Gaining significant weight in one week, even though meeting calory goals

Hi all,

I'm now in my 4th week of using myfitnesspal. After using it for 3 weeks, I've lost 3,5 kilo's (~8 pounds) by staying below 1800 net calories a day (My starting weight is 96 kilo or about 210 lbs). This morning, though, I was shocked to learn that I gained almost 2,5 kg (6 lbs) in a single week, even though I beat my net 1800 target.

I think my scale is working fine.

Replies

  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    Did you have a heavy sodium/carb meal recently? Did you start or increase your exercise? Are you a female who still goes through the menstrual cycle and at/near that time? These will all cause you to retain water, which can mask fat loss.
  • drekko2016
    drekko2016 Posts: 2 Member
    Hi Malibu927,

    Thanks for your reply! I'm male, I did increase my exercise (from 2x cardio to 4x cardio per week, each for a good hour). No big Carb meals. Don
  • JustMissTracy
    JustMissTracy Posts: 6,338 Member
    drekko2016 wrote: »
    Hi all,

    I'm now in my 4th week of using myfitnesspal. After using it for 3 weeks, I've lost 3,5 kilo's (~8 pounds) by staying below 1800 net calories a day (My starting weight is 96 kilo or about 210 lbs). This morning, though, I was shocked to learn that I gained almost 2,5 kg (6 lbs) in a single week, even though I beat my net 1800 target.

    I think my scale is working fine.

    So here's the big question...where are you getting your numbers from? Are you weighing your food with a food scale, and are you using a tracker to gage your calorie burns? If you're not weighing your food diligently, it's very easy to eat more than we think we are. Everything, including nibbles and sips, should be logged to be sure you're in a deficit.
  • red99ryder
    red99ryder Posts: 399 Member
    drekko2016 wrote: »
    Hi all,

    I'm now in my 4th week of using myfitnesspal. After using it for 3 weeks, I've lost 3,5 kilo's (~8 pounds) by staying below 1800 net calories a day (My starting weight is 96 kilo or about 210 lbs). This morning, though, I was shocked to learn that I gained almost 2,5 kg (6 lbs) in a single week, even though I beat my net 1800 target.

    I think my scale is working fine.

    So here's the big question...where are you getting your numbers from? Are you weighing your food with a food scale, and are you using a tracker to gage your calorie burns? If you're not weighing your food diligently, it's very easy to eat more than we think we are. Everything, including nibbles and sips, should be logged to be sure you're in a deficit.

    yes weighing and measuring your food is good ,, but to gain 6 pounds in a week you would have to be 3000 cals a day over ,, i would think water weight ,, or dressed differently , clothes can weigh a ton..
  • GlendaThompson2
    GlendaThompson2 Posts: 2 Member
    Could also be muscle gain, if you have increased your workouts. Try weighing in the morning, naked. I know I weigh in the morning, then again later in the day and I will weigh a few pounds more in the evening.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    Could also be muscle gain, if you have increased your workouts. Try weighing in the morning, naked. I know I weigh in the morning, then again later in the day and I will weigh a few pounds more in the evening.

    It's not muscle gain.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    Could also be muscle gain, if you have increased your workouts. Try weighing in the morning, naked. I know I weigh in the morning, then again later in the day and I will weigh a few pounds more in the evening.

    Not in a deficit (for the most part), and not six pounds worth if it does happen.

    OP, I'd chalk it up to your muscles retaining water to repair thanks to the increase in exercise. Give it a few weeks to drop back down.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    Gaining 6 pounds in a week while in a calorie deficit is impossible. So something is different, like the exercise increase from 2 hours a week to 4 hours a week, perhaps some additional stress in your life, less sleep, more sodium in your diet, not hydrating through the day like you should, and even though no HEAVY carb day, carbs over your normal intake will retain approx 2.7 to 3 gr per 1 gram of carb.

    Double check your amount of intake again (although even if off given a margin of error, this is not the cause). The exercise will compound scale weight when increasing volume and intensity.

    Perhaps weight loss at this point is proving its not linear along with anything mentioned above that can be different. Put all these together and its showing on the scale.
  • Chadxx
    Chadxx Posts: 1,199 Member
    Your weight will vary a lot depending on the time of day, what you are wearing, when your last BM was, etc. It will also fluctuate a lot just from water weight.
  • courtneyfabulous
    courtneyfabulous Posts: 1,863 Member
    Always weigh yourself first thing in the morning without clothes on after using the bathroom. Your body weight can fluctuate over 5 pounds or more in a single day depending how much you've eaten and how hydrated you are.

    I would also weigh daily not once a week- daily fluctuations happen so you don't want to think you gained weight that week if it was only one off day.

    Also high carbohydrates or too much sodium can make you retain water and gain weight. Make sure you're eating in proper ratios of protein carbs & fat.

    Consuming alcohol will stall weight loss and cause fat gain, avoid alcohol for now if you aren't already.