Source: google.com via Emily on Pinterest

 

Guess I broke my “posting Monday-Friday” streak ;)

I’m really trying to focus on thinking positively. That no matter what, I’m where I need to be. Somedays it’s easier than others, you know? Sometimes you work hard and you get great results. Other times you work REALLY hard and you go backwards. Let me explain …

It all started Monday morning. Even though I only weigh in once a month here on the blog, I weigh myself every Monday morning for my own sanity. I also log it on Lose It. (BTW, if you’re on Lose It and want to be buddies, look me up with FitandFreeEmily(at)gmail(dot)com) I was really looking forward to weighing in. I felt strong, leaner, and heck – I had burned over 3,000 calories last week! Say wha? Check it out:

Check out those stats! The loss was registered at the beginning of last week, not two days ago. At any rate, I stayed in my budget most days, and exercised like a fein! In the bottom right of the picture, you can see how many calories I was burning. Insane!

Then, Monday morning, this happened:

Yup, you read that right. Practically overnight, and after working my ass off for a week, I gained 6 lbs! I threw myself a nice little tantrum all Monday and Tuesday. I know, overreact much? I understand that a lot (if not all) of the gain is muscle-building related. I also know that I ate way too many carbs. I don’t really advocate a particular type of diet, but my body doesn’t respond well to lots of carbohydrates. I bloat and gain “water weight” very easily. I’m also noticing that a high percentage of my food that week was from fats. This is mostly from nuts/avocado, but still … it looks like too much.

Then last night I totally forgot to go to Zumba. I think subconsciously I’m afraid to be working out so much! I know how silly that sounds, even as I type it. I’m just so sick of seeing the scale go up. I wish I could justify being skinny without being healthy and strong. I wish I could just eat less, move a little and be done. The truth is … I enjoy working out. I like feeling strong and my muscles being sore for days, because it means I’m putting health first, not losing weight.

But it is so wrong to want to be rewarded with a lower number on the scale?

So that’s kind of what I’m struggling with right now. This post is kind of rambly and not really written with much forethought, so I hope it makes sense. Just wanted to pop in and get some feedback from y’all…

What do you think? Do any of you have experience with this problem? (gaining weight for a while before losing?) How long should it take before my muscles start working FOR me? I would also take any and all suggestions of reading/blog entries on nutrition and working out. I apparently need to understand the correlation between the effort I’m making and what my body is responding with.

Here’s to thinking positively. I don’t want to go back to the “you’ll never succeed at anything” mindset that’s been drilled into my brain from so many different sources. (<– more on that soon.) Onward!!

Much Love, as always.

- Emily
Be Strong. Be Fearless.

You might also like...

Zemanta

categories: Calorie Tracking, Struggles, Weigh-In15 comments

  • http://guessimarunner.com/ Lindsay @ The Reluctant Runner

    Ugh, that sucks! I weight myself several times a week, and my weight goes up and down 5lbs. Fluctuations are totally normal, but it sucks that you had one on a weigh in day.
    I’ve been listening to the Fat 2 Fit radio podcast for a few months now, and one thing that they stress is that you have to eat enough calories or your body won’t let go of weight because when your body isn’t getting enough fuel it slows your metabolism down for survival. They recommend never eating below 20% more than your BMR, which for me is around 1800 calories. I notice that you are eating fewer than 1500 calories most days, which is less than I eat. I went from 175ish to 150ish eating 1600 calories/day PLUS I ate back most of the calories I was burning through exercise (I was using My Fitness Pal, which encourages eating your exercise calories, to track). That might be something for you to consider/research/ask your doctor about, especially if you continue to have frustrations on the scale. 

    • http://www.FitandFreeEmily.com Emily

      Yeah, I should have been a bit clearer about that. Lose it tracks the same way – where you’re to eat your exercise calories since they’re already estimating a loss for you with your BMR and daily calorie allowance. (My track is to lose 2lbs a week, I eat right under 1800 calories.) So most days I’m eating into 2500-3500 … those bar graph totals are after workouts. But maybe I need to be eating even MORE? So confusing. 

      I try to hit that line everyday. Most days I simply run out of time to eat more. If I was still eating junk food it would be easy to hit, lol!! Healthy food you have to eat SO MUCH MORE OF. I definitely need to look into that.

      Thanks for the feedback, Lindsay! I need to check out that podcast :)

      (oh, and I also weight myself daily and just don’t record it. Stupid fluctuations!! lol)

      • http://guessimarunner.com/ Lindsay @ The Reluctant Runner

        Oh, gotcha! That’s good, eating 1200 calories and then working out like a madwoman would be crazy!
        And I hear you on the healthy foods. It is really hard to eat enough when you’re eating clean. Peanut butter is my friend! 

        • http://www.FitandFreeEmily.com Emily

          You’re speaking my language, girl! Peanut butter for LIFE! :)

    • http://twitter.com/taratweets_ *trix

      Lindsay– this is really interesting.  My weight loss has been stalling for the past month or so (gain, lose, gain, lose).  According to what you’re saying, I should be eating about 200 more calories a day.  Hmmm…

      • http://www.FitandFreeEmily.com Emily

        Might give it a try! For awhile I was eating like 1300-1500, max. My friend Anda told me to eat more like 1800 and it helped! I need to take my own advice … haha

  • http://diaryofadietgirl.blogspot.com/ Another *** Diet Girl

    If I ramp up my exercise after a week or more of little or no exercise then I definitely see an initial gain … whether its muscle or water retention or simply my body readjusting I have no idea, but its very disheartening! It does then often drop back down quite dramatically, you just have to stick with it and *believe* that what you’re doing is right …

    • http://www.FitandFreeEmily.com Emily

      Thank you, friend. Here’s to *believing* !!! :)

  • http://twitter.com/262milejourney Princess of Power

    Are you gearing up for a case of the monthlies? Also, I’m the last person on Earth who can criticize anyone for this, so please don’t take it that way, but your sodium intake for this week is high- are you sure it’s not water retention? Try a week or two of hitting your caloric goal just to see if that helps. 

    • http://www.FitandFreeEmily.com Emily

      Thank you for pointing that out! Honestly, I have no idea what my sodium level *should* be, but I know that it could definitely be a problem. I guess I’ve always had a gut feeling that I need to pay closer attention to the nutrients, and not just the calories.

      • http://twitter.com/262milejourney Princess of Power

        general guidelines are 2300mg/day so 16100mg/week.  I’m sure I’ve never eaten that little sodium in a week, so in my head I compensate for it by drinking extra water. But… probably it doesn’t work that way. :/ Next week will be better! 

  • Marcy-jo

    Great job Em!’

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=896995580 Deb Eber Roby

    I have a couple reactions to looking at those figures:

    1. you are limiting your protein.  With all that exercise, you need a bit more to help your body heal.  If it doesn’t heal completely, you will see a gain because of water retention.
    2. Your sodium levels are high.  Again, water retention.
    3. I don’t know how much sleep you’re getting. Is it at least 7 hours a night?
    4. Your caloric intake is too low.  Your caloric goal is not a number you don’t go over.  It’s a number to come close to hitting.  And on days you exercise, it the number you HIT. 

    • http://www.FitandFreeEmily.com Emily

      Thank you, Deb!
      I agree with all these things you’ve pointed out. I’ve been avoiding looking at my nutrients just because it seems exhausting to track one more thing. But, if it’s what needs to be done … it needs to be done!

      I struggle with hitting my protein/calories for the day. Do you have any suggestions on a protein powder? Maybe adding more shakes to my day will help :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000571260183 Melissa McMinn

    I can totally understand your frustration! But I applaud you for not only continuing with your journey, but also for your positive outlook. :) And throwing a tantrum every now and again is healthy! Lol. Hang in there and the numbers will catch up, I’m sure of it. Ever watch Biggest Loser? I’ve seen painful weeks where people have gained and they are working out like 6 hours a day and have their meals planned out for them. Our bodies sometimes have different ideas. Kudos to you for keeping going!!!