My weight is driving me insane! Gaining no matter what I do? Help?

[Anonymous]

I just turned 18, so I don't know if that has anything to do with it (metabolism slowed down?), but I keep gaining weight for no reason. I count calories everyday, and eat anywhere between 1200-1600 calories depending on how much exercise I do. I didn't overeat these past few days, but I went from 115 pounds to 119 pounds in a week. I'm extremely frustrated because I have been doing 30 min- one hour of exercise everyday and eating healthier. I'm 5'4 and would like to be 112 pounds. I'm doing my best to avoid turning into a "whale", but it's happening no matter what and for absolutely no reason. I used to be perfect weight-wise, but now I'm disgusting. Sometimes I don't even want to go out in public because I fear that others will view me as fat. Any advice? I'm extremely depressed because of this. Thanks

[1ibiz]

First of all, every bodies weight fluctuates 5 lbs every week. Its normal and you wouldn't be alive if it doesn't! Second, your 5'4. For every 5 feet you should be a 100 lbs, for every inch on top of that you should be an additional 5 lbs. 120 lbs for your height is your ideal weight and and is where you want to stay at! Third, its all about what your body consists of. You can be at your ideal weight but still be a skinny fat person because of the things you eat! Don't worry about how much calories you are eating. It is really irrelevant! Instead worry about things you put in your body. That is the major and most important factor! You are what you eat literally! You want to make sure your body gets all the essentials to regulate properly while avoiding the things your body doesn't need! You want organic pasture raised free range off all the type of meat you buy. For steak/beef you want grass fed, but the label has to say 100% grass fed or grass finish for it to be legit. You want to eat eggs, olives, avocados, all types of plants, all types of vegetables. Tuber roots like sweet potatoes, yams, carrots, and beets. Stems like yucca. Bark like turmeric and ginger. All types of fruits. All types of berries. Eat nuts and seeds but limit your intake on barely a handful a day. Don't eat grains and legumes, they are really bad for you and will make you easily gain weight. Don't eat any packaged junk foods and sweets. Those things should not be eaten not even once. They are literally poison! If it comes from a plant, eat it. If it is made in a plant, don't! Diet is the most important thing. You want a diet high in fat, and low in carbs. Don't fall for any of the low sweetener fads like splenda, aspartame, etc.. they are chemicals and will damage your body! If you want to use a sweetener, use 100% real raw and unfiltered honey! Make sure the label says raw and unfiltered to be a legitimate source, you can also use maple syrup, but look for the same label. Honey and maple syrup has tons of minerals and phyto-nutrients. It offers your body a lot of benefits. It really doesn't matter how much calories you eat! The purpose of eating is nourishment. You make the calories count. As long as you do not go deficient on the key essentials your body needs then you have a regulated hormonal balance. The moment your hormones deregulate is when you start to gain weight. It can either be things that you are eating, or things that you are not eating! If you eat from everything from the list of foods I gave you and avoid everything else, then you can look young and fit when everybody is really old and using walkers, literally! Make your calories count and you will never be fat!

[iamwoot]

First, just calm down. =) You're only at 119. This is a good weight for you. You're certainly not a whale, nor anything approaching that. I'd assume based on those numbers you are very healthy and in pretty good shape.

Now, let's look at some other things. One major culprit that contributes to 4 lbs of weight gain in a week is water retention. There are many things that contribute to this, and many ways to reduce it. So do some research on that.

Next, muscle mass. Working out + nutrition = extra weight from muscle. Don't worry about this. It's a good thing.

Lastly, it could be fat (gasp!) but I doubt it. You're not eating enough to promote fat retention. If it IS fat, then you should probably go see a doctor, as this could indicate something is wrong.

Some last tips:

Don't just base how attractive your body is off of calories and weight. These numbers are very traditionally inaccurate.

Calculate your body fat percentage. Accurately. This is so much better than using a scale and measuring your weight. Weight can be very misleading. Go to a Bod Pod or something like it if you have one in the area. If not use calipers and a body fat analyzer link to determine your body fat.

Take measurements of your hips/waist/thighs/chest/arms and compare them on a weekly basis.

Start counting carbs+fat+protein instead of just calories. It makes a huge difference if your calories come from sugar as opposed to complex carbs/lean meats.

Lastly, if you still feel disheartened, go to a bodybuilding forum, post your picture, and ask them gauge how in shape you look. You may be surprised by the answers. You can blur your face if you'd like.

Good luck!

[BluePineapple]

From reading your story my first thought was maybe you are focusing too much on loosing weight and you stress your body out that way so it keeps gaining weight instead of loosing it. I know this sounds weird but some bodies react with weight gain during stressful situations or depressed phases in your life.

I don't think your metabolism should slow down already since you are only 18 years old.

I suggest seeing a doctor because it could be possible you have a thyroid underfunction (you are gaining weight easily without eating unhealthy or too much)

Also another possibility could be you are working out too much and not eating enough so your body has the strength to work out. The outcome it your body is in alarm mode and saving all the food your are eating so it has enough for the next time you are doing something where your body needs a lot of energy.

Just keep eating healthy and try to eat good foods. I wouldn't count calories. If you are eating healthy foods from most of them you can eat as much as you want, like veggies for example.

I hope this kinda helped and good luck! :)

[martyfellow]

Yoou're a very long way from leviathan status. Your body is trying to add muscle from all your working out, so maybe your brain thinks you need that few extra pounds of muscle.'!

And maybe you do. If you aren't getting pudgy, don't worry about it. I have no doubt you are nowhere near 'disgusting.'

Ask your friends. Ask ANY guy at the gym. They'd say you look great bent over!

[kheserthorpe]

I swing 4-5 lbs based on water retention depending on what I've eaten - not just healthy vs. not healthy but carb content.

Women will also gain or lose water weight based on monthly cycle.

To gain 4 lbs of fat in a week, you'd need to have been eating more like 4000-5000 calories a day.

[Jager66]

1. it's impossible to lose weight with insulin being released into your blood, learn what foods do this and avoid them.

2. diet is the most important factor in weight loss.

3. drink lots of water.



Here is an execelent link about weight loss, it's a good place to start learning.

https://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=eREuZEdMAVo&list=WLA630B05DACF76A39

[Anonymous]

Chances are you're not counting calories correctly. It's not possible to put weight on given those numbers.

[monkeylovesblue]

It's a lifestyle change, ask me I can help