How is it possible?

camerongroupj
camerongroupj Posts: 17 Member
edited November 8 in Health and Weight Loss
I have been on a diet and exercise program since January 2 of this year (2012). In the first 2 weeks I lost 4 pounds, the 2nd 2 weeks 2.5 pounds. I have been exercising 5 days/week and only with exercise have I increased the number of calories that I am eating up from 1200/day.

How is it that this past week I have gained 1.5 pounds! This is really discouraging!

Janet
:sad:
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Replies

  • lin7604
    lin7604 Posts: 2,951 Member
    the body is a strange thing and i will never understand it completely. you can have just water retention, you could not be eating enough, etc... I weigh myself daily but i have only made one day a week my official weigh in day. every monday! you are on a greta roll and are losing fast! give it another week and see what happens...
  • careyharv
    careyharv Posts: 134 Member
    Your body goes into a sort of shock when you start eating less and working out. When I started, I gave myself a month for my body to adjust. The other thing to consider that if your muscles haven't been challenged before, they are now. The will start to soak up the nutrients it needs which in turn makes them bigger. Keep up you workouts and make sure you are eating well to fuel your body. It will go down. Good Luck!!
  • camerongroupj
    camerongroupj Posts: 17 Member
    Thanks everyone for the kind words...I will give it a week or two and see what happens.

    This week, bread will be cut out of my diet and we'll see what happens. It will be like torture! I love bread! I am a carb junkie!
  • grinch031
    grinch031 Posts: 1,679
    Thanks everyone for the kind words...I will give it a week or two and see what happens.

    This week, bread will be cut out of my diet and we'll see what happens. It will be like torture! I love bread! I am a carb junkie!

    Eating carbs causes lots of water retention. I would avoid them as much as possible if you want to have an easier time managing hunger and losing weight during your journeys.

    Plus sometimes when you're burning fat your body doesn't want to release water immediately anyways. Then one day you'll see a big weight loss. Its never linear but always with ups-and-downs, but i assure you its mostly water weight fluctuations. Unless you eat 2 pizzas in one day, you aren't gaining fat that quickly even when cheating.
  • yesthistime
    yesthistime Posts: 2,051 Member
    Hmm.... you might want to try measuring inches and/or body fat. The scale can go up or down so easily based on time of the month or other factors that are out of your control. Stay encouraged :)
  • firesoforion
    firesoforion Posts: 1,017 Member
    Hello fellow bread junkie! :( Sadly, I've had to restrict them from my diet, BUT, you can get La Tortilla Factory smart and delicious low carb high fiber tortillas for 50 calories (both corn and wheat) for a taste of it. Also Flat Outs. They still are bread products, but they're a lot better and taste quite good. :) It still has to be a bit of a limited thing for me but they are much better. :)
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator
    I have been on a diet and exercise program since January 2 of this year (2012). In the first 2 weeks I lost 4 pounds, the 2nd 2 weeks 2.5 pounds. I have been exercising 5 days/week and only with exercise have I increased the number of calories that I am eating up from 1200/day.

    How is it that this past week I have gained 1.5 pounds! This is really discouraging!

    Janet
    :sad:

    First, weight loss isn't linear. And neither was weight gain. So you can't expect to lose every week. Next, if you are exercising, you need to be eating more than 1200 calories. The problem with eating 1200 calories while exercising causes a few problems. First, your body isn't being properly fueled and receiving good nutrition and second, this will cause you to lose a lot of lean muscle mass which will slow your bodies metabolic rate. I recommend eating 50-75% of your exercise calories so you don't experience this or reduce the affects of muscle loss. You really should be aiming to lose 10% or less muscle. So if you lose 10 lbs, 1 of those pounds can be muscle.
  • techigirl78
    techigirl78 Posts: 128 Member
    Hang in there! You are doing good.

    In addition to what others said, watch your sodium and water intake. You could just be retaining water. Once I started watching sodium intake, my weight more consistently went down (though there were some fluctuations still). Before that it would constantly jump up and down. Also, a lot of low calorie packaged foods have a lot of salt, so does soup and soy souce is basically pure salt.

    I also wouldn't cut out anything you love to eat without having a good replacement. There isn't anything wrong eating a good wheat bread. It is good for you. Just limit the amount you eat. If you take away everything you love without finding adequate replacements, you may lose weight while dieting, but it won't last once the diet is done. My vice was ice cream. I now eat yogurt smoothies with spinich and fruit as a replacement. I actually like them better and they are good for me.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator
    PS- Carbs are not the enemy unless you have a medical condition. Carbs are the first place a body looks for energy. So having a diet rich in complex carbs (ones that burn slower) will allow your body to have a lot of energy. There is a point to how many carbs you should eat a day (generally 40-60%). I eat 200g's of carbs a day and I haven't had any trouble losing weight, inches or even body fat and I eat over 3000 calories a day.
  • grinch031
    grinch031 Posts: 1,679
    PS- Carbs are not the enemy unless you have a medical condition. Carbs are the first place a body looks for energy. So having a diet rich in complex carbs (ones that burn slower) will allow your body to have a lot of energy. There is a point to how many carbs you should eat a day (generally 40-60%). I eat 200g's of carbs a day and I haven't had any trouble losing weight, inches or even body fat and I eat over 3000 calories a day.

    I think its pretty obvious that sugars and refined carbs are terrible and should be completely removed except for maybe special occasions (we all gotta live and they do taste good). Complex carbs on the other hand are debatable. We don't need any of them though, so if you can tolerate cutting those out, you're probably better off.
  • vingogly
    vingogly Posts: 1,785 Member
    Look at it in another way; suppose you were writing about your investments:

    "I have been investing in my 401k since January 2 of this year (2012). In the first 2 weeks my account gained $10 per share, the 2nd 2 weeks $8 per share. I selected the best possible 401k options for growth in my funds.

    How is it that this past week I have lost $5 per share! This is really discouraging!"

    As my grandma used to say, a watched pot never boils.

    (btw, a 401k is an investment vehicle for retirement in the USA)
  • lisabstrong
    lisabstrong Posts: 165 Member
    As if weight loss occurs in a nice neat straight line downwards... ha ha! don't let the ups beat you up and I only records the downs even if it takes a long time for the line to head down again!
  • Please only take nutritional advice from a registered dietician and fitness advice from a certified trainer or group exercise instructor.

    Some of the comments above range from inaccurate to downright dangerous.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator
    PS- Carbs are not the enemy unless you have a medical condition. Carbs are the first place a body looks for energy. So having a diet rich in complex carbs (ones that burn slower) will allow your body to have a lot of energy. There is a point to how many carbs you should eat a day (generally 40-60%). I eat 200g's of carbs a day and I haven't had any trouble losing weight, inches or even body fat and I eat over 3000 calories a day.

    I think its pretty obvious that sugars and refined carbs are terrible and should be completely removed except for maybe special occasions (we all gotta live and they do taste good). Complex carbs on the other hand are debatable. We don't need any of them though, so if you can tolerate cutting those out, you're probably better off.

    You might want to take another look into carbs. Read the second line of the attached link I provided. Heck in fact, I will quote it, "Carbohydrates are one of the main types of nutrients. They are the most important source of energy for your body".

    So making a statement that it's debatable if you actually need carbs is ridiculous and uneducated.

    http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/carbohydrates.html

    http://www.eatingdisordersonline.com/nutritional/carbs.php
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator
    Also, if you said complex carbs aren't need, then you are saying that it's not important to have fruits or veggies.
  • grinch031
    grinch031 Posts: 1,679
    PS- Carbs are not the enemy unless you have a medical condition. Carbs are the first place a body looks for energy. So having a diet rich in complex carbs (ones that burn slower) will allow your body to have a lot of energy. There is a point to how many carbs you should eat a day (generally 40-60%). I eat 200g's of carbs a day and I haven't had any trouble losing weight, inches or even body fat and I eat over 3000 calories a day.

    I think its pretty obvious that sugars and refined carbs are terrible and should be completely removed except for maybe special occasions (we all gotta live and they do taste good). Complex carbs on the other hand are debatable. We don't need any of them though, so if you can tolerate cutting those out, you're probably better off.

    You might want to take another look into carbs. Read the second line of the attached link I provided. Heck in fact, I will quote it, "Carbohydrates are one of the main types of nutrients. They are the most important source of energy for your body".

    So making a statement that it's debatable if you actually need carbs is ridiculous and uneducated.

    http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/carbohydrates.html

    http://www.eatingdisordersonline.com/nutritional/carbs.php

    Except for carbs are the only source of energy you can live without. You will die without fat and protein. I know this is controversial. There are scientists and MDs with credentials who will swear by both sides of the argument. But look I've read a lot and thought it out. This side makes sense to me, the other side does not.
  • breeanreyes
    breeanreyes Posts: 228 Member
    Be sure to measure yourself every week, it will tell the true story! And don't cut bread completely, you'll hate your life if you're a big bread fan, just switch to whole grain bread and limit it to 2 or 3 times a week, remember that you want this to be a lifestyle change so you can keep the weight off once you lose it, if you give yourself impossible rules it makes it very difficult to succeed! Good Luck!
  • LoriBarefoot
    LoriBarefoot Posts: 218 Member
    Carbs sustain me. They are my friend. Eat consistently healthy without trying drastic tweeks is key. Patience is a virtue.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator


    Except for carbs are the only source of energy you can live without. You will die without fat and protein. I know this is controversial. There are scientists and MDs with credentials who will swear by both sides of the argument. But look I've read a lot and thought it out. This side makes sense to me, the other side does not.

    And you can feel free to post your research. I would love to see it.
  • kbbeale
    kbbeale Posts: 77 Member
    Ive been tracking here at MFP since right after Christmas. My 3rd week tracking I didnt have a loss either. Hang in there, you're doing everything right...it will come off.
  • grinch031
    grinch031 Posts: 1,679


    Except for carbs are the only source of energy you can live without. You will die without fat and protein. I know this is controversial. There are scientists and MDs with credentials who will swear by both sides of the argument. But look I've read a lot and thought it out. This side makes sense to me, the other side does not.

    And you can feel free to post your research. I would love to see it.

    All I know is I would eat 20g-50g of carbs a day and run 10 miles and I not only survived (despite my brain needing 120g of glucose a day), but I even felt pretty good! I continue to lift weights and run frequently and have more energy and feel healthier than I have since I was 18 years old (31 now).

    The research is out there and easy to find. The mainstream dieticians will have disputed any link I can find anyways, but its up to the individual to make a decision. I experimented with my own diet and exercise and found something that works better than I ever thought it would.
  • I hear you sister! Been going at it 3 weeks and my net loss is zero. I lost 2 pounds the first week and gained it back over the next 2 with eating only 1200 calories and working out 5 days/week. I'm bumping my calories up to 1400 and not eating back ,y workout calories. I hear this will do it - hoping it will.

    Hang in there with me - this has got to work. Our bodies can't keep the weight on with limited calories going in and working out - sooner or later we have to lose!!
  • engineman312
    engineman312 Posts: 3,450 Member
    I have been on a diet and exercise program since January 2 of this year (2012). In the first 2 weeks I lost 4 pounds, the 2nd 2 weeks 2.5 pounds. I have been exercising 5 days/week and only with exercise have I increased the number of calories that I am eating up from 1200/day.

    How is it that this past week I have gained 1.5 pounds! This is really discouraging!

    Janet
    :sad:

    You lost 6.5 pounds, and then gained 1.5 pounds over the course of three weeks. So five pounds over the time line... Meaning you are still ahead of the curve for losing 1.5lbs per week.
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    I have been on a diet and exercise program since January 2 of this year (2012). In the first 2 weeks I lost 4 pounds, the 2nd 2 weeks 2.5 pounds. I have been exercising 5 days/week and only with exercise have I increased the number of calories that I am eating up from 1200/day.

    How is it that this past week I have gained 1.5 pounds! This is really discouraging!

    Janet
    :sad:

    This is just water weight. Women get more fluctuations than men do, so you need to learn to take it in stride or throw the scale out the window.

    Don't sweat it! Just keep working on your plan and you'll continue to lose.
  • ryno0618
    ryno0618 Posts: 361
    I have been on a diet and exercise program since January 2 of this year (2012). In the first 2 weeks I lost 4 pounds, the 2nd 2 weeks 2.5 pounds. I have been exercising 5 days/week and only with exercise have I increased the number of calories that I am eating up from 1200/day.

    How is it that this past week I have gained 1.5 pounds! This is really discouraging!

    Janet
    :sad:

    You lost 6.5 pounds, and then gained 1.5 pounds over the course of three weeks. So five pounds over the time line... Meaning you are still ahead of the curve for losing 1.5lbs per week.

    I agree with this guy. Losing weight is not always linear and our bodies do strange stuff. You may jump on the scale tomorrow and be down a bit again. But all in all, look at what you have accomplished. 5lbs in 3 weeks. That is a great loss rate and ahead of the 1.5lb per week healthy recommendation. Remember this is a lifestyle change, not a drop 30lbs in 30 days fad diet that will have you gain more weight after you fall off the bandwagon. Slow and steady and incremental wins this race. Its only the beginning of a complete lifestyle change! Best of Luck!
  • I have been on a diet and exercise program since January 2 of this year (2012). In the first 2 weeks I lost 4 pounds, the 2nd 2 weeks 2.5 pounds. I have been exercising 5 days/week and only with exercise have I increased the number of calories that I am eating up from 1200/day.

    How is it that this past week I have gained 1.5 pounds! This is really discouraging!

    Janet
    :sad:

    you have probably gained a good amount of muscle from all the working out you have been doing. I would check your inches to help you keep track even better than weight loss. I have only lost 6lbs but i have lost 12.25 INCHES!!

    Your muscle is replacing your fat. Dont give up!! YOU CAN DO THIS
  • grapenutSF
    grapenutSF Posts: 648 Member
    It's hard, I know. I can relate. But my advice is to take a more long-term perspective. There are too many factors to accurately judge 1 week in isolation. Overall, you're down 5 pounds. Keep going. Settle in for the long haul.
  • Lozze
    Lozze Posts: 1,917 Member
    I think its pretty obvious that sugars and refined carbs are terrible and should be completely removed except for maybe special occasions (we all gotta live and they do taste good). Complex carbs on the other hand are debatable. We don't need any of them though, so if you can tolerate cutting those out, you're probably better off.

    'Obvious'? No. I have PCOS (which means i need to cut down) still eat two pieces of wholemeal bread a day and two pieces of fruit a day and am still losing steadily. Carbs are NOT bad for you. Unless you want to link to peer reviewed scientific studies (Gary Tubbs doesn't count) on this point you should stop giving out incorrect info.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    Before you go low carb ask yourself if you can live that way for the rest of your life. I know I can't, so I do whole grains, whole wheat pastas, and complex carbs. I limit sugar but I don't cut it completely. I've had no issues losing weight while keeping carbs. Whatever you choose to do, remember that in order to maintain your losses you have to change the way you eat forever-- so if you really love bread then low-carb may not be the best approach for you (barring medical conditions that require it)
  • grinch031
    grinch031 Posts: 1,679
    I think its pretty obvious that sugars and refined carbs are terrible and should be completely removed except for maybe special occasions (we all gotta live and they do taste good). Complex carbs on the other hand are debatable. We don't need any of them though, so if you can tolerate cutting those out, you're probably better off.

    'Obvious'? No. I have PCOS (which means i need to cut down) still eat two pieces of wholemeal bread a day and two pieces of fruit a day and am still losing steadily. Carbs are NOT bad for you. Unless you want to link to peer reviewed scientific studies (Gary Tubbs doesn't count) on this point you should stop giving out incorrect info.

    Yes everybody knows sugar and refined carbs are bad.

    As for whole grains and fruit, I could probably eat those regularly because I'm less insulin resistant than many others. I still restrict them for the simple reason that they aren't necessary and not worth it to me.
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