Why am I gaining weight? And how do I fix it?
rthompson81
Posts: 305 Member
I'm hoping for some informed opinions because I am super frustrated with my weight. Here's my history:
May 2010 - Started MFP at 148lbs (5'4'') with a goal weight set at 130. I generally ate 1200 calories and I always ate all my exercise calories. Yes, I did have cheat days, and even some vacation cheat weeks (few and far between), but I knew I would going in, and I plan to keep it that way - that's how I can maintain this lifestyle.
December 2011 - A year and a half later I reached my goal weight. Yay! I upped my calories to 1360 in a effort to reach maintenance calories. The scale creeps up to 132, but I'm okay with that... I know there will be fluctuations.
March 2012 - I decide to start toning and adding muscle. The scale creeps up a little more to an average of 133.
April 2012 - Once the scale hit 135, I went back to 1200 calories (and of course, eating all my exercise calories) because I got scared of it going up any more. Now, it's the end of April and I'm at 137 lbs, which is only 11 lbs down from my start weight. My clothes are starting to get a little tighter, and I don't like it one bit. I've been doing at home strength training (push ups, squats, light hand weights), but nothing at the gym. At this time, I don't have a gym to go to, but if the consensus is heavier weights, I will find a gym or do whatever it takes. I don't want to eat 1200 calories for the rest of my life, but I'm scared to up my calories because even at 1360 I was gaining weight. Also, I've been focusing on eating a lot of protein for the added muscle.
I look forward to your responses. Thanks in advance!
Becky
Also, my diary is open, so you are welcome to check it out. I defended my dissertation last week, so there are some holes, but you can go farther back and see it's pretty consistent, with the occasional cheat day. I weigh all of my food, and I record it all, even the olive oil or the little extras... And I have a heart rate monitor (Polar F4) to measure my calories for my exercise.
May 2010 - Started MFP at 148lbs (5'4'') with a goal weight set at 130. I generally ate 1200 calories and I always ate all my exercise calories. Yes, I did have cheat days, and even some vacation cheat weeks (few and far between), but I knew I would going in, and I plan to keep it that way - that's how I can maintain this lifestyle.
December 2011 - A year and a half later I reached my goal weight. Yay! I upped my calories to 1360 in a effort to reach maintenance calories. The scale creeps up to 132, but I'm okay with that... I know there will be fluctuations.
March 2012 - I decide to start toning and adding muscle. The scale creeps up a little more to an average of 133.
April 2012 - Once the scale hit 135, I went back to 1200 calories (and of course, eating all my exercise calories) because I got scared of it going up any more. Now, it's the end of April and I'm at 137 lbs, which is only 11 lbs down from my start weight. My clothes are starting to get a little tighter, and I don't like it one bit. I've been doing at home strength training (push ups, squats, light hand weights), but nothing at the gym. At this time, I don't have a gym to go to, but if the consensus is heavier weights, I will find a gym or do whatever it takes. I don't want to eat 1200 calories for the rest of my life, but I'm scared to up my calories because even at 1360 I was gaining weight. Also, I've been focusing on eating a lot of protein for the added muscle.
I look forward to your responses. Thanks in advance!
Becky
Also, my diary is open, so you are welcome to check it out. I defended my dissertation last week, so there are some holes, but you can go farther back and see it's pretty consistent, with the occasional cheat day. I weigh all of my food, and I record it all, even the olive oil or the little extras... And I have a heart rate monitor (Polar F4) to measure my calories for my exercise.
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Replies
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I have this same problem. Only my weight gain came after starting Insanity. I feel leaner and tighter, but the scale says I've put on 10 pounds. wtf? I don't get it as I dont even eat all my exercise cals. I usually eat around 1500 if I do Insanity.0
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bump!0
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I have this same problem. Only my weight gain came after starting Insanity. I feel leaner and tighter, but the scale says I've put on 10 pounds. wtf? I don't get it as I dont even eat all my exercise cals. I usually eat around 1500 if I do Insanity.
Don't forget that muscle weigh more then fat! Just because the scale says you gain it doesn't mean you gain fat but muscle. Like you said you feel leaner and tighter...keep up the great work!
@Becky,
Have you ever had your measurements taken? You could just be gaining muscle. You shouldn't focus on the scale if you want to start to look leaner.
Good luck hun!
Sheila0 -
I have this same problem. Only my weight gain came after starting Insanity. I feel leaner and tighter, but the scale says I've put on 10 pounds. wtf? I don't get it as I dont even eat all my exercise cals. I usually eat around 1500 if I do Insanity.
Don't forget that muscle weigh more then fat! Just because the scale says you gain it doesn't mean you gain fat but muscle. Like you said you feel leaner and tighter...keep up the great work!
@Becky,
Have you ever had your measurements taken? You could just be gaining muscle. You shouldn't focus on the scale if you want to start to look leaner.
Good luck hun!
Sheila
Thanks for the reply Sheila! I have been measuring myself, and haven't seen a difference since I've been adding strength training in my workouts. I'm wondering if I should get my body fat percentage done somewhere? Or get someone professional to do my measurements?0 -
Don't forget that muscle weigh more then fat!
One pound of muscle balances one pound of fat perfectly. They weigh the same. It's kind of inherent in the definition of weight.0 -
Don't forget that muscle weigh more then fat!
One pound of muscle balances one pound of fat perfectly. They weigh the same. It's kind of inherent in the definition of weight.
I think what she meant is that muscle is denser than fat, thus more muscle fills ups the same space as fat.0 -
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Thanks for the reply Sheila! I have been measuring myself, and haven't seen a difference since I've been adding strength training in my workouts. I'm wondering if I should get my body fat percentage done somewhere? Or get someone professional to do my measurements?
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It doesn't hurt to have someone do it for you. I have my trainer do my measurements every 3 months and that includes the wonderful pinching for the fat percentage :noway:
Sheila0 -
I'm having the same issue. I started lifting back in Feb and since then I've gone up 8 lbs. I even feel like my stomach looks bigger even though my measurements are staying the same. I was playing with my cals only eating 1350, then 1500, then 2000, and back down. I'm trying the whole eat at your TDEE - 20% which would be around 1900 for me and then not eating back any exercise cals. I just started that on Thursday of last week so we'll see how that goes. I'm getting so fraustrated!0
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I'm having the same issue. I started lifting back in Feb and since then I've gone up 8 lbs. I even feel like my stomach looks bigger even though my measurements are staying the same. I was playing with my cals only eating 1350, then 1500, then 2000, and back down. I'm trying the whole eat at your TDEE - 20% which would be around 1900 for me and then not eating back any exercise cals. I just started that on Thursday of last week so we'll see how that goes. I'm getting so fraustrated!
Maybe I will try the TDEE-20%. I'd love to hear how it goes for you in the next few weeks.0 -
I'm having the same issue. I started lifting back in Feb and since then I've gone up 8 lbs. I even feel like my stomach looks bigger even though my measurements are staying the same. I was playing with my cals only eating 1350, then 1500, then 2000, and back down. I'm trying the whole eat at your TDEE - 20% which would be around 1900 for me and then not eating back any exercise cals. I just started that on Thursday of last week so we'll see how that goes. I'm getting so fraustrated!
Maybe I will try the TDEE-20%. I'd love to hear how it goes for you in the next few weeks.
Thanks. Yeah I hope it goes well because I'm starting to get really freaked out by the weight gain. I wouldn't care if I was seeing big changes in my size or clothing but I'm not really seeing anything there either. I need to let my body level out. I'm going on vacation on the 11th so that'll mess things up a little as well.0 -
Yes, muscles weighs the same as fat and yes, it is more dense. Honestly, I wouldn't focus so much on the scale. If you want to tone and get more lean, then the scale will creep up a bit. Just focus on measurements. That's what I'm doing and it's nice not having to worry about the scale so much.
Also try to do stretching if you don't already do it and drink LOTS of water. Muscles retain fluid with weight training and you need to flush that out. Stretching also helps prevent soreness the next day as well.
Good luck!!0 -
Sometimes it can take about 6 weeks for your body to start leveling out with weight training. Just be patient and keep going!!! Don't give up!!I'm having the same issue. I started lifting back in Feb and since then I've gone up 8 lbs. I even feel like my stomach looks bigger even though my measurements are staying the same. I was playing with my cals only eating 1350, then 1500, then 2000, and back down. I'm trying the whole eat at your TDEE - 20% which would be around 1900 for me and then not eating back any exercise cals. I just started that on Thursday of last week so we'll see how that goes. I'm getting so fraustrated!
Maybe I will try the TDEE-20%. I'd love to hear how it goes for you in the next few weeks.
Thanks. Yeah I hope it goes well because I'm starting to get really freaked out by the weight gain. I wouldn't care if I was seeing big changes in my size or clothing but I'm not really seeing anything there either. I need to let my body level out. I'm going on vacation on the 11th so that'll mess things up a little as well.0
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