Maintaining the right amount of calories and still againing?!

Hey there,

May sound weird 18, nearly 19, 5ft 4, 115lbs. Apparently I'm under weight and should consume 1800 calories and I do consume that amount (if not more a bit more!) which makes no sense if I'm under weight AND I'm putting on 1-2lbs a week and getting a gut.........any explanations?? Let me guess.....more exercise haha. Maybe i'm being paranoid but your thoughts would be appreciated! x

http://www.bcm.edu/cnrc/bodycomp/bmiz2.html

Try entering your stats into the above link.  It will show you that you're just at the low end of a 'normal healthy weight' which starts at a BMI of 20 but that you're not clinically underweight which would be if you were below a BMI of 18.5.  You need around 1940 cals a day assuming that you're lightly active.  If you're gaining weight on 1800 calories it could be that you're simply growing/developing.... women's bodies tend to be heavier than girls' bodies with fuller hips, stomachs and breasts.... and that this is your body making an adjustment. 

Another reason why you could be gaining on 1800 calories a day would be if you'd come out of a period of eating a lot less than that.  People who have been on long-term diets or who have done something stupid like crash-dieting, for example, can reduce their metabolism so that they gain weight when they eat what for everyone else is a normal amount of food.

It's extremely unlikely that someone your size is getting a 'gut' but have a look at your food choices..... If you eat a lot of salty snacks, caffeine, alcohol, sugary drinks, processed foods or ready-made foods you can find this affects your body-shape negatively with fluid retention.  If you drink more plain fluids, eat more vegetables and other fresh wholefoods that can help.

So do carry on with 1800-2000 cals a day.  Your body will settle down quite quickly to a natural healthy weight.... .

Dont think its the developing thing, well maybe but I hope not because I thought I went through that about 6 months ago but a possibility.

Think you are right about the caffeine and alcohol though, I consume a lot of both of them along woth a lot of water but I will try cutting down on my cups of coffee and the amount of alcohol I drink. Plus I was eating less at christmas but down to emotions not dieting.....first timer on the dieting/calorie counting thing. Thanks though its cleared it up a bit more and I feel more at ease now, lets hope it does settle!!