Used to be very thin and maintained a steady weight, now I cannot stop gaining. Help!

He, I was hoping people would maybe have some advice for me (I am a 20 yr old female)

At the end of high school, I weighed 105lbs and was about 5'6". I had been that same height and weight for the past four years. After highschool, I took a gap year and spent three months in Africa, where I lost five lbs to be at around 100lbs, because the food was horrible and I mostly just ate fruit and sometimes bread and cookies). I am guessing that it really effected my metabolism, because once I got back, I imediately gained back the five lbs after about two days, and started gaining steadily. I also grew an inch (unusual for a 19year old female) my breast size went up two cups sizes, and I got my period again for the first time in 2 yrs or so. It has now been almost two years since Africa and I have gained twenty lbs (quite a shock after not gaining any weight for four years). Frustrated at the way I constantly gained weight, I started eating really healthy and gave up a lot of the foods that I used to love (I eat a lot of yoghurt, chicken, fish, and fruits now). I also started excercising about 5 times a week on the elliptical for 30 minutes (and I used to never do any excercise except for horsebackriding, where, as my father kindly pointed out, the horse does most of the work). Its so frustrating, not only am I not loosing any of the weight, I am STILL gaining weight despite my best efforts. I realize now that I was too skinny in high school and definately in Africa, so I do not want to weigh that little again, but I would like to get back down to around 113 (I look pretty much the same give or take 20lbs apparently, but it definately does effect how muscly/flabby I am underneath the clothing). Any thoughts on what I could be doing wrong, or what would help?

Oh, and I should also probably add that I was also a bit confused, because after my time in africa, I spent 4months in spain and drank a lot of alcohol. When I came back to the states I completely stopped. I thought that stopping all of the drinking should have also contributed to loosing weight, but it didnt! And same with college. I have been back from college for about two months now, eating much better, and not drinking AT ALL, and yet, still nothing

So, if I read correctly, you're 5'7" and 120 pounds? That's a BMI of 18.8, so you're right at the bottom of the normal category. You were underweight in high school.

It's normal for women in their late teens to gain some pounds as they get more boobs and hips. Since your cup size increased, it sounds like you put on some very healthy, womanly weight. You don't want to risk losing your period again by becoming underweight, do you?

Instead of focusing on a number, or regaining a weight you had in high school (very few people weight the same in their 20s that they did in high school; it's because you're an adult now instead of an adolescent), why not do some weight lifting to build muscle and tone your body?

I definately do not want to loose very much weight, if anything, just a few lbs. The problem is more that I keep on gaining weight consistently, Im 120 now, but if it keeps on going the way it has been, Ill be 130 next year, and then 140, etc. Its just frustrating because I feel like my body is completely disregarding anything I do. I do try to do weight training every other way. I am wondering whether my metabolism was just perhaps permanently damaged?

Don't get too worried about the hypothetical weight you might gain in the future. At this point you should focus on maintaining. How many calories are you eating per day? If you're eating at a deficit to try to lose weight, it may be that your body is resisting because you are already at a low weight. Your metabolism is not permanently damaged, but even losing 3 pounds will make you clinically underweight, and getting down to 113 will mean your BMI is under 18. You might feel "flabby" at your current weight, but you are very slim.

I agree with cosmographer. Try just maintaining this weight and if you see that you're gaining more, then start worrying. Your body is just trying to keep itself healthy. I highly doubt that you will gain a lot of weight. I certainly double you will get to 140 with your diet! 120 is an awesome weight for your height. You're just not used to it.

Original Post by moontissues:

I also started excercising about 5 times a week on the elliptical for 30 minutes (and I used to never do any excercise except for horsebackriding, where, as my father kindly pointed out, the horse does most of the work

but I would like to get back down to around 113 (I look pretty much the same give or take 20lbs apparently, but it definately does effect how muscly/flabby I am underneath the clothing). Any thoughts on what I could be doing wrong, or what would help?

 First of all, I agree with the above posters, that after gaining weight you are still on the light side, the fact that you have regained your period is probably your body telling you that it needed this weight.

Regarding horseback riding, the horse definitely does not do all the work!!! I ride hunter jumper (not sure what you ride) and I burn anywhere from 400-700 calories per hour (according to my heart rate monitor), you would have to be on an elliptical for an hour or more to burn that much and that sure is more boring.  Almost all the muscle tone I have in my arms, back and legs is from riding.  Sorry... I tend to get a little defensive when people claim horseback riding is not excercise, or that the horse does everything.  I would like to see someone who thinks the horse will do all the work jump over a 4ft jump.  Trust me, if you just let the horse "do" everything you'll end up on the ground or through the jump lol.

Regarding the last part of your post, about being flabby.  When you excercise you would be much better off if you spent those 30 minutes lifting weights.  the weight you have gained is weight your body needed.  But you can still change how you look without being ridiculously underweight by weight training.  this will build and shape your muscles and take away that flabby look.

If you haven't had your period for 2 years, it means it went away because you haven't been eating enough. Mine is gone also, and I'm eating 1500 calories, so I don't understand way. You should be happy to have it back. 120 lbs at 5'7 is fabulous! I'm sure all that "flab" is all in your head.