The Student Room Group

How am I gaining weight

I’m gaining weight despite literally eating in a caloric deficit. I ate a lot of Easter but I’ve been eating literally 500 calories a day since then and I’m not miscounting. I eat a banana and a packet of instant noodles, the banana is 100, the noodles are 400. I ate a lot on Sunday (approx 2500 calories) but have had just a banana and noodles for the past two days and I’ve still gained a kilo. I’ve gone up from 40kg to 41kg. This shouldn’t even be possible and it’s driving me crazy. Am I just doomed to be fat? I’ve been exercising like normal as well but still gained the weight.

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Reply 1

I've found that sugar is one of the largest weight gainers. That and bread. If you try and cut those out as much as you can it'd be a solid start. If all youve had is a banana and noodles the last two days, your body actually stores fat more when you eat less. Also try not to eat anything 3 hours before you go to bed. I'm by no means a dietician or health guru, it's just what I've found has helped me in the past.
Original post by Anonymous
I’m gaining weight despite literally eating in a caloric deficit. I ate a lot of Easter but I’ve been eating literally 500 calories a day since then and I’m not miscounting. I eat a banana and a packet of instant noodles, the banana is 100, the noodles are 400. I ate a lot on Sunday (approx 2500 calories) but have had just a banana and noodles for the past two days and I’ve still gained a kilo. I’ve gone up from 40kg to 41kg. This shouldn’t even be possible and it’s driving me crazy. Am I just doomed to be fat? I’ve been exercising like normal as well but still gained the weight.

How tall are you and how old are you that you want to lose weight from being 6 stone?

Go and see your GP to get proper advice on nutrition and health, as eating only 500 calories of pretty much rubbish, plus exercising, will not do you any good.

Reply 3

Original post by Surnia
How tall are you and how old are you that you want to lose weight from being 6 stone?
Go and see your GP to get proper advice on nutrition and health, as eating only 500 calories of pretty much rubbish, plus exercising, will not do you any good.

I’m 5’0 and 20
Original post by Anonymous
I’m 5’0 and 20

So you're already underweight and trying to lose more weight? See your GP.

Reply 5

Original post by Anonymous
I’m gaining weight despite literally eating in a caloric deficit. I ate a lot of Easter but I’ve been eating literally 500 calories a day since then and I’m not miscounting. I eat a banana and a packet of instant noodles, the banana is 100, the noodles are 400. I ate a lot on Sunday (approx 2500 calories) but have had just a banana and noodles for the past two days and I’ve still gained a kilo. I’ve gone up from 40kg to 41kg. This shouldn’t even be possible and it’s driving me crazy. Am I just doomed to be fat? I’ve been exercising like normal as well but still gained the weight.

Signs of anorexia? As said above, contact your GP as soon as possible. This isn't normal.

Reply 6

Original post by Surnia
So you're already underweight and trying to lose more weight? See your GP.

I know what a doctor would tell me but they don’t take body type and aesthetic preference into account when deciding what a “healthy weight” is
You can't measure weight gain/loss over 2 days.

500 cals a day is nowt to do with 'aesthetic preference', it's likely actively harmful. "I can't see my doctor because they will tell me to stop" is also a remarkable take.

Case in point, you are 300 cals a day below where the ASA requires any diet scheme to come with a disclaimer/health warning.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68713464

Reply 8

Original post by Anonymous
I know what a doctor would tell me but they don’t take body type and aesthetic preference into account when deciding what a “healthy weight” is

Aesthetic preference has nothing to do with a "healthy weight". If those two categories don't align for you then this is likely a psychological issue that needs to be addressed urgently.

Reply 9

Original post by Admit-One
You can't measure weight gain/loss over 2 days.
500 cals a day is nowt to do with 'aesthetic preference', it's likely actively harmful. "I can't see my doctor because they will tell me to stop" is also a remarkable take.
Case in point, you are 300 cals a day below where the ASA requires any diet scheme to come with a disclaimer/health warning.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68713464

I eat around 1000-1200 calories a day when I’m not trying to make up for a cheat day. 500 a day is only for this week
You're not fat, and if anyone here were to provide you with the advice you're looking for they would be incredibly irresponsible.

Your current weight already puts you at risk of having a compromised immune system and premature death. If you lost 5kg you'd be putting yourself at risk of severe illness and hospitalisation. If you lost 10kg your organs would be at very real risk of shutting down.

You don't need to lose weight. Your aesthetic isn't as important as your life. You need to see a GP - and please do so quickly.
(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 11

You're not fat, and if anyone here were to provide you with the advice you're looking for they would be incredibly irresponsible.
Your current weight already puts you at risk of having a compromised immune system and premature death. If you lost 5kg you'd be putting yourself at risk of severe illness and hospitalisation. 10kg and your organs could start shutting down.
You don't need to lose weight. Your aesthetic isn't as important as your life. You need to see a GP - and please do so quickly.

I’m maintaining my current weight, I’m not aiming to lose a significant amount more
Original post by Anonymous #1
I’m maintaining my current weight, I’m not aiming to lose a significant amount more


500 calories a day isn't a weight maintenance. That's restricted dieting. What you're doing is extremely unhealthy and could cost you your life. Please seek medical help before it gets to that point.
(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 13

Original post by Anonymous
I’m gaining weight despite literally eating in a caloric deficit. I ate a lot of Easter but I’ve been eating literally 500 calories a day since then and I’m not miscounting. I eat a banana and a packet of instant noodles, the banana is 100, the noodles are 400. I ate a lot on Sunday (approx 2500 calories) but have had just a banana and noodles for the past two days and I’ve still gained a kilo. I’ve gone up from 40kg to 41kg. This shouldn’t even be possible and it’s driving me crazy. Am I just doomed to be fat? I’ve been exercising like normal as well but still gained the weight.

Sometimes weighing yourself can be really harmful, especially as it doesn't take into account muscle mass. If you're exercising regularly, there is a high possibility you are just building muscle.

Reply 14

500 calories a day isn't a weight maintenance. That's restricted dieting. What you're doing is extremely unhealthy and could cost you your life. Please seek medical help before it gets to that point.

On a normal day I eat 1000-1200 calories a day, I’m just making up for the cheat day rn

Reply 15

Original post by Anonymous
On a normal day I eat 1000-1200 calories a day, I’m just making up for the cheat day rn

Even 1200 is still dangerously low. It might be enough for a toddler, but certainly not enough for a 20 year old. Your body will start to shut down (if it isn't already) and your life will be put at risk. Please see a GP before things spiral completely out of control.

Reply 16

Original post by bl0bf1sh
Even 1200 is still dangerously low. It might be enough for a toddler, but certainly not enough for a 20 year old. Your body will start to shut down (if it isn't already) and your life will be put at risk. Please see a GP before things spiral completely out of control.

I’m 5’0 and 1200 is near enough my maintenance calories even with doing 10,000 steps a day, plus I spend a lot of time making up for cheat/binge days. There’s nothing a GP could do for me that I actually want
Original post by Anonymous
I’m 5’0 and 1200 is near enough my maintenance calories even with doing 10,000 steps a day, plus I spend a lot of time making up for cheat/binge days. There’s nothing a GP could do for me that I actually want

If you consider a lot of days as 'cheating' and 'binging' see your GP, as you have an unhealthy relationship with food. If you eat at maintenance calories, then exercise, you are putting yourself below the number of calories required to maintain your weight and will lose it.

Reply 18

Original post by Surnia
If you consider a lot of days as 'cheating' and 'binging' see your GP, as you have an unhealthy relationship with food. If you eat at maintenance calories, then exercise, you are putting yourself below the number of calories required to maintain your weight and will lose it.

My TDEE is around 1300-1500 calories so I consider it a cheat/binge day if I go above 1400 and the next day I would go the same amount below to make up for it (like if I have 1700 one day, I’d have 1100 the next)

Reply 19

Original post by Anonymous
I’m gaining weight despite literally eating in a caloric deficit. I ate a lot of Easter but I’ve been eating literally 500 calories a day since then and I’m not miscounting. I eat a banana and a packet of instant noodles, the banana is 100, the noodles are 400. I ate a lot on Sunday (approx 2500 calories) but have had just a banana and noodles for the past two days and I’ve still gained a kilo. I’ve gone up from 40kg to 41kg. This shouldn’t even be possible and it’s driving me crazy. Am I just doomed to be fat? I’ve been exercising like normal as well but still gained the weight.
In my opinion, that's too short of a period to measure weight gain. It's probably due to the fact that sodium and sugar can cause additional water retention or bloating (this is temporary), not an actual increase in body fat. Also, instant noodles are known for being high in fat, carbs and sodium while being low in things like fibre and protein. Try more healthy and nutritious meals, there are loads of low calorie recipes online that will have you feeling full and more energised.
By the way, is your goal to maintain your current weight or lose more? Since your weight is already quite low, i'd advise returning to a normal diet pretty soon as eating only 500 calories for an extended period of time while exercising can lead to the development of an eating disorder or problems with digestion. Please speak to your GP or an actual nutritionist though, as they'll probably have more information on this. And remember to take care of yourself and prioritise your health over aesthetics 🙂

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