The 3500 calorie rule can't be true?
Joyce20014
Posts: 11
I've read that it takes an extra 3500 calories beyond your TDEE to gain a pound or 3500 calories less than your TDEE to lose a pound. I'm assuming that's just the mathematical equation and not actually true.
Because a couple days in March I weighed:
3/23 - 104.5
3/24 - 106.5
3/25 - 107
3/26 - 108
3/27 - 108
3/28 - 108.5
And after that point I started sleeping all day and only eating 2 meals so my weight went down. And quickly. Not after I burned off 3500 calories. But I've found when I eat a lot my weight will go up overnight and if I don't eat as much as I normally do, my weight will go down overnight. And it will continue in that direction for as long as I continue that eating pattern. Like I lost 3 pounds in 3 days eating slightly less than normal. I know the 3500 calorie rule can't be true for this to happen. This couldn't have been water weight in March. I would've kept going up had I not started sleeping all day. And another example is there's this man on the biggest loser who lost 38 pounds the first week without even moving his legs cause he was injured. So that means he would have had to burn off 133,000 calories in a week without even moving his legs and there's absolutely no way he did that.
So I'm assuming to gain weight, you just need to eat more than what you're currently eating and keep eating that amount?
Because a couple days in March I weighed:
3/23 - 104.5
3/24 - 106.5
3/25 - 107
3/26 - 108
3/27 - 108
3/28 - 108.5
And after that point I started sleeping all day and only eating 2 meals so my weight went down. And quickly. Not after I burned off 3500 calories. But I've found when I eat a lot my weight will go up overnight and if I don't eat as much as I normally do, my weight will go down overnight. And it will continue in that direction for as long as I continue that eating pattern. Like I lost 3 pounds in 3 days eating slightly less than normal. I know the 3500 calorie rule can't be true for this to happen. This couldn't have been water weight in March. I would've kept going up had I not started sleeping all day. And another example is there's this man on the biggest loser who lost 38 pounds the first week without even moving his legs cause he was injured. So that means he would have had to burn off 133,000 calories in a week without even moving his legs and there's absolutely no way he did that.
So I'm assuming to gain weight, you just need to eat more than what you're currently eating and keep eating that amount?
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Replies
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To gain weight you need to eat consistently more than your body needs.
Another thing, you will be better off to do weekly weigh-ins and track how you trend over time.
Don't do daily weigh-ins.....they can fluctuate a lot from day to day.
Pick one day a week, where you can create similar variables each time to get a consistent, accurate weight.
i.e. Monday morning, first thing, no clothes (or in underwear), after bathroom, before water, etc....0 -
3500 calories is the energy measurement of 1 lb of fat. It is not a myth or theory - it is a measurement.
Obviously when we gain or lose it's not always fat - it can be fat, water, muscle whatever so the number will not always be 3500 but it'll be close.
What you're experiencing is probably not fat gain or loss but fluctuations in bodyweight caused by all manner of sh!te - high sodium days leading to water retention, water held for repair after exercise etc. or even a sudden loss of water and/or fat.0 -
It actually is true. You can't ague with science. Well, you can I suppose, but you won't get very far.0
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I've read that it takes an extra 3500 calories beyond your TDEE to gain a pound or 3500 calories less than your TDEE to lose a pound. I'm assuming that's just the mathematical equation and not actually true.
Because a couple days in March I weighed:
3/23 - 104.5
3/24 - 106.5
3/25 - 107
3/26 - 108
3/27 - 108
3/28 - 108.5
And after that point I started sleeping all day and only eating 2 meals so my weight went down. And quickly. Not after I burned off 3500 calories. But I've found when I eat a lot my weight will go up overnight and if I don't eat as much as I normally do, my weight will go down overnight. And it will continue in that direction for as long as I continue that eating pattern. Like I lost 3 pounds in 3 days eating slightly less than normal. I know the 3500 calorie rule can't be true for this to happen.
This couldn't have been water weight in March I would've kept going up had I not started sleeping all day.
ORLY.
Can I borrow that thar crystal ball?0 -
My workout yesterday burned about 2,200 calories. I weighed about 5 lbs. less after the workout. How was that possible? I didn't burn 3500 calories.0
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My workout yesterday burned about 2,200 calories. I weighed about 5 lbs. less after the workout. How was that possible? I didn't burn 3500 calories.
Magic, duh!
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Do you even science?
You don't gain or lose weight overnight. The differences you're seeing are minor fluctuations that can change based on how much food you've eaten, how much water you're retaining, or when the last time you pooped was.0 -
WAFFLE, you didn't "lose" 5 pounds, you sweated it out, once you replenish the lost fluids, your scale will show that 5 lbs. is back. Also, weighing heavy after eating a heavy meal doesn't mean you have "gained" that weight, it just means that the food is still in your system from the night before. Weighing once a week will give you a better indication of where your weight is.0
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My workout yesterday burned about 2,200 calories. I weighed about 5 lbs. less after the workout. How was that possible? I didn't burn 3500 calories.
Magic, duh!
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OK, I'm going to try and break this down to explain it....And after that point I started sleeping all day and only eating 2 meals so my weight went down. And quickly. Not after I burned off 3500 calories.
Your weight went down because you were eating a calorie deficit. You don't have to BURN OFF calories (via exercise) to lose weight, because your body burns calories just existing (heart function, digestion, etc). If you were eating fewer calories than you were expending by being alive, you would lose weight.But I've found when I eat a lot my weight will go up overnight and if I don't eat as much as I normally do, my weight will go down overnight. And it will continue in that direction for as long as I continue that eating pattern. Like I lost 3 pounds in 3 days eating slightly less than normal.
Minor fluctuations up to 10 pounds due to water weight, food consumption, bowel movements (and for ladies, menstrual cycle) are normal. You will not gain or lose a pound of fat (or several) overnight.I would've kept going up had I not started sleeping all day.
How do you know??And another example is there's this man on the biggest loser who lost 38 pounds the first week without even moving his legs cause he was injured. So that means he would have had to burn off 133,000 calories in a week without even moving his legs and there's absolutely no way he did that.
I don't watch the show but I know it deals with people who are morbidly obese. Different rules apply to the morbidly obese, and also, who knows what ACTUALLY happened outside the hour of the show that was broadcast?So I'm assuming to gain weight, you just need to eat more than what you're currently eating and keep eating that amount?
If you're currently eating at maintenance, and you eat more, yes, you'll gain. BUT if you are eating at a deficit and you eat more food, you could keep losing, maintain, OR gain, depending on your caloric intake.
Calories in > calories out = weight gain
Calories out > calories in = weight loss
Calories in = calories out = maintenance0 -
Water weighs 8.33 #/gal, a lot of fluctuation depends on hydration and salt levels in your body.0
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I weigh every day - but I look at my weight as a rolling average. I like the data points, but a single measure on its own to me is useless without a few other points of awareness.WAFFLE, you didn't "lose" 5 pounds, you sweated it out, once you replenish the lost fluids, your scale will show that 5 lbs. is back. Also, weighing heavy after eating a heavy meal doesn't mean you have "gained" that weight, it just means that the food is still in your system from the night before. Weighing once a week will give you a better indication of where your weight is.0
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Water weighs 8.33 #/gal, a lot of fluctuation depends on hydration and salt levels in your body.
Yep! I can swing wildly based upon sodium, high carb weekends, sweat, etc. Easily go 5 lbs in either direction based upon this.0 -
WAFFLE, you didn't "lose" 5 pounds, you sweated it out, once you replenish the lost fluids, your scale will show that 5 lbs. is back. Also, weighing heavy after eating a heavy meal doesn't mean you have "gained" that weight, it just means that the food is still in your system from the night before. Weighing once a week will give you a better indication of where your weight is.
Are you saying that Waffle is full of poo?
Wow, that escalated quickly.0 -
Weight loss doesn't necessarily mean fat loss. To lose 1 lb of fat you need to burn 3500 more than your body uses, but you may lose 1 lb of water weight, or after going to the bathroom, or if you weigh on an empty stomach.0
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My workout yesterday burned about 2,200 calories. I weighed about 5 lbs. less after the workout. How was that possible? I didn't burn 3500 calories.
Magic, duh!
did you say... magic?0 -
WAFFLE, you didn't "lose" 5 pounds, you sweated it out, once you replenish the lost fluids, your scale will show that 5 lbs. is back. Also, weighing heavy after eating a heavy meal doesn't mean you have "gained" that weight, it just means that the food is still in your system from the night before. Weighing once a week will give you a better indication of where your weight is.
Are you saying that Waffle is full of poo?
Wow, that escalated quickly.
Yes, sometimes we are full of it when we first wake up!!! lol :P0 -
My workout yesterday burned about 2,200 calories. I weighed about 5 lbs. less after the workout. How was that possible? I didn't burn 3500 calories.
Magic, duh!
did you say... magic?
Oh, yes, I certainly did! And, I'll see your:
And raise you a:
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Your weight will fluctuate, especially for women. Water weight is a big factor, only weigh weekly.
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My workout yesterday burned about 2,200 calories. I weighed about 5 lbs. less after the workout. How was that possible? I didn't burn 3500 calories.
Magic, duh!
did you say... magic?
Oh, yes, I certainly did! And, I'll see your:
And raise you a:
I'll see your kitty and raise you a:
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My workout yesterday burned about 2,200 calories. I weighed about 5 lbs. less after the workout. How was that possible? I didn't burn 3500 calories.
Magic, duh!
did you say... magic?
Oh, yes, I certainly did! And, I'll see your:
And raise you a:
I'll see your kitty and raise you a:
WHOA!!!
I see that I'm out of my league. Imma' just take my kitty and cut my losses.0 -
weight fluctuates up and down for a variety of reasons. water retention time of day etc. I have been able to eat entirely within my calorie range for an entire week and show a gain then have a really horrible day and show a loss the next day.
the 3500 number is a scientific fact. If you consistently eat more calories than you need you will gain weight. In order to figure out what you need to eat to maintain weight do a BMI calculation0 -
3500 is about fat not weight, remember water weight etc. so for instance you eat a lot high sodium your weight can go up0
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My workout yesterday burned about 2,200 calories. I weighed about 5 lbs. less after the workout. How was that possible? I didn't burn 3500 calories.
Magic, duh!
^^Sorry But this is proper making me LOL
did you say... magic?0 -
There are these things called natural body weight fluctuations...water retention/release, more/less waste in your system from the last weigh in, etc. You can't look at the individual numbers...you have to look at the trend. Nobody weighs exactly XXX Lbs...so gaining or losing weight isn't going to be a linear function. But if you consistently eat at a 500 calorie per day deficit (3,500 calories per week) you will, as a general trend, lose about 1 Lb per week...as a general trend over time...not necessarily day to day or week to week.0
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My workout yesterday burned about 2,200 calories. I weighed about 5 lbs. less after the workout. How was that possible? I didn't burn 3500 calories.
Somebody posted you didn't lose the 5 pounds. . . .obviously you did. How much would you weigh if you burned 17,500 calories? Hmmm. . . .I wonder.
As for the OP maybe weighing yourself every 6 hours will help. At least you'd have to wake up to do something. Seriously, go to weekly weighing and best of luck.0 -
My workout yesterday burned about 2,200 calories. I weighed about 5 lbs. less after the workout. How was that possible? I didn't burn 3500 calories.
Well since fat is 3,500 calories per pound when your body burns it, and muscle is 900 calories per pound when your body burns it, you obviously burnt up your bones! Since bone is about 556 calories per pound if you exclude the fatty marrow, and we can't actually digest and use all the proteins that make up collagen in bone for our nutrition, so 2,200 calories would be about the calories available in breaking down 5 lbs of bone!
See how silly it is to choose what material your body burnt for fuel and convert it to a weight? You can't choose, or easily know. On a serious note, you probably lost mostly water weight, and your scale can have a daily error of at least several pounds. You probably also didn't burn as much as you think you did.0 -
My workout yesterday burned about 2,200 calories. I weighed about 5 lbs. less after the workout. How was that possible? I didn't burn 3500 calories.
Somebody posted you didn't lose the 5 pounds. . . .obviously you did. How much would you weigh if you burned 17,500 calories? Hmmm. . . .I wonder.
As for the OP maybe weighing yourself every 6 hours will help. At least you'd have to wake up to do something. Seriously, go to weekly weighing and best of luck.
*chuckles*
stop obsessing, OP. They're called weight fluctuations due to water weight, dietary changes, etc. you sweated, didn't you? That's a loss of weight right there.0 -
My workout yesterday burned about 2,200 calories. I weighed about 5 lbs. less after the workout. How was that possible? I didn't burn 3500 calories.
Magic, duh!
did you say... magic?
Oh, yes, I certainly did! And, I'll see your:
And raise you a:
This is completely against MFP protocol. Cat gifs start on page 4; and saying Waffle is full of poo is wrong, he lost 5 pounds, sheez. Interesting comments so far; a gallon of water weighs more then 8 pounds, who knew?0 -
My workout yesterday burned about 2,200 calories. I weighed about 5 lbs. less after the workout. How was that possible? I didn't burn 3500 calories.
Well since fat is 3,500 calories per pound when your body burns it, and muscle is 900 calories per pound when your body burns it, you obviously burnt up your bones! Since bone is about 556 calories per pound if you exclude the fatty marrow, and we can't actually digest and use all the proteins that make up collagen in bone for our nutrition, so 2,200 calories would be about the calories available in breaking down 5 lbs of bone!
That is one scary workout!0
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