Hi everyone, I have never really had to deal with weight issues before so bear with me!
Recently I gained 5-7 pounds. (I used to be 115 pounds which was pretty much the perfect weight for me, now I'm around 120-123) That might not seem like a lot, but all of the weight went to my tummy and now I look pregnant and I can't wear a lot of my old pants! I feel very self concious about my bulging belly. The rest of my body still looks very thin.

For about a month, I was on a 1000 calorie per day diet. I basically ate only cereal and udon soup with an occasional smoothie (which were the lowest calorie meals I could find). Progress seemed very slow, and at best I lost maybe 2 pounds the whole time. I went on a vacation for ONE WEEK, eating the way I normally would while not on a diet (no pigging out) and I gained everything back. At this point I was absolutely sick of the lack of progress I was seeing so I decided to go back to eating what I would normally eat. I haven't really gained any weight since then, but I worry I still might.

In any case, what was I doing wrong? I don't drink sodas (ever), I only drink iced green tea instead of water (no sugar or anything added), and I don't eat any meat except for fish. I am on an antidepressant which is supposed to make you gain weight, but I never experienced this type of weight gain when I was on it before, and even if that did contribute to the weight gain, it seems that the diet should have done it. If I can eat what I want and stay at my current weight, why can't I eat what I want at 115 pounds without gaining it all back? Please someone give me some advice. I'd really like to lose this weight before the school year starts.

Hmmm... maybe you weren't getting enough calories on that diet and it slowed your metabolism down too much. I don't know, I've always been hopeless with diets. What sort of exercise do you do? You could try doing more work on your abs and a bit more cardio to try and shift the extra fat. Also, how old are you? If you're still in your teens it could just be perfectly natural, like your body growing and adjusting or whatever. Also you mentioned being on antidepressants... a friend of mine was on a particular one that made her gain 20kg in just a few months... can't be bothered looking up the exact conversion, but that's probably around 40 pounds so I wouldn't be too concerned unless you keep gaining weight.

I agree. 1000 calories is not enough so your body might have gone into starvation mode. You need to make sure you eat enough veggies, fruits, lean meats (fish is not enough) and drink ALOT OF WATER! I've read here that a person needs at least 3 quarts (3000 ml) of water per day. And if you're on a diet and you don't get enough water, your body will hold onto the water you do drink and you'll gain water weight.

Also, exercising is also a good way to lose some weight. You don't have alot to lose, so if you slightly change a few things it should work for you

Goodluck!

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I agree, if your calories are in check but you're still not losing weight I would add some exercise into your life. I bet a 30 minutes cardio workout 3-4 times a week would really help get off those stubborn 7 pounds.

Good luck!

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