Weight gain after Easter....confused

Ok I am confused about something.  I am 25, 5'8" male and have been maintaining here for awhile now.  So on Easter I decided to go a little crazy and basically binge like crazy on lots of stuff and basically over eat.  So sunday morning prior to my jog or eating anything i weighed in at 136.  So then monday morning i weighed myself and I had gone up to 146 which I knew was crazy and there is no way i could gain 10 pounds in one day.  So it didnt really bother me.  So this week I have gone back to my normal routine of eating before Easter in hopes that that weight gain would disappear.  Well it is now Friday and I weighed myself this morning and I am down to 143 but I am still confused because there is even no way i could have gained 7 pounds in one day but for some reason I havent went back down to close to my original weight (i know i probly gained a pound or 2 but 7???? no way)

So what do you think is the deal?

(edit: as a side note I started to jog for the first time in a LONG time that weekend and the longest I had ever gone jogging for which was an hour on saturday and an hour and 15 minutes on sunday and i was sore sunday, monday and tues.  I also weight train and do strenuous walking on monday, wednesdays and fridays)

Since a very similar thing happened to me -- I don't call it "binging" because I deliberately had planned to drink beer, eat pizzas, eat desserts, etc for the 4 day Easter "week end" -- in which I went from 173 to almost 180, I have pondered the reasons, too.  This is what I came up with:

1. I hadn't exercised much over those 4 days.
2. I drank a lot of liquid type things such as coffee, stouts, and beers -- i.e., water weight.
3. I took in a lot more sodium than I normally do -- again, adding to the water weight.
4. I needed a couple of good sessions in The Reading Room.
5. The added weight was also partially due to my having begun eating more prior to the 4-day weekend, but it hadn't shown up yet on the weighing.

I have several different times gained 4-7 pounds in one day as far as weighing from early morning and then again late at night.  But I have found out that over a period of a few days to a week, that if I do the following, the added weight leaves:

1. Cut back a bit on calorie consumption for a week.
2. Exercise more or back to the level before the weight gain.
3. Find a good book and head for The Reading Room.
4. Check how much sodium one is consuming and cut back.
5. Soak in a hot tub of bath water or in a hot tub; replenish the water loss by sweating by drinking water and juice, but I have found that I do lose some of the extra water weight.
6. Maybe your metabolism got a bit changed; maybe consider eating a high-protein breakfast to start the day.  Also, spacing out 6 meals/snacks throughout the day might aid in the metabolism.
7. Stay the course; eventually, if you eat a bit less until you get back to your weight window and then go back to consuming a normal but healthy amount of calories, you will be back to maintaining your weight.

you're trying to maintain a weight that is very low for a male.  how many calories are you typically eating? 

um typically i have around 500 for breakfast, 400 for lunch and anywhere from 500-800 for dinner for a normal day.  I am not really sure as i dont really count calories. so those numbers are just guesses

Normal days food consumption would be

Breakfast: 2 servings of instant oatmeal and cinnamon, pb&j sandwich with aunt millies light bread and sugar free jams, a few rice snacks and a handful of nuts.

Lunch: handful of nuts and some more of the rice snacks, a salad with croutons, grape tomatoes, fat free cheese, and bacon bits.  A bowl of cereal (usually something like cheerios, corn flakes, all bran flakes or rice chex) with raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries.

Dinner: Whatever my parents decide to cook which is usually spaghetti, voila, chicken breasts, veggies and stuff like that.

my dear.  there is no reason why you should be eating at a weight loss level when you're a young male.  and you're filling your body with diet food that has little nutritional value. 

my first recommendation is to take a look at why becoming x pounds has become so important to you.  no one should have to subsist on this kind of food with your workout regime.  i'm going to guess that there's something going on for you that makes fixating on food and weight a desirable place for your energy, because your behaviors and eating are not healthy.

my second recommendation, related to the above, is that you need to be eating a heck of a lot more.  you're very active and very young, both of which mean you should be able to eat oodles of calories to maintain a healthy weight.  your current behaviors suggest that you're engaging in strict and severe eating and exercise behaviors to maintain a weight that is likely too low for you.  anytime you have to work THIS hard to maintain your weight, it's a sign that this weight is not for you.

increase your calories (check out some of the online calculators if you're a numbers person), stop eating the diet food crapola, stay off the scale, and think about what really matters in your life beyond eating and exercise. there's more to you than these things and now is the time to devote your energy to other activities. 

From the BMI Calculator found under Tools on Calorie Count:

• 143 pounds
• 5' 8"
• Male
• Age 25
• Result:  Based upon your Body Mass Index (BMI) of 21.7, you are currently classed as at a healthy weight.

-------

• 136 pounds
• 5' 8"
• Male
• Age 25
• Result: Based upon your current Body Mass Index (BMI) of 20.7, you are currently classed as at a healthy weight. 
• A healthy BMI for your gender and age is between 18.5 and 24.9

The reason I want to maintain anywhere from 135 to 140 is because this is where I believe I look my best, and as shane pointed out those are both considered healthy weights for me according to the BMI.  Although 143 isnt bad and its only 3 pounds I just prefer the feeling i have that i know i am under 140 and no lower than 135.

chase:

The amount of calories you consume would need to go up, if you were to increase your physical activity.  I think, without knowing anything about you, that around 1600-1700 calories is the bare minimum you would want to consume while losing to get back to maintenance.  I agree that once you get your metabolism working and maintenance back to a weight window of around 134-138 that you will want to make sure you don't drop below that.  I am guessing that eventually if your metabolism, etc. get going at peak efficiency, you will probably be eating closer to 2000 calories and still maintaining at around 134-138.

Many CC posters are against weighing-in daily or even a few times a week; but if you do not get obsessed with weighing-in daily, I think if you record your weights and calories consumed for a couple of weeks, you will get an excellent idea of how you are doing on your maintenance.

You might do some Googling and check other BMI and BMR calculators that are found all over the Net.  You will discover that they often are not in agreement.

The main thing is to live healthy!  Best of luck!

i'm not saying your weight is unhealthy.  i'm saying the behaviors you're engaging in to maintain that weight are unhealthy.  you're eating and exercising like someone who is trying to lose weight.  a 25 year-old, 5'8" male should never have to eat 1500 calories to maintain his weight, ESPECIALLY if he's exercising.  my guess is that you've worked so hard you've blunted your metabolism.  and i think your blunted metabolism may be responsible for your weight gain over easter.  because your body is so deprived, your metabolism has slowed down to compensate.  when you then engage in the occasional free-for-all, your body is just going to hang onto the food because it has been taught to do when you eat at a caloric level that is lower than what your body needs.  the only way to break out of this pattern is to eat more.  isn't that a blessing? 

On a weekly basis I have been doing this as far as working out goes:

Mondays, wednes, and fridays: 35 minutes on the treadmil walking at around 4.3 mph on a 15 degree incline, 30 minutes of weight training on the machines, then another 20 to 25 minutes of walking 4.3 to 4.5 mph on the 15 degree incline. 

Then on tues, thurs, saturday and sundays I normally did 1 hour on my stationary bike (until recently when the weather is getting nicer I want to jog for an hour instead but it went back to crap again so i am back to the bike).

And i usually go for a nice casual 45 minute walk when the weather is nice.  I also work in an office environment and dont do much movement there.  I am also a college student.

Should I eat more or just knock out the diet foods?  I feel like i am eating quite a bit everyday because I do eat a lot of nuts at breakfast and lunch and my dinners can be quite large (last night i had spaghetti which i filled up on my plate with much more than the serving size of noodles they list and i had quite a bit of meat in it and also 2 slices of garlic bread at 180 calories a piece).

Im a 23 year old 5'6-7 Male  and weigh in at 133-135lbs and i eat minimal 2200 a day mostly try and get 2400, and i also do 45mins very hard racing style biking the morning and then 75mins in the after noon 4mph walking.  Most calculators on the web say i need 1600-1800cals to maintain but i think they underestimate a bit for males so i think i am more 2000 to maintain and then with exercise 2500.

I think, yes, metabolism can be a key for all of us in maintenance.  

Again, since I believe we all should do some of our own research about dieting and exercising, I would recommend that you Google things like "how to increase metabolism" and "what foods aid in metabolism" and "getting efficient metabolism."

Some things that might aid in metabolism:

• eating a high-protein breakfast
• drinking a large glass of water to start the day
• eating 6 meals/snacks spread throughout the day
• getting a good exercise in to start the day

None of the above are carved in stone; not everyone on CC agrees with all, or even any, of them.

My comments in my previous postings above and suggestions connect to your getting back to your desired, healthy weight window.

Once you get there, I would hope that your calorie consumption increased to a healthy amount that allows you to maintain at a healthy 134-138.

I drink nothing but water honestly, I find it quite good and dont really like to drink anything else.  I dont have the time to do the 6 meals throughout the day, my schedule just doesnt permit it.  And I cant really exercise in the morning because of my schedule but I do around mid day when i get off work around 1.  So what exactly is considered high protein? how many grams of protein is considered high?

I have looked at info on how to increase metabolism.

Original Post by chase10784:
So what exactly is considered high protein? how many grams of protein is considered high?

Well, like most subjects/topics with diet and exercise, there is disagreement, even among the "experts."  This much I am sure of: The more lean muscle mass one has, the more athletic and physically active he/she is, probably the more protein is needed.

I have also read on more than one site that too much protein may cause problems for the kidneys and liver.  

From what I have ultimately discovered is that for a typical adult male around 60-65g of protein daily seems to be a number often suggested.

Surprise!  I suggest you Google and determine your own conclusions.

One other thing.  If you can afford it, find a reputable health-wellness expert and have a body fat % done by a professional.  The amount of body fat % you have might connect to how much protein you should consume.

I have the electronic scales that measures body fat % (i know they arent the most accurate but its better than nothing) and it says my body fat % is around 10-12% most of the time.

Original Post by chase10784:

Should I eat more or just knock out the diet foods?  I feel like i am eating quite a bit everyday because I do eat a lot of nuts at breakfast and lunch and my dinners can be quite large (last night i had spaghetti which i filled up on my plate with much more than the serving size of noodles they list and i had quite a bit of meat in it and also 2 slices of garlic bread at 180 calories a piece).

Both.  You are very active, both in terms of your structured activity and just by being a college student.  It doesn't matter how much you "feel" like you're eating---calories never lie in this respect.  You need to eat more. 

May I ask what all of this is for?  For instance, now that you have reached X pounds, what do you have that you didn't have when you weighed 150?  Would you be willing to gain a few pounds if it meant you could let go of some of this obsessiveness about food and weight?  Do your friends share this interest with you?  Or do you find that others think you are obsessive about it?  I can understand wanting to be healthy and taking an interest in exercise and nutrition.  However, most people don't experience this level of anxiety or concern about weight fluctuations.  Most people indulge a bit on holidays and don't fret about it afterwards.   I'm concerned that your behaviors are suggestive of an unhealthy relationship with dieting and that now may be a good time to take a step back and re-evaluate these behaviors so that they don't consume your life.  You're young!  You have plenty of other things to devote time and energy to. 

So eat more.  Eat balanced meals--fats, proteins and carbs.  I think the best advice now, given your obsessiveness, is actually not to fixate on any particular protein level.  Instead, find other things to fill your life and see what happens when you "let go" a bit of the need to control your food and weight.

chase:  I have a Tanita scale, which is accurate for weight, very accurate; but it was way off with the body fat %.  If yours is saying 10-12%, I am guessing you might be considerably lower than that.  If that is true, I think you certainly don't want to consume fewer than 60g. of protein daily.  When I had a health-wellness professional check my body fat %, it was at 8.6%.  Now, I know it has gone up since that time, and maybe that was too low; so I would put it at around 10-12%.  The thing is that my Tanita had my body fat % at between 14-19% at any given weigh-in.  The HP doctor told me that those scales are not reliable for people with a lot of lean muscle mass or who are obese.  

Original Post by laura916:

 my guess is that you've worked so hard you've blunted your metabolism.  and i think your blunted metabolism may be responsible for your weight gain over easter.  because your body is so deprived, your metabolism has slowed down to compensate.  when you then engage in the occasional free-for-all, your body is just going to hang onto the food because it has been taught to do when you eat at a caloric level that is lower than what your body needs.  

 hmmm  thats scary. 
i mean he was talking about maybe 2-3days and 10 or 7 pounds!!

OP i hope it is mostly just water weight.  =/  maybe it is that you just started jogging.  if it is something new exercise wise, could it be water weight?

Original Post by sfredbull:

Original Post by laura916:

 my guess is that you've worked so hard you've blunted your metabolism.  and i think your blunted metabolism may be responsible for your weight gain over easter.  because your body is so deprived, your metabolism has slowed down to compensate.  when you then engage in the occasional free-for-all, your body is just going to hang onto the food because it has been taught to do when you eat at a caloric level that is lower than what your body needs.  

 hmmm  thats scary. 
i mean he was talking about maybe 2-3days and 10 or 7 pounds!!

OP i hope it is mostly just water weight.  =/  maybe it is that you just started jogging.  if it is something new exercise wise, could it be water weight?

sure, most of it IS water weight

AND

he is undereating.  a blunted metabolism and undernourished body can account for sluggish processing of food and prolonged recruitment of water to repair muscles, which may explain why he is still holding onto food he ate on Sunday and/or the water his muscles retained.  

my concern is not his weight gain, but his reaction to the gain and what the gain revealed about his means of maintaining his weight.   

double postage.

I am honestly not worried about it, its just I find it confusing as to why after 5 days most of it wasnt gone by now because i have done this before and gained like 5 or 6 pounds in one sitting (my grandpa's funneral we had a ton of food after it and I ate like mad just because I decided I wanted to eat a lot). But that time i ate it and it was gone in the next day or so and i didnt think anything of it but this time it was odd that it was sticking around. 

I think it has a lot to do with the jogging for the first time in a long time because the most prior to that that i have ever jogged was 25 minutes and on that saturday and sunday i really pushed my body past its breaking point. so i retained a ton of water i am guessing later that night plus i ate lots of salty stuff that night like ham (for some reason our ham this year was EXTREMELY salty this year hmmm so much so that i havent even touched left overs cuz it just doesnt taste the best)

As for the being active, i know i am active and i actually really enjoy exercising, it really helps destress from school and life stuff so i am not really obsessing about it i just enjoy it.  As far as obsessing about food, i dont really do that i just try to eat healthy for the most part and i thought those lower calorie foods are healthy and the sugarless foods are healthy (which i know sugar isnt healthy so i thought no sugar is good). I eat for dinner whatever is put in front of me and dont think twice about it so its not like i am mentally unstable with food or something.