Started fueling better, but gaining weight
Since 3ish weeks I - 20F, 5’9, 116lb - realized I should fuel my workouts and runs better. I was consistently eating 1900 calories while working out 5x a week in the gym (U/L split) + daily 30 min cardio and running 3x on top of that (13 miles a week). I also work a job on my feet 35 hours a week and average 16k steps a day (including my runs). I never felt energized for my workouts and lost 2kg in a month.
I decided to slowly increase my calories to my estimated maintenance, which I expect to be 2200ish. I also increased my mileage to 16m a week as I’m trying to reach a HM distance.
However, I seem to gain weight, and I don’t understand why. Sure, it’s okay to gain some given my weight and height, but I just don’t understand why I’m already gaining on this amount. I also want to stay fit and slim for my running and want to keep my lean physique with abs showing through for aesthetic reasons. My abs are clearly less visible and I also seem to be more bloated.
I try to keep track of my ‘burned calories’ with my Apple Watch. I only track my runs, bike commutes, cardio and long walks with it. I don’t track my gym workouts, as I’ve found those to be notoriously inaccurate. My average resting calories are 1500ish and my average active calories are 700ish.
Small note: the 3000 calorie day was a Neapolitan pizza day, out in a restaurant. I ran 9 miles though, on top of 30min cardio and an hour walk commute, so my estimated burn for that day was 2900.
So, why am I gaining weight?