How did I GAIN a pound?!?!

For the past few days, I've kept careful track of my caloric intake as well as my activity level.  Saturday, Sunday, and Monday resulted in incremental losses.  Yeah :)  But today I gained a pound :(  I don't get it.  Yesterday I consumed fewer than 800 calories and burned almost that just from exercise.  That doesn't include the other calories burned (according to the Burn Meter the total was over 2000).  So how did my weight increase?  It's so frustrating!

I'm exercising harder than ever and eating better than ever.  I can see improvement in how I look and how my clothes fit.  I know I should be happy, and, for the most part, I am.  But to see the scale number go up when I'm working so hard is such a let-down.  How can this happen?

You really shouldn't limit your calories by so much.  Shoot for at least 1200 a day.  If you restict too much your body thinks it's starving and will store what you do eat. 

Also, water can contribute to weight gain on a scale.  Many things can determine why your body holds on to water on any given day. 

Try drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day, and be aware of how much salt you are taking in.  Your period can cause you to retain water as well.

I wouldn't worry too much about it.  Sounds like you're doing great!!

Thanks for your suggestions!  I'm not trying to restrict my calories that much.  It's just been a result of making better food choices.  I had 3 meals and didn't go hungry, but I'll work on being more generous in my food selections.  It does concern me, though, that if I gain weight on fewer calories, how much more will I gain if I eat 1200?

I don't drink enough water; there's no question about that.  But I have tried to keep my sodium intake down for years.  I agree, though, that the lovely menstrual cycle affects water weight notwithstanding what we eat.  That's how I "lost" 2 pounds in a day after my period was over.

I appreciate your comments.  Thanks!

I am going through the same thing right now!  two days ago, I was at 124.5.  Today, I woke  up and after eating only 1000 calories and exercising, I weigh 125.  I haven't had more than 1200 on any given day, and frequently get less (in a healthy way- meals are planned, lots of protein, leafy greens), but my weight won't budge.  I am so frustrated.  I read that you won't go into starvation mode unless you've already taken off 10% of your total body weight, which I haven't, so I just don't know.  I am incredibly arrrrrrrrgggggghhhhh.

It can help if you do interval training on your cardio rather than just the same level for a long time. It really helps burn more. It also helps to eat 5 smaller meals rather than just 3 meals as it boosts your metabolism more, aim to eat approx every 3-4 hours (even if it's just an apple).

If your clothes fit better and you feel good then I wouldn't worry what the numbers on the scale say.  Also if you are working out harder than ever before you are probably losing fat and gaining muscle mass, which is twice as "heavy" as fat...

p.s. If you must weigh yourself then try doing it no more than once a week at the same time of day (early morning or late at night). Or get a fancy scale that estimates body fat as well.