Mysterious 5 pound weight gain

[danakscully64]

Yesterday, I stepped on the scale (in the morning, no food, no clothes, etc) and my weight had increased 5.5 pounds from the last time I weighed myself about 1 month ago. This is a huge jump for me since I originally weighed 112. I know that my weight usually fluxuated (from between 112 and 114), but I haven't been 117.5 for more than 2 years. I have some ideas on how I might have gained the weight, but I'm not sure. The main thing is, I don't look like I've gained any weight, if anything, I look a little slimmer on my waist, where I usually gain weight. I think the 1st thought is the reason, but don't know for sure. Please help!

#1: I've been drinking protein smoothies for the last month. I read about it in Women's Health (Ab's diet). Could the scoop of protein powder almost every morning add to my weight without increasing my pant size (more muscle mass maybe). I read online and couldn't find anything about the soy powder increasing weight.

#2: Calorie intake increase? I doubt this only because I quit my job 2 weeks ago and stopped eating fries and mac and cheese almost daily. I also, for the most part, don't eat bad or a ton.

#3: Stress? I know stress can slow your metabolism. I'm unemployed right now, but don't mind because I have money saved up. But I AM having a lot of pressure put on me from family and friends (like it's their business).

#4: Alcohol. No, I don't drink a lot, but I never drank before this gain. I bought some Mike's hard lemonades (230 calories each) and will share one with my boyfriend every few days. Could the alcohol be affecting my metabolism? I also go out for 1 drink maybe once every 2 weeks.

#5 ?

I'm hoping it's #1. I've been working out a lot for the last 3 days (more than 30 minutes a day), trying to get into shape. One of the reasons I left my job was to do that. Now that I'm gaining weight, I'm feeling REALLY depressed. I know muscle weighs more than fat, but I don't know if this is the case.

I know no one can tell for sure just reading this, but in your experience, what do you think is the most likely cause? Thanks everyone!

UPDATE: I didn't even think to mention that I've been having A LOT of intestinal problems (very bad pain) for the last months or so. If anything, I would think this would make me lose weight, but maybe it's doing the opposite. This might not be important, but anything involving the digestive track could be a factor, right? I've considered that I may have crohn's disease or maybe even Celiac Disease. If not these, something else just as severe.

[bluesand]

Could be the soy drink , pull back from it for a month and see what happens , you could try a different set of scales , also your no job might mean you are doing less , are you pregnant?

[danakscully64]

I just made a little smoothie with only 1/4 of the powder I usually use. Tomorrow, I think I'm going to stop drinking smoothies for a few days and have an english muffin instead.

I was wondering if it was the lack of job. I was a waitress and ran around a bunch. I'm replacing all of that with a workout though. At home, I'm doing a lot more work as well (changing animal cages alone must burn a billion calories *hehe*). It still could be affecting my metabolism.

And no, I'm not pregnant :)

[bluesand]

I'm thats interesting , about the waitressing job , Its surprising how high activity that job is , I wouldn't worry about it . With the adjustments you are making I think your weight issues will level out

[danakscully64]

According to Women's Health, Waitresses are either #2 or 3 on the list of jobs that require the most walking. I didn't realize it until I became one. It's good because you get some exercise, but bad because you have access to really bad foods.

I hope so :) It's a self-esteem killer. Yesterday I went to the pool with my super skinny sister... I felt like an elephant!

[Rock n Roll]

You know, we all fluctuate daily and it could be due to your sodium intake or your TOM. I would weigh myself next week and if your the same weight then the soy beverage could have been the problem but I honestly think its just a fluctuation

[bluesand]

.

I hope so :) It's a self-esteem killer. Yesterday I went to the pool with my super skinny sister... I felt like an elephant!



Well , you could be turning 5lb into 50 lb in your head , you said that you thought you looked slimmer and only realized you had put on the wt when you got on the scales . Try to ease up on your self , you seem to be working through it fine :hi:

[danakscully64]

You know, we all fluctuate daily and it could be due to your sodium intake or your TOM. I would weigh myself next week and if your the same weight then the soy beverage could have been the problem but I honestly think its just a fluctuation

It was the same this morning. Usually the fluctuation ( I knew I wasn't spelling that right) happens for me during that TOM or when I haven't gone to the bathroom yet. 5.5 pounds isn't a normal jump when those 2 aren't a factor... even when they are, I usually only increase 2 pounds at the most. I'm praying this is muscle increase. Yesterday, I hung out with my sister and barely ate anything. I was still at the same weight this morning.

I did step on the scale about a week ago with clothes on and was at 118.5. I thought it was because I ate breakfast and was ready for the day that I was at that weight (even then, I thought that wasn't right). I know the scale is right because I have 2 (one is mine and the other is my Mom's).

I'm not weight obsessed, but I've been working so hard trying to get in shape. If I'm 5 pounds heavier than before, that's twice the work I need to do.

Thank you for your input :)

[danakscully64]

Well , you could be turning 5lb into 50 lb in your head , you said that you thought you looked slimmer and only realized you had put on the wt when you got on the scales . Try to ease up on your self , you seem to be working through it fine :hi:

I think you're right. I think I'm just going crazy :p Maybe the reason I didn't get on the scale for a month (which is something I used to do daily) is because in my head, I thought there was a possibility that I was gaining. About a month ago, my pants didn't want to button for a few days. I think I was just drinking a ton of water and tea at the time... when I do, it stores right below my belly button. I think I'm just afraid that it's going to be much harder to get into shape than once thought.

[danakscully64]

I left out something that may be very important that I just remembered....

I've been having A LOT of intestinal problems for the last months or so. If anything, I would think this would make me lose weight, but maybe it's doing the opposite. This might not be important, but anything involving the digestive track could be a factor, right?

[RunsWithFoxes]

5.5 lbs isn't very much, considering 'normal' weight fluctuations due to water retention (which itself can very with hormonal cycles, etc.) Just watch your caloric intake for a couple of weeks, and you may soon return to near-normal. :angel:

P.S. If you're serious about weight control, recent studies suggest that weighing yourself every day is beneficial - it lets you regulate calorie intake daily to maintain your target weight, instead of waiting until you have a problem and then having to fix it, which is very unpleasant.

[danakscully64]

To me, it does feel like a lot because even usually after I've eaten and at night (when everything is still in me from the day), I have only gained about 2-3 pounds. I'm afraid to weigh myself everyday because I used to do that and that's how I got my small eating disorder that lasted a few months (in late '04, early '05). I don't know why I just stopped weighing myself a month ago. I wondered that myself when I posted this. When I did do this, if I was a little heavier than the day before, I'd watch what I ate that day. I'm going to start doing that again. (My scale sucks, I'll keep stealing my Mom's *hehe) Thank You :)

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

Muscle weighs more than fat. You said you're replacing your waitress-workout (walking all day) with "a workout"?

You didn't say what sort of workout, but if it's building muscle, that's a good thing. Your scale might not show actual numbers going down at the moment, but you're still doing your body some good if you're building muscle.

Don't know if this is the case, but it's a thought.

[Dirty Martini]

Right. I don't suppose you have access to a scale that measures body fat as well, do you? It's possible that you're losing fat & gaining muscle.

Also, smoothies can have a LOT of calories in them. A 12-ounce glass of mangoes, blueberries, and whey powder is at least 300 calories. Add yogurt or oats or anything and you have a ton of calories.

I recommend entering everything you're eating into fitday.com to see what you're eating. If you are going over 1800-2000 calories each day, there's your answer. :)

[uberkibbles]

PREGNANT!

I joke. ;)
My weight fluxes between 1 and 7 pounds week to week, depending on the weather and how much water I drink or retain. Finding I gained 5 pounds is depressing, but then POOF it's gone. :]

[karenlovessnow]

I'm not sure, but I'm under the impression that if it were muscle, your clothes would still fit and you would see the difference with an increase in muscle tone and firmness. I know when my clothes start to get tight, it's usually fat and not that I'm gaining muscle mass. But I'm no fitness expert, for sure.

[danakscully64]

I cut out the protein smoothies. I actually didn't start working out regularly until 5 days ago, so I doubt I have that much muscle. It's possible that the extra protein boost was just filling in my muscles. Lets just hope that at least. The smoothies I was making wasn't too high in calories. It was ice, fruit, a little soy milk, and protein powder. I'm now having english muffins in the morning with tea + 30 minutes of exercise. If the exercise was occuring when I was gaining weight, I wouldn't have even started this thread, I would know the cause (muscle gain).

I know I'm not overdoing it in terms of calories because I can't eat that much. Because of my stomach issues, I get full easily. If I eat even a little too much, I'm physically ill for hours. I'm trying to eat soups (high broth ones) to decrease my calorie intake so I can lose these 5 pounds. I hate losing weight. Keeping it off is usually very easy.

And no, I am definately not pregnant :p

I weighed myself again and my weight hasn't budged. I'm just going to keep eating wisely and exercising regularly :) I think it's my best option.

[danakscully64]

I'm not sure, but I'm under the impression that if it were muscle, your clothes would still fit and you would see the difference with an increase in muscle tone and firmness. I know when my clothes start to get tight, it's usually fat and not that I'm gaining muscle mass. But I'm no fitness expert, for sure.

My clothes fit fine. But you know sometimes if a person gains weight, it's so gradual that they don't notice. This is why I'm unsure where the weight went. I can't remember if I looked different at 112. My pants still button... that's good. The thing is, if I drink even 1 cup of water, my pants get tight. All of my food and weight goes straight to my intestinal area (below the belly button.. its not the stomach area like everyone thinks). *head spinning* I just don't know.

My arms and thighs are flabby, but I know they always have been. I should take pictures of my body everyday to track progress. Like those 24 fitness commercials :)

I cut out the extra protein, I'm eating even better than I already was, and I'm exercising regularly now. I should be back to normal soon! Thanks :)

[danakscully64]

Thank You everyone for your responses!

The whole reason I started the protein smoothies is because I read in Women's Health that they help you burn fat and tone your body. Did you know that 25% of calories from protein are burned just during digestion? Only 10-15% with carbs and sugars. But in school, I was taught that adding more protein to your diet fills in your muscles, adding a little weight. I don't think anyone knows...