Gaining almost a lb a week- can't stop, not sure why?
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eberkenblit17
Posts: 2 Member
Hi,
So I just started college this year. In highschool in sophomore year I was 150 lbs, had enough and went down to 120 over a 2-3 year period and generally stayed that way through high school. Now that college has started I've been gaining about a .5 lb to 1 lb a week in little bursts, which only seems like it's accelerated now that I'm trying to stop it. I admittedly don't exercise that much- though usually at least 2-4 times a week. I've been aiming for 1200 cals a day, but I seem to always find myself at 1500 to 1700 or 1800 on a bad day. Otherwise I feel hungry and neurotic- all I seem to think about even if my stomach isn't growling is my next meal- it's an obsession. It only seems to stop if I'm at 1400 or more calories- without exercise. I hit a weight high that I haven't been at in three years now- 129 ( I'm 5'4 female) I feel really out of control and I'm terrified this will keep going. I don't know what to do or how to reverse this. Please help
So I just started college this year. In highschool in sophomore year I was 150 lbs, had enough and went down to 120 over a 2-3 year period and generally stayed that way through high school. Now that college has started I've been gaining about a .5 lb to 1 lb a week in little bursts, which only seems like it's accelerated now that I'm trying to stop it. I admittedly don't exercise that much- though usually at least 2-4 times a week. I've been aiming for 1200 cals a day, but I seem to always find myself at 1500 to 1700 or 1800 on a bad day. Otherwise I feel hungry and neurotic- all I seem to think about even if my stomach isn't growling is my next meal- it's an obsession. It only seems to stop if I'm at 1400 or more calories- without exercise. I hit a weight high that I haven't been at in three years now- 129 ( I'm 5'4 female) I feel really out of control and I'm terrified this will keep going. I don't know what to do or how to reverse this. Please help
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Replies
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Have you been to the doctor to get blood testing ? it could be a thyroid issue that's causing you to gain weight. At least that is something to rule...0
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129lbs is a perfectly healthy weight.18
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At your age and height you would likely not be gaining weight at 1800 calories every day and certainly not at 1200 - 1500 per day unless you've developed a medical condition affecting weight.
But your post sounds more like you are overeating. How sure are you of your calories? Why do you feel so out of control?8 -
How do you know you're eating 1500-1700kcal per day? I mean, to be absolutely certain?
To gain 1lbs per week you'd only need to eat 500kcal per day extra. That could be a portion of fries, a bit more cooking oil and a candy bar, a serving in a restaurant that is bigger than ' a serving'.3 -
I put your stats into a TDEE calculator, which calculates the amount of calories you would need to maintain weight based on your activity level, and the results are below. I assumed you were 19 years old since you state you're in your first year of college. If you're SURE you're eating a max of 1800 calories a day I'd see a doctor, asap to get your thyroid or metabolism checked, because you shouldn't be gaining weight on that number. Here's what came up, and the link is underneath it.
Sedentary 1,614 calories per day
Light Exercise 1,850 calories per day
Moderate Exercise 2,085 calories per day
Heavy Exercise 2,320 calories per day
Athlete 2,556 calories per day
https://tdeecalculator.net/0 -
You are at a healthy weight for your height but if you are slowly gaining then you are taking in more calories than you think you are - possibly you are having an extra snack or two without counting them? its easy to forget to log something or forget a few hours later what we had to eat.3
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shannonprovenzano2812 wrote: »I put your stats into a TDEE calculator, which calculates the amount of calories you would need to maintain weight based on your activity level, and the results are below. I assumed you were 19 years old since you state you're in your first year of college. If you're SURE you're eating a max of 1800 calories a day I'd see a doctor, asap to get your thyroid or metabolism checked, because you shouldn't be gaining weight on that number. Here's what came up, and the link is underneath it.
Sedentary 1,614 calories per day
Light Exercise 1,850 calories per day
Moderate Exercise 2,085 calories per day
Heavy Exercise 2,320 calories per day
Athlete 2,556 calories per day
https://tdeecalculator.net/
You don't gain masses of weight from thyroid problems. You gain weight with thyroid problems due to overeating, due to moving less because you don't feel well, due to overeating and moving less because you're not happy with yourself. There might be waterweight gain. And there might be a decrease of BMI of about 5% max. The latter would not account for a larger gain, and water weight gain should be visible. It's still worth getting blood tests. I do agree wiht the rest.6 -
shannonprovenzano2812 wrote: »I put your stats into a TDEE calculator, which calculates the amount of calories you would need to maintain weight based on your activity level, and the results are below. I assumed you were 19 years old since you state you're in your first year of college. If you're SURE you're eating a max of 1800 calories a day I'd see a doctor, asap to get your thyroid or metabolism checked, because you shouldn't be gaining weight on that number. Here's what came up, and the link is underneath it.
Sedentary 1,614 calories per day
Light Exercise 1,850 calories per day
Moderate Exercise 2,085 calories per day
Heavy Exercise 2,320 calories per day
Athlete 2,556 calories per day
https://tdeecalculator.net/
You don't gain masses of weight from thyroid problems. You gain weight with thyroid problems due to overeating, due to moving less because you don't feel well, due to overeating and moving less because you're not happy with yourself. There might be waterweight gain. And there might be a decrease of BMI of about 5% max. The latter would not account for a larger gain, and water weight gain should be visible. It's still worth getting blood tests. I do agree wiht the rest.
You can certainly gain that amount of water weight that the OP has gained from uncontrolled hypo, though. I'm the OP's current height and weight, and have been dealing with the same thing -- to the point that I've told my endocrinologist that we need to fix this *now*. I have gained 10 percent of my body weight since May. My TSH has been slowly creeping up as well since May (I've been hypo for 30 years), and I finally snapped yesterday and told him that no, we needed to fix this now.
I can give you detailed logs showing how no, I *haven't* been overeating. I meticulously weigh and log everything that I eat or drink, and I can give you detailed records outlining my athletic training (I run half marathons), and had RMR testing done, as well as body composition testing. My TDEE is calculated to be in the ballpark of 2275-2300 calories. The reality? I consider that level of eating to be a binge, never do it (actual intake ranges from 1500-1700, now sharply cutting back because Kitten This, obviously my body doesn't think it needs calories), and still gained weight.
What people fail to understand is that just because a weight may fall within a healthy range doesn't mean that sharp weight gains are normal. Would it be OK if someone who was overweight gained 10 percent? If it wouldn't be OK for them, why are people who are normal weight and gain told that they just need to accept it? No wonder the United States is a nation of fat people if we accept that it's "OK" to gain sharp amounts of weight with no discernible reason.16 -
Also, keep in mind MANY calorie labels LIE. If you follow labels only, you could be off 200 - 300 calories every day.
For example, I took 2 slices of bread, it said 200 calories for both, but then i check the grams, and the 2 slices were over that.
I am starting to weigh my food more now, instead of only trusting serving size pieces.1 -
It's certainly possible that a new environment and different eating choices/opportunities is impacting your diet and satiety.
You may need to play with macro balance Carbs/fat/protein and fiber to figure out what fills you up and satisfies your calorie and micro needs.
If you're now out on your own, you may have different resources for food prep/storage than you had been accustomed to as well as having more responsibilities for choosing meal plans.2 -
Speaking for myself, I gained a lot of weight after graduating from high school because I kept the same food habits without the mandatory, 3x a week physical education.
You're at a healthy weight, but less active than when you were in high school. Either get more active or eat less or a combo of both.8 -
I am with the others about getting a checkup. Sometimes there there are hidden issuws that can causeyou to feel hungry all the time. Also, stress itself can cause that. I personally feel like I am starving when my my stomach is actually mildly upset, even though I know I literally just ate, and am not really hungry. So my tricks are more aimed at that.
I always keep fiber one bars and saltines on hand. Saltines settle the stomach, and aren't too high calorie by themselves. Fiber one bars will often do the trick with just a third or half a bar. I think of it as reassuring my tummy that we are eating, lol. Ginger candies and chamomile tea also help with that.
For snacking, Sargento's balanced breaks and similar prepackaged snacks are handy, because aone of thise can go a surprisingly lobg way in making you feel not hungry, but they are easy to grab and go.0 -
eberkenblit17 wrote: »Hi,
So I just started college this year. In highschool in sophomore year I was 150 lbs, had enough and went down to 120 over a 2-3 year period and generally stayed that way through high school. Now that college has started I've been gaining about a .5 lb to 1 lb a week in little bursts, which only seems like it's accelerated now that I'm trying to stop it. I admittedly don't exercise that much- though usually at least 2-4 times a week. I've been aiming for 1200 cals a day, but I seem to always find myself at 1500 to 1700 or 1800 on a bad day. Otherwise I feel hungry and neurotic- all I seem to think about even if my stomach isn't growling is my next meal- it's an obsession. It only seems to stop if I'm at 1400 or more calories- without exercise. I hit a weight high that I haven't been at in three years now- 129 ( I'm 5'4 female) I feel really out of control and I'm terrified this will keep going. I don't know what to do or how to reverse this. Please help
If you are trying to restrict to 1200 cals and see you desire for your next meal as an "obsession" rather than a normal indication that you may just be hungry I honestly have alarm bells going off here. If you feel hungry and neurotic on a calorie restricted diet you may not be getting what you need, and the answer is NOT to repress those feelings and beat yourself into submission, it's to work on answering your body's needs in a healthy way. I get that ravenous feeling when I'm avoiding eating and then I wait so long I am desperate for an enormous greasy calorie bomb dinner. Have more vegetables and look at whether you get enough protein and good fats in your diet, work on keeping your blood sugar steady throughout the day, be kind to your body and respect its signals. You can't find a healthy balance if you're fighting against your body instead of working with it to nurture is genuine needs.9 -
Hello, Ask your doctor to check your average blood sugar levels when you have your blood work done. I am 57, postmenopausal and I was finding it impossible to lose weight. Like you, I was adding .5 to 1 lb. a week. When we realized my blood sugars were spiking and plunging and I am finally beginning to get a control on my carbs, I am starting to lose. Your insulin should "trickle" throughout the day, never spike. Good luck. I hope you figure out what works for you.0
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First of all if you feel out of control you might want to take a look at WHAT you are eating. Weight gain is truly about calories ingested versus calories burned but sometimes eating too much of one thing or the other leaves us feeling deprived and hungry. I don't believe in cutting out any food but I have learned for my body I do better if I get a good balance of carb, protein and fat. When I find my carbs (particularly refined ones like bread, chips etc.) getting too high I tend to snack more. You might try making sure you get a bit more protein and fat in your diet and see if you feel more satisfied.
Find some way to increase your exercise even if it's just taking a walk daily.
Also at your age I would think 1400 calories if that's where you feel satisfied should be good.
I'm not a doctor but I've heard in the past that some young people continue to grow until their early 20's. You may not be getting fatter but rather maturing. 129 sounds like a reasonable weight for your height.
Try not to stress yourself out. Last of all watch the calories in alcohol. Beer is notorious for weight gain. If you drink be sure you are counting those calories too. Hang in there kiddo, you have a whole life ahead of you. Make the most of it.5 -
Ever hear of the "Freshmen 15"? It is typical to gain weight at college if you are eating in the dining hall. Nowadays it could be even worse because there are more junk/fast food options served. (In my college days we did not have "stations" and fast food restaurants in the college dining hall).2
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lucerorojo wrote: »Ever hear of the "Freshmen 15"? It is typical to gain weight at college if you are eating in the dining hall. Nowadays it could be even worse because there are more junk/fast food options served. (In my college days we did not have "stations" and fast food restaurants in the college dining hall).
I actually find that college food offerings are significantly better than they were when I was in college (mid 2000s). Vegetarian and vegan options besides "salad bar...oh, and rice" and much more of it is being served in smaller portions - providing plates instead of trays to students.
My fiance works at a state university and can also vouch for the vast improvement in quality and slight reduction in quantity of food available to students. They are scratch-cooking more, and in fact his office gets a lot of their food catered now from dining services instead of using area restaurants because of the quality jump.
In response to the OP - you might also be growing a little? I graduated college 15 lbs heavier than when I started - and 1" taller, and I left with curves I didn't have at 18. I didn't have a chest to speak of until sometime in my freshman year of college. I was very active throughout college (lived a 15 minute walk from campus, did four years of marching band) so it wasn't a "junk food and booze" gain. Do work on your food intake and your exercise, but keep in mind that you might not graduate the same shape/size that you started, and that might be a good thing.
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How long since you've been at 120? 3 months or 3 years?0
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Thanks a lot you guys- maybe will check in with thyroid thing, my mom has that issue so maybe I do too. Honestly the fact that I'm just not logging correctly hadn't even occurred to me- a little bit of extra oil in every meal when I'm not actually cooking my own food and just guessing at sizes is probably where most of it is. Thank you a lot for the help! I think the neuroticism thing is just mental- when I get stressed or emotional I tend to feel like I have to eat or I'll go crazy, and the move to college as well as gaining weight has been a big change. Broke my ankle too, so I'm also just used to having a calorie allowance that I had being a runner. Thanks so much for the help and for not being scary!! Really means a lot to have positive responses and thank you all for being so supportive!7
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eberkenblit17 wrote: »Hi,
So I just started college this year. In highschool in sophomore year I was 150 lbs, had enough and went down to 120 over a 2-3 year period and generally stayed that way through high school. Now that college has started I've been gaining about a .5 lb to 1 lb a week in little bursts, which only seems like it's accelerated now that I'm trying to stop it. I admittedly don't exercise that much- though usually at least 2-4 times a week. I've been aiming for 1200 cals a day, but I seem to always find myself at 1500 to 1700 or 1800 on a bad day. Otherwise I feel hungry and neurotic- all I seem to think about even if my stomach isn't growling is my next meal- it's an obsession. It only seems to stop if I'm at 1400 or more calories- without exercise. I hit a weight high that I haven't been at in three years now- 129 ( I'm 5'4 female) I feel really out of control and I'm terrified this will keep going. I don't know what to do or how to reverse this. Please help
If you are trying to restrict to 1200 cals and see you desire for your next meal as an "obsession" rather than a normal indication that you may just be hungry I honestly have alarm bells going off here. If you feel hungry and neurotic on a calorie restricted diet you may not be getting what you need, and the answer is NOT to repress those feelings and beat yourself into submission, it's to work on answering your body's needs in a healthy way. I get that ravenous feeling when I'm avoiding eating and then I wait so long I am desperate for an enormous greasy calorie bomb dinner. Have more vegetables and look at whether you get enough protein and good fats in your diet, work on keeping your blood sugar steady throughout the day, be kind to your body and respect its signals. You can't find a healthy balance if you're fighting against your body instead of working with it to nurture is genuine needs.
THIS.
OP, just reading your post made me feel anxious; you must be so stressed out about this, and that's not going to help anything.
Before trying to lose weight, spend a little time and find your maintenance range. That's a tricky thing, because everyone's weight fluctuates constantly. The only way to know for sure whether you're losing, gaining or maintaining is to eat at a consistent calorie level for 4-6 weeks and track your weight over time. If you're within about a 3-pound range, give or take, that's your maintenance level.
After you find your maintenance intake, you can make small changes to put yourself in a small deficit. ONLY DO THAT if it doesn't cause you stress, though. Words like "neurotic, obsession, out of control, terrified" are GIANT red flags that you're not in a good mental place; trying to diet makes this worse, never better.4
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