Could this be the problem

Ok,
So around Christmas time I weighed about 5lbs less. I am now doing the same thing I was then. I am 5'4 and about 126. I eat pretty healthy. Usually All bran extra fiber, and bran buds in the morning. Something low carb for lunch. Salad or chilli. Sometimes I splurge at night-going out to eat, but I always try to watch it. Oh, for snack I eat No Sugar Added Bryers about 80 cal ice cream (you have to try it) This is what I've been doing for at least a year. Ok, so around the new year I started noticing I was gaining weight, so I cut back to my regular food plan, joined the gym. I go to the gym and do a strenght training class 2x/ek and about 30-45 minutes of cardio (running,walking) 2x/wk. I was doing everything before when I weighed 5 lbs less except the strength training, but NO weight loss. Could it be that I'm eating most of my calories at night and not burning them off? That's the only thing that's different. I used to run/walk at night after eating. And I haven't lost inches because everything fits the same. The scale has not moved.
Also, sometimes on the weekends when I splurge a little more, I'll drop a lb or two. What's going on?
 
That weight drop over the weekend is probably a hint, you're probably not eating enough calories for the amount of activity you do, so your body may have gone into starvation mode. You could have also added some muscle weight, but AFAIK it takes a lot of work to put on even one pound of muscle, especially for a woman.

I'd say add 100 or 200 calories of healthy foods, maybe add good fats, like olive oil to your salad, unsweetened yogurt is great too.
 
That weight drop over the weekend is probably a hint, you're probably not eating enough calories for the amount of activity you do, so your body may have gone into starvation mode.

Gradual weight gain occurring over the span of several months means you have a large caloric deficit, huh?

IMHO, weekend weight loss is more likely to be dehydration.

OP, 5 pounds gained over 5 months is about 100 calories a day of surplus (calories consumed less calories burned). I'd guess that your calories have gone up a tiny bit without you noticing it, or that your body's gotten more efficient at doing the workout you normally do. Changing up your exercise routine and/or cutting your calories back a small amount should help, although you're unlikely to see dramatic results in the short-term. More like, back down to last Christmas' weight by next Christmas.
 
Maybe your body got used to your exercising. Try to change your exercising plan from time to time. You can ask for the help of a professional that works in the gym you exercise in.
 
Hey-
Thanks for the tips. I have changed my exercise routine though and thought I would see the results of that by now. For the past several years I would run/walk a couple of times a week. In March I joined the gym, after the extra 5lbs, and started a strength training class 2x week and still walk/run a couple of times. I thought I would see the results of strength training by now.
My main concern was consuming most of my calories at night and not exercising after the last meal (I used to run more at night). Could that be keeping me from losing?
 
Back
Top