member
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    another thought, how accurate is your scale? if it's an older type with the dial, you may not actually be up 7 lbs.
  • Brianne333
    Brianne333 Posts: 232 Member
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    There are already some helpful pointers here but to reiterate:

    - accurate measuring and tracking of food is SO crucial. People underestimate what they are eating easily when they are not accurately measuring.

    - likewise people sometimes overestimate the difficultly of their workouts and sometimes that leads to them thinking they've burned more calories than they really have!

    - women will gain water weight near that time of the month and there isn't really much you can do about that

    - too much salt (I know I personally will easily gain 4 pounds of water weight overnight if I eat too much salt in a day!)

    - muscles retaining water if you've been working out real hard lately

    Also - this is something that's really important for you to know especially in the beginning - but a lot of people think this weight loss and fitness thing just looks like a downward progression on a scale. It does not. Even when you are doing everything right, this journey has ups and downs on the scale. You might lose weight and then gain a little and then lose a lot. Even when you are doing everything "right". Don't be discouraged this early on - keep going on, keep working out and eating better and you WILL see results!
  • MyaPapaya75
    MyaPapaya75 Posts: 3,143 Member
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    Only way to know is with an open diary and if your logging your sodium intake as well
  • Brianne333
    Brianne333 Posts: 232 Member
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    I picked mine up for $0.99 in a thrift store.

    Song...stuck in...my head....
    annnnnnd now it's mine too lol