58SARA's Journal, 29 September 2014

Weight loss can be complicated. There are different factors which can cause the gain. It's possible it might just be sodium or one of many other factors causing water weight shifting in your body. If you are only eating around 1200 you know it's not fat because you are not taking in enough food to be fat. So it's water retention. When you increase your food intake, you may be increasing the carbs. Carbs hold on to water (protein pushes it out of our cells). Make sure your food is nutrient dense. Your body also gets used to losing on smaller amounts and you may need to retrain your body to lose on more. If you maintain the 1200 or another week or so, your body will adjust. It's just a little scary to see the scale go up. Remember you are not eating enough for the weight to be fat. Google "why the scale lies" for insight in to water weight fluctuations. Get plenty of protein and high fiber foods. You are getting close to goal, so it can get more difficult to get the weight off. Kicking up your exercise may help too. 

I agree with Suzi, don't give up. 1200 cals will be good for you in the long run. Soon enough you will start losing weight again and later it will be easier to maintain your weight. 

You may want to increase the protein for a while and then change up the exercise routine - our body gets used to the same activities and needs a "shake-up" now and then. 

I am not professional but I know that you should not give up. I am in the same stage with this restricted diet that I have I am expecting to loose but no improvement. Keep going my friend , we will get there ...  

Thanks a lot for your explanation Suzi161! I just keep going and I hope it will be OK soon! 

Thanks Snezica! Hope so, sometimes it is discouraging to stick to your diet and not see the weight loss! ;-)  

many thanks assadimx, my weight loss stopped so fast! :-( but yes the only solution is not to give up!