Don't understand how I could have gained 6 lbs in 1 week after having a calorie deficit of 500-700 through diet and exercise!

This is so discouraging!

After stepping on the scale today, I found out that I gained 6 lbs! I thought I was doing well since I was doing Taebo and dancing for at least 1 hour a day for 2 weeks now! I've also been doing Taebo for 5-6 days a week for 2 weeks now and have noticed my body really toning up and my body getting firmer! Unfortunatey the scale is not showing that though so what am I doing wrong?

I had my 2200 calorie days but balanced it out during the week by counting my calories and creating a 300 to 500 calorie deficit by exercise so I'm super bummed out that the scale did not show the loss!

I need encouragement...help! I feel like giving up now.

I've been doing this for 1 month now and so far lost 11 lbs last week only to find out I "gained" 6 lbs today!!!!

Stats: 5'3"

Original weight 5 weeks ago: 171 lbs.

Weight last week: 160 lbs.

Weight today: 164-166 lbs. my scale keeps blinking these numbers back & froth

Goal weight: 125-130 lbs

Any helpful advice?

No need to get discouraged,  my guess is its muscle and/or water weight. Don't worry about the scale, just go by how you feel and look.

when you initially start doing a routine that taxes the muscles, they tend to swell and hold water. dont get discouraged, ignore the scale for a month or so, go with what your eyes see, and maybe use a tape measure instead!

good job keep up the awesome work!x

think of it as body modification more than weight loss. muscle is bulkier than fat, and your body may change greatly even tho the scale doesn't. You're not just losing weight, you're transforming your body - the whole point of exercise for me!

I highly recommend taking measurements and note your progress that way.

Dont panic!

This has happened to me (incidentally I'm now 36llbs lighter).

For me, it was a food intolerance.  Not an allergy.  Certain foods make me very bloated and retain water.  I only realised how much when I started to diet, count calories and weigh regularly.  I took a food intolerance test at my local gym.  Wheat showed up as a major intolerance for me.  Bloating and slow weight loss were the key symptoms!

I remember once, years ago on a weight watchers diet, I had been angelic in counting my points and exercising, only to turn up to my weigh in group and found out I was 6llb heavier.  My class leader frowned at me when I told her how good I had been.  I was devastated.  I didnt go back.

A few years on I'm much more educated and in tune with my body. 

Now if I have bread/wheat during the day I expect to gain 1 or 2 llbs the next day.  It soon goes again but it just delays my goal a little - my choice.

Drinking plenty of water helps me get back on track better and flush out my system etc.

For what its worth I would say, double check your portion control/calories etc etc, drink plenty of water (people sometimes stay off water worrying it will bloat them futher, they fail to realise it helps clean their system and reduce water retention)... and if you can get a food intolerance test.  If not I weigh daily and compare fluctuations to my food diary - I can tell when I have had wheat and too much sugar.  I love bread, but its just not worth it!  (Well most days...)

Hope this helps.

Remember use this week as feedback - the science will work.... less calories in minus more calories out equals weight loss. 

Was it a gradual diet change? If the deficit was a surprise to your body its probably mad at you and fighting back and clinging to any sort of calorie/ water / any energized atom of anything.

Thnaks for all the replies..these are all really encouraging.

Yes this was/is a gradual diet change...slow & Steady change for at least 5 weeks now.

I didn't know that your body could protest the lifestyle/diet change...will have to read up on it.

I did reduce my calorie intake today and did a little less exercise at least 25 minutes less just to see what happens this week.

Original Post by tonicstudio:

Weight today: 164-166 lbs. my scale keeps blinking these numbers back & froth

Maybe it's your scale?