ARGH

Ok someone please explain this to me. I took the bar exam in July and from May to July I spent 8-14 hours a day in the library. I hardly worked out, only drank coffee/sugar free redbull around the clock, and didn't really log my calories. I LOST WEIGHT during this period, finally attaining my goal weight plus a couple pounds.

Since then, I started a new job, got into a great workout routine, and began logging all my calories. I work out 5 times a week and log everything I eat, aiming for 1400 calories a day. I generally eat very healthfully except for my cheat night when my bf and I go out to eat. Since the bar exam ended and I started this new work out routine I have GAINED WEIGHT...5 lbs to be exact!

So should I go back to not working out, only drinking coffee, and eating chinese food? Because apparently working out and eating right makes you gain weight.

I am beyond frustrated.

no that is not the the way to go! keep eating healthy and exercising!!

basically what you did at the library was unintentionally starve yourself and probably lost water weight and maybe a bit of muscle (both of which might've, solely, contributed to your weight loss, and not necessarily a fat loss). Losing weight by starvation is obviously not healthy, nutritionally and psychologically, but so many other things may result: lack of energy to do activities (other than studying), preoccupation with weight, eating disorder, lethargy, body going into starvation mode, and possibly more weight gain (because eventually your body will need the fuel, so you might binge or overeat to compensate, which due to a slower metabolism, would cause you to gain back the weight and then some). There are soooo many negative things that would result from this nutritionally lacking restrictive diet. Trust me on this one. I've been there and done that. And I'm sure many others here would attest to that.

So do not be discouraged! The weight that you've gained is most likely due to muscle (which weighs more than fat), and water weight because your body is getting used to eating real food again. Many people, when they start eating normally again, they see the scale go up because of water retention. But eventually you will see the scale go down again if you continue eating healthy and exercising consistently (when I mean scale measure, I mean look at the body fat percentage). The most important thing is to be patient and consistent, then I guarantee that you will see the results you want, and also feel much better and healthier while you are at it. Good luck to you! :)

Thanks for your advice and support :). I know that I will keep on eating healthy and exercising, I just feel like my metabolism has been stunted. I just bought new rules of weight lifting for women and plan on starting that program soon. In the mean time, I am trying to figure out a way to jump start my metaboblism to lose the weight I gained. I'm just bummed b/c I feel like I will never be able to eat maintenance and that my life will just be one long cycle of dieting...

Jetlee

I see you have been working out 5 days a week, is part of that strenght training and the other cardio or is it all cardio?  Let us know, maybe I can throw some suggestions your way if your interested.

Konopam,

I actually just started the program from the New Rules of Lifting for Women. It's amazing. I am only on my first week but I already feel stronger and more energized. It shifts the focus away from cardio to strength training. So this week I will have done three strength training workouts and two cardio workouts. And I am eating a ton of protein everyday and actually consuming more calories than I have since I started dieting. They are all GOOD calories though-protein, veggies, whole grains, etc. Any suggestions are welcome!

Jetlee,

it sounds as if your off to a great start with strenght training as well as cardio. I have been on a similar diet as you as I was training for dual / triatholons this summer. My meals consisted mostly of protein, veggies, fruits and whole grain as well. I found that the GNC Soy protein drinks worked wonders during training, I would drink a double dose which was about 250 calories but 50grams of protein about an 1/2 hour before bed to rebuild my muscles.  Not only did I feel twenty times better when the morning came around so that I could run, I actually was losing more weight and looking more defined in my muscles.  One other suggestion I may make to you is to try and eat fish for 4 or 5 days straight at lunch and dinner -- i.e maybe tunafish for lunch w/ a hardboiled egg and then an large portion of Orange roughy or Salmon (low cals and high proteins) and then load up on fiber in the morning (fiber one cereal w/ skim milk, steel cut oatmeal etc).  My nutrionist gave me this plan for 2 weeks during a period where I couldnt sweat a pound out, I proceeded to lose 8 pounds during this period.

I have fallen into a rut as of late so thats why I joined the site to find motivated people to get me to lose that last 15 and keep it off. I hope your journey goes well and please stay in touch, I would like to hear how things are going and maybe we can keep each other on track!

K