Eat less, walk more, but gain weight?!

Hi everyone,

I'm just wondering if anyone has ever had this happen to them? Basically right now, I'm eating a lot less than I used to, I walk a lot everyday and I'm too busy to be snacking. I feel hungry a lot of the time but seem to be gaining weight significantly and quickly. I'm very stressed out all the time and I wonder if this is contributing? Any tips for losing the weight? Oh and I only drink water, no fizzy drinks.

Thanks all 

Are you on any new birth control pills or any other medication?

Maybe your body is in starvation mode?  Are you eating enough calories for your weight?  I had a similar issue last year and the nutrionist told me I was not eating enough so whatever I ate my body was holding on to because it didn't know when the next meal was coming.  lol  So, she told me to do at least 1500 calories a day and that would help ... at the time, I was lucky if I made a 1000 a day. 

Maybe keep a log of what you are eating in terms of calories, carbs and fat and do that for the next week or two so you can notice any problem that isn't so obvious right away.

Just a thought.

Stress will be a major factor in gaining weight. Also if you're eating significantly less than you were before it's possible that your body has gone into starvation mode and you won't lose weight if that is the case.

If you want to lose weight you need to tackle your stressors and work that out...once that happens and you can relax you'll find that you're going to lose weight.

Also if you're not getting enough sleep this will effect your weight as well.

Try to make sure that you're getting enough calories, I use FoodFocus to monitor my calories and it gives me a target of how many calories I need to eat every day to make sure I reach my 1.5lbs/wk loss goal.

It sounds to me that you're stressed out, not sleeping & starving yourself...it's not a good thing.  

My husband used to be like this...he now makes himself go to bed at a resonable hour and eat regularly during the day (he's still stressed but that won't change). Since the beginning of July this year he's lost nearly 3 stone & hit his goal weight. I also have been doing the same and have lost about the same amount of weight as well. So it does work.

Sometimes it's not how much you're eating but what you're eating as well.

Quick weightloss while rather satisfying is not healty and won't last.

Good luck to you!

_{xposted w/emily28}

Thanks everyone. That makes a lot of sense. No I'm not any medication Mirrajay.

I probably am in starvation mode although, you wouldn't be able to tell as I look a lot bigger! I also don't sleep very much at all. I'll take the advice you guys have given. You're all much more supportive than people I know who are subtly telling me that I'm getting much fatter and make me feel bad for being hungry because I'm not skinny enough to be hungry apparently .

I would definitely recommend some sort of online food tracking tool. I've been slack about using them, but when I remember to, it's really helpful to keep me on track for getting the various nutrients you require. (A lot of people try for a no-fat diet, too, but your body needs some fat to work properly, and as a vegetarian I worry about not getting enough protein in.) There are a bunch of websites out there, I like the ones that will give you a meal plan to work with because then I have less to think about.

GibbyGab, don't let those people giving you negative feedback affect you.  Who are they to tell you that you are getting fat and shouldn't be hungry, etc?  That is not fair.  And who is to say what is fat anyway?  Size 10, 12 18???  I know many women who are not a size 0-8 and are made to feel they are not the ideal. However, when I look at them, I see gorgeous, sexy, confident women.

Never let anyone tell or make you feel unattractive, GibbyGab.  If you feel you are unhealthy, than do the work and changes for yourself. 

Good luck.

I use FoodFocus to monitor my calories and it gives me a target of how many calories I need to eat every day to make sure I reach my 1.5lbs/wk loss goal.

I was looking at FoodFocus and I can't see a way to add things that don't come with nutritional labels 

Thanks Emily, that means a lot to me and gave me a bit of a boost of self esteem.   I'm gonna go eat now.

I'm more concerned about your nutritional intake, rather than weight - which is an arbitrary indicator of health anyway.

Have you been able link into some of the support network ideas? Really getting your housing, food and economic situation are more important, in my mind, than your weight. Look after yourself and let us know how we can help.

Are you building up muscle?  Muscle is denser than fat. If your percentage of muscle increases, you will weigh more.

I'm more concerned about your nutritional intake, rather than weight - which is an arbitrary indicator of health anyway.

Have you been able link into some of the support network ideas? Really getting your housing, food and economic situation are more important, in my mind, than your weight. Look after yourself and let us know how we can help.

Hey M! Yes we're in the middle of getting things sorted. They're just not working out for a long time now so hence all of the stress and crappy eating/no sleep. You guys are all especially helpful with your support

Are you building up muscle?  Muscle is denser than fat. If your percentage of muscle increases, you will weigh more.

I've always built up muscle very quickly but I really don't think it's muscle in this case as my excercise is mostly walking.

I agree with PB- just worry about being healthy and happy for the time being.  Weight is so arbitrary, and in my opinion if it isn't hurting your health not that big of a deal.  You can always lose weight, exercise etc.  I hope you can focus on you for now.

I agree with PB- just worry about being healthy and happy for the time being.  Weight is so arbitrary, and in my opinion if it isn't hurting your health not that big of a deal.  You can always lose weight, exercise etc.  I hope you can focus on you for now.

Thanks Sarah