Since meeting mfp's goals I have gained: please help

notevenpretty20
notevenpretty20 Posts: 7
edited September 2024 in Introduce Yourself
I really need help. I've been dieting for over a year and got into some very very bad habits - binging and fasting excessively. A few weeks ago I didn't eat for 4 days then binged and made myself really poorly. Since then, I decided to be a little healthier - I've religiously stuck to mfp's goals and consistently been below my calorie goal (though only a little). Let me say though, meeting mfp's goals has been a big deal - for almost a year I've been on less than 1000 cals, apart from binging, which I started to do two or three times a week, so I really don't *buy* that I'm not eating enough calories to lose weight: I've lost 103lbs on a great deal less.

So, my plan was to up my cal intake a little - been meeting mfp's goals of 1270 every day for 16 days now. In the first week I lost 3lbs. This week, I have gained 5. And it keeps going up. It's gone from being basically stable to increasing.

And I don't know what to do. i am 1 stone away from my goal weight. I have worked so hard and I am so close to my goal weight and it is so important to me. So please, if you have any ideas I really need your help. I'm literally in tears right now. Can you really lose weight sticking to mfp's goals? Why am I gaining, if that's the case?

And please understand that for me to eat 1200 cals every day is a big deal for me, emotionally it has been upseting and I'm very conflicted by it.

Replies

  • katg100
    katg100 Posts: 12
    I'm no doctor, but I would say if you have been on less than 1000 calories per day for a year, you have almost starved yourselft, and now that you are eating a more appropriate amount you are storing it, as you have probably trained your body to think it is not going to be properly fed and will need some excess reserves shortly.

    Try sticking to MFP's calorie intake, but ensure that you are under on fat and carbs (although make sure you have some of both). I really hope this helps, but if you arent managing with that maybe speak to a doctor or dietition. Dont get upset about it, I know what its like to battle over food, feel free to add me and feel free to off load the stress, we all need support sometimes.

    Good luck Kat xx
  • sabrinafaith
    sabrinafaith Posts: 607 Member
    you are gaining because you messed up your metabolism by binging and purging. now your body is absorbing as much fluid and nutrients as it can and is afraid you'll start binging again. just stick to 1260 cals a day and you'll see it all stabilize in a few weeks. I promise.
  • slp2112
    slp2112 Posts: 107
    Just wanted to echo a commenter above - sounds like you could use the help of a registered dietician or doctor who is incredibly familiar with disordered eating. There are lot of emotional/mental issues that can come with food, and the internet certainly won't help there.

    Also, how tall are you? I'm looking at your goal weight and thinking that maybe your body going up in down and weight is a signal that it's happy at your current weight.
  • nrvo
    nrvo Posts: 473 Member
    Maybe it's what you're eating, instead of how much you are eating? The MFP goals (in my non-doctor, completely un-professional opinion) are kind of low in protein and fiber. I modified mine to require at least 25g of fiber, and I changed my protein to 25% (instead of the preset 15%).

    Also - check your sodium. It could very well be water weight. MFP sets a max of 2500, but that is quite a bit. Try eating less salt and drinking more water!

    Your body is probably just readjusting to eating in a normal pattern as well. I'm sure that your weight will settle out once your body gets used to steady fuel in the tank. Good luck!!!!
  • notevenpretty20
    notevenpretty20 Posts: 7
    Do you really believe it will go down if I stick with it? I've never felt so desperate... I'm trying to be healthier, but I've trained myself into thinking that over 1000 cals is a fail and now the scales are reflecting that I just want to fast for a few days then go back to less than 1000. I've thought for so long that if I ate the healthy amount, ie the amount you'd eat to maintain, 2000 cals or whatever, I would gain, and I'm not even eating that and I'm gaining! I have just one more stone to lose.... When will this stop, any ideas?! :(

    Thank you for your advice, though. Feel really alone right now.
  • KeriA
    KeriA Posts: 3,358 Member
    Make sure you do not go under 1200 net calories too. That means Calories eaten - calories burned should stay above 1200 or your body will still feel like storing and keeping to the 1250 is not going to help if you are burning 200-500 in exercise. You need to eat at least 1200 net calories. Many people in your situation have had to eat more than 1200 calories to get their body normal again to where they can lose easier. The last pounds are the hardest and you have to be patient. I have heard of people who lost after upping calorie intake to 1400 but I am no expert on that it is just what I have heard of others experience.
  • notevenpretty20
    notevenpretty20 Posts: 7
    I really really appreciate your comments: thank you.

    So far, keeping in mind I've been doing this about 16 months, I've never had a problem with being on starvation mode. I have been stuck on a certain weight twice, but that's because I would get fed up and eat more and it would stabilise at that for a while.

    Maybe my body does think it's a good weight, but I want to keep going a bit longer. Vanity, I suppose.

    I'll keep going trying to stick to the goals. Today is day 17 of no binging. I have to say, right now I'm not quite ready to eat the calories I burn because that would probably take me to 2000 a day and I just can't do it now. For me, eating steadily at 1200 is quite an achievement right now.

    Wondering if part of this is PMT, but I can't see how because I don't think I'm due yet, although my periods are kind of all over the place so who knows.

    Thank you once again for your help, I really appreciate it so much <3
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