I could cry right now-weight gain

spamvicious
spamvicious Posts: 13 Member
edited November 12 in Health and Weight Loss
I've been stuck at my current weight for nearly 3 weeks after losing 12Ibs. I was only eating 1200 calories for the first 7 weeks, so users on here suggested eating my maintenance weight of 1500 calories as well as working out. I just weighed myself, first thing in the morning and it says I've gained 4Ibs, I'm actually in tears now. I realised that I was still eating a lot of processed food (but still under or at calorie goal) so tried to cut that out in the last few days, slowly but surely.

I've been really good, exercising three times a week and eating at maintenance for a week. The only exception was last night when I had some fast food whilst out but I left over 900 calories remaining to cover this.

I feel like not eating anything now :(

I'm really hoping this might be water retention, as I weighed myself 2 days ago and was still at the plateau weight, so 4Ibs in 2 days seems excessive?
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Replies

  • susannamarie
    susannamarie Posts: 2,148 Member
    4 lbs in 2 days cannot be fat, unless you were eating like maintenance+7000 calories per day. Wait another couple of days and reweigh.
  • JennetteMac
    JennetteMac Posts: 763 Member
    I am so with you. Been plateau-ed for weeks, finally dropped a couple of pounds and got really excited and happy. That was Tuesday. It's now Friday and since Tues I've put on just over 4lb.
    My only hope is that the antiobiotics I've been on since Monday are causing some kind of weight effect and that when I stop them at the weekend the extra pounds will melt away like magic as quickly as they came on. If not, I think starving myself (I did that for about 2 years) is the only way I'll cope. I just cannot cope with being fat again.

    :explode:
  • BeanyFrog13
    BeanyFrog13 Posts: 161 Member
    Don't give up!!! I plateaued for a couple of months and swung between same weight and 5lbs heavier until it broke and I started to lose weight again! Just keep on going and it DOES get better!!!
  • BazAbroad
    BazAbroad Posts: 248
    Do not make weight your ultimate bench mark of how your doing.
    Look at yourself in the mirror and c how those jeans fit.
    That is a better bench mark.
    There will b ups and downs, just look for the overall trend of getting healthier.
    As for the 3 times a week workouts, ok if your active, try adding some walks or dancing or something or wii games, anything to keep moving, otherwise, 3 times is not really enough,
    :wink:
  • sarafil
    sarafil Posts: 506 Member
    Try hard not to let the scale rule your emotions. You really can't gain that much fat in that amount of time! There are so many factors that can affect what the scale is telling you. Do you feel different? Are your clothes tight? Pay attention to those kinds of cues. If you haven't already, maybe get your body fat measured and try using that percentage as your guide, rather than the scale. I personally avoid the scale because it made me crazy and obsessive. I only pay attention to my body fat percentage. If I have a low body fat and nice toned muscles, I don't care what the scale says!
  • clem7444
    clem7444 Posts: 64 Member
    If you open your diary people may be able to give you some advice on what you're eating that may be attributing to water gain and/or a lack of weigh loss.
  • graelwyn
    graelwyn Posts: 1,340 Member
    I gained 4 Ibs in less than 24 hours once having had a bad binge and got through 2 loaves of fruit bread with honey, 1 before bed, and 1 after I woke up. I cycled and ate normally the next day, and 3 of those 4 Ibs had dropped off that evening. I think eating certain things can just really add instant, temporary weight to some people, and for me it is bready things or oats. I'd suggest eating as normal and check your weight again after a few days. And get some exercise and drink plenty of water to help flush any excess fluid out.
  • spamvicious
    spamvicious Posts: 13 Member
    Thanks for the advice guys, I did about three hours of walking today and I'll be doing two workouts tomorrow. I just need to make sure I don't weigh myself for a week at least to save myself this trauma in future lol. I understand that weight is not the only way of knowing if you've lost but when you gain 4Ibs in 2 days its very alarming so I hope its just the usual thing of women retaining water monthly etc.
  • also fast food normally contains alot more salt than food we would cook at home so u are prob retaining some water from that xx
  • If you eat clean and continue to exercise that water weight will disappear :) Eat chicken, eggs, walnuts, vegetables, wholegrain products, fruit etc. and drink only water.

    Remember that it takes about 3 months for the body to stabilize a new weight cause it remembers it's old weight. Just hang in there. The weight will go down :)
  • lornathewizzard
    lornathewizzard Posts: 165 Member
    Hi
    To have actually put on 4 lbs of fat, you would need to have eaten 14,000 calories. Now, we all know you didn't do that. The most likely cause is water retention, which can be caused by anything from too much salt, not enough water, to hormonal fluctuations. Keep eating well (1500 is a good number I think) and exercising and you'll be just fine. Give it time as well, things will settle down. And good luck!
  • lornathewizzard
    lornathewizzard Posts: 165 Member
    I am so with you. Been plateau-ed for weeks, finally dropped a couple of pounds and got really excited and happy. That was Tuesday. It's now Friday and since Tues I've put on just over 4lb.
    My only hope is that the antiobiotics I've been on since Monday are causing some kind of weight effect and that when I stop them at the weekend the extra pounds will melt away like magic as quickly as they came on. If not, I think starving myself (I did that for about 2 years) is the only way I'll cope. I just cannot cope with being fat again.

    :explode:

    Hi :) I hope you're not seriously considering starving yourself, that really isn't the way forward. Take heed of all the great advise available for you and most of all stay positive. The antibiotics are probably having an effect, make sure you're eating enough and exercising well, and you'll do just fine.
  • veganbaum
    veganbaum Posts: 1,865 Member
    1. Are you sure your maintenance is 1500?
    2. How long have you been eating at that amount for?
    3. Have you been eating your exercise calories or not? (If so, might have gained weight because of that if you ate them *all* back just because of inaccuracies and gone over maintenance)
    4. 3 weeks isn't really that long, I would hesitate to even call that a plateau.
    5. If it was 4 pounds in 2 days, guarantee you most of that, if not all, is water weight and should level out over the next few days as long as you stay at maintenance and drink plenty of water.
  • minadeathclutch
    minadeathclutch Posts: 375 Member
    add me and check out my diary.. im losing almost a pound every few days !!! i cleaned my diet up and its amazing

    weight loss is 80% DIET
    20% WORKOUT.

    diet meaning what you eat.. not some fad bs !
  • minadeathclutch
    minadeathclutch Posts: 375 Member
    Thanks for the advice guys, I did about three hours of walking today and I'll be doing two workouts tomorrow. I just need to make sure I don't weigh myself for a week at least to save myself this trauma in future lol. I understand that weight is not the only way of knowing if you've lost but when you gain 4Ibs in 2 days its very alarming so I hope its just the usual thing of women retaining water monthly etc.

    also.. dont over-do it. dont overwork out.
  • atthompson27
    atthompson27 Posts: 31 Member
    Agreed. And stop weighing yourself every other day. Weigh yourself no more than once a week at the same time each week (best when you 1st get up). This will be give you a more accurate picture of your weight.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,990 Member
    I've been stuck at my current weight for nearly 3 weeks after losing 12Ibs. I was only eating 1200 calories for the first 7 weeks, so users on here suggested eating my maintenance weight of 1500 calories as well as working out. I just weighed myself, first thing in the morning and it says I've gained 4Ibs, I'm actually in tears now. I realised that I was still eating a lot of processed food (but still under or at calorie goal) so tried to cut that out in the last few days, slowly but surely.

    I've been really good, exercising three times a week and eating at maintenance for a week. The only exception was last night when I had some fast food whilst out but I left over 900 calories remaining to cover this.

    I feel like not eating anything now :(

    I'm really hoping this might be water retention, as I weighed myself 2 days ago and was still at the plateau weight, so 4Ibs in 2 days seems excessive?
    3500 x 4 is 14,000 calories. So unless you ate that much PLUS your daily calories, it's water weight. Don't weigh everyday and IMO you should dump your scale because it sounds like your success/failure of measurement. Pay more attention to how you feel, how your clothes fit and just making better food choices.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • karenmi
    karenmi Posts: 242 Member
    Three hours of walking and two workouts tomorrow sound excessive to me. That is not a sustainable lifestyle, and if you're serious about becoming healthy and keeping the weight off you have to be able to maintain that pace for the long term. I don't think it's possible and you'll only be disappointed. I agree with what someone else said, I don't know if 3 weeks is really a plateau.

    Slow & steady wins the race - never were truer words spoken than when it comes to weight loss!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,990 Member
    Three hours of walking and two workouts tomorrow sound excessive to me. That is not a sustainable lifestyle, and if you're serious about becoming healthy and keeping the weight off you have to be able to maintain that pace for the long term. I don't think it's possible and you'll only be disappointed. I agree with what someone else said, I don't know if 3 weeks is really a plateau.

    Slow & steady wins the race - never were truer words spoken than when it comes to weight loss!
    Forgot to say: 3 weeks of no weight loss is NOT a plateau, it's a stall. A plateau is 6 weeks or more of no weight loss while on consistent calorie deficit.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • rtaddlowe
    rtaddlowe Posts: 70
    I've been stuck at my current weight for nearly 3 weeks after losing 12Ibs. I was only eating 1200 calories for the first 7 weeks, so users on here suggested eating my maintenance weight of 1500 calories as well as working out. I just weighed myself, first thing in the morning and it says I've gained 4Ibs, I'm actually in tears now. I realised that I was still eating a lot of processed food (but still under or at calorie goal) so tried to cut that out in the last few days, slowly but surely.

    I've been really good, exercising three times a week and eating at maintenance for a week. The only exception was last night when I had some fast food whilst out but I left over 900 calories remaining to cover this.

    I feel like not eating anything now :(

    I'm really hoping this might be water retention, as I weighed myself 2 days ago and was still at the plateau weight, so 4Ibs in 2 days seems excessive?
    3500 x 4 is 14,000 calories. So unless you ate that much PLUS your daily calories, it's water weight. Don't weigh everyday and IMO you should dump your scale because it sounds like your success/failure of measurement. Pay more attention to how you feel, how your clothes fit and just making better food choices.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    ^^^^^^^
    This
  • Dont give up! I have been on a plateau for a while now, weight up and down...I try not to put too much into the number. How are you feeling overall? I go by how I look and feel. The number may not be getting smaller, but I am feeling great, and so should you:) We are on this journey with you, and are with you all the way:)
  • spamvicious
    spamvicious Posts: 13 Member
    1. Are you sure your maintenance is 1500?
    2. How long have you been eating at that amount for?
    3. Have you been eating your exercise calories or not? (If so, might have gained weight because of that if you ate them *all* back just because of inaccuracies and gone over maintenance)
    4. 3 weeks isn't really that long, I would hesitate to even call that a plateau.
    5. If it was 4 pounds in 2 days, guarantee you most of that, if not all, is water weight and should level out over the next few days as long as you stay at maintenance and drink plenty of water.

    I'm 5.7 and weigh 167 Ibs, using the tool on here it says: Your estimated BMR is: 1,520 calories/day*. I've been eating maintenance for 5 days now, before that it was 7 weeks of 1200 calories. Then for 3 weeks I was stuck on the weight I am now...well not including the 4ibs that might be water. I usually end up about 50-100 calories under when I'm trying to eat my exercise calories.

    Height 5.7"
    Start Weight: 12.9 stone
    Current Weight: 11.13 Stone
    Ideal Weight: 10 Stone
    BMI: 26
    Ideal BMI: 22
  • ashnm88
    ashnm88 Posts: 748
    Try exercising more than 3 times a week.
  • spamvicious
    spamvicious Posts: 13 Member
    When I say exercising 3 times a week, thats when I do workouts, visits to the gym or on the wii fit. The rest of the time i'm walking a couple of miles a day.
  • JMarigold
    JMarigold Posts: 232 Member
    Others have probably said this but . . . sodium (excessive in most processed foods and fast food) could be a huge water weight gain culprit, plus possibly TOM (but not necessarily), also if in the future you get really sore from working out and see a gain it's probably muscles retaining water.

    And . . . I bet you didn't overeat by 14,000 calories. Especially if you are still logging. So I think you are safe.

    Drink lots of water. Eat less sodium. It should go away soon.
  • pigpentw
    pigpentw Posts: 13
    It may have been said already but read the labels there is so much sodium in the food's we eat.

    rules I follow, if it comes from nature enjoy it, feed your body every 2-3 hours, always keep your snack's under 200 calories, and drink water like a fish.

    Truly it work's

    Don't cry we all have these moments
  • tcjrph
    tcjrph Posts: 6
    Make sure that you are drinking enough water. You MUST get to the eight glasses a day. Remember your metabolism is a giant chemical reaction, without enough water it won't work properly. Be sure to record EVERYTHING you eat. Try and eat as much FRESH vegetables and fruits as you can. Remember that the salad is the MAIN course. What are you doing for excercise? Try and do some everyday even if it just a small amount. For days when you don't have a lot of time try this; 20 jumping jacks, 20 pushups, 20 ab excercise of choice, 20 squats. Do 3 to 5 rounds, rest no more that 2 minutes in between excercises. When doing cardio be sure to push youself hard enought to raise your heart rate into zone 2. If you don't know what that is Google heart rate training and read a few of these articles.

    We all have set backs, DON'T QUIT. It's ok to be sad, but only for 5 minutes, then get back to fighting your fight. Good luck and God bless.
  • CharityEaton
    CharityEaton Posts: 499 Member
    I just want to say a few things:
    1. stop stressing over it ( easier said then done, I know! so throw your fit, stomp, cry, pout...and feel better)
    2. don't worry about it...REALLY don't worry about it!
    3. I've been there not too long ago but look at my ticker.....almost THIRTY pounds gone since July. It WILL happen but only if you keep at it no matter what! The weight goes up and the weight goes down. Look at it from month to month not day to day!
    If, at the end of the month you have lost weight then you are going in the right direction. How MUCH weight doesn't matter. All that matters is that it slowly keeps coming off.
    I can lose anywhere from 2-4 pounds in a weeks time. I started out this Monday at 139.8. Wed. weighed 135.8 today weighed 136.4.....see! It happens to all of us when we watch our weight every single day BUT at the end of this month I will have lost at least 2 pounds...hopefully 3 to hit my goal! : )
    Hang in there, eat healthy, exercise and forget about it!
    It takes time!
    :smile:
  • veganbaum
    veganbaum Posts: 1,865 Member
    1. Are you sure your maintenance is 1500?
    2. How long have you been eating at that amount for?
    3. Have you been eating your exercise calories or not? (If so, might have gained weight because of that if you ate them *all* back just because of inaccuracies and gone over maintenance)
    4. 3 weeks isn't really that long, I would hesitate to even call that a plateau.
    5. If it was 4 pounds in 2 days, guarantee you most of that, if not all, is water weight and should level out over the next few days as long as you stay at maintenance and drink plenty of water.

    I'm 5.7 and weigh 167 Ibs, using the tool on here it says: Your estimated BMR is: 1,520 calories/day*. I've been eating maintenance for 5 days now, before that it was 7 weeks of 1200 calories. Then for 3 weeks I was stuck on the weight I am now...well not including the 4ibs that might be water. I usually end up about 50-100 calories under when I'm trying to eat my exercise calories.

    Height 5.7"
    Start Weight: 12.9 stone
    Current Weight: 11.13 Stone
    Ideal Weight: 10 Stone
    BMI: 26
    Ideal BMI: 22

    BMR is not your maintenance, so you are actually still eating at a deficit. Some people recommend eating at maintenance for 1-2 weeks to break a plateau. I haven't tried it, but it seems to have worked for many people. Because you started eating more your body may be retaining some water, but you *are* still at a deficit, even eating your exercise calories (and especially if you leave some calories to account for inaccuracies). Your BMR is what your body burns at *complete* rest (basically a coma). You burn more than that in day-to-day living and that is your maintenance. You may break your plateau just eating at BMR, or you might want to try eating at your actual maintenance for a week and then go to a deficit for a 1 lb a week loss. This is based on what I have read from loads of people who have been successful. I personally spiked to break my plateau, so I can't speak to the efficacy of eating at maintenance. But rest assured, you have not actually gained 4 pounds.
  • YOU PEOPLE NEED TO STOP WEIGHING YOURSELVES EVERY DAY!!

    YOU CANNOT POSSIBLY GAIN 4 POUNDS OF FAT IN SUCH A SHORT TIME!!

    (yes, I know I am shouting.....)
This discussion has been closed.