Is it good that I've gained weight when I'm eating in a deficit?
Options
happybird1217
Posts: 8 Member
Background: So I'm an 18 year old female 5'11. Throughout my teenager years I've tried to diet, but it only resulted in me gaining the weight and ending up heavier than I started. In June of 2018 at 214 pounds I decided I was done. Within 13 months (July 2019) I had lost 50 pounds and weighed 164 pounds. I was so incredibly proud, but I didn't have a flat stomach. I still had "love handles" and "a belly" and wanted to get down to 150 pounds.
However, I found that by the next week, I had already started gaining and realized my period was late. Since then, I've gained about 10 pounds (I'm 174 now). The alarming thing is that I've still been eating 1400 calories or less almost every day (besides one diet break). I've tried everything, from weight lifting to intermittent fasting to diet breaks (1900 calories a day for one week), but nothing was stopping me from gaining weight.
But today I realized that I'm getting my period (haven't had one in 6 months). I'm scared that if I go to a nutritionist, they will tell me that I'm overweight now. Should I be happy that I've gained? I feel so bloated and I'm not "skinny" anymore. Now that I'll have my period, will it be easier to lose weight because I won't be in "starvation mode" anymore? Sorry if this was confusing or hard to follow.
However, I found that by the next week, I had already started gaining and realized my period was late. Since then, I've gained about 10 pounds (I'm 174 now). The alarming thing is that I've still been eating 1400 calories or less almost every day (besides one diet break). I've tried everything, from weight lifting to intermittent fasting to diet breaks (1900 calories a day for one week), but nothing was stopping me from gaining weight.
But today I realized that I'm getting my period (haven't had one in 6 months). I'm scared that if I go to a nutritionist, they will tell me that I'm overweight now. Should I be happy that I've gained? I feel so bloated and I'm not "skinny" anymore. Now that I'll have my period, will it be easier to lose weight because I won't be in "starvation mode" anymore? Sorry if this was confusing or hard to follow.
2
Replies
-
1) "Starvation mode" is a myth.
2) You cannot gain in a deficit. Are you weighing all solids and semi solids and measuring all liquids? Are you logging everything that goes in your mouth? It is easy to become complacent after a long period of dieting and the calories start to creep up.
3) If you are having issues with your periods, get thee to a doctor. Major changes in menstrual cycles are often an indication of something else going on.
4) Do NOT go to a nutritionist. You would need to see a Registered Dietician who actually has extensive training in nutrition. Nutritionists often have 6 weeks or less of training.17 -
Did you do a pregnancy test?
If you are gaining weight on 1400 calories, then you are eating more than you think OR you have another medical issue - which I would get checked out. There could be uterine fibroids (which are growths that would cause weight gain.)
Are you logging every day? Using a food scale?
If you open your food page we may be able to spot errors in logging food. It's pretty common and usually is the reason for over eating when someone thinks they're not. Go to this page, scroll down and click "Public" https://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/diary_settings8 -
Lack of period may be several things including too fast weight loss or pregnancy or something else that strangers in the internet can’t diagnose. See your doctor first.8
-
cupcakesandproteinshakes wrote: »Lack of period may be several things including too fast weight loss or pregnancy or something else that strangers in the internet can’t diagnose. See your doctor first.
Roger that. My same thoughts above.
I'll add that feeling "bloated and not skinny" can happen from just one bad meal (or a series) and once you are eating better again, you may immediately feel less bloated and realize your progress again.6 -
Endorsing "see your doctor". You period shouldn't stop for 6 months. If it did, it would be somewhat expected that you'd gain scale weight, but it wouldn't likely be fat (could be various things, water weight or endometrial tissue as a couple of possibilities). Period stopping for 6 months, followed by weight gain not explained by carefully-logged eating that was previously causing loss, is not normal.
Don't panic, though. There are a number of pretty routine things that could cause those symptoms, and that are the likely reasons; but get to the doctor soon, because there are some more rare and scary possibilities as well.
After you get things sorted, it would be a good idea to see a registered dietitian, if you need help figuring out a well-rounded way of eating that has appropriate calories for your goals. Not a nutritionist. (In some places, anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. A registered dietitian is a professional, with college degree(s) in the subject. They will not judge you. They help people who are overweight, not criticize them.)4 -
First off... You can gain weight in a deficit...
I've been at this for about 7yrs, lost 180lbs and have kept it off for about 5yrs... Not including the lean mass I've gained...
Water fluctuations from sodium and alcohol are a *kitten*... But part of the process...
Secondly, good for you and big congrats on your success! Continue to be proud of the work you've done most people don't even get up off the couch let alone get half as far as you've come
Thirdly... Don't get down on yourself, if you let that become your motivation, you will inevitably train your brain to think that way and you will never really be happy with your work.
You've done it before, you can do it again
And last, don't stress over being skinny... Not that it may matter but most guys appreciate a woman that looks a little soft... Not like a gaunt super model 😂
Follow Stephanie Buttermore, honestly I think she looks hotter now then she did when she was crazy lean5 -
thank you!1
-
happybird1217 wrote: »thank you! so how do I lose then if I’m still in a deficit and gainin?
Please pay attention to those of us who are concerned that you may have a worrisome health condition. If we're rightfully worried, resolving that health condition will lead to your losing the water weight (or whatever it turns out to be), and getting back on track with weight loss.11 -
I'm going to tell you a story.
*I go to the doctor*
*the nurse looks at my chart*
Nurse, her voice rising: "Oh no, you haven't had your period in seven months?!"
Me: "...no, I haven't been to the doctor in seven months, so you haven't recorded my period in seven months. I had my period a few weeks ago."
Nurse, her voice now normal again, "Oh."
So, if your period has just stopped, I'm going to echo that you need to see your doctor. My nurse was, shall we say, concerned, when she thought I hadn't had mine in months. I have no idea what she would have done if it had stopped. Maybe there are all kinds of reasons. I'm not a medical professional. But see your doctor.
As someone who is really overweight (obese), I understand that going to the doctor can be hard because you are afraid that doctors will be nasty. And I can't promise that they won't be: sometimes doctors are nasty and they can be for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they're racists, sometimes they're misogynists, sometimes they're mean to fat people. But if you're having a health issue, you need to find a doctor who is going to treat you right. You have my support.6 -
Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »First off... You can gain weight in a deficit...
And last, don't stress over being skinny... Not that it may matter but most guys appreciate a woman that looks a little soft... Not like a gaunt super model 😂
Follow Stephanie Buttermore, honestly I think she looks hotter now then she did when she was crazy lean
Please explain how (other than retaining water, which is not actual 'gain') one can gain weight whilst eating in a deficit?
And no, it doesn't matter... and I can't put it any other way than to say that opinions on 'hotness' aren't exactly appropriate in this context...7 -
Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »First off... You can gain weight in a deficit...
And last, don't stress over being skinny... Not that it may matter but most guys appreciate a woman that looks a little soft... Not like a gaunt super model 😂
Follow Stephanie Buttermore, honestly I think she looks hotter now then she did when she was crazy lean
Please explain how (other than retaining water, which is not actual 'gain') one can gain weight whilst eating in a deficit?
And no, it doesn't matter... and I can't put it any other way than to say that opinions on 'hotness' aren't exactly appropriate in this context...
You just answered your own question... Water, which is "weight" gain and will affect the number on the scale for several days after... Not to mention undigested matter which you can basically consider water, or at least weight that you will gain despite your deficit...
And for your second point... 🙄
Relax crusader... I'm sure you're smart enough to see the point I was making... Thankfully no one has to live according to what you deem appropriate3 -
d o c t o r
7 -
You are not gaining fat in a deficit. Either you aren't in a deficit, or you're gaining something other than fat. Feeling frequently bloated, actually unexplained weight gain, and having 1-2 periods a year are all excellent reasons to go to the doctor.9
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 391.9K Introduce Yourself
- 43.5K Getting Started
- 259.8K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.7K Food and Nutrition
- 47.3K Recipes
- 232.3K Fitness and Exercise
- 397 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.4K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.8K Motivation and Support
- 7.9K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.3K MyFitnessPal Information
- 23 News and Announcements
- 975 Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.3K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions