Gaining instead of loosing.... AAARRRGGGHHH!!

So, I joined this site early in the month, and all has been going well. The calorie counting has been soooo easy and eye opening too! I've been seeing results almost continuisly since the beginning, up until last week. Now, the last 2 or 3 weigh in's have shown a weight gain instead of loss. And the sad thing is that I've stepped up my activity level in the last week or so. It's so frustrating to see this happening when I'm working so very hard. Is there anyone else out there that's having the same problem or has experienced this in working for your goal? What might I be doing wrong? Please! I need some motivation to keep going! This is sooo frustrating!

I wouldn't be too worried about a little bit of gain.  The most likely reason that I can think of is that you're gaining muscle, especially if you weren't very active before, which is great, because more muscle means that you'll burn more calories in a day and then you'll loose weight faster overall. 

I would give it a few more weeks, maybe step up the activity a bit and you'll probably see results again soon.  Good luck!

Make sure that your calorie intake is appropriate for your age/height/weight and activity level. Now that you have gotten more active, your body may need more calories to stay out of starvation mode.

Don't know how relevant it is in your case, but I usually gain weight prior to, and during menstruation - even with healthy eating and exercise. If this is the case, then you should drop off about 1-2.5 kilos (2.5-5 pounds) after it's over.

Bicycles~

I hadn't thought of that. I am actually though mid-cycle. I should be ovulating now +/- a few days. Might that cause water weight gain as well as it would right around menstruation?

I had this problem last week.  The previous week I had lost 4lbs but then the following week (last week) I ended up gaining 3 of it back.  I think it was a combo of not eating enough two weeks ago and then suddenly eating correctly again AND I actually added in a lot more exercise (i.e. walking and riding my bike to work).  However, after 3 days of straight gaining (and many tears) I started losing at a much more normal pace.

Just stick it out.  Everything will normalize eventually.

I take my measurements along with my weight. That way if I gain some muscle weight it doesn't bother me because I know I'm losing inches.

Kelsladean ~

That's a wonderful idea! Thank you for that insight. I'd not thought of doing that.... but I'm gonna start measuring too. Maybe I won't feel so down if I'm seeing inches going even if pounds aren't!

hey there.

here are a few things to know when dieting and exercising.

1. when your body stores glucose as glycogen in your body it carries with it a lot of water so your initial weight loss may have been from decreased glycogen stores leading to decreased water. but remember water is very important, so make sure you stay hydrated

2. if you have only started working out this month dont trick yourself and say that the extra weight is muscle. you are not going to gain 3 pounds of muscle in a week unless you are taking steroids.

3. it is normal to fluctuate 3 - 4 lb because of water just like your height can fluctuate up to 1/2 inch.

4. make sure you are eating healthy. lots of lean protein is great to help build muscle/increase tone, but your body does need sugar (from fruit and yogurt and stuff)- its what your brain runs on! make sure you are eating lots of veggies and fruit. and also dont let yourself get hungry. just snack on healthy things throughout the day. i eat breakfast, a mid-morning snack, lunch, an afternoon snack, dinner and an apple or something at night and i dont go over 2000 cal. if you are exercising you definitely need calories or your body will store everything as fat and break down your muscle tissue to fuel your body.

and finally, you should focus more on how you feel than the number on the scale. if you feel great it shouldnt matter exactly how much you weigh! keep up the good work and dont worry - stress is bad! :) good luck!