Gaining weight instead of loosening it. Can you give me some advice?

[Anonymous]

Well I was 157 three days ago but I keep gaining.2 ounces a day. I excise 40 minutes a day I eat under a 1000 calories a day. I'm not starving myself in a way I feel like I'm over eating. I don't have a job to buy the things I need to stay healthy but I trying me best to cut down like not eating anything with milk and bread. I having a hard time finding thing without sugar. It's hard to find anything in my house without any of these so I find myself eating the same thing. Any tips?

[Claireee94]

You should never let your net calories drop below 1200 calories per day, period. It's dangerous and puts your body into what's called Starvation Mode, wherein you're eating fewer calories than your body needs to maintain all of the basic functions of living. At this point your body needs to find alternative sources of fuel, but instead of burning fat, which I'm sure is the intention, your body starts using muscle tissue for fuel.
I would suggest you bump up your calorie intake to at least 1200 calories/day and try eating whole, unprocessed foods. You should start to see a difference then. Also weigh yourself at the same time every day. Often people don't realise that your weight can actually fluctuate up to 6 lbs in a single day, due to water retention and, simply put, everything that's hanging out in your stomach and digestive tract. Don't worry so much about the number on the scale. Instead focus on the way clothes are fitting and if any inches are coming off. You're losing weight to look better, no? If you weighed the same but were several inches smaller, would you still be focused on the number your scale shows?
Try not to stress and be patient. It's going to take time, but it'll be worth it in the long run. Also if you're a girl, do keep in mind that your monthly cycle can have a huge impact on the number on the scale and on your actual measurements, due to water retention and bloating. So if it's coming up to that time of the month, don't worry about those few extra pounds, stick to your healthy regimen and that added weight should fall off once your period has passed!

[Asker]

I never thought I was starving myself, I thought as long as I ate everything I was hungry I was good. I had days when I ate under 400. I will try to eat more.

[Claireee94]

It's actually amazing how much you're able to eat when you're eating the right things. You could have one meal at a restaurant be the same number of calories as 4 healthy meals cooked at home. Definitely don't go under 400. Oh man. I've been in your position and have done loads of research, plus had discussions with a personal trainer and nutritionist and they all say that you need to eat to lose weight.

[Okayyyy]

It could depend on how long you have been dieting/exercising. Sometimes it takes a while before you lose weight. You could also be gaining muscle. But if you continue gaining weight unreasonably I would go see a doctor because it could be something serious.

[AidenBlue]

If you starve yourself your body will actually try to store more than it normally would.

What are you eating exactly and what do you drink on a daily basis? In gereral the right things make all the difference.

Eat carrots and vegetables. A 5lb bag of carrots is like $5. Stop at a grocery store and buy one. Eat some with every meal. Go for veggies, meats, fruits and nuts. Drink water. Lots of water.

[Asker]

I drink water, I try not drinking coffee but I do any way. I eat one servings of everything. I eat oatmeal meal without adding anything like water or sugar, cereal with out milk... that's pretty much it and for dinner I eat whatever my mom cooks. I eat around five times a day. 9, 11,3,6 and maybe at 11pm I tend to stay up... so yeah.

[AidenBlue]

Ditch the cereal. Most is pure sugar.

Eat nuts or fruit instead. Bag of apples.

5 times a day is quite a bit. I'll bet you eat a lot more calories than you think and the sugar is almost always the problem.

[JSmith925]

Could you please give more detail? How old are you? Describe your physique in detail. How are you shaped? Where do you tend to carry your weight? Do you have any health problems or symptoms of any kind?

[Tarvold]

Don't worry so much about the actual weight. You could be gaining muscle density and losing fat which is a very good thing.

[KhaysunDei]

Drink protein shakes and work out. Muscle is heavier than fat.

[BroBroncoski]

1000 cals a day and not starving? You obviously messed up. message me

[Anonymous]

you're not eating enough.

[Asker]

I try to eat in til I'm satisfied each time I'm hungry, I eat around five times a day and at least two cups of water.