Gaining regularly

[runtanyarun]

I'm beside myself, I'm steadily gaining 1/2 lb a week for the past couple of months- I'm on week 8 of couch to five and have been eating around 1400 cals a day (this can't be right) I feel so down Im getting as thought I darent eat anything!

[fibronfedup]

Please do not starve yourself!

You may be gaining muscle weight, so your losing fat but gaining muscle, maybe its worth adjusting what you are eating instead of not eating at all, it could be you have a slow metabolism or anything really. Maybe try reducing bad carbs or fat and increasing vegetables and fruit. If it still doesnt help then maybe ask your gp to see a dietician to help you tweak what you are eating.

Please do not dispair, are you feeling healthier? I haven't even attempted the couch to 5k as I just couldnt do it.

stay strong

[Penel]

I agree with Fibron. Your weight gain could be down to a lot of things, for example your thyroid. The other thing to remember is that not all calories are the same, different food has different effects on the body. Cutting down on carbs may help, as it will lower the amount of insulin your body has to cope with. Make sure you have good amounts of protein and vegetables, but perhaps try giving things like bread a miss, and see if anything changes.

Good luck.

[Zenette]

It could be that you are underestimating your calories (common problem) and are eating more than 1400 cal.

To give yourself the benefit of the doubt, you could try 1200 or 1300 cal for a week or three and see what happens.

[deekay64]

Hi Tanya a couple of years ago I was in just the same place as you

My work place had a 12 week Fit Club and I signed up as part of a team, got MyFitnessPal fired up. I stook religiously to 1400k a day and ran 30 minutes 3-4 times a week after just finishing C25K.

I lost 2lb in the 12 weeks - maintaining or gaining every week and felt such a failure.

This year I joined SW - healthy eating, never over eating just because some foods are 'free' didn't exceed my syns, still running (further and faster) but same story. 6lb lost in 4 months.

I feel your pain.

Frankly I think as I've been overweight for many years and yo yo dieted that I've screwed my metabolism.

I've had success recently though with the 5:2 diet (I do 4:3 though as I've got a long way to go)

Have a look on the internet, I watched the YouTube from the Horizon programme then bought to book to convince myself it's safe to do and I lost a stone very quickly.

I've sort of gone off track a little (not stuck religiously to 500 cals on the fast days though still eating very little) but was amazed when I weighed in last week I've still lost a little. It works for me

Great work with the C25K by the way - it's a great plan. I'm doing a couple of 10k's next year even though I'm overweight and have just had my 50th. I can run for more than 6 miles

[Maroo]

I highly recommend reading The Calorie Myth (which is along the lines of what Penel said) which explains why this sort dieting is not rooted in modern science and has a high failure rate. It's not your fault! The Calorie Myth explains how to heal your broken metabolism and get your body burning fat naturally (and pleasantly). Google Jonathan Bailor. Fascinating and illuminating stuff!

[runtanyarun]

thanks for the replys everyone- I will look into that myth and the 5:2 diet x - now for hamburger and chips! ha ha only kidding (I'm also a vegetarian) so it's quorn fillet and veg for dinner x cheers everyone - I will see if anything changes next week!