Scared I've "lost it"

[sugacookie]

Since March 2003 I have lost about 80 pounds with an off-and-on Atkins approach. Well, at least up until about six weeks ago. I have been gaining weight slowly but surely and am up about 15 lbs!

I can't figure out what is wrong, and have even taken several pregnancy tests out of paranoia.

Has anyone out there had unexplained weight gain in the past, and what did you do to get over the "hump?" Any help at all would be a life saver! I am supposed to be meeting my boyfriend's family in Daytona, Florida for the first time next month, and I want to look my best!

MUCH thanks!
Tiff

[not again]

If you can't figure out why you gained weight, I would go to your doctor just to be safe. Thats really strange - never happened to me. If your routine is the same as always but it seems to have just stopped working - I would mix it up, changed your caloric intake, or the amount of H2O you drink, or the kinds of food you eat, or the amount of exercise, whatever - throw your body out of whack to trick your metabolism - this has always helped me when I gain a few pounds. GOOD LUCK - have fun on your trip!!!

[5cats4me]

Have you been eating any white/processed stuff or more fat than usual? Have you been more sedentary than normal? I know when my back went out a few weeks ago I was in bed or sitting all day and I started to gain. If you can honestly say you've been eating right and you're activity level hasn't changed, then I'd go to the doctor too, just to check it out. Did you start any new medications? Sometimes they'll make you gain. Good luck!

[jedswife]

you might also list your menus.

[sugacookie]

Thank you all for the comments/advice! The only thing I can say has really changed for me is that I am eating a bit more of the Dreamfields pasta than I used to. It has never been a problem in the past, but who knows?!

I go to the gym regularly and drink plenty of water/crystal light. I ordered some CLA from Netrition yesterday, since that has helped jump-start me in the past.

I just got promoted to my first position with benefits , so I may see an MD when they kick in if I haven't noticed an improvement by then.

Thanks again!

[jedswife]

have you tried measuring instead of weighing? maybe its all muscle mass instead of fat.

[lmatkins]

Crystal lite? Uhoh. Okay, I tried drinking that stuff and it made me gain too!! I bloated up like a whale and gained almost 3 pounds! After posting on this board about it I found that Aspartame can REALLY stall people and make people gain.

So maybe just take out the crystal light (and replace it with something sweetened with splenda lika Diet Rite), and you might find the pounds fall off!! Happened to me! I hope this helps!

[babyryan]

Back in late 2004 I gained 12 lbs. literally overnight. I thought it was TOM gain but it didn't come off the following week or two. I was exercising and hadn't changed my eating in any way eating at induction levels basically with added carbs being from vegetables (I was at a 75 lb. loss at the time -- at my goal weight). Anyways, I started following Weight Watchers in January and the weight eventually came off but then I hit a plateau with WW and eventually started gaining eventhough I was following points and still exercising. I'm wondering for myself (and maybe others) if your body has a certain weight it likes to be at? Like a set point? I easily maintain with this extra 10-12 lbs for some reason even I don't count calories or carbs? I am back at induction levels with Atkins (started again last month) and have lost only 1 lb. But, I will stick to this way of life even if I don't lose more because I feel best with no sugar/flour in my system.

Kelly
230/161/150

[ahamiam1]

Stay away from the crystal light, I have seen lots of posts on here that crystal light has been the demise of many LCers. Someone posted the other day that she looked on the USDA site and that some of the Crystal Light products have as much as 13 carbs although it is not listed on the box. How scary is that! I suppose it depends on how much you drink daily. I glass is probably not a big deal since the package states 0 carbs in 1/6 packet, but if you drink a packet a day (1.5 L made) then there are definitely carbs there. Especially if you consider that each individual package of artificial sweetener counts as 1-2 carbs each.
The best way to find out what is wrong is to go back to super strict induction (exclude cheese, cream and high fat meats like bacon and HB) drinking LOTS of water. Write down everything you eat and see what happens. If there are no cheats on there I bet you will see a loss, if not, there is something metabolically off. After 2 weeks slowly add things back in watching for the ones that cause weight gain or bloating, this will clue you into the thngs that you really need to stay away from. This is the ONLY thing that works for me when I gain weight and every time I have found that I was cheating in some way.

[Luvmykidz]

Originally Posted by babyryan

Back in late 2004 I gained 12 lbs. literally overnight. I thought it was TOM gain but it didn't come off the following week or two. I was exercising and hadn't changed my eating in any way eating at induction levels basically with added carbs being from vegetables (I was at a 75 lb. loss at the time -- at my goal weight). Anyways, I started following Weight Watchers in January and the weight eventually came off but then I hit a plateau with WW and eventually started gaining eventhough I was following points and still exercising. I'm wondering for myself (and maybe others) if your body has a certain weight it likes to be at? Like a set point? I easily maintain with this extra 10-12 lbs for some reason even I don't count calories or carbs? I am back at induction levels with Atkins (started again last month) and have lost only 1 lb. But, I will stick to this way of life even if I don't lose more because I feel best with no sugar/flour in my system.

Kelly
230/161/150

My body has its own "set point" and it is about 15 pounds higher than what is average for people my height. I don't think this is abnormal. I am only 5'4" and can easily maintain my weight around 138 pounds. If I try to push lower, I have to either seriously decrease food intake or increase exercise-neither of which I feel is a viable option for me.


Although some might feel this is an unhealthy weight, I find I have more energy and muscle strength when I am a bit heavier. I don't look too heavy when I weigh that much. Plus, I don't have to obsess over my diet and exercise routines in order to stay there.

Sometimes I think we get fooled into thinking that we are not attractive or are unhealthy if our bones don't show through our skin. Women are supposed to have a little extra fat on us, whether we like that or not.

Definitely it is wise to try to get off the extra fat if there is a significant amount, but if you are toned and are already eating healthy and exercising a reasonable amount, I think the number on the scale should be nothing more than an indicator of whether we need to get back on track when we start to stray.