Thursday, February 16, 2012
Thursday, August 14, 2008 Engineman asks

Q: In the military exercise 4 to 5 days a week and eat healthy but i started to gain weight why

 

Hi,

 

       I'm in the military and twice a year we have to get weighted in and do a physical training test (PRT). Well I'm the type of person that does the yoyo effect to pass my weight in. Last month I start my diet plain which is eating eggs or oats for breakfast, lunch meat sandwich, carrot and apple for lunch, apple in-between lunch and breakfast. For dinner I would have steak cooked in a pan of just seasoning no grease or oil. In-between lunch and dinner I would have and apple. I will only drink water. I also have been working out at the gym doing hour of cardio first thing in the morning before breakfast.

            The first month I lost ten pounds which was great but for the last two weeks I seem to be gaining weight. This week I starting working out before and after work and still be gaining weight. What do I need to do to start losing weight again?

 

Answer This
Answers (2)
10/15/08 2:02pm

You may be gaining muscle. Muscle will weigh more than fat so a little muscle gain will equal more weight. Dont worry. If you are eating healthy and exercising regularly your weight will stabilize. Also sometimes a diet will drop weight quickly and then your body will react and start to store the nutrients more than it did before and you will gain a little weight back. Just keep up the healthy lifestyle and your body will even out at whatever weight is healthiest for you.

I hope this was helpful,

sorry about the delay getting back to you.

Reply
11/ 8/10 2:04pm

It sounds like you're eating healthy.  You could improve a few things.  METABOLISM is key.  Try not to get full.  To speed yours up I would go from eating a 3 meal; 2 snack plan to a 4 meal; 2 snack plan.  Becareful though.  You must keep your PORTIONS down to no less than 350 calories and no more than 500 per meal.  Snacks should be healthy and low on sugar (even natural sugar) unless you absolutely have to cheat.  2200- 2400 cal's a day and 4-5 exercise days a week is what I follow through with and im 6'1 175 lbs with a body fat % usually around 6 or 7.  Counting cal's and spreading out your portions is half of the work.  Heavier weight lifting promotes larger muscle growth and if you increase your muscle index and lower your body fat index then you're on the right track.  You see, while you read this and even while you are asleep, your muscles need "food" to sustain themselves even at rest... and FAT is the number one thing that muscle burns off.  Especially during mild exercise (Hiking is a good example).  However during heavy exercise 70% of what they need is glycogen (glycogen levels increase after a meal) so it is absolutely a bad idea to go to the gym on an empty stomach.  I can almost gaurantee this info should help.

Reply
Answer This

Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of The HealthCentral Network. The HealthCentral Network does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.

Ask a Question

Get answers from our experts and community members.

Btn_ask_question_med
View all questions (2130) >