problem of intense workout and weight gain

Question
Hey Lela, I hope you can help me with my problem. I quit my job 2 yrs ago and as I always enjoyed workingout I strarted to indulge myself in intense cardio or running up to 4 to 5 miles a day and 4 to 5 days a week plus some weight lifting routine.  I feel must firmer but my weight has sky rocketed eventhough I eat an average to 1000 to 1500 calories a day sometimes its even less.  I am extremely depressed cause the more I workout the more I gain weight.  basically my diet is 1 boiled egg for breakfast with a brown toast cottage cheese and some honey. lunch is steamed veg and 1 piece of protein. dinner is 1 yogurt.  I give myself a day off during the weekend which makes me gain on the scale then I start my week with this diet again but I am not losing weight I am either gaining or barely maintaing eventhough I look great and fit perfectly in my clothes.  while I was working I weighed 132 now I am 138 and I am 5.54 feet.  Please I really need help desperately  I can't workout more nor can I eat less and I drink 2 liters of water a day. please help

Answer
Naela,
When you work out you build muscle, and when you build muscle you gain weight. My suggestion FIRST suggestion is to throw out your scale and focus more on how your body feels and how clothing fits rather than how much you weigh.

The Second thing I suggest is to eat more. Yes MORE. You will wreck your metabolism eating as little as you do! You should be eating at least 2000 calories per day and ideally 2400 per day. The reason you gain is because your body thinks you are starving- so on your one off day per week it holds on to every calorie it can. Eat more and your metabolism will speed up ( you may gain in the short term- be patient) and your body will normalize.

Hope this Helps,
Lela Simon

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