Ugh, I’ve put on weight and I have no idea why!

[Irishwelshetal]

I can’t work it out. Diet hasn’t changed at all. Healthy, clean eater. Exercise a lot. More weights and strength work than cardio. I’m 52, post meno.

but I’m about 4/5 lbs heavier than usual - been like this for a few weeks

only thing I can think is lifting heavier weights and doing more stuff like deadlifting and heavier squats.

But not every session.

it’s depressed me!

If you are still exactly the same size in clothes and your body hasn't changed it could be you have built more muscle, but unlikely to be 4-5 lbs in such a short time. Post menopause it can definitely be harder to shift extra weight. Have you unwittingly added an extra few hundred calories to your diet such as adding a daily Starbucks? Stress and lack of sleep (especially less than 6 hrs per night) can also cause weight gain.

If you’re fretting enough to make a post about 4/5lb, I’d be concerned you have some undue anxiety surrounding weight that sounds unhealthy. Weight naturally fluctuates, you are getting older. I’d try to relax and not get to anxious unless you see a more significant problem.

Up your protein. I've had to adjust mine in the last couple of months for the same reason and it's worked well - mainly with adding a couple of double-scoop protein shakes in

Honestly, I hate this sort of judgemental reply. I can post about what I want, when I want - I don’t need to be psychoanalysed for it!

Yea, I think I need to do this

Unfortunately we need to eat less as we age!!

Are you talking measurements as well as capturing weight? You may be gaining weight but maintaining or even reducing your size, I've lost inches before while actually gaining weight. It's good to measure a lot of locations on the body - hips, waist yes but also calves, thighs, upper arms.

You might want to get some scales that show your body fat percentage - if this isn't changing then and your hydration levels are stable, it will likely be increased muscle.

there are scales that do this?

I’m terrible at drinking enough water - would this affect things?

Are you sure it isn’t an extra glass of wine here, or quality street there etc?

Yes, just search for 'body analyser scales'. E.g.

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8255455?clickSR=slp:term:scales:3:14:1

If you are inconsistently hydrated this will cause 'false' gains and losses - you'll weigh more when properly hydrated than when dehydrated.

If your size remained the same, then there is nothing to worry about. Unless you are a competitive power lifter and need to remain within a weight class, nobody but you knows your weight. I can put on 2-3lbs overnight just from water retention after a heavy leg day.

I don’t drink and I rarely have sweet stuff

Are your clothes fitting the same?

it could be anything... 4/5lb is nothing really, water retention, a stodgy meal the night before you weighed... from some of your responses it doesnt sound like you have a very healthy relationship with your weight, so maybe look into some help there?

And those who want can reply what they like! Sounds like you need a lesson in how online forums work.

Whenever I’ve put on weight it’s because I’m having a couple of hundred calories more than I need. It could be half an avocado or slightly more olive oil than usual but it mounts up. 3500 calories is a pound. As a PP said up your protein and see what happens, I find eggs fantastic for filling me up and can be eaten any time of the day.

Are u weighing yourself at the same time each day? I had a mini freak out yesterday as thought I'd put on a few pounds but then this morning I stood on the scales first thing and it turned out I'm still the same weight!

No, I think I’m pretty clued up about how online forums work. We can say what we think, right?

Well, Exactly.