Third week in and I have gained all the weight I lost last week

mandywill702015
mandywill702015 Posts: 5 Member
in Motivation and Support
This is the first time in my life my weight has reduced me to tears and we're talking 2kgs here!

I've felt heavier this week but I didn't think I would have gained weight.

Let me start from the start. I am new to all this as I've been one of the lucky ones who has never had any weight issues. Even after children. The weight started creeping on after forty. I was always in the 50's up until then.. When I hit the 60's (kgs) I joined a gym.. And pretty much stagnated around the 58-61 range. Stopped that (hate the gym..soooo boring!) then after a year and feeling heavier was shocked to see I was now hovering around the 63-65..the top or my healthy weight range. A friend told me about this and I have been doing it since 7 September.

Soo... First of all, I am shocked to realise how many calories I have been consuming all my life! I didn't think I was but I am a big eater. I don't hold back if I like something. Croissants for breakfast? Give me three with heaps of butter mad Nutella! You get the picture. Staying to 1200 calories has been really really hard but I've done it. I started at 62.5 kgs. In the first week I got down to 61.1 then second 60.3.. Thought I was on my way and now, weighing in for the third week, I am 61.1 again! Wtf?!

I have been consuming more calories (between 1350-1700 this week) but I am now also jogging for 30-45 minutes (with about 15 mins of brisk walking) every single day! I am always in the green with an average of about 200 calories left over. I really thought this was going to be it and I'll lose this last pesky 5kgs for summer but it's like my body won't let my drop below 60 kgs whatever I do!

Replies

  • OsricTheKnight
    OsricTheKnight Posts: 340 Member
    As always I recommend using a trending graph so that you can tell what's going on over the long term. Weigh-in to weigh-in the results are totally dominated by water weight which you don't really care about, and so if you're just going to look at the scale number you have to weigh really infrequently or risk seeing a depressingly high number at any time. You could easily see a 4kg "gain" which is just water retention.

    See my philosophy post if you're interested in this approach.

    Osric
  • catt952
    catt952 Posts: 190 Member
    Yes, at first it is difficult to deal with the disappointment when you first try to lose weight. I kept looking in the mirror waiting to see more results. However, if you get past the first bump, you will move into endurance mode. Basically, you won't care so much how quick the results are coming but you will be trucking along without too much worry. hang in there :)
  • goldthistime
    goldthistime Posts: 3,213 Member
    Glad to hear you had the good sense to increase your calories. 1200 is a tough target for most people. I agree with Osric that it's likely water weight that is messing you up. I am a huge fan of slow (and more likely to be permanent) weight loss. Take it for what it's worth, but my advice would be to change your settings to .5lb loss a week. Good luck!
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    There are many factors that can add water weight. Did you consume more salt yesterday than usual (I have had that add 2 lbs to me)? Close to TOM (that adds up to 4 lbs for me)? Travelling (long distance flights will add up to 10 lbs on me)? New exercise routines (weightlifting will add about 2 lbs for me)?

    Try not to get too focused on the number this week. Look at your trends over time. Fluctuations will happen for any number of reasons. This is usually water retention, not actual fat that has been gained. Take pictures and use a measuring tape, these will create a better picture for you (although you may not see big changes on a weekly basis).
  • mandywill702015
    mandywill702015 Posts: 5 Member
    Thanks everyone! This is what I needed to hear.. I did have some beers last night. It's so nice to know people on a similar journey. And ostric, I will definitely have a look at that link, thanks!
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,321 Member
    Generally a large weight gain like this when not eating huge amounts of calories is water weight. This is one the reasons weight is a less than helpful measure of progress because I am guessing your goal is like mine, to lose fat. Water weight will often mask fat loss for a time, even a week or more before it comes off. That is why as suggested an overall trend over time is far more important than one individual measurement for a week. In other words, keep careful with your measuring of what you eat, and the loss will start to show even if it didn't this week.
  • mandywill702015
    mandywill702015 Posts: 5 Member
    Osric, am enthralled with your philosophy thread. I had no idea…thanks again :smiley:
  • cafeaulait7
    cafeaulait7 Posts: 2,459 Member
    The third week can be crazy, but hang in there and you will be so happy you did! I would move up from 1200, too, though. It's slower but so much easier on more calories than that. Just make sure to log accurately, move on quickly after any screwups, and sit back and wait! It can take a while, but the first part is absolutely the most frustrating part, imho. Later on, you know it's really working so the fluctuations aren't as demotivating.

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