Gaining weight

Hi All, 

I'm having a dilemma. I am about 2.5 years out from my DS surgery. The most I've lost was 113lbs (195 from 308). At that weight, a lot of people thought I was too thin. I had settled at 203-207 and was pleased. Approximately 6 months ago, I had PS--BL/BA, small thigh lift, TT and lipo. I love the results!! Because I want to maintain and even improve my physique, I started exercising 5x/week: 2 days personal training, 2 days running and 1 day calisthenics. Unfortunately, I gained weight and am shocked and disheartened. I am around 210-212 and not happy. I expected to lose weight not gain. I really don't think it's muscle as people are saying. I am eating about the same, maybe even better (I used to cheat more). I need help, advice, encouragement, anything anyone can offer. Thanks for listening.

When someone says they are training five days a week and are gaining weight....and are eating better...the ONLY thing it could be is muscle. I am not sure what else you think it could be. 

I feel bigger. I thought that I would feel more lean. So the fact that I feel bigger and the pounds are up on the scale...Idk what I think but I'm not feeling to great about it.

Do a BMI test on a BMI scale. maybe that will tell you. I betcha it is muscle =)

How do your clothes fit? Did you take measurements?

You say you are eating about the same. Maybe you're not eating enough now. Sometimes, when you work out that much, you have to eat even more to fuel your body. If you're not eating enough to sustain all the calories you are burning, your body might think you are starving and will hold on to every calorie it can.

For two weeks, on the days you work out, try eating more calories (don't go overboard, but increase your intake by about 500 calories per day).

Good luck!

Thanks, I'll try that =)

Howdy,

I am going to make some assumptions that are important as a baseline to my reply. You are a female, under six feet*, your personal training is mostly weight training, you follow a DS diet of high fat/protein and low carbs and you have been exercising this way for at least a month.  If any or all these assumptions are incorrect, then the information below may not be of use to you.

*I am also assuming that at 200 pounds you are not “too skinny”.

Here are my opinions of what should be evaluated to determine what is causing this situation.

1) You are probably right. It is unlikely all the weight gain can be contributed to muscle. We can hope some of the muscle can be attributed to weight gain.

2) You may not be getting enough water for your muscles and your body is holding on to it like gold. So, upping your water might help.

In order to move muscle, you need water. Muscle is considered an active tissue and water is found in the highest concentrations in active tissue. Dehydration can cause fluid retention because when the body is dehydrated it holds onto water instead of allowing the body to dispel it. In order for the body to process fluid correctly, it must be properly and consistently hydrated. The body will then use the fluid that is necessary to keep it hydrated, and dispel excess fluid instead of holding onto it, causing fluid retention.

3)  Are you getting enough protein? Muscles require protein for repair

4) What about your vitamin routine? You are losing some vitamins and minerals at a higher rate such as potassium and magnesium, if you working out at a high intensity.

5) Also are you really working out enough to burn fat? Are you sweating? You may not actually be burning as many calories as you think you are and thus eating too much. I find most people think they are working out hard when in fact it is low or moderate on the intensity scale.

6) Are you still cheating? When I start to “feel fat”, I go back to food journaling. I usually find that I am having more of something then I think I am. ( I am the type that says to myself, “ I ran a 5K. I can have a venti frappacino and some cookies.” Ah! No.) Food journaling also allows me to check my protein. I usually don’t worry about the amount of protein because I get over 100 grams from protein drinks alone most days. However, I make sure I am still eating high protein foods first.  Sometimes I start replacing the high protein foods with empty carb foods. (I am a carb addict!)

7) Are you going to the bathroom? I fall into the constipated category. So, when I see some weight gain on the scale, I go for a “clean out”. I have lost ten pounds that way. (Note: An extended stomach with weight gain can be due to a blockage. And trust me, my partial blockage was very painful. Go to the doctor right away.)

8) And last but not least, are you being too hard on yourself? Do you weigh yourself all the time? Try to relax. If you are above where you feel comfortable, be secure in the fact that you will handle it right away.

Ok. That’s all I have. Hope some of it helps. Take it or leave it.

Thank you so much for your detailed reply. I'll answer some of your questions. I am actually 5'10 with a large frame. When I was 195, my collar bone was so prominent, it was a little scary, lol. So I do think the 203-207 is a good fit for me. My personal training is mostly weight training-lots of deadlifts and weighted squats (135lbs), but I do cardio and calisthenics on my own. I have been exercising this way since May. I noticed that first weight gain in June-July.

Your advise is spot on. My water intake could be better. I have a job where I do housecalls and some of the bathroom situations are not pleasant so I tend to hold it. In order to control that I limit my fluid intake and drink liberally when I'm home or close to home, so I'm probably not getting enough. My protein intake could be better as well. I appreciate you input and will work on improving my protein and water intake. Thanks again.

hi  i am 10 years out and  iknow what you are talking about  by your stage  your weight will be a little bit more but thats because your body has  found its comforet zone  after this surgery to maintain your weight you only need to do an hours exercise a week any more will not make any impact on you you would expect to gain about that much by  this far into your journey but you will not gain more than that no matter what. you have to trust  in what you did this is a very powerful operation and it works!!  also  one thing i will say is eat  every 2 hours  just a small amount   If you want sticky date pudding have it  always have your most desired food  since you have only got a small capcity now have what you like  . you will not put heaps mor e on more on.  but you can expect to put about 11pounds on  after surgrey  but  not much more.

Just another thought - are you eating more?  When I was doing super heavy workouts, I was hungrier.  And I ate more to compensate for the hunger.  

When I trained for a 1/2 marathon, I felt like I could eat anything and everything that was not nailed down after long run days!  I did the 1/2 marathon with friends who were not DS patients.  We all had the same results - all the calorie burning resulted in more eating.  All of us gained weight!  I also found this happening when I was doing a weight loss challenge at my gym.  I was working out like crazy - sometimes burning 1100-1200 calories in a single workout session.  The end result was not just muscle gain.  I was hungrier and ate more and lost less. 

I have not been successful at dramatically increasing my workout time and intensity and not compensating with extra food.