Exercise and calorie balance

Hi everyone. I have a simple question to ask about my fitness situation. It's very strange but even when I don't eat a lot, I don't lose any pounds. Several months ago, I was eating 1600cal and working out for 60 min on the elliptical. I was around 115lbs then. Since then, I decided to be more healthy so I increased my calories to 1800-1700 a day and kept the amount of exercise the same. However, I now weigh 120lbs. This is a bit strange to be because I was taught that if you eat less than you burn, then you should lose weight. However, this seems not to be the case. The elliptical precor reads that I burned about 600-700 cal/60 min, which I do not trust. However, I find it sort of strange that I actually gained weight  because if you add up my calories consumed/burned, then I am eating around 1400 total assuming that I eat 1800 and actually burn 300...or 400... So I am confused. Has something like this happened to anyone else? The weight had a steady climb. Also, I am noticing that my thighs which used to be 18.25/18 inches are now 19inches. So why am I gaining if I should still have a calorie deficit? Anyone in a similar situation? What should I do to lose the weight I just gained?

the most obvious answer is that you've gained muscle.  especially if you're doing the elliptical for 60 minutes and eating healthy.  calorie consumption overall is the most important thing, but it also depends on what food you're actually eating, if ingesting a lot of sugar you can be spiking your insulin which causes fat burning to come to a halt.  but like i said being on the elliptical that long with a healthy diet, it definitely sounds like you've put on 5 pounds of muscle.  if you're that worried about weight gain, i would try for about a week of cutting the calories at 1200-1500.  with 60% protein intake 30% carb intake and 10% fat.  you really shouldn't worry though, it sounds like everything is fine, just a nice muscle gain from hard work.  rejoice!

I eat 200% of sugar a day (trying to get it lower, didn't realize i was having that much sugar over the past few months) and I've lost weight steadily the whole time.  I've also heard quite often that you can not gain muscle if you're eating a defecit.

My theory is that you were eating too few calories when you should ahve been eating a maintenance amount (when you were 115 lbs there was no reason to eat such a defecit in calories).  Now your body held those extra calories you started eating, which is a good thing and means your body will get back on track and your metabolism will start working better again with time and you'll probably lose those 5 pounds..but once you get to your ideal weight, it is important to start eating the amount you're burning so your metabolism can stay happy. 

Original Post by keepliftin66:

the most obvious answer is that you've gained muscle.  especially if you're doing the elliptical for 60 minutes and eating healthy. 

 Ehh...she shouldn't gain muscle from doing cardio, unless she was completely sedentary before she started the cardio regimen.

Original Post by emilyd22222:

Original Post by keepliftin66:

the most obvious answer is that you've gained muscle.  especially if you're doing the elliptical for 60 minutes and eating healthy. 

 Ehh...she shouldn't gain muscle from doing cardio, unless she was completely sedentary before she started the cardio regimen.

 ofcourse you can gain muscle from doing cardio.  anything that works the muscles will allow them to grow.  you can also gain muscle with a calorie deficit, you have to have a load of protein though kind of a bodybuilder diet, they wouldn't want to get smaller even though they get shredded before a show.