Somewhat discouraged and a question

hotelnovember406
hotelnovember406 Posts: 1
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
My apologies if both things in my post have already been posted or addressed multiple times by others.

I've been using this site for about 10 months and never posted. I got at least an hour of exercise every day for the last four days (including an eight mile hike on Saturday) and ate reasonably as well. I usually only weigh in on Monday mornings but I did a mid week weigh in last week and my weight this morning was more than it was last week(only .6 but still). Was I unreasonable to think that I should have lost at least a little in that time period? It seems to have worked that way in the past. I certainly still feel good that I did something physical with my body all weekend(and the two days before) but I like measurable results and this was not encouraging to me at all.

And then my question: how important is it that I use up all the extra calories I gain by exercising? Like my hike on Saturday supposedly gained me an extra 1100 calories(and probably more) but there was no way I could have eaten all that on top of what I still had left. I ate a pretty good sized dinner, was totally stuffed, and still had some 700 calories left. Am I depriving my body of something it still needs or as long as I'm full, is that enough?

SW in October: 255 (SW 4 yrs ago when I first started trying to lose: 285)
CW: 213
GW: 160

Replies

  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    As far as the scale goes, your muscles may be holding on to water from the hike, so thats prob. why it's up. I'd also consider not weighing in on Mondays, I find that my weight is higher on Mondays then say at the end of the week.. like thursday or friday.

    As far as eating back all the calories, some say you should, some say you shouldn't. It's about what works for your body.
    At your weight, you can prob. get away with not eating them all back and still lose weight.. once you get closer to that 160 though, it will be more beneficial to start eating them back.
  • baileylm
    baileylm Posts: 23 Member
    There are so many variables when it comes to weight loss. Depending on the time of month, you could have been dealing with water weight. If you had a meal with high sodium, that also could account for water weight. Also, an 8 mile hike is pretty substantial (you go girl!) and you must remember that muscle weighs more than fat so if you are doing exercises that build muscle, you could still show a slight gain -- even if you've actually lost some fat. Just keep plugging along. You know in your heart when you are sticking with the plan and when you aren't. Don't let the numbers trip you up.

    Personally, I do not eat extra to account for the calories I burn. I would prefer to lose more quickly now and as long as I am eating at least 1200 calories a day I know that my body is getting what it needs. As I approach my goal weight, at that time I will start adding extra calories so I can get my body ready for a maintenance diet.
  • LittleFootHafner
    LittleFootHafner Posts: 302
    About eating the exercise calories - everyone has a different opinion! I usually save 90% of mine. I feel that as long as you are eating the minimum of 1,200 calories per day, and you aren't hungry, why eat them?!? ;)

    Every body is different. I know that when I work out for several days straight, I tend to gain the next day, but then lose a significant amount another day later. I assume this could be all of the extra water consumed while working out?

    Some people may not suggest it, but I think you should maybe weight yourself on a daily basis until you learn how your body reacts to water/working out.

    Best of luck!
  • streetnamejim
    streetnamejim Posts: 68
    As for the first question, your body is going to fluctuate throughout the days and weeks. I wouldn't sweat a .6 move up mid week. Your body could have been retaining some water at that time or some other variable could be at work at that moment. Plus, the more weight you lose, the slower the process of losing will become. I wouldn't be too worried about it. :) Keep up the good work and stay the course for the long haul. :)

    On the second question, I don't really know... but I think read something that said as long as you get 1200 calories of healthy food in for the day, you should be ok if you have calories remaining. I'd rather let someone else confirm or deny this though.

    Welcome to the forums Hot El November40. :p
  • PhilipByrne
    PhilipByrne Posts: 276 Member
    Sensible answers already posted. I would suggest that you confine weigh-in to once a week at most. Otherewise you will just get discouraged by daily fluctuations. Regarding eating back the cals, I have raised this question myself and opinions vary. I haven't eaten my full calorie allowance any day, I think today is the nearest I came. This is because I exercise every day and refuse to stuff my face when I'm not hungry. It works for me.

    G'luck
    P
  • Denise52279
    Denise52279 Posts: 2
    Hi, My name is Denise. Honestly I never use the extra calories. 3500 calories equals a pound of fat. If you are eating all the extra plus your regular amount you are not going to see a significant change and maybe even a gain. The point of exercise is to burn off calories you have consumed in order to lose weight. If you are consuming the extra you might as well not exercise. That would be like exercising for more food. That may have been the problem in the weight gain but it could be a couple things. If you are not lowering the sodium it could be water weight, If you over exercising muscle weighs more than fat so check your inches instead. Sometimes we dont lose pounds but inches. I hope this helps and good luck to you have a blessed day.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories