Why is it so quick to put on weight but so slow to take it off again?

[MrsK1991]

Not sure if this is just a bit of a rant rather than an actual question.

I feel like I understand the science behind it all, but still so flipping frustrating! Last year I lost 28lbs after my DD between January and October, averaged 0.5lbs per week and felt so proud. Come November/December and I slackened a bit, then Christmas happened and now I weigh as much as I did in September last year. So now I've got to lose 5lbs just to get back to where I was in September, before I can even start making 'progress' this year. And with 0.5lbs per week that will take me until mid-March!

I completely understand the concept that more carbs can sometimes equal water weight, and also that its physically easier to overeat by 1,000-2,000 calories in a day (e.g. a restaurant meal with dinner and alcohol) but unhealthy to undereat by 2,000 calories a day. I also completely understand that its about slow and steady progress, being too quick is not sustainable or healthy etc. But gosh isn't is just beyond annoying that a few weeks of feeling a bit relaxed and enjoying life means nearly three months of discipline just to get back to where you were!

It does also make me feel a bit worried that in the future when I'm looking to maintain a healthy weight I clearly don't know how to go about it. Without a strict regime and discipline I don't stay the same weight I put it all back on just as quickly. I can't forever yo-yo between one and the other, or maybe I can and that's just my life for the next 50 years! joy!

You're not the only one! I can put on weight so quickly, I know a lot of it is bloat and carb water but still. I let myself have 9 days off and didn't go crazy but can't believe how much my body had changed. Thicker thighs, bigger stomach, boobs a size bigger. Is it the same for everyone else?
I got back on it and I'm slowly deflating but definitely slower than gaining. I'm gonna start at the gym and gain some muscle because I hate how easily I gain even after one day off.

I think gaining weight is easier as it's so easy to eat 1000s of extra calories but we can't create the same deficit

Ps I doubt it will take you 3 months as this is recently gained weight, maybe a month tops

Because rich food is delicious and eating less than you need is hard and unpleasant.

Same as money - spending it is so easy, earning it is so hard.

You need more muscle, the more muscle you have the more mitochondria and the more mitochondria the more glucose / 'fat' you burn.

Glad to know I'm not the only one!

I never knew that about muscle though, so conceivably if between now and xmas I work on building muscle, next January I might not have such big weight fluctuations?

Because eating 6 sugar covered doughnuts in a day is not difficult but burning the 3,000 calories that involves means running13 miles (average).

Few people ever run a half marathon, so the sugar turns to fat and takes root.

Definitely! Just having muscle burns calories even sat still, plus makes you firmer so less likely to bloat out. And other sciencey things others or google will explain better!