If it's all in the math, why did I gain?
joowelz
Posts: 170 Member
I have been logging for almost two months and started seeing a steady weight loss of 0.5 lbs every week. Over the past two weeks due to my impending period, I had crazy cravings and overate a few times. On a good day, I keep my calories in the 1650-1780 range (with intense jogging for 30 minutes four times a week.) On the three days I seriously overate, I consumed between 2,000-2,600 calories.
My confusion is this: If those extra calories from overeating did not add up to 3,500 more calories per week to cause one pound of fat gain (or even 1700 calories to create a half a pound), why did I gain a pound?
If weekly weight loss comes down to creating a calorie deficit of 250-500 calories per day, shouldn't weight gain demand an equal formula of an additional 250-500 calories consumed per day, or a total of 1700-3500 extra calories consumed per week?
It was too easy to gain weight so I am confused. What would my maintenance mode caloric intake have to be then??
Know what I mean?
Thanks,
NK
My confusion is this: If those extra calories from overeating did not add up to 3,500 more calories per week to cause one pound of fat gain (or even 1700 calories to create a half a pound), why did I gain a pound?
If weekly weight loss comes down to creating a calorie deficit of 250-500 calories per day, shouldn't weight gain demand an equal formula of an additional 250-500 calories consumed per day, or a total of 1700-3500 extra calories consumed per week?
It was too easy to gain weight so I am confused. What would my maintenance mode caloric intake have to be then??
Know what I mean?
Thanks,
NK
2
Replies
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You mentioned an "impending period"? Water weight.24
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It is about the math and of course real world data.. So in your case even eating 2000-2600 close to maintenance? and the fact that fat gain does not work this fast in just three days.
Its water weight gain/retention from your cycle and other day to day fluctuations that happen on the scale..9 -
@daniip_la But over a three week period? Doesn't water weight come and go for a maximum of a few days?0
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Water weight3
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@daniip_la But over a three week period? Doesn't water weight come and go for a maximum of a few days?
water weight is always a part of your total weight.. varying factors determine if you lose water / gain water each day.9 -
You gained 1 lb?
Weight on your scale isn't just fat.
Your period is coming. Water retention is normal.
Maybe you ate lots more salty foods or carbs than normal. Also water retention.
6 -
Salt (likely during over eating) + tom =water retention6
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@daniip_la But over a three week period? Doesn't water weight come and go for a maximum of a few days?
No. Different women experience water weight gains of varying sizes and durations.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10359984/women-menstrual-cycle-weight-and-fitness-matters/p15 -
I just gained 1lb in a couple of minutes - a big refreshing glass of zero calorie water.
Get used to weight fluctuations now or maintenance at goal weight will be miserable! Maybe try one of the weight trending apps to understand the causes and patterns of your fluctuations?19 -
@daniip_la But over a three week period? Doesn't water weight come and go for a maximum of a few days?
No, water weight gain and loss is an ongoing process that is dependent on many factors, sodium, fluid intake and outgo, TOM, etc. As everyone will tell you, weight loss is not linear, it fluctuates. You are heading in the right direction and if you continue as you have been you will be successful. Don't let one episode of overeating derail you. Just move on.9 -
Often times my weight will fluctuate upwards for a week or so just before I see a large drop on the scale. A few days of eating well over my typical calorie goal can also keep my weight up for a week or more. I've started weighing daily and looking at my trends, and now those little blips don't even phase me. It's just another data point, and I can clearly see my trend going down, so it doesn't concern me. Just do your best to adhere to your calorie goal and have patience. Fluctuation is part of it!10
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Water weight1
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My weight fluctuates ~6lbs daily due to water weight. This is why I disregard weigh ins after travelling or big celebrations where I eat out of my routine.
Just increase your water intake a bit and check your weight in about 5 days.5 -
It does come down to math. The problem is your variables are fuzzy.
Do you know exactly how much you ate? I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you weighed and measured everything and were at least close.
People are always confounded by the calorie out part of the equation though. They look up what the AVERAGE daily burn is for someone of their weight/sex/size, and assume that this is gospel. Then they exercise, take as gospel a table that says what someone of their weight/sex/size is likely burning, and then assume that the formula is wrong if they don't lose/gain.
Look, the formula is right, your inputs need to be adjusted. If your metabolism is lower than average for some reason (sedentary, illness, lifelong dieter), then adjust the variables....1 -
It also depends on WHAT you ate, not just how much you ate. If you ate a bunch of fat or sugar, that will convert to additional weight more quickly unless you're offsetting with exercise (although you said you're doing that). My best advice is to NOT weigh every day, just once a week and when you have a bad day or days, re-focus on your goal and move forward. Sometimes you'll gain pounds, but lose inches, especially when you're working out!! It's not all about calories and the number on the scale. It's about building lean muscle mass, looking good and most importantly - FEELING GOOD!!0
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It also depends on WHAT you ate, not just how much you ate. If you ate a bunch of fat or sugar, that will convert to additional weight more quickly unless you're offsetting with exercise (although you said you're doing that). My best advice is to NOT weigh every day, just once a week and when you have a bad day or days, re-focus on your goal and move forward. Sometimes you'll gain pounds, but lose inches, especially when you're working out!! It's not all about calories and the number on the scale. It's about building lean muscle mass, looking good and most importantly - FEELING GOOD!!
Load of rubbish! Ignore this OP16 -
I have been logging for almost two months and started seeing a steady weight loss of 0.5 lbs every week. Over the past two weeks due to my impending period, I had crazy cravings and overate a few times. On a good day, I keep my calories in the 1650-1780 range (with intense jogging for 30 minutes four times a week.) On the three days I seriously overate, I consumed between 2,000-2,600 calories.
My confusion is this: If those extra calories from overeating did not add up to 3,500 more calories per week to cause one pound of fat gain (or even 1700 calories to create a half a pound), why did I gain a pound?
If weekly weight loss comes down to creating a calorie deficit of 250-500 calories per day, shouldn't weight gain demand an equal formula of an additional 250-500 calories consumed per day, or a total of 1700-3500 extra calories consumed per week?
It was too easy to gain weight so I am confused. What would my maintenance mode caloric intake have to be then??
Know what I mean?
Thanks,
NK
Body weight isn't some static number...it fluctuates all of the time. It is fairly common to lose weight steadily in the beginning, but as you go along fluctuations are going to come into play. This is why you need to look at trends over time, not individual data points...
You mention that you did eat more than normal on some days...well, the food you eat has mass and thus weight...and the waste that is produced has mass and thus weight...if you eat more you're going to have more inherent waste in you and that's going to show up on the scale.
It's also pretty common to see an increase on the scale with approaching menstrual cycles due to water retention.
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Two points: (a) What you eat is important, how much is key, but WHEN is equally critical. Try and space your meals and snacks about 2-1/2 hours apart and don't go to bed until dinner is at least 3 hours in the rearview mirror. (b) Don't eat your exercise calories. Just because your calorie budget went up because of exercise doesn't mean you can eat them back. To lose weight, you must create a calorie deficit - try for about a 25% calorie deficit, bearing in mind the three W's I previously mentioned, and you should see results in a couple days.1
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Raptor2763 wrote: »Two points: (a) What you eat is important, how much is key, but WHEN is equally critical. Try and space your meals and snacks about 2-1/2 hours apart and don't go to bed until dinner is at least 3 hours in the rearview mirror. (b) Don't eat your exercise calories. Just because your calorie budget went up because of exercise doesn't mean you can eat them back. To lose weight, you must create a calorie deficit - try for about a 25% calorie deficit, bearing in mind the three W's I previously mentioned, and you should see results in a couple days.
So much wrong in this post, OP just ignore. What you eat and when you eat has next to no impact on weight loss (other than water weight) You can eat 100% of your cals before bed and you will still lose weight. Meal timing should be based on preference and performance.21 -
Raptor2763 wrote: »Two points: (a) What you eat is important, how much is key, but WHEN is equally critical. Try and space your meals and snacks about 2-1/2 hours apart and don't go to bed until dinner is at least 3 hours in the rearview mirror. (b) Don't eat your exercise calories. Just because your calorie budget went up because of exercise doesn't mean you can eat them back. To lose weight, you must create a calorie deficit - try for about a 25% calorie deficit, bearing in mind the three W's I previously mentioned, and you should see results in a couple days.
Do you have any peer-reviewed sources to back up point A? It sounds like bro science, honestly.
And about B: handing that out as blanket advice is dangerous, in my opinion. Someone at a calorie deficit who's also training for say, a marathon, almost certainly needs that extra fuel if they don't want to start cannibalizing organs.
6
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