I used to follow a low carb diet in 2005 until I could go no longer. Since mid Dec 2005 Ive been trying to eat healthy (all the whole graings, vegetables, tofu, beans etc.) I don't drink any fizzy drinks or cafeine (just one green tea per day). Sweets are limited to once a week. Hardly have any red meat, fish twice or three times a week. Plus I work out 3/4 times a week. So why am I putting weight on? Can't fit into the same jeans I wore 3 months ago. Just saw a friend who asked me if I put some weight on... so upset. Help!
Help please. Putting weight on.
- Thread starter hello_kitty
- Start date
Sounds like you're eating some good healthy foods. I'm not sure why you're putting on weight. It's possible that your metabolism was damaged while you were doing the low carb diet. That's the downside.
How many calories are you eating now? Are you exercising? How many times a day do you eat?
Sarah
How many calories are you eating now? Are you exercising? How many times a day do you eat?
Sarah
Are you pregnant? Bloated for some other reason? It could be thyroid, see your doctor.
I don't think I'm eating more than 1,500 - 1,600 kcal a day. I eat three times with two snacks (fruit,veg) in between.
I do feel bloated every day. I've excluded dairy and wheat but nothing seems to help.
I do feel bloated every day. I've excluded dairy and wheat but nothing seems to help.
Could be some of the things mentioned above. How tall are you? What's your age, weight, body fat percentage?
What are your exercise sessions like? Do you know how much protein you are getting per day?
As Sarahfitchic mentioned you could have slowed down your metabolism when you went on the low carb diet. Provide some more info and maybe we can offer a few more suggestions
What are your exercise sessions like? Do you know how much protein you are getting per day?
As Sarahfitchic mentioned you could have slowed down your metabolism when you went on the low carb diet. Provide some more info and maybe we can offer a few more suggestions
I am 25. 5,4'' and 122 pounds. I also have 25% bf (I remember the days when I used to be 16%) Ideally I'd like to lose 12 pounds of fat.
I think not enough protein might be a problem. I'm mostly eating vegan (not because I am, just happen to like it more this way). Fish every other day and maybe some tofu every now and again. I was hoping that protein in beans and grains will be enough.
I find it difficult now (after Atkins) to eat much protein. Don't really want to eat synthetic protein bars (god knows what they put in them) but eating chicken and fish 5 times a day is also not very exciting.
I think not enough protein might be a problem. I'm mostly eating vegan (not because I am, just happen to like it more this way). Fish every other day and maybe some tofu every now and again. I was hoping that protein in beans and grains will be enough.
I find it difficult now (after Atkins) to eat much protein. Don't really want to eat synthetic protein bars (god knows what they put in them) but eating chicken and fish 5 times a day is also not very exciting.
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A few things (and I could be off base here):
- You mentioned "I remember the days when I used to be 16% body fat." When were those days? What were you doing at that point to have you at 16% body fat? Realistically 16% body fat is low for women. Elite athletes are at that level and only during the on-season.
- You also mentioned you want to drop 12 pounds of body fat. Where did that number come from?
- I am a vegetarian and very into fitness. It is absolutely possible to lose fat and add muscle without animal meats. If you eat meat then I certainly recommend you use it to your advantage. Eat chicken and turkey. I eat tuna, beans, green veggies, tofu, milk products, eggs, hemp bread, tempeh, cottage cheese, etc.
With all that said, I still do not know your detailed fitness routine or detailed menu. So if you believe you are working out the proper way (mixed cardio lengths and sessions per week, hitting each muscle 1-3 times per week with strength training, not working out over an hour a day, resting 1-2 days per week) and eating the proper way (5-6 small meals per day, each meal has a carb and protein, first meal within an hour after waking, each meal thereafter every 2-3 hours, lots of water) then I suggest seeing your doctor.
But if you feel you are not doing the above to a "T" then I suggest seeking guidance from a fitness professional. I'm just hypothesizing about this. You could have destroyed your metabolism doing the Atkins. Now that you are relying mainly on carbs and non-animal meats... your body may be returning to its normal and healthy weight, it may be adding fat because your metabolism is sluggish, it may be adding fat because you are eating/working out wrong/over training, it may be adding muscle because you are eating perfect and working out great and your body is rewarding you with added muscle.
See lots of options. Sorry to ramble. I just want to cover all my bases. See the doctor if you think something is wrong. Your health is always first
- You mentioned "I remember the days when I used to be 16% body fat." When were those days? What were you doing at that point to have you at 16% body fat? Realistically 16% body fat is low for women. Elite athletes are at that level and only during the on-season.
- You also mentioned you want to drop 12 pounds of body fat. Where did that number come from?
- I am a vegetarian and very into fitness. It is absolutely possible to lose fat and add muscle without animal meats. If you eat meat then I certainly recommend you use it to your advantage. Eat chicken and turkey. I eat tuna, beans, green veggies, tofu, milk products, eggs, hemp bread, tempeh, cottage cheese, etc.
With all that said, I still do not know your detailed fitness routine or detailed menu. So if you believe you are working out the proper way (mixed cardio lengths and sessions per week, hitting each muscle 1-3 times per week with strength training, not working out over an hour a day, resting 1-2 days per week) and eating the proper way (5-6 small meals per day, each meal has a carb and protein, first meal within an hour after waking, each meal thereafter every 2-3 hours, lots of water) then I suggest seeing your doctor.
But if you feel you are not doing the above to a "T" then I suggest seeking guidance from a fitness professional. I'm just hypothesizing about this. You could have destroyed your metabolism doing the Atkins. Now that you are relying mainly on carbs and non-animal meats... your body may be returning to its normal and healthy weight, it may be adding fat because your metabolism is sluggish, it may be adding fat because you are eating/working out wrong/over training, it may be adding muscle because you are eating perfect and working out great and your body is rewarding you with added muscle.
See lots of options. Sorry to ramble. I just want to cover all my bases. See the doctor if you think something is wrong. Your health is always first
Lynn,
I'm currently doing 2/3 cardio sessions per week (running, elliptical trainer, RPM classes) plus 2/3 body pump sessions per week. I never work out more than 5 days per week.
You saying my metabolism maybe low but I feel I'm burning my food very quickly as I'm constantly hungry.
I'll try to increase my protein intake to see if this makes any difference.
Thanks for your input.
I'm currently doing 2/3 cardio sessions per week (running, elliptical trainer, RPM classes) plus 2/3 body pump sessions per week. I never work out more than 5 days per week.
You saying my metabolism maybe low but I feel I'm burning my food very quickly as I'm constantly hungry.
I'll try to increase my protein intake to see if this makes any difference.
Thanks for your input.
Have you done strength training other than the Body Pump classes? They aren't optimal for strength exercises. They are more cardio in nature (I know they work you hard and I know your muscles are tired afterwards- but that doesn't mean you got a great strength training routine in there).
If you are constantly feeling hungry then I would seriously take a look at your nutrition program. We tend to feel hungry when we have too many carbs and not enough protein.
Here's the deal ....
When you eat a bowl of cereal in the morning... don't you get hungry like an hour later? That's because it's just carbs and the body burns through it fast.
If you can take that bowl of cereal and add some protein to it... like 2 egg whites or something... your body actually takes longer to digest it all. It takes about 2-3 hours. And that is where the "eat every 2-3 hours" saying comes from.
Once you get into the habit of having one protein with one carb every 2-3 hours you should not feel hungry. If so... then you may need to take a look at your total calories per day.
It's all very complicated and there can be a lot of reasons why things happen. I would try the protein thing. Also, you mentioned always feeling bloated. That can be from either not enough water OR not enough protein. When we do not have enough protein the body feels puffy. Just some more info.
If you are constantly feeling hungry then I would seriously take a look at your nutrition program. We tend to feel hungry when we have too many carbs and not enough protein.
Here's the deal
....When you eat a bowl of cereal in the morning... don't you get hungry like an hour later? That's because it's just carbs and the body burns through it fast.
If you can take that bowl of cereal and add some protein to it... like 2 egg whites or something... your body actually takes longer to digest it all. It takes about 2-3 hours. And that is where the "eat every 2-3 hours" saying comes from.
Once you get into the habit of having one protein with one carb every 2-3 hours you should not feel hungry. If so... then you may need to take a look at your total calories per day.
It's all very complicated and there can be a lot of reasons why things happen. I would try the protein thing. Also, you mentioned always feeling bloated. That can be from either not enough water OR not enough protein. When we do not have enough protein the body feels puffy. Just some more info.