SOS weight gain

[Hectorsmum2]

I have been consistently losing weight for about 18 months, about a pound a week and lost about 5 and a half stone. I have kept to a simple diet of four small meals a day, fruit in between if I am hungry and no refined sugar.

However the past two weeks I have started to gain and I have gained nearly 5 pounds.

Has anybody else experienced unexplained weight gain like this and did they find the cause.

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Maybe you could try reducing the number of times a day you eat, Hectorsmum? Aim for a maximum of three meals, no snacks and remember that fruit is still high in sugar, so stick to berries as a dessert with your meals.

You might like to read this article healthline.com/nutrition/sn...

[Hectorsmum2 Visitor in reply to moreless]

Thank you. I am aware that I might need to make changes but am really looking for a cause I can address.

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to Hectorsmum2]

Well maybe the cause is the number of meals and the fruit that you're eating?

[Hectorsmum2 Visitor in reply to moreless]

I was losing weight consistantly eating this way for a long time. Something has changed, there has been a variable I cant identify.

[springersrule Moderator 76kg in reply to Hectorsmum2]

Hi Hectorsmum, might be a silly question, but have you adjusted your food intake to take account of the 5+ stone you've already lost? Xx

[Hectorsmum2 Visitor in reply to springersrule]

I have increased my exercise and reduced fruit intake over the months, cut out juice. I think it maybe down to an iron supplement I am taking. There are lost of mixed messages on google as to whether iron can cause you to absorb more calories. I have posted on another forum where I know some people are experts re taking iron. I have been extra careful this week having gained last week but this week put on three and a half.

[springersrule Moderator 76kg in reply to Hectorsmum2]

I don't know anything about iron supplements so hope you can get an answer to that from the other forum. Otherwise I'm as stumped as you. Sorry xx

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to Hectorsmum2]

Could it have anything to do with your thyroid?

[Hectorsmum2 Visitor in reply to moreless]

I have an underactive thyroid but normally well treated. Perhaps it is playing up a bit.

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to Hectorsmum2]

Might be an idea to check TSH, T4, T3, VITS B12 and D, Ferritin and Folate.

I can highly recommend the Thyroid UK forum for guidance.

healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk

[Hectorsmum2 Visitor in reply to moreless]

Thank you. I am due to get some bloods done. Ill take a look at thyroid uk

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to Hectorsmum2]

I hope you find the answer.

[rjb112 Visitor in reply to Hectorsmum2]

referring to the reply of moreless, which is: "Might be an idea to check TSH, T4, T3, VITS B12 and D, Ferritin and Folate. I can highly recommend the Thyroid UK forum for guidance."

I believe that Thyroid UK will recommend Free T4 and Free T3. Not just T4 and T3

[Hopalong1 2 stone]

Hello Hectorsmum2 , I had a tough week losing last week and tracked my food, checking carbs, protein and fat. We have the Daily Diary to plan food

healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

Also if you like a challenge there is the Christmas Countdown, please join us

healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

Good luck x

[Hectorsmum2 Visitor in reply to Hopalong1]

Thank you. I might check in with the daily diary.

[Gizmocat Moderator 13kg Maintainer]

I find logging my food helps to see where any extras are creeping in. You have done well to lose 51/2 stone. It is easy to let things slip if you are busy and lose focus. Write everything down in a food diary or on an app. I use my fitbit app as it records my exercise as well. You can get others like MFP which you can have on your phone.

Seeing it all written down helps to see where extra calories are creeping in and where any tweaks can be made.

You could also try joining the Christmas challenge. I hope this helps.

[rjb112 Visitor in reply to Gizmocat]

What about using cronometer.com

[Fiadh79 Maintainer 13kg]

You have done so well to lose what you have so far! A gain like this must be frustrating. Is there any chance it will be water retention and will just fall off you in another week or so?

Otherwise is there something hormonal going on? Where are you with peri-menopause and menopause? (Not that I can really help w9th answers to that.)

I agree that getting some bloods done sounds worthwhile. But more I just want to encourage you to not get disheartened and start overeating - you have done so well and 5lbs is so little compared with everything you've lost!

[Hectorsmum2 Visitor in reply to Fiadh79]

Lets hope it just falls off again. I am drinking more to see if that helps get rid of any fluid retention. Thank you for your kind words. I am not over eating thankfully, trying to take it in my stride.

[Fiadh79 Maintainer 13kg in reply to Hectorsmum2]

Our bodies are funny things - whatever people say it isn't as straightforward as 'Eat less, move more and you are proof of that.

Keep doing what you are doing - even if the wait doesn't fall right off you'll still be healthier for it.

[amykp Visitor]

is it water weight? Have you been eating more salt? Is the weight around your middle?

[Hectorsmum2 Visitor in reply to amykp]

I am not sure if it is round my middle I am very overweight anyway. I have been eating gousto meals this week, perhaps I have had more salt, used soy sauce a few times. I hope its water as it should just go if I drink plenty.

[Ladytrucker1]

Hi Hectorsmum 2. I did for a week. Gained 2lbs. I was told by my trainer that the body gets used to the same old stuff. He suggested that I needed to re kicked start my bodies metabolism by add something different with carbohydrates. So for a couple of days I had a home made burger with bun and mayo and chips. 2nd day small price of cake 3rd day went out for a meal and so on. I was careful not to go mad and did that for about 5 days. Then went back to my diet. That week I lost 1 lb and since then have been losing 1 and 1/2 to 2 and 1/2 pounds a week. So I re-kick started my metabolism. For me it's worked. Hope this is helpful

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to Ladytrucker1]

It's true that as we lose weight, that affects our metabolism and we have to find adjustments along the way

[Hectorsmum2 Visitor in reply to Ladytrucker1]

Thank you. Thats really interesting. So you ate more for a few days to increase metabolic rate. I might have to try this

[Health2020 Visitor]

hello

Well done on your amazing weight loss so far. I’m not medical so this might not be appropriate but could you get the extra iron you need through vegetables and not take the tablet, I don’t know if that would make a difference? Hope you get to the bottom of it. Good luck

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to Health2020]

Hi and thanks for dropping in Are you wanting to lose weight yourself? You're welcome whether you're on your own weight loss journey or here to support others

[Hectorsmum2 Visitor in reply to Health2020]

Thank you. I have stopped the iron for now. It was not prescribed and will see how it goes.

[rjb112 Visitor]

You may find that cronometer.com is helpful to you.

[BeHealthy2day]

As your body gets smaller you have to eat less..eating in-between meals you can be eating 6 times a day the body can't use up food that quick that's why the fasting in between is used to let the body use your fats not fruit in between let it rest and get on with using what you've eaten (as long as protein veg etc) Thats what works for many check out some more views

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to BeHealthy2day]

Good morning, BeHealthy2day, and welcome to the forum

Thanks for being supportive and sharing your ideas. There's lots going on around the forum so check everything out and join in as much as you can: you'll soon get to know people. You'll find everything you need by following this link healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

Onwards and downwards

[Ladytrucker1]

Yes I did. So far its worked. I lost 1lb on the week I ate more. 2 and 1/2 last week and 1 and 1 and 1/2 this week. So it's worked for me

[Lilaclady24 Restart Sept 2024]

So so impressive. I can’t keep dieting up for more than a few weeks or a few months. I would change things up in terms of what you eat. Good luck!