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Eating Disorders, Hormones, Metabolism, Videos

Rebound Weight Gain After Calorie Restriction [Q&A]

February 5, 2016 By Robyn 33 Comments

Happy rainy Friday morning!

Answering all of your questions about weight gain after calorie restriction! | The Real Life RD

I had a run planned with my friend Sarah, but that got nixed when I looked out my window at 6am and it was raining and cold. I can do rain and I can do cold, but I cannot do rain and cold. That’s asking for sick. So instead I’m going to have an extra long quiet time and then hunker down and get some studying done this morning for a Diagnosis and Management test next week. So much material and such little time ahhhh. But rain makes it easier to study because I know it’s not nice and sunny to where I could doing something outside. Anyone with me?

reboundweight

I have a few Nutshell clients this afternoon and then Nick and I are going to see a Broadway show tonight. Our friend is in Allegiance and we’ve been wanting to go watch her so that should be fun! Saturday I have a new Nutshell client, have to work my nursing job, will study study study and then we have a girl’s night planned that I’m excited about – fireplace, soft clothes, wine, snacks, and all other cozy things. And Sunday will be church and the Superbowl! I’m planning to make this 7 layer dip and I’m jazzed about it.

This week we’re talking about rebound weight gain. A topic I get emailed about a lot and one that many many clients ask about during our first session. If you’ve been restricting calories for quite some time or been on the yo-yo dieting train, as you try to restore your metabolism and balance out hormones, there can be something referred to as “rebound weight gain” and in today’s video we’re talking about why.

Happy weekending!


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Filed Under: Eating Disorders, Hormones, Metabolism, Videos

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Comments

  1. Allison says

    February 5, 2016 at 10:27 am

    That was a very helpful video! I do have one question maybe you can address. I know it is personal for everyone, but when we are increasing our calorie consumption to get out of restrictive eating, how much do we eat?

    Reply
  2. Sarah @ BucketListTummy says

    February 5, 2016 at 10:31 am

    I continue to be impressed with how you fit everything into your life – fun, food, work, study, etc. You are a prime example of balance, Ms. Robyn!

    Reply
  3. monica says

    February 5, 2016 at 11:33 am

    Ahh, I could listen to you talk about nutrition for forever! You make it so easy to understand ( a hell of a lot easier than some of my college profs!) This video was super helpful, thanks again! 🙂

    Reply
  4. Kari says

    February 5, 2016 at 11:53 am

    Love, love, LOVE this video. I’m on the “down hill” part of the bell curve and you’re right, it’s SO worth it – at the end of the day, it truly doesn’t matter. You’re amazing, Robyn. I can honest to God say you are the reason my life has changed in the most positive way. I thank Him that I stumbled across your blog a couple years ago. You have the power to change the world of women’s health! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you share with your readers.

    I would love to hear about your “obesity” standpoint that you mentioned at the end of this video!

    Reply
    • Annie says

      February 5, 2016 at 3:49 pm

      Hi Kari! That’s amazing!
      Can I ask you how long it took for you to be on the downhill side of the curve? I’m getting a little bit impatient ha!

      Reply
      • Kari says

        February 10, 2016 at 6:24 pm

        Unfortunately, it was a pretty slow process (3-4months). Everyone’s bodies are different, so yours may be quicker. Just focus on your health – honestly, people don’t notice the weight gain NEAR as much as we do (if even at all!) in the end, it’s so, so worth it, knowing your nourishing and treating your “temple.” Hang in there, girl! You can totally overcome more than you think you can! Good luck!!

        Reply
        • Annie says

          February 12, 2016 at 7:47 am

          Ah thanks! It’s not easy seeing the scales go up and wondering if they’ll ever go down again!

          Reply
        • B says

          May 13, 2019 at 8:20 pm

          super late in response but, how much weight did you gain when increasing? and at the end of the bell curve how much of it have you lost / how long did it take to lose the weight back healthily? I just started increasing today and already gained 3lbs, I’m so scared

          Reply
  5. Hayley says

    February 5, 2016 at 12:18 pm

    Your weekend sounds lovely!! Especially the cozy girls night. I always love your Q&A videos…super informative! <3

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      February 8, 2016 at 12:50 am

      hope you had a restful weekend too! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says

    February 5, 2016 at 2:08 pm

    I get some of my best studying done when it is pouring rain outside, so I can definitely attest towhead you’re saying! What broadway show are you seeing??? I’m so jealous! I’m a musical theatre nerd through and through so I hope you plan to recap that!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      February 8, 2016 at 12:49 am

      we saw Allegiance! I probably won’t recap for time sake but it was so so good!

      Reply
  7. Annie says

    February 5, 2016 at 4:02 pm

    Hi Robyn. Great video! I was wondering if it is possible for someone who is overweight by BMI standards to have a slow metabolism? I think I’m in that case as even if I restrict/diet I can’t seem to lose weight healthily!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      February 8, 2016 at 12:48 am

      yes certainly possible! also getting your thyroid checked and other labs is a good thing to rule out anything medical that could be contributing to a slow metabolism – it’s often restricting that perpetuates the cycle, making metabolism slower and weight harder to maintain

      Reply
      • Annie says

        February 16, 2016 at 11:40 am

        Thank you! Thyroid has been checked and all is good.
        So if I understood your post correctly you re saying that even someone who has been yoyo dieting for a LONG time can restore their metabolism and find a healthy weight somewhere down the road without restricting? It just sounds too good to be true!

        Reply
  8. Heather says

    February 6, 2016 at 5:31 pm

    As always, another super helpful post! Thanks so much! I gain new insight from very post you put up. When you talk about this rebound weight gain being temporary during the restoration phase, does that mean that once our metabolisms are restored that we may lost some or all of that weight that was gained since the body is now burning energy efficiently again? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      February 8, 2016 at 12:47 am

      yes, once the body is balanced hormonally and not under any excess stress from nutrition, sleep, exercise etc etc it will readily lose any weight it doesn’t need and settle into a “set point”
      hope that helps!

      Reply
  9. Lucy says

    February 7, 2016 at 12:08 am

    Hello Robyn! I’ve been reading your blog for forever and I love love love you so much! I was just wondering what your perspective is on Binge Eating Disorder. I developed BED after a restrictive eating disorder and have been struggling with it for almost two years now. Any advice to help binge-eaters recover?

    Reply
  10. Lucy says

    February 7, 2016 at 12:09 am

    Hello Robyn! I’ve been reading your blog for forever and I love love love you so much! I was just wondering what your perspective is on Binge Eating Disorder. I developed BED after a restrictive eating disorder and have been struggling with it for almost two years now. Any advice to help binge-eaters like me recover?

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      February 8, 2016 at 12:45 am

      Hi Lucy! Eating enough is so so key – and that is going to vary from individual to individual depending on your history. I have worked with many clients who have gone from anorexia to BED, but healing is so possible! Email me if you want to chat more 🙂 [email protected]

      Reply
  11. Alanna says

    February 8, 2016 at 9:32 am

    Absolutely loved this video! Very well said, couldn’t have explained the rebound weight gain any better myself.

    Reply
  12. Rebecca says

    February 8, 2016 at 10:48 pm

    Is Whole 30 over? How did it go?

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      February 9, 2016 at 7:41 pm

      yes! I’m hoping to write a recap post asap but have been super busy with school so hopefully soon!

      Reply
  13. Kelsey @ The Wolfepack Write Ups says

    February 9, 2016 at 2:09 pm

    I absolutely LOVED the credit card analogy! You are so informative and make it easy to understand! I got through this a couple years ago and I am such a happier person without constantly thinking about food now! Thanks to God, my husband, and your super awesome blog posts for helping me get better!!! Thanks so much!

    <3

    Reply
  14. Aven Chadwell says

    February 9, 2016 at 9:56 pm

    Awesome video! Thanks to your guidance with Nutshell Nutrition, I am finally on the other side of the mountain(s) that was anorexia, binging, and rebound weight gain. Like you said, my body has shed a lot of the extra weight it no longer needs; and this happened without restricting or stepping on a scale. The body is incredible.

    Reply
  15. Jebs says

    February 11, 2016 at 9:51 pm

    I went from SUPER underweight (death’s doorstep sue to malabsorption- I was eating alright but no enough I guess) and I went to gain it all. However, I gained 25 POUNDS over what my set point is, and feel like I keep gaining, and am still hungry a lot like my fast metabolism has always made me. I hit was what my regular ideal weight is in August 2015, and I really do not feel comfortable right now. It’s too much for my small frame. Advice?! SOS?!

    Reply
    • Jebs says

      February 11, 2016 at 9:53 pm

      *due

      My bad. Sorry to clog up the comments.

      Reply
  16. Alex says

    February 13, 2016 at 11:34 am

    Thanks for this video! What if a rebound weight gain happens and a) you are already at a healthy weight and b) is like, 20 pounds? Is this still healthy/okay?

    Reply
    • Allison says

      February 13, 2016 at 12:17 pm

      I’m curious as to this as well because it happened to me too! And I’m still gaining…

      Reply
    • Ariel McLaughlin says

      March 29, 2018 at 7:34 pm

      I’m curious to this as well!! This has happened to me too and I feel gross! I am the largest I’ve been since August 2014 but from 2016-2018 I was anorexic and eating 500 cals/day BMI 16.4 and I’ve gained 35 lbs. I’m worried it will never go down but again I am only entering my 4th month of recovery so I guess I just need to be patient.

      Reply
  17. Kendra says

    April 14, 2020 at 12:25 pm

    Hi Robyn! I’m studying to be a RD as well. I really enjoyed stumbling upon your blog because I think that you and I align in a lot of viewpoints. It’s really cool to see the career path that you’ve carved out for yourself and I just wanted to let you know that I’m in awe. 🙂 I look forward to reading more! Nice to meet you.

    Kendra

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      April 16, 2020 at 7:28 pm

      Welcome Kendra!!

      Reply

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A non-diet dietitian and nurse practitioner helping women find peace with food, accept their natural body size and heal from hormonal issues and period problems.

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