gaining weight

[stephanied]

Hi everyone
I've been a lurker now for a year or so, and finally am ready to post a question to this educated crowd! I've been highly active for 6 years or so, working with Cathe's DVD's now for about 3. I do cardio (low max, KPC, IMAX's 3-4x/week, and lift (MM or MIS)2x/week, and add stability, pilates etc..so about 1.5 hours/day, 7 days/week. I stress fractured my foot in October, and couldnt do any cardio, so i ended up losing weight!! Since then, i'm back, but gaining, i've uped my weights, so i'm not sure what on earth is going on here! I'm a very clean eater (except Saturdays), but i'm a vegan as well, so i cant get into too much trouble with food!
Any ideas as to why this is happening? Any ideas would be great. I'm wondering if my intake is too restrictive, combined with increasing weight/cardio.
Much appreciated,
Steph

 

[melodygirl]

Hi Steph, welcome

I'm glad you to decided to come out of lurkdom - we all did that to begin with.

I am sure many more knowledgeable people than myself will respond to your question, but here's an idea. How are your clothes fitting? If they are not actually getting tighter on you maybe you're gaining muscle weight not boy fat. Are you taking measurements? Many here will suggest to you that would be a more accurate way of monitoring your gains and loses, etc. than the dreaded scale.

There are many vegans here who can chime in and help you with any possible diet issues.

Keep up the great workouts and keep posting.

 

[stephanied]

Thanks so much for the welcome. I'm excited i've finally posted something!
My clothes are tighter, that's what made me step back and take notice. But its interesting, because i just dont know how its possible? I just dont eat enough to gain weight, which is think may somehow play a role here...
And my frustration increases, since i'm a registered dietitian, i should know what's going on! The scale doesnt really move, its the clothes tighter thing that's changed.
Steph

 

[kathryn]

Hi, Steph!
Welcome out of lurkdom!

If you've upped your weights, you could have muscle gain. Or fluid retention (when the muscles are subjected to new stresses, such as heavier weights or a new workout, they can retain more water as somewhat of a defense mechanism. This isn't permanent.

It could also be muscle weight.

I agree with Melody. Look at other guideposts besides weight, which is just one part of the whole equation. How you look and feel and how your clothes are fitting are a better indication of mere weight (which just shows how much influence gravity has on you!).

Glad to see a new fellow vegan on the boards! But you CAN get in trouble with foods as a vegan. It's possible to eat too much fats (especially in the form of oils), too much "white" stuff (flours, sugars). Even as a relatively 'clean' eater, you could just be eating too much in quantity (more intense exercise often makes one hungrier).

Another thing: you may actually be overtraining. If all 7 days of your workouts are 1.5 hours and somewhat intense, your body may be just holding onto calories because it feels it is under stress (no matter how positive that stress is).