Gaining Again, and I Don't Know Why!

[galaga6846]

I've had my Fitbit since July 15th. I started out at 198 with a goal of 160, and within 6 weeks I was down to 187 with a 500 calorie deficit. Some days I eat as little as 1300 calories, other days I eat as many as 1900, but I burn around 2500-2600 a day. Now, I'm back up to 192. I started off motivated and encouraged by the initial weight loss. Now, I'm bloated, feel sluggish, and with this extra 5 lbs that seemingly happened overnight I feel defeated and my motivation is shot.|

The only thing I can think of that has changed is that I started taking a powder fiber supplement, and added vibration training to my workout regime.

Am I just retaining a lot of water? Am I eating too much? Too little?  What's going on?  

[emili]

I don't know if fiber would make you gain- it will make you feel bloated and sluggish if you aren't "getting rid of it". The gain could be many things, but more than likely it is a result of your calories in not being calculated right or not everything is being accounted for. If you are having regular bowl movements, haven't increased your salt intake, taking new medication or on your monthly, then its food. You are eating more than you think and the scale is showing it. You haven't been at it long enough for a metabolism shift, your calorie deficit isn't high and adding a workout won't make you gain weight. I would make sure your calculations are correct for what goes in. Best of luck to you - I hope you figure it out quickly...

[Joselu]

Don't get discouraged. I have found it's so easy to gain back 4-5 pounds if you are not careful and so difficult to lose 1 pound. Counting calories and keeping to the alloted amount a day is important, but so is a combination of at least 30-minutes of exercise 3-5 times a week. I started July 4th when my niece, who was visiting from the Philippines gifted me with a fitbit. I have had my ups and downs since then. I started at 152 with a goal of 137. Am currently at 143. Once in a while I treat myself to my favorites....but sparingly; just enough to take the craving away. Oh, and drink plenty of water. I make sure I take at least 2,000 ml a day. 

[Nora58]

@galaga6846 the thing I have always tried to do is only change one thing at a time, be it meds, food or anything else so that if there is a problem then I know what is causing it. The vibration machine is most likely the culprit if you have added it in the past 2 or 3 weeks and have gained  during that time. This is a shock to your system and over time if this is the cause it should pass as long as you keep up your other workout program. Keep up the hard work and and healthy eating and this should go back on track. May want to drop the fibre for a week or two and see if that makes a difference. Good luck and keep us posted....

[JamieS_Wisco]

I would cautiously guestimate that you aren't eating enough calories some days.  I don't see a fiber supplement or the vibration training adding enough weight to be noticeable.

Feeling sluggish isn't normal, I would suggest that it may be because of a lack of rest, not enough calories to support your activities or even a lack of water?  Either that, or a trip to the doctor may be needed.  I would suggest bumping up to 1500 calories minimum If you are burning 2500-2600.  That being said.  You are going to have good weeks and bad weeks.  Try not to let this little stumbling block stop you from achieving your goals. 

I have also noticed weight gain of up to 5 lbs before the start of my cycle.  That could also make you feel sluggish and be an answer for the bloated feeling?

[galaga6846]

I measure everything I put in my body before and after cooking. I've been
meticulous about it, **ahem**, actually. I am not having regular bowel
movements, one a day if I'm lucky, and it's never much. TMI? Oh well. Hahaha

[galaga6846]

Thank you. I appreciate that.😀

[JamieS_Wisco]

I started adding my fiber in more natural ways.  My smoothie concoction has been helping me stay regular.  Might be worth a shot?

1/4 cup greek yogurt (unflavored or vanilla)

2-3 oz water

1/4 cup (about) frozen fruit (I get whatever is on sale)

1 scoop protein powder

1 cup kale

Mix this up in a blender (I have the cheapy version of the ninja/magic bullet.. right about $20, does what I need).  Put in the freezer for 15-30 minutes.  The colder the better. 

[Dominique]

Just a remark on your initial weight loss (198 to 187 in 6 weeks): it’s almost 2 lbs per week, which is not consistent with a 500 daily deficit. Your initial deficit may have been larger than you think: people tend to overestimate what they burn and underestimate what they eat, but it may have been the opposite for you. You may want to get a better idea about your real deficit. 2500-2600 sounds quite high for a woman (and 1300 would be very low for someone who burns 2500-2600), but difficult to say without knowing your age, your height and your activity level. Have you taken body measurements (eg. of your waistline)?

[galaga6846]

I do burn a lot of calories. I am a big girl, 5'9" tall. I had my basal resting metabolic rate checked a few years ago and it was 1750, Fitbit estimates it at around 1675.  I am nearly 200 lbs, so yes, I burn a lot of calories. My mom, who is 5'3" and 130 lbs will take a walk with me, and according to our fitbits I will burn 50% more calories than she will, 300 to her 200 on the same walk, same pace.

This is what's so frustrating about weight loss. So many opinions, so many different pieces of advice. It's very confusing. 🙂

[galaga6846]

Sounds delish!  I have added Chia Seeds to my diet, both whole and ground to increase my fiber.

[galaga6846]

I have noticed a slow down in my digestion lately. I haven't been having regular BMs since I've started adding chia seeds to my diet. I thought it would help, but it's made things worse. I just bought a probiotic supplement, and I'm hoping that gives me some natural relief.

TMI?  Oh well... brace yourself.  When I do have a BM it isn't much. 

[galaga6846]

I have been averaging a 700 calorie per day deficit since getting the FB. So, that's about 1.5 lbs a week, even though I have it set to a 500 calories deficit.  

I've cut out a lot of sugar and candy to the point where I no longer crave it anymore, I eat very little chips and junk food whereas I used to eat it everyday, and I only eat fast food once a week out of neccesity, and when I do I order a more healthy option.

I am definitely eating far less calories than I was before I began, I'm aware of everything I'm putting into my body. 

I think the initial weight gain was probably a few pounds of water weight, and now that water weight is back, and it's discouraging. 

[emili]

No such thing as tmi here. Bluntly, you need to have productive movements. Several of them. In a row. Not only will you feel better, it will shed some weight. Stop the fiber. You are probably at this point clogged with it. You need grease or a laxative. I'll wait till you get up off the floor. I know its counterintuitive to have grease while dieting, but it's once and done. Or take an overnight laxative. Once and done. You need to go.

[CRSunrise]

You are going to burn more than your mom if you're bigger than she is. I often take walks with my mom, and she's smaller than me, and I burn more calories in a walk than what she does.

[galaga6846]

Yep, I know. I'm a big girl. I regularly burn 2600 +++ and my mom is petite. It doesn't take her as much food to be full, and she is lucky to burn 2000 calories in a day.

[SunsetRunner]

Could it be possible you are getting too much fiber in your diet? That can cause you to be backed up as well. I have a friend that uses psylliac. I'm not sure if that's the correct spelling, but it's corn husk. She swears by that stuff.

[galaga6846]

I'm wondering. I've been using a chia fiber powder, and eating delicious fiber bars, apples, whole grains, which I thought would help me be more regular, but it's having the opposite effect. I took some stool softeners, I added a probiotic, and I get plenty of exercise. I also drink 64+ oz every day. It seems like I've been doing everything right, but it's backfired.

[lacandona]

Do you have a lot of anxiety or stress in your life? It can slow down your digestion, and cortosol can mess with the straightforward calories in/calories out theory, because your body thinks you're at risk and you need to hold on to fat to survive. 

I actually started my weight loss journey due to having bad digestion. I went into the doctor complaining of GI symptoms and she suggested I have anxiety, and it was slowing down my digestion so much that it was uncomfortable to me. Stress and anxiety can do that. I didn't want to go on meds and she suggested I eat healthier and exercise, and here I am, 45 pounds down, and making time for daily workouts despite being a mom to a toddler with two jobs.