Sudden weight gain...HELP!!!

In the past 18 months I have lost over 40 lbs. When I started seeing a nutritionist, i weighed in at 5'4" and 167 pounds. At my lowest weight a month ago, I reached my targed weight at 124. I was so happy that I had finally reached my goal and would now be able to boost my caloric intake to maintain...until two weeks ago when for NO reason and literally overnight, my weight went from 124 to 127.

At first, I assumed it was just water weight and that it would go away...but that was TWO weeks ago!! I exercise almost everyday, eat incredibly healthy, and count calories, eating a max of 1200 calories on no exercise days and 1400 on hardcore exercise days.

This past summer when I hit my target I was studying for the NY bar exam, was beyond stressed and had difficulty eating (when I'm stressed I tend to get so nauseous and have to literally force food down my throat). On top of that I wasn't exercising that often since I spent literally 14 hours a day at the library. Why did my weight hit my target when I was totally inactive and stressed and now that i am healthy and exercising I GAINED WEIGHT??

Thoughts?? Suggestions?? I am beyond frustrated and borderline obsessed by this...Thanks!

How do you look?  Has your appearance changed because of this 3 pounds?  If not, I'd stop stressing.  Unless you are gaining a pound a week or something there is no reason to freak out about scale fluctuations. 

In fact, have you checked your scale battery and checked to make sure your scale is flat on the ground?  Maybe it's your scale that changed suddenly.

If you are exercising, is it possible you have added some muscle weight?  Not overnight, of course, but overall since starting maintenance?

Don't get so hung up on the numbers.  Unless the numbers are showing you a trend int he wrong direction, they are relatively unimportant.  How do you look?  How do you feel?

Your maintenance is 1,200 calories? I am 5' 3 1/2" and eat far more than that to maintain, and I am 109 lbs. Granted, I have a lot of muscle, but only the most sedentary woman should eat 1,200 calories to maintain—a woman who does absolutely nothing at all all day beyond exist. And on "hardcore exercise" days 1,400 isn't nearly enough to maintain. "Hardcore" implies more than 200 calories burned, in my opinion. You are starving your body.

Also, if 1,200 is your maintenance level, what were you eating before? Under that? If so, you slowed your metabolism. That is probably part of the reason you put on weight when you started eating more. And, again, it might also have to do with the fact that you still aren't eating enough, and now have started exercising a lot. Your body is holding onto everything you feed it because it isn't getting what it needs from you.

There are other things that could be causing the weight gain, too, of course. You didn't gain muscle in two weeks, even if you are fairly new to intense exercise, but when you first start a rigorous exercise program you are likely to retain water as your muscles repair themselves. It could very well be that that you are seeing on the scale.

But that said, I can't imagine that 1,200 to 1,400 calories is enough for someone 5' 4" who is working out and trying to maintain. And it does sound to me as if you weren't eating enough before you went into maintenance mode.

Petite: Sorry, I forgot to mention that during my maintenance period I was eating closer to 1500 calories a day because at 124 I did not want to lose any more weight. During my weight loss period i was generally eating 1200 calories a day, maybe 1300 on the days I worked out. I never strayed below 1200. And I agree that there is no way I have built muscle in the past few weeks of regular exercise, especially after that month long hiatus from exercising when i was studying for the bar exam. But perhaps my body is adjusting from my dormant period? It was just so weird because it was literally overnight that I went from 124 to 127.

Juliemae: you are right...I really should focus on how I look/feel. I feel good and I have gone down four dress sizes. The problem is that I have always had very poor body image. Even after losing 40 lbs I look in the mirror and all I can see are flaws. I guess that's just something I am going to have to work on. It's hard not to obssess though...I am so scared that the weight will creep on and I'll end up where I was before.

Ironically, the weight will creep on if you carry on undereating.  An active person your size and height age (under 25?) needs around 1900 - 2000 cals a day to maintain their weight and get the right nutrition.  By only increasing to 1500 you're still technically under-eating which is keeping your metabolism low, making it much easier to gain weight than it should be.... hence the 3lbs jump.

Try to get your food intake up nearer 1900 on an ongoing basis.  Your metabolism will adapt quite quickly although you'll see some small gains initially.  And do keep your fluid intake up... this helps the body process food more efficiently and reduces the fluid retention that can lead to temporary gains.

Hi Jetlee,

I don't have any comments about your small gain.....everyone else did a great job on that. I want to know if you passed the bar exam? Congrats on finishing school and taking the test......I hear it is insanely difficult. No matter, good luck with your future plans and great job losing 40 pounds

Thank you! The bar exam was just as horrendous as everyone said it would be. The NY bar is notorious for being one of the hardest in the country. I studied for 18-14 hours every single day for 2.5 months so I am really hoping all the hard work paid off...but I don't find out whether I passed until November!

terry did a great job congrats two great success stories at once.... the weight loss and school.... honestly the same thing happen to me have no clue why but if i hop on the scale it might say i have lost 5 and the next day gained three back.. i think that it  is very importnant to not jump on the scale everyday... trust me i know its difficult but dont stress over the couple pounds because im sure over the next week when everything in your life calms down you will be back to your goal... i also agree with the fact that maybe gradually adding calories will be better in the long run so that you dont gain it back remember its better to do a life style chcange then a diet and im so happy for you that you adjusted to a very healthy diet.. another thing it is possible if your weight training that your building beautiful muscle somewhere because muscle weights more then fat... and you have your nutrionist for a reason give whoever that is a call im sure they will be able to calm your nerves... and every woman can look in the mirrior and discover that they have flaws but where would we be if we did that all the time im so sure that you look a million times better try i know its hard but try to look at the positive congrats....   :)

Hi again,

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you. Good luck and keep us posted! I'll be keeping an eye out for you in November. My daughter started law school yesterday and was told there is a 50 to 60% fail rate in law school......and that is long before the bar. Knowing this, you must have done a great job in school. What kind of law do you want to practice?

Mandos: thanks for your kind words and good advice :). I will keep you posted on the weight status.

Terry: congratulations to your daughter for clearing the first hurdle of taking the LSATs and getting into law school! You must be very proud. My advice to your daughter is to study hard, but try not to let the competitive nature of law school get to her...ultimately, she should set personal goals for herself and not compare her stats to other students. Tell her to study hard and make her own outlines for first year because its the foundation of her legal education! Once first year is over, encourage her to participate in moot court and/or a law journal if she can and try to get internships to build her resume. For me, I plan on being a public servant, I have a strong love of criminal law and hope one day to be a federal prosecutor...but we'll see. I just need to pass first! Your daughter is about to begin a very stressful three years, but she should just keep her eye on the prize. I swear it's all worth it in the end!

 

 

could your body be retaining water due to either your menstrual cycle or a recent decrease in your water intake?  also, consuming more caffeine or salt than usual could cause water retention.  could you be pregnant?  are you "regular"?  these are all things to consider.  btw congrats on your weight loss.  i wouldnt worry too much about the three pounds  :)

Jetlee:

I can think of two possible causes: First your menstrual period will cause a sudden weight gain due to water retention and that's normal. But, it also could be your thyroid. When thyroid stop working correctly (slow) you will gain weight,  feel fatigue and have sleep problems. And you will continue gaining weight no matter if you are dieting or making exercise. I can tell you because before I discovered that had thyroid disease, I gained 20 pounds in one month!! And I was breastfeeding and eating exactly the same as usual. I can suggest you to see your doctor and request some blood work for T3, T4 and TSH. As soon as I started my medication I dropped the 20 pounds.

 

Good Luck!

Grisnel

It's funny you mention it, thyroid issues do run in my family, though its hyperthyroidism as opposed to hypothyroidism. It's still something to think about. If I notice any more weird weight changes I will absolutely look into that, given my family history. Thanks for the advice!

Hi again Jetlee,

Thanks for the tips regarding law school...I passed them on to my daughter.  While I was watching her kids yesterday she was at her dining room table working on outlines and had mentioned to me how important they are.  Thank you again for taking the time to tell my about your experience. I'll keep you in my thoughts.  Take care, Terry

 

Hi!! So I know this post is somewhat old, but i randomly found it and it hit home for me! I was wondering if you ever realized what caused your weight gain Jetlee?? So I am about 5'7", and a very active person (i'm an group fitness coordinator at a gym and either teach or take classes everyday or workout on my own).  Last August i was very happy at about 130 lbs, but I realized I not only wasn't getting enough calories every day, about 1200, I wasn't getting enough protein either. 

I upped my calories to about 1500/day and really amped up my protein intake.  I felt great at first, but now, about 6 months later I have gained about 8 lbs! the weight gain really seemed to happen suddenly and i didn't notice anything until about early february.  I went to my doctor, who like yours Jetlee, was initially useless.  I instisted on a thyroid check which came back normal.  I'm getting full labs done, but my doctor believes that it's moderate depression.  I can understand his concerns (my family has experienced some losses this past year and it's been rough), but I just don't see how it is scientifically possible to gain weight when I track what I eat every day and never eat more than I burn off?!?!

Does anyone have any other ideas? I was thinking of seeing an endocrinoligist or gastrointeroligist just to make sure I have no other health issues, but I am at a loss right now and really upset about it!!  I am also now back to eating 1200 cal/day because of what i've experienced and haven't really seen any change... HELP!!!!