Gaining weight?

[ThatsNotMyCherry]

Hi
I’ve been on low carb for two weeks now and I’ve gained 3kg! I’m really confused. Admittedly I wasn’t as strict to start with as a few years ago I’ve successfully lost weight just cutting refined carbs so I did have some lentils and a square of dark chocolate every 3 days or so and I wasn’t drinking enough water but surely I should have stayed the same at least and not gained?!? I’ve now become much more strict over the last 3 days and will try to make sure I’m in Ketosis and not having more than 20g carbs but I’m really confused because I’ve down a low carb before where I’ve been having probably 50g of carbs and still managed to lose weight. What’s going on? Is it my age or maybe the fact that it’s post baby weight?

Sure, you mean tracking carbs, proteins, fats and calories?

Yes. I think that can be really helpful when you feel something is wrong but can't be sure exactly what it is.

Today
Calories: 1556
Protein: 78g
Carbs:26g
Fat:124g

My carbs are a little on the high side today, I normally come in around 20-22g. I think if I hadn’t snacked on the nuts today I would have been ok.

Okay so for yesterday your calories were 1556 and your macros were 7% carbs, 20% protein, 73% fat. This is pretty good and I would expect you to get results eating like this. Which means you might just need more time to start losing weight in earnest. In terms of tweaks, your basal metabolic rate is around 1400-1450 which suggests 1500 calories is a good goal for weight loss. The BMR doesn't take exercise calories into account so if you're active (rather than sedentary) day to day or doing any exercise that will increase your calorie deficit. 7% carbs is a little on the high side but you said that was an unusual day for you. It might be worth increasing your protein towards 25% since protein is the most satiating macronutrient this will help keep you feeling full. Your fat intake is good at 73%. For weight loss you might even try to bring this down to about 65% although you will probably need to increase it again when you get close to (within half a stone) of your ideal weight. When you're losing weight that fat loss actually counts towards your fat macro for the day.

@ThatsNotMyCherry

My 900 calorie diet is not very strict and it varies from day to day but it’d be something like:

protein shake & handfull of berries, black coffee

egg white ommlette with veg for lunch. green tea

protein shake with blueberries mid afternoon

Vegetable / chicken stirfry for dinner with 1Tbsp oil

About 9 small glasses of water per day

I wouldnt recommend it for more than a few weeks though as its hard to keep to. Gets the scales moving though as long as you stay below 20gm carbs.

I normally save some calories for a treat once a week too - a low carb chocolate bar or crisps or frozen banana ice-cream.