4 June 2009
What am I doing wrong?
Reader Stephanie writes:
I’m just shy of 5’5” and weighed 130lbs (basically my lowest weight since age 12). Full disclosure, I worked out sporadically but skipped meals pretty often to save calories for dinner. I probably ate between 1000-1500 calories per day, for about 2 years. Skipping meals = BAD. I know.
Recently (as in past couple months), I’ve started to heed your advice, and now eat small meals/snacks every few hours. I try to eat healthfully and do about 90% of the time - lots of veggies, beans, greek yogurt, etc. I try to keep it around 1500 calories per day. I also have started to exercise a lot more, and a lot more consistently.
Here’s the thing: I do feel better, generally speaking, but I have gained almost 5 lbs (bringing me up to about 135 lbs) since I began these new habits. Am I on the right track? I know there’s no down side to moving more and eating whole foods, but am I doing something wrong here? Can this really all be muscle gain? Another thought is that by starving myself (let’s call a spade a spade) I may have damaged my metabolism…thoughts? It’s somewhat discouraging to know I’m working harder but getting heavier. Any advice is much appreciated - I totally respect your opinion!
Stephanie, thanks for your honest email. Some thoughts:
- If you weighed 130 by skipping meals and eating far too few calories, you may just not be meant to weigh 130! 135 pounds is a perfectly healthy weight for your height, and as long as you’re doing strength training and regular cardio, you should feel strong and lean. 135 might be your happy weight!
- It’s possible your metabolism is slightly out of whack from skipping meals, and if that’s the case, it should correct itself within a year or two (if you’re consistent).
- Recently, since I’ve started training for my upcoming races, I’ve gained a few pounds (purely in terms of the number on the scale). I don’t really know why this has happened, as I’m not eating more but am likely burning more calories. I do know this: I feel great! I’m fitting into my clothes and have plenty of energy. It’s a good lesson in disregarding the number on the scale and going with how I feel, which is what it sounds like you need to do. Keep doing exactly what you’re doing, but just stay off the scale for a few months (put it in storage if you have to!). Go with how your clothes fit and how you feel. As long as you keep track of those things, numbers are pretty irrelevant.
