Unexplained Weight Gain?

Basic stats: 5'3, 126.5 lbs.

The last number has me a bit concerned. I have a very small frame, and for months and years I've been between 113-118 very firmly. But, I've started eating healthier and while I don't count calories, I don't randomly reach for food anymore. I've also started exercising more, doing both strength training and running. However, I haven't been eating more than usual since I'm not really used to it and I just eat when I'm hungry, which I'm trying to work on.

So what on earth could cause me to gain a fair amount of weight? I certainly haven't lost inches- I've gained one or two around my waist. I'm not on any medication, so what can I do? Could I unintentionally be in starvation mode even though I don't count calories? Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.

Well, you might be gaining muscle from the strength training.....

Or, since you said you haven't been eating anymore since you started running and weight training you might not be eating enough calories. I would suggest counting your calories in and out for a week and see if you are in a healthy zone.

But then why would I gain inches? And not in muscular places, either?

I'll try that, but I'm not exact enough to count, unfortunately.

I'd write down what you're eating--there might be more calories in what you are consuming than you'd expect. A lot of stuff that is packed with good nutrients, like nuts, or avocados, is also really high in calories.

Also, how consistently have you been at this new weight? Measure/weigh yourself for a few days to make sure you aren't just bloated or holding water.

I've gained 5-10 pounds of "mystery weight" before too. It is no fun. Here's to solving the mystery.

i agree that your best bet to uncovering this mystery is to log your food and count your calories (as precisely as possible).  this is not something that you have to continue doing.  however, it will give you an idea of where you might be getting the extra calories from.  you said you only eat when you're hungry, which is great!  but when you work out more, you will be hungry more often.  perhaps if you're snacking, this could be making a difference.  increasing muscle mass in unlikely to cause that much of a jump in your weight. 

Well, I recorded my calories I could for a day, and it turns out I'm way too low, especially with exercise. Since this has been going on for a few weeks, am I now in starvation mode, and if so, how can I get out if it?

i'm not really sure...  you must be missing something somewhere.  also, one day of calorie counting (unless you eat the same thing every day) may not be a good indication of how many calories you usually eat.  or you may be overestimating the calories you're burning during exercise.  gaining/losing weight comes down to a very simple equation: calories in minus calories out.  if you bring in more than you burn, you will gain weight.  if you burn more than you bring in, you will lose weight.  it's really that simple. 

so try tracking your cals for a longer period of time and make sure to estimate your exercise properly. 

are you still fitting into your old clothes?  if so, that could be a good indication of a change in your body composition (more muscle than fat). 

Back again- inches and weight are staying the same, but I'm at a higher weight than I was before. Turns out, I really am eating too few calories, so I guess I am in "Starvation Mode," particularly since I'm burning off a couple hundred calories a day in exercise.

So...What do I do now?

I'm in the same situation....only an inch taller. Do you have a larger family? Perhaps your body just wants to be a higher weight...

If you feel that you're in starvation mode, though, add on appropriate calories and consistently eat them for two weeks. That may help you get your metabolism back up to par.

Also remmebr that exercise causes water retention in your muscles...you could be gaining inches/weight from water. DO you take more than one day a week off? If not, you are likely suffering from water retention.

Hmm... I don't take many days off during a week (none or one at the most), but would water weight really be close to 10 pounds? I'm up to 128.5 after exercise now, and I'm really starting to worry.

How old are you? If you were in your teens or early twenties when you were that weight, you were also still building bone mass. Your bones may be denser (which your body will thank you for when you are older), so you wouldn't look bigger. It's like looking at a person with a lot of lean muscle mass who weighs 160, and a fat person at 140 who looks the same but has more fat mass.

That's not much of a difference, I wouldn't worry.

I'm 17 (birthday in early August, though), so I understand my body is still growing and developing, which is why I don't count calories. But as my weight keeps shooting up and up (going to my waist and thighs), I really wish I knew where it was coming from or how to stop it, as it's extremely frustrating.