SOS weight gain: I have been... - Weight Loss Support

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SOS weight gain

Hectorsmum2 profile image
Hectorsmum2Visitor
33 Replies

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.

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Hectorsmum2 profile image
Hectorsmum2
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33 Replies
moreless profile image
morelessAdministrator7 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 profile image
Hectorsmum2Visitor in reply tomoreless

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

moreless profile image
morelessAdministrator7 stone in reply toHectorsmum2

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

Hectorsmum2 profile image
Hectorsmum2Visitor in reply tomoreless

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

springersrule profile image
springersruleModerator76kg in reply toHectorsmum2

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 profile image
Hectorsmum2Visitor in reply tospringersrule

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 profile image
springersruleModerator76kg in reply toHectorsmum2

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 profile image
morelessAdministrator7 stone in reply toHectorsmum2

Could it have anything to do with your thyroid?

Hectorsmum2 profile image
Hectorsmum2Visitor in reply tomoreless

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

moreless profile image
morelessAdministrator7 stone in reply toHectorsmum2

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 profile image
Hectorsmum2Visitor in reply tomoreless

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

moreless profile image
morelessAdministrator7 stone in reply toHectorsmum2

I hope you find the answer.

rjb112 profile image
rjb112Visitor in reply toHectorsmum2

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 profile image
Hopalong1Host3 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 profile image
Hectorsmum2Visitor in reply toHopalong1

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

Gizmocat profile image
GizmocatModerator13kgMaintainer

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 profile image
rjb112Visitor in reply toGizmocat

What about using cronometer.com

Fiadh79 profile image
Fiadh79Maintainer13kg

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 profile image
Hectorsmum2Visitor in reply toFiadh79

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 profile image
Fiadh79Maintainer13kg in reply toHectorsmum2

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 profile image
amykpVisitor

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

Hectorsmum2 profile image
Hectorsmum2Visitor in reply toamykp

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 profile image
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 profile image
BridgeGirlAdministrator2 stone in reply toLadytrucker1

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

Hectorsmum2 profile image
Hectorsmum2Visitor in reply toLadytrucker1

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

Health2020 profile image
Health2020Visitor

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 profile image
BridgeGirlAdministrator2 stone in reply toHealth2020

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 profile image
Hectorsmum2Visitor in reply toHealth2020

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

rjb112 profile image
rjb112Visitor

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

BeHealthy2day profile image
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 profile image
BridgeGirlAdministrator2 stone in reply toBeHealthy2day

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 profile image
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 profile image
Lilaclady24Restart 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!

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