Gained weight on 1200cal diet, AND 800cal diet.
StephanieLMcQuinn
Posts: 7 Member
First off, I'm 5'2 and I weighed a steady 130 lbs for years. Over the winter I slowly gained weight, until I got to 144. In January I started a 1200cal diet with cardio exercise, and gained 2 pounds. Last week, I read that for some RARE women, 1200 may not be enough for weight loss, so I (maybe stupidly), restricted to 800cals. I worked out like crazy every day. I gained another pound. I feel so frustrated I want to cry. In hindsight, I know 800 was probably too little. I should have done 1000. But still! I don't know what else to do. I'm only 21 years old. I'm trying to get to 120 lbs. Please feel free to add me for Support as well.
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Replies
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The introduction of exercise has made you retain water in your muscles.
1200 NET (which means say you burn 300 calories with exercise, you really should be eating 1500/day) is the lowest recommended calories per day for ANY woman. Unless you are under 5' (which you aren't) or older and sedentary (which you are not).
Ok. Now. Are you weighing everything you eat? Or are you trusting packaging to be accurate? If so, start weighing. I'm assuming you really aren't eating 800 calories, you are eating more and with the over exercising you are retaining water (which will go away after your muscles get used to it).
If after 5 weeks you still seem to be having problems on 1200 NET (while weighing everything you eat), please see a doctor. But I'm 99% sure you are panicing a bit too early.
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I'm not a fitness junkie, but I would assume the weight gain is probably muscle gain. 800 calories is really low girl, I wouldn't suggest going that low. Eating healthily and often while maintaining your workouts is your best option. Overall though, I would think your weight gain is probably muscle (or water retention, but I don't know how much water you've been drinking!)0
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StephanieLMcQuinn wrote: »First off, I'm 5'2 and I weighed a steady 130 lbs for years. Over the winter I slowly gained weight, until I got to 144. In January I started a 1200cal diet with cardio exercise, and gained 2 pounds. Last week, I read that for some RARE women, 1200 may not be enough for weight loss, so I (maybe stupidly), restricted to 800cals. I worked out like crazy every day. I gained another pound. I feel so frustrated I want to cry. In hindsight, I know 800 was probably too little. I should have done 1000. But still! I don't know what else to do. I'm only 21 years old. I'm trying to get to 120 lbs. Please feel free to add me for Support as well.
You aren't gonna see weight loss in a single week, because water weight in your body fluctuates. 1200 is not too much for any grown person, especially if you're also working out.0 -
Can you make your food diary public so we can look at it?0
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Case in point, I got up 2 hours ago and since then lost over half a pound just because of bathroom visits.0
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I'm not a fitness junkie, but I would assume the weight gain is probably muscle gain. 800 calories is really low girl, I wouldn't suggest going that low. Eating healthily and often while maintaining your workouts is your best option. Overall though, I would think your weight gain is probably muscle (or water retention, but I don't know how much water you've been drinking!)
No it seems you aren't a fitness person, so why give advice?
You can't gain muscle in a deficit.
It doesn't matter how often or whether the food is healthy to lose weight.
You can retain water for muscle repair without drinking a lot of water, you can retain water within the muscle cells that you get from other parts of the body, or food.
You were spot on with the low calorie advice.1 -
I'm also 5'2 and weigh 134 lbs. I eat 13-1400 calories and lose.
The gains you're seeing are temporary water retention. Either from working out, hormones, salt, etc. It's natural and happens.
You need to give things more than a week or two. You're not being patient at all. Realistically, you should only change things when you've seen zero change for 4-6 weeks.0 -
Please read all of the links provided here:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10300319/most-helpful-posts-general-diet-and-weight-loss-help-must-reads#latest
But especially the ones about logging and weight loss not being linear.
You said you started in January but "gained" two pounds. You fail to provide enough information.
Do you log your food every day? How do you measure that food (for accuracy, especially given that you should only be aiming to lose .5-1 lb/wk, you should be weighing your food and carefully choosing entries - verified entires guarantee nothing). How often do you weigh yourself? If it's only once a week, you simply might be weighing on a high day. Additionally, with your exercise you will be retaining water.
You cannot get reliable information after only one week (referring to your 800 comment). You need to choose a reasonable goal (.5-1 lb/wk), log accurately, and do that for 4-6 weeks, then make adjustments.0 -
You ate more than you think you did. You need to weigh your food and ensure you're using the correct MFP food database entries.1
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Water retention can EASILY mask weight loss, making is seem like you're gaining. It's a mind meld. Don't underestimate the pounds of water your muscles can hold on to for repair.0
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You need to eat more especially if you're working out. I would never be able to function at so low of calories while working out. I would try upping your calories you may be surprise, when I upped mine I ended up losing MORE.0
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We still haven't ascertained if that was what she was eating in reality.0
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Same here - 0.4 pounds lost....and I know, because I weigh everything!stevencloser wrote: »Case in point, I got up 2 hours ago and since then lost over half a pound just because of bathroom visits.
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Weight fluctuates so give it time but are you being accurate at logging your food? i.e could you be eating more than you think? if you aren't using food scales then the chances are that you are ....
I'm 5ft 2 and when I was in losing phase lost (1/2lb/wk) eating 1800 gross cals. I am active.
You haven't much to lose so should be aiming for 1/2lb a week.0 -
How are you sleeping? What are your stress levels like? These two factors are often overlooked but are a key to healthy living and weight loss.
Regardless, what the people said before me is true: 800 cal is not enough. Add in working out, and your body probably isn't able to function. There is a point of diminishing returns if you follow calories in calories out. After a certain point (~1200-1500 for the average person), your body will begin to hold on to whatever in can in an attempt not to die. Basically, if you treat your body like dog crap by under eating and overstressing, your result is going to be crap. I know this from experience, as I used to have you mindset. It wasn't until I started to eat more that my body started to feel fine, which kick-started my workouts into high gear, and led to weight loss.
In any case, find a calorie amount which you can live with FOR LIFE, not just a few weeks. You'll get much farther staying consistently at 1500 than jumping from 800 to an eventual blowout of 2000+ cals over an evening.1 -
I'm not a fitness junkie, but I would assume the weight gain is probably muscle gain. 800 calories is really low girl, I wouldn't suggest going that low. Eating healthily and often while maintaining your workouts is your best option. Overall though, I would think your weight gain is probably muscle (or water retention, but I don't know how much water you've been drinking!)
LOL...you think she gained muscle in a couple weeks eating 800 calories a day?? please explain how that is possible1 -
A week? I'm doing 1200-1300 calories and have gone back up from 136-140 in a week. I don't go around saying I'm "gaining" on 1200 calories. I'm experiencing weight fluctuations due to high sodium and a heavy leg workout. Just stay at your 1200 and be patient and weigh your dang food.1
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Weight Loss Is Not Linear
Calculate your TDEE, eat under that to lose weight (-500 for 1lb a week or -250 for 0.5lbs a week). Do this for 3 months for approx. -5to-10lbs down. In a year, you can drop ~50lbs if going at a -500calorie deficit (depending on how big/small you are, but if you consistently decreasing weight then it's good).0 -
Same here - 0.4 pounds lost....and I know, because I weigh everything!stevencloser wrote: »Case in point, I got up 2 hours ago and since then lost over half a pound just because of bathroom visits.
This post is upsetting...
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I would also advise to take measurements. At your weight, with exercise, you might loose inchs but no weight. I run and if I take a few days break I lose easily 1-3 pounds. I've guess this must be the water my body need to repair muscles from my runs.
I don't know if it's the case here or not, but you can make "beginner muscles" on a deficit. If you are overweight/obese and go from completly sedentary to active you will make some muscles, even at a deficit (http://www.livestrong.com/article/362906-can-you-build-muscle-on-a-calorie-deficit/).0 -
StephanieLMcQuinn wrote: »First off, I'm 5'2 and I weighed a steady 130 lbs for years. Over the winter I slowly gained weight, until I got to 144. In January I started a 1200cal diet with cardio exercise, and gained 2 pounds. Last week, I read that for some RARE women, 1200 may not be enough for weight loss, so I (maybe stupidly), restricted to 800cals. I worked out like crazy every day. I gained another pound. I feel so frustrated I want to cry. In hindsight, I know 800 was probably too little. I should have done 1000. But still! I don't know what else to do. I'm only 21 years old. I'm trying to get to 120 lbs. Please feel free to add me for Support as well.
Assuming exercising 3 times weekly for 30 mins at a light intensity, currently 144 lbs, and a sedentary job, your TDEE is 1643 cals per day.
You're short (No offense meant), but you're fighting an uphill battle. Any error in your logging could completely wipe any deficit you might have.
Buy and use a food scale, to get the most accurate logging possible. I would not recommend logging your exercise in the app, as the estimates for caloric burn rate are way off. Set your daily goal to 1200, log accurately, and see what happens for a bit. I'm guessing overestimation of caloric burn coupled with inaccurate logging is what is doing you in. Very heavy individuals can error greatly in both, and still see results, because their TDEE is so high to being with. You're only 20 lbs over, have a low TDEE, so you need to really knuckle down on the logging aspect.0 -
coreyreichle wrote: »StephanieLMcQuinn wrote: »First off, I'm 5'2 and I weighed a steady 130 lbs for years. Over the winter I slowly gained weight, until I got to 144. In January I started a 1200cal diet with cardio exercise, and gained 2 pounds. Last week, I read that for some RARE women, 1200 may not be enough for weight loss, so I (maybe stupidly), restricted to 800cals. I worked out like crazy every day. I gained another pound. I feel so frustrated I want to cry. In hindsight, I know 800 was probably too little. I should have done 1000. But still! I don't know what else to do. I'm only 21 years old. I'm trying to get to 120 lbs. Please feel free to add me for Support as well.
Assuming exercising 3 times weekly for 30 mins at a light intensity, currently 144 lbs, and a sedentary job, your TDEE is 1643 cals per day.
You're short (No offense meant), but you're fighting an uphill battle. Any error in your logging could completely wipe any deficit you might have.
Buy and use a food scale, to get the most accurate logging possible. I would not recommend logging your exercise in the app, as the estimates for caloric burn rate are way off. Set your daily goal to 1200, log accurately, and see what happens for a bit. I'm guessing overestimation of caloric burn coupled with inaccurate logging is what is doing you in. Very heavy individuals can error greatly in both, and still see results, because their TDEE is so high to being with. You're only 20 lbs over, have a low TDEE, so you need to really knuckle down on the logging aspect.
@coreyreichle Where do you get 1643?
I checked on a site that I find close to actuals and with exercise and age and other stats it calculates it at 2k....
cut at 1610...which makes sense at her age, current weight and exercise...0 -
coreyreichle wrote: »StephanieLMcQuinn wrote: »First off, I'm 5'2 and I weighed a steady 130 lbs for years. Over the winter I slowly gained weight, until I got to 144. In January I started a 1200cal diet with cardio exercise, and gained 2 pounds. Last week, I read that for some RARE women, 1200 may not be enough for weight loss, so I (maybe stupidly), restricted to 800cals. I worked out like crazy every day. I gained another pound. I feel so frustrated I want to cry. In hindsight, I know 800 was probably too little. I should have done 1000. But still! I don't know what else to do. I'm only 21 years old. I'm trying to get to 120 lbs. Please feel free to add me for Support as well.
Assuming exercising 3 times weekly for 30 mins at a light intensity, currently 144 lbs, and a sedentary job, your TDEE is 1643 cals per day.
You're short (No offense meant), but you're fighting an uphill battle. Any error in your logging could completely wipe any deficit you might have.
Buy and use a food scale, to get the most accurate logging possible. I would not recommend logging your exercise in the app, as the estimates for caloric burn rate are way off. Set your daily goal to 1200, log accurately, and see what happens for a bit. I'm guessing overestimation of caloric burn coupled with inaccurate logging is what is doing you in. Very heavy individuals can error greatly in both, and still see results, because their TDEE is so high to being with. You're only 20 lbs over, have a low TDEE, so you need to really knuckle down on the logging aspect.
@coreyreichle Where do you get 1643?
I checked on a site that I find close to actuals and with exercise and age and other stats it calculates it at 2k....
cut at 1610...which makes sense at her age, current weight and exercise...
http://www.iifym.com/tdee-calculator/
Bear in mind, I also made some assumptions, which I laid out, and OP didn't provide (ie, intensity level of exercise, time/frequency of exercise, and daily activity level).0 -
There are mistakes that people commonly make that cause them to not lose weight that we might be able to spot if you change your Diary Sharing settings to Public: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/diary_settings
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Muscleflex79 wrote: »I'm not a fitness junkie, but I would assume the weight gain is probably muscle gain. 800 calories is really low girl, I wouldn't suggest going that low. Eating healthily and often while maintaining your workouts is your best option. Overall though, I would think your weight gain is probably muscle (or water retention, but I don't know how much water you've been drinking!)
LOL...you think she gained muscle in a couple weeks eating 800 calories a day?? please explain how that is possible
I managed it pretty well.
Also she says she has been doing it since January, a couple of months not a couple of week.0 -
coreyreichle wrote: »coreyreichle wrote: »StephanieLMcQuinn wrote: »First off, I'm 5'2 and I weighed a steady 130 lbs for years. Over the winter I slowly gained weight, until I got to 144. In January I started a 1200cal diet with cardio exercise, and gained 2 pounds. Last week, I read that for some RARE women, 1200 may not be enough for weight loss, so I (maybe stupidly), restricted to 800cals. I worked out like crazy every day. I gained another pound. I feel so frustrated I want to cry. In hindsight, I know 800 was probably too little. I should have done 1000. But still! I don't know what else to do. I'm only 21 years old. I'm trying to get to 120 lbs. Please feel free to add me for Support as well.
Assuming exercising 3 times weekly for 30 mins at a light intensity, currently 144 lbs, and a sedentary job, your TDEE is 1643 cals per day.
You're short (No offense meant), but you're fighting an uphill battle. Any error in your logging could completely wipe any deficit you might have.
Buy and use a food scale, to get the most accurate logging possible. I would not recommend logging your exercise in the app, as the estimates for caloric burn rate are way off. Set your daily goal to 1200, log accurately, and see what happens for a bit. I'm guessing overestimation of caloric burn coupled with inaccurate logging is what is doing you in. Very heavy individuals can error greatly in both, and still see results, because their TDEE is so high to being with. You're only 20 lbs over, have a low TDEE, so you need to really knuckle down on the logging aspect.
@coreyreichle Where do you get 1643?
I checked on a site that I find close to actuals and with exercise and age and other stats it calculates it at 2k....
cut at 1610...which makes sense at her age, current weight and exercise...
http://www.iifym.com/tdee-calculator/
Bear in mind, I also made some assumptions, which I laid out, and OP didn't provide (ie, intensity level of exercise, time/frequency of exercise, and daily activity level).
I made assumptions as well on exercise
http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/
typically these are quite close.
https://tdeecalculator.net/result.php?s=imperial&g=female&age=21&lbs=144&in=61&act=1.375&f=1
this one is higher than yours as well....hence the reason giving out numbers is not a good idea.
To figure out TDEE actually requires personal data and this formula
Total calories consumed + (lbs lostx 3500)/#days
need to be accurate with consumption using a food scale of course and at least 21 days.0 -
HamsterManV2 wrote: »Weight Loss Is Not Linear
Calculate your TDEE, eat under that to lose weight (-500 for 1lb a week or -250 for 0.5lbs a week).
looks pretty linear to me.
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WATER weight; water weighs @ 8.33 # / gallon, depending on your hydration level one can easily weigh 3-4# heavier or lighter. Look long term (Monthly).0
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HamsterManV2 wrote: »Weight Loss Is Not Linear
Calculate your TDEE, eat under that to lose weight (-500 for 1lb a week or -250 for 0.5lbs a week).
looks pretty linear to me.
Notice how the weight goes up then down then back up? The trend is going downward yes but you might find yourself a couple lbs heavier on some days - this just means to not get discouraged and keep on trucking!0 -
coreyreichle wrote: »coreyreichle wrote: »StephanieLMcQuinn wrote: »First off, I'm 5'2 and I weighed a steady 130 lbs for years. Over the winter I slowly gained weight, until I got to 144. In January I started a 1200cal diet with cardio exercise, and gained 2 pounds. Last week, I read that for some RARE women, 1200 may not be enough for weight loss, so I (maybe stupidly), restricted to 800cals. I worked out like crazy every day. I gained another pound. I feel so frustrated I want to cry. In hindsight, I know 800 was probably too little. I should have done 1000. But still! I don't know what else to do. I'm only 21 years old. I'm trying to get to 120 lbs. Please feel free to add me for Support as well.
Assuming exercising 3 times weekly for 30 mins at a light intensity, currently 144 lbs, and a sedentary job, your TDEE is 1643 cals per day.
You're short (No offense meant), but you're fighting an uphill battle. Any error in your logging could completely wipe any deficit you might have.
Buy and use a food scale, to get the most accurate logging possible. I would not recommend logging your exercise in the app, as the estimates for caloric burn rate are way off. Set your daily goal to 1200, log accurately, and see what happens for a bit. I'm guessing overestimation of caloric burn coupled with inaccurate logging is what is doing you in. Very heavy individuals can error greatly in both, and still see results, because their TDEE is so high to being with. You're only 20 lbs over, have a low TDEE, so you need to really knuckle down on the logging aspect.
@coreyreichle Where do you get 1643?
I checked on a site that I find close to actuals and with exercise and age and other stats it calculates it at 2k....
cut at 1610...which makes sense at her age, current weight and exercise...
http://www.iifym.com/tdee-calculator/
Bear in mind, I also made some assumptions, which I laid out, and OP didn't provide (ie, intensity level of exercise, time/frequency of exercise, and daily activity level).
I made assumptions as well on exercise
http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/
typically these are quite close.
https://tdeecalculator.net/result.php?s=imperial&g=female&age=21&lbs=144&in=61&act=1.375&f=1
this one is higher than yours as well....hence the reason giving out numbers is not a good idea.
To figure out TDEE actually requires personal data and this formula
Total calories consumed + (lbs lostx 3500)/#days
need to be accurate with consumption using a food scale of course and at least 21 days.
Personally, I don't like to use the sites you supplied, due to lack of granularity in what data you provide. ie, how much exercise and for how long...
But, to each their own, I suppose.0
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