Why am I gaining weight?

snowbune27 · March 2009

So I've been doing this for about a week and a half....
I've been meeting all my goals for caloric intake...
I've been working out....
eating small meals throughout the day instead of large meals....
making the right choices when it comes to the foods I eat....
and I've gained 2 pounds...
I don't have a tape measure to get my measurements, but my clothes are fitting snugger....

What am I doing wrong?

snowbune27 · March 2009

So I've been doing this for about a week and a half....
I've been meeting all my goals for caloric intake...
I've been working out....
eating small meals throughout the day instead of large meals....
making the right choices when it comes to the foods I eat....
and I've gained 2 pounds...
I don't have a tape measure to get my measurements, but my clothes are fitting snugger....

What am I doing wrong?

firewalking · March 2009

Can you post your menus for the last week?

What is your heart rate like when you exercise? How much water have you been drinking? Are you close to getting your period? How often do you weigh yourself? How often do you exercise? What do you do?

Sorry for all the questions, but I really want to help find the answer for you....

thejarviclan · March 2009

I do this right before my menstrual cycle. Could that be it?

shea831 · March 2009

That's exactly what happened to me when I first started watching my calories! Please don't get discouraged. If you're in a healthy BMI range like I am, it is a lot harder to lose weight than it is for people who have significant weight to lose. I think it's your body retaliating against a new, more strict diet. It took a few weeks, but my body did adjust, and I can feel the difference in my clothes now. I still haven't lost much weight, but my pants fit so much better! Keep doing what you're doing, be patient, your body will get the hang of it

snowbune27 · March 2009

So I realize that I go over by about 100 calories each day...
but that is still way under what MFP says I need to have to stay the same weight...
hmmm?

anywho... here is what I ate so far this week....

MONDAY
Breakfast
Kellogg's - Smart Start (Antioxidants), 1.5 Cup
Silk - Soy Milk - Plain - Light (Half Fat of Plain), 1.5 cup
Kellogg's - Fiber Plus Antioxidants Chewy Bar Dark Chocolate Almond, 1 bar
520

Lunch
Chicken - Breast, meat only, cooked, stewed, 1.5 cup, chopped
Gravy - Au jus, canned, 0.5 cup
336

Dinner
Kraft Foods Recipe - Cheddar Chicken and Vegetable Skillet,
510

Snacks
Betty Crocker - Warm Delights Minis Molten Chocolate Cake, 1 bowl 150 25 5 2 15 180 remove

Total: 1,516
Your Daily Goal: 1,415
Remaining: -101
*You've earned 215 extra calories from exercise today

TUESDAY
Breakfast
Eggs - Poached (whole egg), 2 large
Brownberry - Country Wheat Bread
387

Lunch
Subway - 6" Oven Roasted Chicken Breast on Wheat, 6 " sandwich
345

Dinner
Greek Gyro - Lamb With Cucumber Yogurt Sauce, Lettuce, Onion and Tomatoes In A Pita, 2 Pita
834

Snacks
Safeway - Low Fat Honey Graham Crackers, 1 whole crackers
Trader Joe's - Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels, 1 pieces
69

Total: 1,635
Your Daily Goal: 1,445
Remaining: -190
*You've earned 245 extra calories from exercise today

WEDNESDAY
Breakfast
Quaker - Rice Cakes - Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, 3 Cake
Smucker's - Reduced Fat Natural Style Peanut Butter Creamy, 3 Tbsp.
480

Lunch
Generic - Pita Bread, 1 pita
Chicken - Chicken Breast, 1 breast
Kikkoman - Teriyaki, 0.25 tbsp
Heinz - Mayonnaise, 0.5 tbsp
244

Dinner
Gardenburger - Portabella Veggie Burgers, 1 patty
Safeway - Giant Wheat Hamburger Buns, 1 bun
French's - Mustard, 0.5 tsp
250

Snacks
Granny Smith - Apple, 1 MED
Bananas - Raw, 1 small
170

Total: 1,144
Your Daily Goal: 1,200
Remaining: 56

THURSDAY
Breakfast
All Recipes - Stuffed Peppers, .5 pepper
Brownberry - Country Wheat Bread, 1 slice
Eggs - Poached (whole egg), 2 large
393

Lunch
Rice - White, long-grain, regular, cooked, 1 cup
Safeway - Chick Peas, 0.13 cup
Lamb - Leg, shank half, lean only, cooked, roasted, 0.25 piece, cooked, excluding refuse (yield from 1 lb raw meat with refuse) 107
Kraft - Mexican Style Taco Cheese Natural Shredded, 1/4 cup
Generic - Pita Bread, 1 pita
498

Dinner
Generic - Beef Prime Rib, 6 oz
Milano - French Roll 6", 1 roll
590

Snacks
Yoplait - Yogurt - Light Fat Free - Boston Cream Pie, 1 container
Trader Joe's - Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels, 1 pieces
Blackberries - Raw, 0.5 cup
Red Grapes - Red Seedless Grapes, 8 grape
182

Total: 1,663
Your Daily Goal: 1,554
Remaining: -109
*You've earned 354 extra calories from exercise today

snowbune27 · March 2009

That's exactly what happened to me when I first started watching my calories! Please don't get discouraged. If you're in a healthy BMI range like I am, it is a lot harder to lose weight than it is for people who have significant weight to lose. I think it's your body retaliating against a new, more strict diet. It took a few weeks, but my body did adjust, and I can feel the difference in my clothes now. I still haven't lost much weight, but my pants fit so much better! Keep doing what you're doing, be patient, your body will get the hang of it

I am hoping that is what it is... I do have a healthy BMI...

I will try and be patient and see what happens...
but still any suggestions would be great!

even help with my diet since I posted what I ate this week

snowbune27 · March 2009

Can you post your menus for the last week?

What is your heart rate like when you exercise? How much water have you been drinking? Are you close to getting your period? How often do you weigh yourself? How often do you exercise? What do you do?

Sorry for all the questions, but I really want to help find the answer for you....

I do not have a HRM but the machine tells me I am usually around 160-166.

I drink about 6 glasses a day...
... I do not even know what my cycle is... lol, it is so off every month...

I exercise every other day at least...
some weeks I do 2 days on and 1 day off.

I run on the treadmill for about 25 mins, then the eliptical for 15 mins, then i lift weights...
and top it off by running back up to my condo 22 floors up.

bonniejo · March 2009

I run on the treadmill for about 25 mins, then the eliptical for 15 mins, then i lift weights...
and top it off by running back up to my condo 22 floors up.

Take a glance at this! It will help you get more out of your time at the gym.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/41135-weights-first-cardio-second

firewalking · March 2009

Your diet looks pretty good...I'm not sure if this is the case, but I would like to make a suggestion or two. First, even if you are staying within your sodium range, perhaps cut back a little and increase your water. If it is water retention, you should be able to tell a difference immediately. I've been known to gain and lose up to 10 pounds of water in a 24 hour period. It really freaked me out for a while, but these little fixes helped.

They have you at 1500??? May I ask how tall you are?

Also, maybe you could try bumping up your cardio to at least 45 minutes with that same heart rate. Getting it up is great, but keeping it up is important.

Also, keep in mind that you do not have a lot to lose, which makes it even harder for you. But just keep doing what you're doing because it will work. You are actually doing very, very well.

I'm a little stumped actually.

Can you check back in and let me know how you're doing?

firewalking · March 2009

great reference Bonniejo! Thanks!

snowbune27 · March 2009

I run on the treadmill for about 25 mins, then the eliptical for 15 mins, then i lift weights...
and top it off by running back up to my condo 22 floors up.

Take a glance at this! It will help you get more out of your time at the gym.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/41135-weights-first-cardio-second

I will start doing this... Thank you!

snowbune27 · March 2009

Your diet looks pretty good...I'm not sure if this is the case, but I would like to make a suggestion or two. First, even if you are staying within your sodium range, perhaps cut back a little and increase your water. If it is water retention, you should be able to tell a difference immediately. I've been known to gain and lose up to 10 pounds of water in a 24 hour period. It really freaked me out for a while, but these little fixes helped.

They have you at 1500??? May I ask how tall you are?

Also, maybe you could try bumping up your cardio to at least 45 minutes with that same heart rate. Getting it up is great, but keeping it up is important.

Also, keep in mind that you do not have a lot to lose, which makes it even harder for you. But just keep doing what you're doing because it will work. You are actually doing very, very well.

I'm a little stumped actually.

Can you check back in and let me know how you're doing?

They have me at 1200 but I earn more calories from my workouts. (I'm only 5'5")

I will try to do more cardio (it's hard to find time because I go before work... otherwise afterwork I won't go at all- ha)

and the water.... oh yes, I've been told many times to drink more water.... I will just have to be better at it!

as far as the sodium goes... I guess I've never even considered how much sodium I take in! I never think about it because I have great blood pressure.

I will definitely check in with you!!!!

firewalking · March 2009

Someone posted a great blurb about eating the extra calories....I think it was called "why you may be gaining weight by eating your exercise calories.."

You know, maybe try going to the 1200????

msujdak · March 2009

I see ALOT of carbohydrates in your diet and hardly any veggies. Carbs conbribute to bloat. Try backing off on those and increase your veggie intake. You may have too much sodium in your diet also.

mnichol · March 2009

I have about 15 lbs i want to lose, started last week, have lost one lb so, i'm 5'6", weigh 145, am 52. I work at a hospital and in the past have participated in the weight loss plan they offer with their dietician a very nice young woman. I saw her this week and told her excitedly about this new web site and suggested she check it out and weighed in with her. I gave her a sample of my food diary and she asked about the exercise calories added. She suggested i stay with just the calorie limit suggested only as when you only have 10-15 lbs to lose adding the calories burned to the diary might hinder the weight loss. i know that's not what is suggested at this site, but personally thats what i plan to do and see what happens since losing weight is very tough, especially after a certain age. good luck.

teach416 · March 2009

I noticed the same thing about having no veggies or fruit. That's where I'd start.

SHBoss1673 · March 2009

It occurs to me as I read a lot of these posts about people not losing that some of you guys might be missing two main points in the issue.

1st point is this: When you have very little weight to lose, it's going to take MONTHS to lose it, and by months I don't mean 1.1 months I mean more like 3 to 5 months. And yes, there may be some weight gain involved. It's not uncommon to put on weight when you're so close to goal.

2nd point: what is your weekly deficit goal set at (I.E. 2 lbs / week, 1 lb / week...etc)? and how did you go about finding that goal? This is important. Did you just remember back to when you were younger and say "I'd like to be that again"? That's not a good way to get your goal (admirable, but our body chemistry changes as we age, this isn't always achievable.).

My advice: find out what your body fat % is, then post that up. Because with 7 lbs to lose, you may actually not want to lose 7 lbs (if you catch my meaning). If you have a low body fat %, guess what... you ain't gonna have much luck losing fat, and you really shouldn't WANT to lose muscle, so it might be time to rethink things.

Just my opinion.

neeterskeeter · March 2009

I agree with shea about the body reacting to a stricter/ different diet and having to adjust. My body does this too. Any change, it has to adjust to before I see results. Just stick with it and don't give up.

I also agree about your diet being heavier on carbs and sodium. These really bloat me! Try to replace most of that with veggies and fruit.

Good luck!

snowbune27 · March 2009

It occurs to me as I read a lot of these posts about people not losing that some of you guys might be missing two main points in the issue.

1st point is this: When you have very little weight to lose, it's going to take MONTHS to lose it, and by months I don't mean 1.1 months I mean more like 3 to 5 months. And yes, there may be some weight gain involved. It's not uncommon to put on weight when you're so close to goal.

2nd point: what is your weekly deficit goal set at (I.E. 2 lbs / week, 1 lb / week...etc)? and how did you go about finding that goal? This is important. Did you just remember back to when you were younger and say "I'd like to be that again"? That's not a good way to get your goal (admirable, but our body chemistry changes as we age, this isn't always achievable.).

My advice: find out what your body fat % is, then post that up. Because with 7 lbs to lose, you may actually not want to lose 7 lbs (if you catch my meaning). If you have a low body fat %, guess what... you ain't gonna have much luck losing fat, and you really shouldn't WANT to lose muscle, so it might be time to rethink things.

Just my opinion.

I am 23%body fat with a 23 BMI

so I definitely wouldn't really be losing muscle... I have enough fat to lose

My goal is 1lb/week

since my last post I have put on 1 more lb (now 8 lbs to lose)

I have been eating more vegetables and drinking more water as everyone suggested as well as watching my sodium... and another pound? :huh:

MyaPapaya75 · March 2009

I would be interested in knowing how much sodium you take in daily as well as carbs or processed foods.....this also could be just a case of needing to boost your workout and eat a bit lighter in the evening....How often do you work out and for how long?....:drinker:

songbyrdsweet · March 2009

23% body fat is considered athletic for a female. It's very difficult to fall below 20%. At 12%, menstruation often stops, so the closer you are to that essential body fat, the harder it is to lose any.

It's normal to gain weight when you begin an exercise program. Your muscles are making changes to become more efficient. They are increasing their stored sugar, and for each g of sugar, you store 3 g of water. That can attribute to a 2-4 lb weight gain. It can cause a bit of an increase in size as well.

Stop looking at the scale for a while. Instead, just take pictures in your bathing suit and take circumference and body fat measurements. If you have access to skin fold tests, take advantage of it, because many people don't, and it's a valuable tool.

kerrilucko · March 2009

It occurs to me as I read a lot of these posts about people not losing that some of you guys might be missing two main points in the issue.

1st point is this: When you have very little weight to lose, it's going to take MONTHS to lose it, and by months I don't mean 1.1 months I mean more like 3 to 5 months. And yes, there may be some weight gain involved. It's not uncommon to put on weight when you're so close to goal.

2nd point: what is your weekly deficit goal set at (I.E. 2 lbs / week, 1 lb / week...etc)? and how did you go about finding that goal? This is important. Did you just remember back to when you were younger and say "I'd like to be that again"? That's not a good way to get your goal (admirable, but our body chemistry changes as we age, this isn't always achievable.).

My advice: find out what your body fat % is, then post that up. Because with 7 lbs to lose, you may actually not want to lose 7 lbs (if you catch my meaning). If you have a low body fat %, guess what... you ain't gonna have much luck losing fat, and you really shouldn't WANT to lose muscle, so it might be time to rethink things.

Just my opinion.

YES! whenever people ask me for tips or advice I tell them: be prepared to put a year into this. Right, so you don't have much to lose? Well you might be looking at 1/2 lb- 1 lb a MONTH. Seriously. it's going to be very hard to convince your body to give up those last feel lbs. Weight fluctuations are normal. Just go with it.

SHBoss1673 · March 2009

Well SBS and Kerri beat me to the punch already. But I'll reiterate. 23% body fat is pretty darn good. MAYBE you could get down a couple of percent if you REALLLY try hard, but seriously, that's not in any way over weight. Not even a tiny bit.

My recommendation? you want to change your body at this point? Forget the weight loss thing, eat a maintenance diet and concentrate on building lean, strong muscle.

Why am I gaining weight?

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