Wow, I'm gaining not lossing

Wow, if anyone has an idea of what's going on, please let me know. I have been gaining weight over the last few weeks though I have been eating healthier and less - no fried foods, no alcohol, I'm a veg, no sweats, etc. I've been eating a lot of veggies, tofu, salads with very low-cal dressing, beans and legumes, whole wheat cereals, oatmeal, some fruit, and lots of water. I was astounded when I got on the scale and gained 7 pounds!!!! I have been working full-time, I take a nap when I get home, and I'm finishing an addition to my house that I built myself.......Could this be stress?

 

Any ideas, let me know. I'm even getting a thyroid test on Wednesday. I think the doc will be concerned.

Impossible to say without knowing your height, weight, age and activity level.  You can enter that information into the tools to determine your burn and suggested calorie intake.  I would start with the Burn tool and once you have that number, deduct 500 to 1000 calories a day from it to get your intake.  But don't go below 1500 calories (1200 for women)

Thanks Claire, I'm moderately active, 40 years, 6'1'', 228 (since a few days ago). I'm always on the go and I'm not a couch potato. (I do construction of a house at night).

maybe your gaining due to muscle mass?

I don't know, ornell but the pants are getting a little tight. Thanks though.

I am in the same boat as you, travieso1915! Except my stats are female, 25, 5'10" and 170 lbs. I have been eating ridiculously well (you should see my fridge and pantry...no trigger foods, sweets or processed anything), I have increased my activity level (or decreased my eating on the days that I cannot workout) and I get on the scale...and I'm heavier.

So disheartened....don't know what to do....I hate my body and, by extension, myself moreso than when I started. If I am gaining muscle, it is bulky and ugly and I don't want that at all! I have researched and followed advice...and if this is what I look like and the way it's going to be if I add muscle...I don't want to anymore.

First, it can be water weight from all the fruits and veggies you are eating, and it could decrease with time. You might loose it in a week or two. Another possibility is that you are actually consuming more calories than before, although the foods are healthy. Try to enter your foods into the calorie counter.

My guesses would be that you are retaining water.  Are you drinking plenty of fluids?  Dehydration can cause water retention as your body tries to conserve water.   Have you had your thyroid checked?  I doubt that a low thyroid would cause considerable weight gain in a short period of time, but if the weight gain continues, I would have your thyroid checked. 

I have experienced this before...just recently, in fact. Scales showed a gain of 2.2 lbs. in a week.....I truly believe it is related to the slow increase of muscle mass, but mostly to water retention, or possible our more accurate weight when we are more properly hydrated...I would definitely do the burn/keeping up correct calorie intake, and give it some time...the water will settle down and the weight will come off.

This exact thing just happened with me - I weighed 171 on November 2 and just today saw 171 again, after getting up to 176. Some of mine was related to TTOM, which wouldn't be an issue for you. I followed the advice that a few wise people recommended on CC to me:

1) Switch up your exercise - duration, intensity, type, et cetera

2) Add weights to the exercise (although, I'm still using my body weight as weight)

3) Increase caloric intake by 100 to 200 calories - I know this seems bass ackwards, but I did it and it worked. Also, zig-zag your caloric intake a bit. That is, if you consume 1500 each day for a total of 10,500 a week then try 1300 one day, 1700 the next day, 1500 the next day, et cetera until you still consume the total number of calories (10,500) within the week.

4) Increase water intake - give yourself more than you are already getting (I know this is difficult, I went from about 110 oz a day to 150 oz a day)

5) Avoid Alcohol (still working on this one)

You're body has become very accustomed to it's new eating routine and is now letting you know that it's going to begin managing just fine on the new caloric intake and expendature levels. Switch it up, give it time to work and then wait for the expected results.

Don't loose site of your goal and continue pressing forward. I hope this works as well for you as it did for me.

Smiles,
Dacia

Sounds like you are eating a lot of carbohydrates, perhaps you changed the ratio of carbs/protein/fat drastically? Carbs will cause you to retain a measure of water for a short time. Could be that, in part. I notice that I get bloated when I up the whole grains, legumes and veggies, but it usually tapers off.

It sounds like you are not eating meat/animal products, but in any case I'd get some more protein and look at carb intake. And don't be afraid to eat fat. 

I can't speak to a specific situation, but I notice that the discussion is about WHAT is being eaten and not how much. Earlier this year, I was 35 pounds overweight but ate all the right things: lots of veggies, fruit, practically no red meat, or fast food, or junk foods etc. What I wasn't doing was counting calories. That's what's caused me to lose 35 pounds, I simply started keeping track and cutting back.

I sometimes get the feeling that there is a widespread misconception that if you're eating all the right foods, you won't overeat. I can assure you that you can.

I applaud you for going to the doctor, however. That's the place to start just so you can either rule out something more complicated, or get it treated.

so true, scguy. i've done this too.