Anonymous
Post 12/06/2022 09:04     Subject: Is there weight gain before loss? So frustrated!

If you look at people’s weight loss graphs (like ones people make on MyFitnessPal, they always go up a little then down…I’m convinced our bodies hold on to a lot of water right before fat loss happens. Keep going you’re doing great.
Anonymous
Post 12/06/2022 08:45     Subject: Is there weight gain before loss? So frustrated!

This article is excellent for addressing weight fluctuations

Understanding Bodyweight and Glycogen Depletion
https://justinowings.com/understanding-bodyweight-and-glycogen-de/
Anonymous
Post 12/05/2022 13:50     Subject: Is there weight gain before loss? So frustrated!

Anonymous wrote:Go down to 1000 calories


STFU
Anonymous
Post 12/05/2022 13:05     Subject: Is there weight gain before loss? So frustrated!

Anonymous wrote:Weight fluctuates for a million reasons. I like apps (happy scale, maybe?) That tracks the weight over time so you see the trend and therefore don’t need to worry about any particular day.


Agree. I use Libra (for android), which is similar to Happy Scale (apple). My weight goes up down 2-3 pounds from one day a next (depending on sodium, monthly cycle, acid build up, BM's), but the overall trend is down on a weekly average. I've lost 20+ pounds and over 10% body fat over 5 months with a slow-and-steady calorie deficit approach and an increased fitness plan that has built muscle while losing weight. If I didn't have Libra to show me the trend, the daily fluctuations would bother me, but with Libra, I can see I'm on the right track.
Anonymous
Post 12/05/2022 12:27     Subject: Is there weight gain before loss? So frustrated!

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You’re eating your calories back. Not surprising. Your brain/body are naturally going to signal that. It’s called calorie compensation.

What do you mean? I’m also eating in a deficit. I thought I mentioned that but now I see I did not.


Food scale for every bite during the time period you’re weighing? No eating out or coffee drinks not made by yourself with precise measurement?

I don’t weigh food but I use measuring cups. I’m eating the most boring diet of mostly protein and veggies and wheat-free carbs. I track macros.


Use a scale instead. The difference is enough to explain your experience. Food settles in a way that can make cup measurements off by 30%. Plus I’m sure you’re not putting your proteins in a cup. You’re probably off there too.

I understand what you’re saying, but there is no way I ate an extra 10,500 calories in a week. Just no way! This has to be something other than a couple extra ounces of brown rice and chicken breast.


No it’s probably that you’re eating maintenance calories unknowingly plus retaining more water due to your workouts.

I’m eating 1200 calories a day. Definitely not maintaining. I’ll even give you 1000 “extra” calories and that’s still a deficit. Plus I’m burning during intense workouts. It just doesn’t make sense!


Have you had your body fat percentage accurately measured? Most BMR calculators default to a lower percentage of body fat than someone who needs to lose weight actually has. So they assume a high muscle percent, which as PPs mentioned, burns calories. As a result most overweight people think their BMR is higher than it is. Often much higher. When I had mine measured I was stunned to find out I was 50% body fat despite being on the cusp of overweight/obese.


How did you get it measured? At doctors?
Anonymous
Post 12/05/2022 12:15     Subject: Is there weight gain before loss? So frustrated!

OP, you will add water from starting workouts. I tend to hold onto the water weight for several weeks if I stop lifting for a while then restart.

If you are not weighing every bite that you put in your mouth, it’s really impossible to know how many calories you are eating. When I estimate rather than weighing, I tend to be 100% off. Sounds unbelievable I know, but e.g one cup of yogurt in a big bowl looks very tiny.
Anonymous
Post 12/05/2022 11:43     Subject: Is there weight gain before loss? So frustrated!

Go down to 1000 calories
Anonymous
Post 12/05/2022 11:42     Subject: Is there weight gain before loss? So frustrated!

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You’re eating your calories back. Not surprising. Your brain/body are naturally going to signal that. It’s called calorie compensation.

What do you mean? I’m also eating in a deficit. I thought I mentioned that but now I see I did not.


Food scale for every bite during the time period you’re weighing? No eating out or coffee drinks not made by yourself with precise measurement?

I don’t weigh food but I use measuring cups. I’m eating the most boring diet of mostly protein and veggies and wheat-free carbs. I track macros.


Use a scale instead. The difference is enough to explain your experience. Food settles in a way that can make cup measurements off by 30%. Plus I’m sure you’re not putting your proteins in a cup. You’re probably off there too.

I understand what you’re saying, but there is no way I ate an extra 10,500 calories in a week. Just no way! This has to be something other than a couple extra ounces of brown rice and chicken breast.


No it’s probably that you’re eating maintenance calories unknowingly plus retaining more water due to your workouts.

I’m eating 1200 calories a day. Definitely not maintaining. I’ll even give you 1000 “extra” calories and that’s still a deficit. Plus I’m burning during intense workouts. It just doesn’t make sense!


Are you really eating 1200 cal? and doing this 7 days a week, no exceptions? 1200 cal is hard and not very sustainable. most people can't stick to this for more than a few days.
Anonymous
Post 12/05/2022 11:35     Subject: Is there weight gain before loss? So frustrated!

Since you are up 6 lbs for about 3 weeks now
I would say you’ve just gained the weight at this point. Eat less
Anonymous
Post 12/05/2022 08:54     Subject: Is there weight gain before loss? So frustrated!

For me, 5 pounds up and down in a 2-5 days is normal.Put the scale on kg then you don't feel that bad. Clothes alone add a pound.
Anonymous
Post 12/05/2022 08:50     Subject: Is there weight gain before loss? So frustrated!

Anonymous wrote:Weight fluctuates for a million reasons. I like apps (happy scale, maybe?) That tracks the weight over time so you see the trend and therefore don’t need to worry about any particular day.


+1

if you know you ate not overeating then the spikes are likely just water retention which can occur for all sorts of reasons- more carbs than usual, hormones, workouts, constipation, phases of the moon 9just kidding but you really do never know) just keep trucking along and don't get caught up in he daily fluctuations.
Anonymous
Post 12/04/2022 13:58     Subject: Is there weight gain before loss? So frustrated!

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You’re eating your calories back. Not surprising. Your brain/body are naturally going to signal that. It’s called calorie compensation.

What do you mean? I’m also eating in a deficit. I thought I mentioned that but now I see I did not.


Food scale for every bite during the time period you’re weighing? No eating out or coffee drinks not made by yourself with precise measurement?

I don’t weigh food but I use measuring cups. I’m eating the most boring diet of mostly protein and veggies and wheat-free carbs. I track macros.


Use a scale instead. The difference is enough to explain your experience. Food settles in a way that can make cup measurements off by 30%. Plus I’m sure you’re not putting your proteins in a cup. You’re probably off there too.

I understand what you’re saying, but there is no way I ate an extra 10,500 calories in a week. Just no way! This has to be something other than a couple extra ounces of brown rice and chicken breast.


No it’s probably that you’re eating maintenance calories unknowingly plus retaining more water due to your workouts.

I’m eating 1200 calories a day. Definitely not maintaining. I’ll even give you 1000 “extra” calories and that’s still a deficit. Plus I’m burning during intense workouts. It just doesn’t make sense!


Have you had your body fat percentage accurately measured? Most BMR calculators default to a lower percentage of body fat than someone who needs to lose weight actually has. So they assume a high muscle percent, which as PPs mentioned, burns calories. As a result most overweight people think their BMR is higher than it is. Often much higher. When I had mine measured I was stunned to find out I was 50% body fat despite being on the cusp of overweight/obese.
Anonymous
Post 12/04/2022 13:53     Subject: Re:Is there weight gain before loss? So frustrated!

You’re holding onto water because of the new exercise routine. Your body’s not used to it so it’s a bit inflamed.
Anonymous
Post 12/04/2022 12:45     Subject: Re:Is there weight gain before loss? So frustrated!

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Could OP be eating too little and causing her body to hoard?

But then why would the weight increase?

OP, your body composition is changing. In a month, you’ve lost some fat and replaced it with some muscle, which weighs more. You’re also probably retaining water in your muscles after your workouts. It’s apparent in your clothes fit, as you said.

Increase your water intake to flush some of the stores out. I bet you start to see the weight come off soon.

Also, as you gain muscle your metabolism increases, which should help with the fat shedding.
Anonymous
Post 12/04/2022 12:44     Subject: Re:Is there weight gain before loss? So frustrated!

Anonymous wrote:Could OP be eating too little and causing her body to hoard?

But then why would the weight increase?

OP, your body composition is changing. In a month, you’ve lost some fat and replaced it with some muscle, which weighs more. You’re also probably retaining water in your muscles after your workouts. It’s apparent in your clothes fit, as you said.

Increase your water intake to flush some of the stores out. I bet you start to see the weight come off soon.