Gained weight since using Fitbit

[Cricket1978]

I have been using Fitbit for about a week now and I have gained weight...Anyone else have this problem?  Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance...

[SunsetRunner]

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@Cricket1978 wrote:

I have been using Fitbit for about a week now and I have gained weight...Anyone else have this problem?  Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance...

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Be brutally honest with yourself when you log your food.  Most people who are just starting off use the eyeball method or cups as their measuring device.  Both of these methods are horribly inaccurate.  My first suggestion would be to purchase a digital food scale (can be bought at Bed Bath & Beyond, Walmart, Target, etc.) for $20 or less for a decent one.  I personally like the Oxo brand.  Weigh everything (either in ounces or grams) that way you know exactly how many calories you are eating.  Also, check the setup you decided on, did you accidentally select "active" instead of "lightly active" or "sedentary"?  This would artificially increase your base calories and could lead to weight gain if active was selected but you really lead a sedentary life.

[Kymmyjoy]

You also need to remember to eat at a deficit in order to lose, so all those wonderful calls you're burning can't just be eaten back each day. The numbers can be deceptive, maybe use myfitnesspal alongside it and monitor your allowance that way. The two sync really well 🙂

[Kymmyjoy]

Also, it's only been a week. See how it goes!!

[Colinm39]

That happened to me in the first month, since then I have lost 35 lb over 2 years and periods in between I have plateaued and needed to re analyse what I was eating and increase activity and start losing again.. My BMR has gone down 160 calories/day, about 10%.

Keeping in mind that our body uses 70-80% of its calories just from the BMR and the other 20% is exercise and as I have posted in many posts, thanks to another Fitbitter.........

"The fork is mightier than the foot", so be frank with your calorie input and concentrate on quality calories.

In my early Fitbit days I was alarmed at enjoying a franchised carrot cake and a soy latte. Total calories were 800 and that would have taken me 2hr 15mins walking based on a planned walk I did the other day, just to cover the calories. That equates to 14,500 steps and it really brings home the issue of quality calories.

The cake was delicious, but at the same time I purchased a slice for my son who is a bike rider, he made it last 4 days, which was probably the sensible thing to do.

[Cricket1978]

Thank you all... I am synced with My Fitness Pal app.  I successfully lost 65 lbs using Weight Watchers over 10 years ago.  Since then, I have gotten married and now have two step children and one biological.  My body like many moms have never been the same since having our daughter.  

With my fitness pal it suggests that I eat around 1250 calories.  It adjusts throughout the day to where I can eat almost an addtional 1000 calories.  That just seems crazy to me.  Anyone else noticing how many more calories you get once myfitnesspal app applies the Fitbit adjustment and then when you work out.

Thanks!

[tallson]

Exercise naturally increases or whets an appetite. Your body tries to find balance in all things ie. more exercise > need more fuel. The weight  gain can be countered by changing the fuel(diet). You may want to try reducing carbs but you have to balance this with an increase in fats or proteins, or both.  Otherwise your body detects the inbalance and whets your appetite. Sigh, it is never easy....best of luck.

[Liese · Accepted solution]

Cricket - generally when I track my calories, I don't subtract anything for exercise or basal metabolic rate, as that's usually already added in during the calculation by way of your selection of "activity level".

[Cricket1978]

Thank you, that totally makes sense! I have been tracking my work out which may be doubling my calories allowed.

[fast]

atleast u gaining something:)

[Cynthiab]

Can someone direct me to the right place. When I set up my fitbit a week ago I choose a weight loss goal that I now want to changeit and for the life of me I can't remember or figure out where I did it! Help!

[CriSteW]

Hi:

Click on the "Log".  Where it states "I can still eat" click the right arrow until you arrive at your plan summary.  You will see an edit button on the lower right.

I hope this helps!

-Cristina

[Colinm39]

Read this link that I posted in another area yesterday  Changing your weight goals

[CrystalG]

You have to log the food and exercise from the my fitness pal app,NOT FITBIT.

Logging it in FITBIT first is not recognized by my fitness pal correctly.

[annie53]

I find the food tracker not very user friendly.  Some foods have widely variable calorie counts.  I wonder about the accuracy of some of them.  Could this be an issue for you?

[CriSteW]

Hi Annie 53,
I have started using the calorie tracker in myfitnesspal.com. You will notice a disparity here too but at least you can scan barcodes of what you are using. Additionally you can create foods and input the info from your food label. If I am tracking something generic like pulled pork, I will search online first to get an estimate then add that in. In the event I have underestimated, I shoot to be under target for the day. Not the most scientific means but I am averaging a loss of about 1 pound per week.

[mikewharton]

If you haven't already read up on what exactly constitutes a portion of food.  When I started I was amazed to find out that I was eating 2 or 3 servings without a second thought.  Couple that with what I call "mindless eating" (just eating and snacking without regard to portions, fat, and calories, or time of day) and it is just the right combination for gaining weight and not losing any.  Be honest with your food entries on Fitbit.  Easy to forget something you ate and didn't log.  And I believe above all.....it is a long slow process to lose weight but with proper eating, exercise, and commitment you should be successful.

[evilbunny]

Hiya,

just wanted to say that it's quite normal to gain (scale) weight when you start exercising. When you start a new exercise routine, your muscles aren't used to it so they tear a little bit. That's normal. They then heal and rebuilt and are stronger. While they recover, they are surrounded by water. This water weight can make it look like you've gained, but it will just drop one day and you'll have a big downward move on the scale, provided you're making the right choices foodwise.

[zookie]

Hi--I'm in the same boat as you--have been using my Fitbit for the past week, have been tracking my calories, have been exercising everyday and keeping within my calorie allotments--lost 0.9lbs but same BMI.  During the week, I was gaining weight--which was frustrating.  Who knows, tomorrow my weight could go up again, but I think I have finally broke past the 140 mark!  20 more pounds to go!  I read someone's post in here that your weight is a bit like the stock market--it fluctuates daily (sometimes up and sometimes down), but if over the long term the trend is down, then all is well!  I don't have all the answers either, but I have to learn to be patient and realize that the weight loss is a lifestyle change and not an immediate gratification, and good things take time to happen.  Perhaps we can encourage each other in our weight loss journey--looks like we have been on Fitbit for the same amount of time.

[Jabrat]

Remember that muscle weighs more than fat!  Keep that in mind - check how your clothes are fitting to give you some encouragement!  You may weigh more but less inches!