What the actual fuck? This makes no sense, what can I be doing wrong?

[Smithermetimbers]

Ok so I put on weight over the last year through stress and emotional eating. Almost two stone, the heaviest I’ve ever been in my life (even when pregnant) not at all my natural weight.
I gave up drinking alcohol in January (not started back up) plus stepped up on my exercise and really tried to reduce stress and increase sleep. I always drink plenty of water and herbal tea. Nothing happened, in fact I put on a few more pounds. I thought, I just need to be consistent and patient so carried on. Still nothing.
So last Sunday, I went back to intermittent fasting (16:8) which I’ve tried successfully in the past. On top I cut out all added sugar, which I would have said was impossible for me but I have done it, not a single bar or biscuit or sweet thing. I have just allowed myself two portions of fresh fruit a day. I cut out all snacking between meals. My meals have been healthy too- no junk, plenty of protein, loads of veg, otherwise fairly low carb.
I got a fitness watch and have been working out all week, averaging well over 1000 cals each day. It’s been a mix of hiit, cycling, weights, yoga and walking all of which I’ve really enjoyed. I’m also meditating a little and getting more sleep than usual.
So this morning I have weighed myself and put a fucking pound on?!!!! What the actual heck is going on here? Surely the first week of any diet you’d expect to drop a couple of pounds pretty easily? I am mid 40s but not experiencing any peri-menopausal symptoms. What on earth can I do more than this?

Have you thought you may be under-eating?

@GelfBride Just came to say I agree with you but there is always a push back if you tell someone to cut down on carbs. Funnily enough there never is the same comments when someone says they have become vegan And that's a diet that really cuts out an entire food groups!!

You do NOT need additional carbs if you are working out, that is outdated information. And so is CICO too. Not all calories are created equal.

If you have leafy greens, some legumes, berries and yogurt, that's enough carbs for you and don't need more even if you work out. What you need more is protein and fats. Doesn't mean that you have to eat 3 chicken breasts and 12 eggs per day though, before anyone starts.

I've been low carbing since Oct 2020 and it has been very effective, so effective that I stopped counting calories about six weeks ago and still lost few more kilos. Without the stodgy carbs, my body is using all the protein and fats very effectively as a fuel. A while back I also upped my sea salt intake and my sleep improved quite a bit. I must have been seriously depleted in zinc and magnesium as before I tried to avoid salt and red meat.

OP - What you are doing sounds pretty good. Just persevere. And for now cut down the bananas if you want to see results. TRE is great and so is not snacking. These will really help in the long run. Sudden increase in exercise can make your body produce more cortisol which causes inflammation. Don't over do it, changing your diet will have far more impact.

@Smithermetimbers I forgot to say that could you try to up your eating window to 18:6? I found it very effective myself as it gives your body more time to burn your own fat.

Also, weigh yourself once a week at most. And same time each day, i.e. when you first get up and before you've drank or eating anything. If you practise TRE, no snacking and low carb with moderate exercise you should see s downward trend on your weight.

Are you also measuring yourself?

This may be way off base, but as I got it of my 20's and 30's, it became very hard to lose weight. Nothing worked for me: diets, exercise, fasting. I kept experimenting until I found a combination of foods, exercise and behavior that worked, but it still came off slowly.

Just for information - you can't gain muscle in a week! It's hard for women to gain muscle - not enough testosterone, and a half pound a month muscle gain is really good going, and would take some serious weight training.

Thanks everyone. I have lost 4lbs when weighing today so that is a small net loss after going up at first. I also put a dress on that I haven’t worn for a few weeks and it is decidedly looser.
I don’t buy into the calories in/calories out theory, which is one of the reasons I don’t want to count calories, that and the fact that it is a laborious pain in the arse which makes me fixate unhealthily on food.
Calories are not all made equal- I don’t believe the body processes an avocado the same way as a packet of crisps despite the calories being the same. There is so much more to food than calorific value. And even if you can lose weight living on junk but keeping your calories low, you wouldn’t be healthy and you’d look like shit so why bother?
@GelfBride thanks for the Jason Fung tip I’ve read a load of his stuff now and the Hormonal/insulin theory makes total sense to me. I have added a bit more fat to what I was eating, maybe that made the weight loss difference? I’ll increase the length of my fasting window on some days now. I also added green tea to my drinks (no alcohol for months- only water, sugar free kombucha or herbal teas for me).
A challenge tomorrow night, going for a meal with friends. They will be boozing and eating pudding. I’m taking low/no sugar alternatives! Hope the peer pressure doesn’t get to me. I plan to be super fun even though I’m sober. I’m not going to be the non-drinker who brings the mood down with a holier than thou, boring attitude. I think being entertaining when you’re alcohol-free means you’re less likely to be pressured into drinking.

I completely agree with the avocado/packet of crisps analogy. I find diets that don't take that into account (which is most of them) really annoying. Yes I am fat but I'm also not dying of scurvy or rickets.

Calories are not all made equal- I don’t believe the body processes an avocado the same way as a packet of crisps despite the calories being the same. There is so much more to food than calorific value. And even if you can lose weight living on junk but keeping your calories low, you wouldn’t be healthy and you’d look like shit so why bother?

Honestly? That's where common sense is suppose to come to play. For some it works, for aome it doesn't

Glad it kicked off for you!

Sounds like you have it all under control and know exactly what you're doing, no need to have asked for any advice really

@Loubilou09 not sure what you mean? My point was I have been evaluating the advice given here. I have been reading up over the past few days and I am saying what I will be taking on board. That is why I asked for advice and I’m grateful for it. I can’t agree with it all and take on totally opposite tactics at the same time.

Good luck with your dinner with friends tomorrow I've now been out to eat for few times and it all went well. Had a glass of wine and lovely steak with greens, lush. Another one was a brunch meet up which was easy to do with LCHF diet too.

Another thing you could also try is to have two low calorie (800-1000cal) days of each week. I know you don't want to count the calories but try at least to eyeball the portions. If you'll practise 18:6 on those two days, you can have two meals of 400-500 cal each and it's not therefore that hard at all. But it would keep your body guessing and keep your metabolism firing.

That's great to hear OP. This week I didn't lose any weight, but my measurements went down. And I had my period. Your body absolutely influences the scales depending on your hormones.

When I go out for dinner, I make sure if I order a side salad which I eat first to fill up and try to avoid carb heavy meals. I also will only have one wine, then switch over to vodka and soda. Means I don't miss out and have a fun time, but also don't blow out my calories. If I do indulge in say pasta, I'll adjust my eating over the next week to compensate.