GAINED 4LBS IN THE PAST WEEK?

jan169
jan169 Posts: 38
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I am freaking out! I seem to have gained back half of the weight I lost, 4lbs. Is this normal in the beginning? Ever since, I've been pushing my self in the gym and have really restricted my diet. I'm just at a complete loss as to how this must have happened. I know they say to not be as concerned with weight, but should I start being more concerned?

Replies

  • voluptas63
    voluptas63 Posts: 602 Member
    Lets see your diary. That'll give us the most accurate advice possible.
  • rankailie
    rankailie Posts: 144
    I am freaking out! I seem to have gained back half of the weight I lost, 4lbs. Is this normal in the beginning? Ever since, I've been pushing my self in the gym and have really restricted my diet. I'm just at a complete loss as to how this must have happened. I know they say to not be as concerned with weight, but should I start being more concerned?

    I can't see your diary, but is it possible you're restricting your calories too much? Starvation mode will have your body desperately storing any fat it can manage to get a hold of.

    Its also possible it could be water weight, if you've eaten a lot of salt, or TOM is visiting.
  • liftingbro
    liftingbro Posts: 2,029 Member
    Without knowing your height and weight or how many calories you are eating it will be difficult to help.

    However, if you are eating below maintenance levels and gained 4 pounds it's probably partially water.

    If you just started lifting you will retain water for a while until your body gets used to it and if it's you TOM or you are taking in too much sodium it will just aggrivate things.
  • jan169
    jan169 Posts: 38
    I opened my diary. I am 5'5" and weight currently 209lbs.
  • RedHotRunner
    RedHotRunner Posts: 850 Member
    If you actually gained 4 pounds, that means you would have had to eaten 13,000 extra calories. It's either muscle mass or water weight. Just keep doing what you're doing and it'll come back off.

    My scale generally jumps 2-3 pounds after every weekend, but by Wednesday at the latest, it's all gone. Water weight for the most part.
  • muitobem
    muitobem Posts: 436 Member
    If I'm not eating enough, I've found I'll not lose a thing..sometimes gain. If I take in too much sodium that will do it and so will soda or fizzy drinks....gets me bloating..
    Also, when its close to that time of the month, I'll gain as much as 6lbs before I start....Water retention!!
  • tarajlyman
    tarajlyman Posts: 4
    Women tend to fluctuate 4 or 5 lbs especially since we hold more water weight. Eating too much salt will also make you retain water. Try to aim for lower sodium foods, drink plenty of water and don't stress out. Also if you are close to getting your period, that may increase your weight from the bloating
  • voluptas63
    voluptas63 Posts: 602 Member
    Very difficult to tell what you're eating when you don't log. So start logging first.

    You may need to eat more if you're really working out. And you're not gaining 4lbs of muscle as another poster suggested. Chances are it's water and your body in starvation mode.
  • Jolenebib
    Jolenebib Posts: 142 Member
    You could be gaining muscle - which means more weight gain. Try measuring around your midsection, thighs, arms, etc. If you're getting smaller in these areas, your still "losing" weight - aka fat. Also, if you've had a lot of sodium in your diet lately, you could be retaining water which would also make you see a weight gain. Water retention also happens once a month for most women. If you are doing the same things when you work out, try changing things up a bit. As you workout, your body becomes more efficient and burns fewer calories, meaning you need to work harder to burn the same amount. If you change-up your routine, it will challenge your body and muscles. Also, make sure you are eating enough to fuel the workout. These are just some thoughts, not knowing your full history.
  • rankailie
    rankailie Posts: 144
    I would check out this post:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/309238-if-you-are-having-trouble-losing-weight-still-read

    It has a lot of great info.
  • jg627
    jg627 Posts: 1,221 Member
    My weight fluctuated like that a couple times already. One time it went up like 6 lbs and stood still for a little while and then almost overnight like 10 lbs just dropped off. Weight is weird like that. It's not really the best measurement for fitness level. Get some seamster measuring tape, a pair of calipers and a video on how to measure BF%.
  • Jill_newimprovedversion
    Jill_newimprovedversion Posts: 988 Member
    You might want to revise your food diary to keep track of your sugar and sodium intake as well-

    Those two factors have as big an impact on weight loss as well.

    And either you aren't drinking much water, or forgetting to log it all- but that really helps too.

    It took me a while to get used to drinking so much, but eventually I did. I bought 3- 20 oz. water bottles and when I've drank all 3,then I refill one of them again 1/2 way- and when I'm done w/ it, I know I've gotten in the minimum in each day. ( that's been the easiest way for me to keep track- I lost track when I was refilling the same bottle - haha)
  • liftingbro
    liftingbro Posts: 2,029 Member
    You could be gaining muscle - which means more weight gain. Try measuring around your midsection, thighs, arms, etc. If you're getting smaller in these areas, your still "losing" weight - aka fat. Also, if you've had a lot of sodium in your diet lately, you could be retaining water which would also make you see a weight gain. Water retention also happens once a month for most women. If you are doing the same things when you work out, try changing things up a bit. As you workout, your body becomes more efficient and burns fewer calories, meaning you need to work harder to burn the same amount. If you change-up your routine, it will challenge your body and muscles. Also, make sure you are eating enough to fuel the workout. These are just some thoughts, not knowing your full history.

    Nobody should even mention gaining muscle when someone is intentionally trying to lose weight. You are not going to put on 4 pounds of muscle in a week without steriods.
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