Forums: September 2010 Kickstart Forum Archive: Weight gain
Created on: 09/26/10 01:19 PM Views: 2706 Replies: 12
tofugirl Joined: 01/01/10 Posts: 11	Weight gain Posted Sunday, September 26, 2010 at 1:19 PM This is my 3rd vegan kickstart. The strange thing is that I followed the plan to a tee, very low fat, omitted all meat, dairy and refined sugar, yet I gradually gained 4 pounds over the 3 weeks. I ate whole grains, veggies, fruits and soymilk in my coffee with just a little agave or stevia added. Could it be the soymilk? I'm very active and teach dance 4 x per week - so no changes at all in my activity (not added muscle). It just seems odd that I would have gained and not at least stayed the same. Did anyone else have this happen?
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Bugsmom Joined: 09/13/10 Posts: 2072	RE: Weight gain Posted Sunday, September 26, 2010 at 1:53 PM It could just be eating more than you are needing - it's possible to overeat whole grains, fruits and veggies. Kinda hard to overeat on celery but not that hard to overeat on whole grain pumpernickel bread or oatmeal. It might be helpful going forward to keep track of what you're eating and how much of it you're eating. Even sticking to the meal plans 100%, the portion sizes are up to you. Getting a feel for a "serving" of brown rice or whatever, and then how many "servings" is appropriate for you, is important. It's not as easy as it might seem. For instance, have you ever weighed out a "serving size" of cereal per their nutrition label? It's ridiculously small in terms of trying to feel satisfied. A typical "bowl of cereal" comes to two to four times the serving size listed on the box. That means taking in 400 calories instead of the 100 you thought (for example, using a global 'you'). It might also help to add in small snacks more often rather than waiting longer stretches and getting hungrier at meal times. --Deb
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Susan Levin Joined: 12/26/09 Posts: 1191	RE: Weight gain Posted Sunday, September 26, 2010 at 2:05 PM Is it possible that you needed to gain weight? Susan Levin, MS, RD PCRM Director of Nutrition Education
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tofugirl Joined: 01/01/10 Posts: 11	RE: Weight gain Posted Sunday, September 26, 2010 at 2:15 PM I'm within 10 pounds(not counting the 4 pounds gained - so 14 now)of my goal weight. I weighed 135 three weeks ago, and now weigh 139. My best weight has been 125 as I am 5'4" with a small frame.
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WAYOFLIFEHAWAII Joined: 02/25/10 Posts: 14	RE: Weight gain Posted Sunday, September 26, 2010 at 3:26 PM Hello everybody,this is my second kickstart and a few of my clients joined in. Two of my female clients gain a few pounds and at first were a little disapponted. I explained to them that they had replaced fat for lean muscle (more condensed) and that sometime this will happen. But, most importanly they feel fantastic and they look great. The scale is not always your best friend. Aloha & Mahalo, Jerry
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mollyhorn Joined: 03/03/10 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 582	RE: Weight gain Posted Sunday, September 26, 2010 at 6:09 PM I think Deb makes good points. I have definitely gained weight as a vegan (though it was on purpose), through eating more of the higher-calorie choices: whole grains, beans and meat-replacers. Eating out does it too, as restaurant food is automatically fattening! Portion sizes are always a killer for everyone, it seems. I think Deb's point about weighing food is good. Also, many of the Kickstart recipes are heavy in grains and starchy/sugary veg, and low in the lower-sugar veg (like celery, lettuce, broccoli, greens, etc.) If you're eating a lot of, say, brown rice, beans, muffins, vegan chili, etc... you'll definitely gain weight. Molly Horn
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tofugirl Joined: 01/01/10 Posts: 11	RE: Weight gain Posted Sunday, September 26, 2010 at 8:46 PM Thank you all for your words of encouragement. Thank you Deb for shedding light on my mystery. I'm sure that's what has happened - I guess I was assuming if it was low fat and dairy free I could eat it without thinking about the portion. I'll continue on the journey yet keep a closer watch on the portion size.
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pixie Joined: 09/08/10 Location: Boston Posts: 4	RE: Weight gain Posted Sunday, September 26, 2010 at 9:08 PM I'm happy for all that successfully completed the 21 days! and a bit jealous as I didn't make it... life is very stressful at the moment and i find it hard to really focus on the time and energy needed to prepare for a 100% vegan lifestyle. But I must say there are so many wonderful and knowledgable people on board here, i've learned a lot and will make every effort to acquire more and more vegan habits. Weight gain was an issue for me too, it's not easy to cut fat and starchy foods for me. I'm going to watch my portions and try my hardest to make better choices. Mollyhorn, you are a wonderfully encouraging wealth of knowledge - you should start your own blog! thanks everyone!
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mollyhorn Joined: 03/03/10 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 582	RE: Weight gain Posted Sunday, September 26, 2010 at 9:46 PM Aw, pixie, thank you! There are times that I think I would love that, but then other times I think I still have so much to learn! I discover new things every day. Plus, I have no idea where I'd get readers, other than you guys! Y'all have all encouraged me so much, too. I've been on this journey since the Kickstart in March, but this time around has helped me even more. Hearing everyone else's struggles and successes has convinced me more (110%?) that the low-fat plant-based diet/vegan lifestyle really is the best way to live. We're all on a journey, and there are bound to be bumps along the road, but the important thing is that we keep going, and after any setback, get right back on track as soon as possible. You're all welcome to email me anytime. I'd love to continue to talk after the Kickstart is over, and I really thrive on the opportunity to share some of the nutrition knowledge that I've gleaned over time. horn.molly@gmail.com I wish you all the absolute best, both in health and in life. Molly Horn
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Madcat Joined: 09/07/10 Location: MICHIGAN!!!! Posts: 61	RE: Weight gain Posted Sunday, September 26, 2010 at 11:15 PM I know we were not told to count calories but I went by Dr. Bernards suggestion of your goal weight X 10. I want to be 184 which would put me in the "Healthy weight" zone so I shoot for 1840 calories a day. Again, just my 2 cents.
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Bugsmom Joined: 09/13/10 Posts: 2072	RE: Weight gain Posted Monday, September 27, 2010 at 8:26 AM Saw an interesting tip last night on Dlife regarding portion sizes. To size up an approximate portion: 1 cup = a closed fist 1/2 cup = a cupped palm 1 tbl = a thumb I remembered it because that's handy when you're out and about, and don't have a kitchen scale available at the restaurant salad bar. I can eyeball something next to my fist (or palm or thumb) and get pretty close to a reasonable estimate of the portion I want. --Deb
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mollyhorn Joined: 03/03/10 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 582	RE: Weight gain Posted Monday, September 27, 2010 at 8:49 AM Deb, In that vein, here's an interactive chart from WebMD that goes into more detail... but then, it's more to remember! http://www.webmd.com/diet/healthtool-portion-size-plate?ecd=wnl_wct_062510 Molly Horn
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Bugsmom Joined: 09/13/10 Posts: 2072	RE: Weight gain Posted Monday, September 27, 2010 at 8:58 AM I went and did a quick browse and they're going to have to update some of their comparisons soon. Incandescent lightbulbs and cassette tapes are fast becoming a thing of the past. --Deb
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