Exercising more and gaining or not losing weight

Rocchellita
Rocchellita Posts: 21 Member
edited September 29 in Fitness and Exercise
I've noticed that whenever I exercise more (jogging with my chocolate lab for 2 miles 3 to 4 times a week and doing Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 DVD 2 to 3 times per week), I either gain a few pounds or not lose any weight at all. My eating habits don't change during this time, I try not to eat the calories I work out all the time but some times I do go a lil over (less than 100 calories). Any thoughts, suggestions? I would really appreaciate any advise!! Thanks.

Replies

  • sscrandol
    sscrandol Posts: 3
    I had the exact same problem and my trainer told me to eat a little more calories. I did that the next two weeks and it worked. (I had been eating 1100-1200 calories and now try to eat 1300-1500 when exercising a lot).
  • drogheda1
    drogheda1 Posts: 57
    i would like to know aswell...i did this 1 week of 100% effort exercise,,,,watched my food like a hawk and never lost,,,,strange

    (i ate pretty well never under 1700 cals)
  • Rocchellita
    Rocchellita Posts: 21 Member
    Thank you so much sscrandol :) I will give that a try.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    I think you answered your own questions in part.
    - Eat the exercise calorie (or at least 50-75% of them)
    - 2 when you workout, your muscles store water to protect them from the damage caused by exercise and to aid in recovery. After doing the same workouts for a while your body will get use to it and shed the water.
  • Artemis726
    Artemis726 Posts: 587 Member
    It happens to me too whenever I start a more intensive exercise program. I have read that it is water being retained for glycogen conversion in your muscles. It will go down and then some if you stick with it and are patient.

    Check this out

    http://www.sparkpeople.com/community/ask_the_experts.asp?q=68
  • casirdms
    casirdms Posts: 145 Member
    happens to me as well and it sucks :(
  • treehugginpam
    treehugginpam Posts: 1,129 Member
    I'm having the same problem! Exercising twice a day (30 Day Shred in the morning and run/walk at night), and the scale is barely moving at all. Nothing this week! SOOOO frustrating. If I'm working this hard, I want to see a benefit!
  • OAtkinson
    OAtkinson Posts: 1
    I hear you. I started exercising back in October. Lost 3 inches around my waist but not a single lb. Since then I've been exercising 4-5 times a week, burning at least 500 calories each time, and staying under 1500 calories a day. I haven't lost a single lb or any inches. In fact, I gained 1 lb this week. I'm getting frustruated. I want the last 5 lbs of baby weight gone!

    Olivia

    5'7", 32 years old, Mom to 3 kids ages 6, 3, and 1.
    Current weight - 141
    Goal weight - 135
  • jterry03
    jterry03 Posts: 33 Member
    I am in the same boat been working out since April about 4 times a week and I gained 4 pounds, my clothes still fit but the extra weght makes me nervous... Interested to read everyone's posts.........

    Thanks
  • jterry03
    jterry03 Posts: 33 Member
    I had the exact same problem and my trainer told me to eat a little more calories. I did that the next two weeks and it worked. (I had been eating 1100-1200 calories and now try to eat 1300-1500 when exercising a lot).

    Thanks for posting!!

    I might give this a try too :)
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    Seriously, I don't understand why no one eats any of their exercise calories. I have a hard time getting all of them, but I try for about half. Since March I've gone from 155 to 127 and I'm down below 14% bodyfat (measured this morning). This *kitten* works, you may not believe it, but you don't really know unless you try.
  • Rocchellita
    Rocchellita Posts: 21 Member
    It happens to me too whenever I start a more intensive exercise program. I have read that it is water being retained for glycogen conversion in your muscles. It will go down and then some if you stick with it and are patient.

    Check this out

    http://www.sparkpeople.com/community/ask_the_experts.asp?q=68

    I will definitely stick to it and see where i'm at in 2 weeks. Thanks! Oh btw, the link you posted was an awesome read... makes total sense. Thanks again.
  • Rocchellita
    Rocchellita Posts: 21 Member
    Seriously, I don't understand why no one eats any of their exercise calories. I have a hard time getting all of them, but I try for about half. Since March I've gone from 155 to 127 and I'm down below 14% bodyfat (measured this morning). This *kitten* works, you may not believe it, but you don't really know unless you try.

    So you suggest that if i'm burning 300 calories exercising, I should aim at eating at least 150 of those calories back?
  • j_courter
    j_courter Posts: 999 Member
    you need to track your measurements...

    i was a little discouraged last week after the second week of no weight change. when i measured today, i had lost 1.5 inches off my hips, .5 inches from my waist, and also some from my thighs.

    i don't have a body fat scale, but if i did, i know i'd see a difference there too!

    scales aren't everything. don't get discouraged!
  • thegoodner
    thegoodner Posts: 113 Member
    Seriously, I don't understand why no one eats any of their exercise calories. I have a hard time getting all of them, but I try for about half. Since March I've gone from 155 to 127 and I'm down below 14% bodyfat (measured this morning). This *kitten* works, you may not believe it, but you don't really know unless you try.

    So you suggest that if i'm burning 300 calories exercising, I should aim at eating at least 150 of those calories back?

    Yes, thats why MFP gives them back to you in your daily goal.
  • brendalyne
    brendalyne Posts: 497
    I started 30DS 13 days ago....I tried it because my weight loss had stalled.....and I've gained 2 lbs. I always eat my exercise cals back too by the way. So this is week 4 of no lose....2 lb gain instead! :huh: This week I started zig-zagging my calories to see if that would make the scale move again.....so if you look at my diary that's why it looks kinds weird - 1200 cals 2 days then 1800, then 1200 for 2 days, etc. BUT....I know I'm losing inches so I'm trying very hard to stay postive. In fact my husband out of the blue commented that I look more muscular the other day. It will pay off in the end I'm sure, but it certainly is frustrating at the moment!
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    Seriously, I don't understand why no one eats any of their exercise calories. I have a hard time getting all of them, but I try for about half. Since March I've gone from 155 to 127 and I'm down below 14% bodyfat (measured this morning). This *kitten* works, you may not believe it, but you don't really know unless you try.

    So you suggest that if i'm burning 300 calories exercising, I should aim at eating at least 150 of those calories back?

    Absolutely. MFP actually recommends that you eat back all of your exercise calories, but on workout days I burn anywhere from 375 to 1300, and on bigger burn days it's more difficult for me to consume that many calories. I just made a decision early on that on days I burned over 500 calories I'd aim for at least half. When I see someone plateau who's looking for advice, (remembering that I'm no dietition and can only talk about what has worked for me) the first things I look at are what they are netting, how much sodium are they getting, how much water are they drinking, and now natrual they are eating. There is also definitely something to be said for getting out the tape measure and taking your measurements when you weigh. There are definitely weeks that you're going to see inches off by those scales are going to stay the same.
  • Drink plenty water.
    Eat back your exercise calories.
    MFP is pretty much a diet plan - either follow it, or don't!
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