Why is my weight increasing not decreasing - Help

Honestly, when you're trying to lose a significant amount of weight, three weeks is a drop in the ocean. Try not to freak out too much because of what you see on the scale. Weight loss is not linear and even when people are not trying to lose or gain, weight fluctuates day to day, and throughout the day. Fluctuations happen because of different amounts of food in your system, water retention (from increased sodium, exercise, carbohydrate, hormonal fluctuations), how hydrated you are etc. Just because the scale goes up, it does not mean you have gained fat.

If you are measuring your food intake and logging accurately, and you are meeting your calorie goal, then you won't have gained fat. 1 pound of fat takes roughly 3,500 calories above the normal calorie intake you would need to maintain your weight.

It's best not to worry about the fluctuations you see from day to day, but concentrate on the overall trend. Is that going downwards? It's early days for you, so it's easy to get frustrated, but you may well have lost a little fat and gained a little water, making it look like you've gained fat. The scale is a useful tool, but it doesn't show the whole picture. I'd recommend taking measurements of your body as you go along, as well as photos. Just keep doing what you're doing and you should see results. Good luck!

bump

The scales aren't a good measure. With a new eating regime, you could be retaining water, which will make your weight go up for a short time. Give your body a chance to get used to your new routine. Three weeks is such a short time!

I also fluctuate up and down even within a day, as much as five pounds. I currently weigh 134, but just two days ago after a dinner that was heavy in sodium, I was at 139! Weigh yourself in the morning before you eat, after you go to the bathroom. And only do it once a week. Keep your measurements, otherwise. They're a much better indicator of your progress.

You're doing fine!

I have also been told by many many trainers and people that you don't always lose inches and pounds at the same time. So if you see a stall in the scale it is because your body is focusing on the inches part of dropping. So take victory in the size not the weight. In the end we are all trying to lose mass, not weight. We could lose weight by going to the moon since gravity pulls less there...but I think we would all be unhappy with the results of our size. Take victory in the loss of mass. You are doing the right thing.

Honestly, 3 weeks is nothing to worry about. My weight has pretty much stabilized since February. I would stick to what worked for you in the past. If things aren't moving in 2 or 3 more weeks, then you've hit a plateau and it might be time to change things up. The only other thing I can suggest is to watch your sodium intake and drink as much water as you can stand to drink. Good luck!

I don't care what the scale says. I'll maybe weigh myself every 3 or 4 weeks just out of curiosity. What matters is how you feel and that you can see a change happening. No one sees a number when they look at you, it's simply fit or not fit.

Your food diary looks solid, just keep doing what you've been doing and it will show.

Wow. What a great discussion. We all need to just keep on keepin' on - no matter. Your body is having a major discussion. Shall I trust that I will get my nutrients? Hang in there. This site works and I believe in it. Good luck. Keep going and always tell us how you are.

1. drink 12-16 cups of water each and every day.

2. count your sodium and get it under 2500 mg a day (if its over).

3. eff the scale. until you get a better understanding of water retainage and how your water weight can fluctuate, throw away the scale because its affecting your mood in ways it should not.

thanks - apparently I had my body fat measured over the past 3 weeks too (started at 25 then last week at 20 then today 18)
Waist line started 45.75 and then down to 44.5 then today at 45. but scales up!!!

I would say there's absolutely no way your body fat went from 25 to 18% in 3 weeks. How exactly did you have that measured!?

It's a slow process - not sure what exactly is achievable but never seen anything like those sort of figures. Some people who have made monumental efforts are like losing maybe .5% a week. so sorry I don't mean to be rude but it's far more likely that the measuring is inaccurate.

During weight lost your weight may jump back and forth a little and most body fat test are not super accurate to begin with and can be affected by your hydration level. The best way to test for body fat levels is via a body scanner or a dunk test which both are expensive as hell.

Just keep to your cal limits and keep being active you will slowly see the weight going down in the long run. Week by week or even by day to day it may jump back and forth but as long as the month and years it keeps going down your doing alright.

thanks - apparently I had my body fat measured over the past 3 weeks too (started at 25 then last week at 20 then today 18)
Waist line started 45.75 and then down to 44.5 then today at 45. but scales up!!!

I would say there's absolutely no way your body fat went from 25 to 18% in 3 weeks. How exactly did you have that measured!?

It's a slow process - not sure what exactly is achievable but never seen anything like those sort of figures. Some people who have made monumental efforts are like losing maybe .5% a week. so sorry I don't mean to be rude but it's far more likely that the measuring is inaccurate.

This...
I think she might use one of those scales that claim to measure body fat at the same time of weighing...I played a bit with that stuff and find it a joke. My body fat percent changes within minutes.

Same here, I had some and they were very inaccurate. You've got the right idea though - its not weight that really matters its body composition and even if the fatometer is wrong you will still be slowly changing your body - well done and keep it up - its a marathon and not a sprint - sprints last a minute and then you have to stop (i.e. get fatter) - marathons last for a long time and work - Please listen to what people here are saying and stick with it.