Not losing weight - running and counting cals

kaygracee
kaygracee Posts: 3 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all,

I have started running again and have picked up running 4-5 days per week anyway from 3-6 Miles. At least 3 miles on those 4-5 days. Usually one longer run per week. I’m counting calories and eating at most 1700 per day. I’m 5’4 and I was down to 139 now I’m creeping up to 143 and have no idea how. I’m 31 years old, busy mom during the day too.
I’m not necessarily trying to lose a ton more weight but still don’t feel great where I am at. Any thoughts?

Replies

  • lilyaya1997
    lilyaya1997 Posts: 2 Member
    Could the weight be gained muscle tone? I encountered something similar a month or so ago. Try watching your measurements instead of the scale. The scale can be deceiving at times.
  • Lietchi
    Lietchi Posts: 6,976 Member
    Over what period did you gain those 4lbs?

    Part of it could be water retention from starting to run again, and perhaps a bit of extra leg muscles depending on the time-line.

    Are your measurements going up as well/clothes fitting tighter?
  • kaygracee
    kaygracee Posts: 3 Member
    My clothes don’t feel tighter really at all. My lower belly has been feeling more bloated at times though. I thought water retention too because the weight has been only over the last week.
    I tend to gain around monthly cycle but I’m not near that right now.
    I have been doing some body weight type YouTube videos on off days of running which is newer for me, so maybe some muscle gain from that? It’s just squats, ab stuff.

    I tend to over estimate on calories too, like “round up” on what I’m eating just to be sure I’m counting correctly so I don’t think it’s that I’m underestimating what I’m eating.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 35,220 Member
    kaygracee wrote: »
    My clothes don’t feel tighter really at all. My lower belly has been feeling more bloated at times though. I thought water retention too because the weight has been only over the last week.
    I tend to gain around monthly cycle but I’m not near that right now.
    I have been doing some body weight type YouTube videos on off days of running which is newer for me, so maybe some muscle gain from that? It’s just squats, ab stuff.

    I tend to over estimate on calories too, like “round up” on what I’m eating just to be sure I’m counting correctly so I don’t think it’s that I’m underestimating what I’m eating.

    Given those details, more likely water retention. Wait it out.

    I'm general, assess your body weight changes by comparing weight at the same relative point in at least two different monthly cycles. There can still be water weight distortions, especially if losing fat really slowly or holding steady.

    A pound or two of muscle gain per month would be a really good result under ideal circumstances. Ideal circumstances include youth, calorie surplus, and more. It can happen under less than ideal circumstances, but it'd be even slower.

    Strength gains can be much faster. That's from better recruiting and utilizing existing muscle fibers. We can look a little more defined from the water retention in the muscles, plus maybe losing a little overlying fat so they show more. Those things sometimes deceive people into thinking they've gained muscle mass before it's really happened.

    Pursuing muscle gain is worthwhile, but takes many weeks to months of patience and persistence. I wish it were quicker and easier! :D

    Best wishes!
  • yirara
    yirara Posts: 10,083 Member
    Limely water retention, yeah. I started running two weeks ago and just last night lost the extra water weight from that. It just tends to stick around.
  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,766 Member
    Another vote for water. I find that I will bloat a bit after a hard run. Since it's summer and I sweat a lot, I also drink a lot and my body will hold on to every drop if it thinks there may not be enough. Also since running is new to you, your muscles will hold on to water to repair the damage caused by impact. IT should even out after you get used to it. FWIW, I've learned to never weigh myself after a long run.
  • tomcustombuilder
    tomcustombuilder Posts: 2,311 Member
    Water. Give it 4 more weeks then review
  • yirara
    yirara Posts: 10,083 Member
    spiriteagle99 wrote: »
    Another vote for water. I find that I will bloat a bit after a hard run. Since it's summer and I sweat a lot, I also drink a lot and my body will hold on to every drop if it thinks there may not be enough. Also since running is new to you, your muscles will hold on to water to repair the damage caused by impact. IT should even out after you get used to it. FWIW, I've learned to never weigh myself after a long run.

    I do. Like I do every morning. Then I know what I did the evening before :D It's also confirmation for me that my body works the way it's supposed to work. Yeah, I'm somewhat of a control freak :p
  • Lietchi
    Lietchi Posts: 6,976 Member
    edited August 2023
    If you gained 4 lbs only the past week, even more likely it's water retention. (Short term fluctuations= water weight and food waste; long-term changes= fat and muscle)
    Especially if you started some resistance training, which is even more likely to cause water retention for muscle repair than cardio exercise.

Categories