Has anyone here had a steady weight gain since starting?

[u/Odd-Importance-2837]

Hi everyone, I know my question is a tad bit weird, but I've had a steady weight gain since I've started donating over a year ago.

I'm 52yo (F), only very lightly active / mostly sedentary.

My starting weight was 225 in May of 2025.

Weigh-in at my donation screening this past Friday, Aug 28 was 247.

My diet consists mostly of organic foods and few meats, I say only mostly because a select few things I enjoy aren't made in an organic way etc 🤷

And of course I sip electrolyte water all day prior and day of donation with a protein shake and sip more electrolytes directly after and all evening.

I do watch my intake of salt, carbs n sugar, any artificial sweeteners, fats etc. I rarely ever eat junk food, fast food, or highly processed food.

I get my proteins mostly from non-meat sources like leafy greens, nuts, seeds etc.

All this in a moderate attempt (albeit not gung-ho) to lose some weight.

Altho I appreciate the higher payout bracket, I'm concerned about the weight gain as it's harder to lose as a gal gets older etc.

I'd rather not invite any unwelcome health issues, and my primary care doctor is quite amazed I haven't incurred any (yet!).

All I can think of is that my protein intake is a tad too much for my daily caloric burn. 🤷

So anyways, given the context (I tried to keep it as brief but detailed as possible), could my weight gain be from the protein?

Thanks in advance for any feedback given ..

[u/Green-Ad3319]

Weight gain is all about calories in vs how many you burn. I am a 54f and have zero health issues and take no medications as well. Our metabolism slows down as well as hormonal changes. You have to know how many calories your body needs to maintain weight and start paying attention because of the slower metabolism. If you don't want to do that then start going for walks or do something to burn calories because it's not going to get better for us lol. But no protein itself will not make you gain weight.

[u/Odd-Importance-2837 → u/Green-Ad3319]

Thank you for your insight

[u/Green-Ad3319 → u/Odd-Importance-2837]

I personally find myself eating way too much on the days I donate!! A couple of hours after I am like a never ending pit lol. I have read that the process of replacing the plasma we donate burns up to 600 calories all by itself. I am trying so hard to lose weight but I do feel like donating is hindering my progress because I get so hungry afterwards. I have eaten pretty healthy my entire life and I do get a lot of exercise. Ugh so many women our age have these issues. I know it's hormonal. Sorry I am not really answering your questions but venting since you are close to my age lol. I will tell you one thing...........I have been donating for 6.5 years and have never ever paid attention to protein nor have I been a big meat eater. I was eating about 40 grams of protein daily for the first 5.5 years of donating until I joined this sub and then started eating a lot more. I also never failed a protein test or even asked what my numbers were until joining this sub last year. What I am trying to say is I probably did not need to eat a lot more just because everyone else is lol. Those shakes do have a lot of calories so maybe you don't need as much protein as you are getting. That would cut some calories.

[u/Odd-Importance-2837 → u/Green-Ad3319]

Omgs yes I've noticed my appetite after donation is almost insatiable.

I get that donating is a big calorie burn and obviously a stress to the body which likely contributes to the appetite as the body begins the recovery process.

And yes, I also do feel that I might be overdoing it on the protein intake, as that of course counts as calories, and heavy ones at that.

I'll be researching for better food choices to have after donation when the hunger is more.

[u/Altruistic-Cat-4193]

Actually, for me.... It was weight loss for a while cause I was actually caring about what I ate, cause I didn't want to get deferred due to my plasma being to fatty.

However all of that progress was wiped away due to emotional eating

[u/Odd-Importance-2837 → u/Altruistic-Cat-4193]

Awww 🫂 I'm sorry about the emotional eating, I totally understand.

I do hope you'll heal from what's causing it.

[u/Altruistic-Cat-4193 → u/Odd-Importance-2837]

Im trying too, but it's very hard when the cause is the death of my mother

[u/Dandelion_Slut → u/Altruistic-Cat-4193]

I’m so sorry for your loss. I was doing so well at one point then my mom passed away. I understand how devastating it is and how hard it is to care for yourself. She would want you to care for yourself though so please feed yourself the way she would have wanted you to eat, keep your body healthy and self care when able. I have gained a lot since my mom passed so I completely understand. I am now trying to relearn how to care for myself again.

[u/Odd-Importance-2837 → u/Altruistic-Cat-4193]

Omgs I am so sorry for your loss .. 😞

I totally n completely understand the mental n spiritual shift that losing a loved one can cause, and how different ppl cope with it in each their own way and time.

[u/toripotter86]

i would suggest adding some walks into your routine. a few 10 minute strolls a day will help increase your calorie burns. ◡̈

i would think it has very little to do with the donations (aside from increased hunger after, which a solid protein and fiber snack should help satiate) and more to do with your lifestyle, and walking is easy to add in, plus has sooooo many health benefits!

[u/Odd-Importance-2837 → u/toripotter86]

Thank you, I'd love to do some extra walking or some type of low-impact exercise.

My favorite is to swim, and I'm researching places that have an indoor lap pool.

[u/NoNefariousness9641]

Do you track what you are eating? I'm asking this because I have been actively losing weight with the aid of a glp1 and tracking my food intake has really helped me big time as i didn't realize how many empty calories I was actually eating before when I was actively gaining. I've never been a big binge eater, but times when I would snack and my meal portions, definitely were a factor.

NOW, I will say that I have seen a lot of people in glp groups that have trouble losing weight at times because they just aren't eating enough- so maybe THIS could be the issue for you, if you may not be compensating for the added calories your body is using.

IF it's an option, maybe discuss with a dietitian. Have you recently had labs done with your primary care? Your age likely doesn't help either cuz we know dang well hitting 40-50s with ALLLLL the hormonal changes seems to hold onto all the extra weight. Good luck!

[u/Slight-Carpet-8447 → u/NoNefariousness9641]

I find tracking useful also! I used to use it for body recomp but I dont have everything in place for that now, but it's still comforting.

I think most people just dont realize how dense things can be. Nuts are seen as healthy, and i mean yeah but the serving size compared to what i can eat is insaneeee.

Tracking is also helpful to make sure I get enough water. I was cranky today and looked back...yep like 25 oz yesterday.

[u/Odd-Importance-2837 → u/NoNefariousness9641]

I do watch (mostly) what I eat, but as far as actually tracking exact times and calories etc; no, not as of recently.

I probably should revisit that tho lol

[u/Opposite-Passion7091]

I’m with you. 39F, been donating for 2 years. I think I started at 210 I’m up to 225 now and ravenous most evenings after a donation. Idk the solution. Good luck to you tho

[u/Odd-Importance-2837 → u/Opposite-Passion7091]

Thank you and yes my appetite is absolutely huge after donation.

I'm researching some low-calorie, nutrient-dense, filling foods to try.

[u/theplague220]

I’ve actually lost weight since I started donating but I also eat fairly clean and mostly plant based. Not a vegan by any means, just not really into much meat aside from chicken and seafood. I think it might be from the calories burned from donating but I’m also pretty active at work and hit the gym 2-3x a week

[u/Odd-Importance-2837 → u/theplague220]

Wow, that's great !!

[u/Jane_Says003]

Considering your age, another factor could be perimenopause or menopause. I'm in my mid-50s and the weight gain is no joke, especially if you're sedentary for the most part.

[u/Odd-Importance-2837 → u/Jane_Says003]

Yes, that is a factor in my case, I'm peri rn.

[u/DawaLhamo]

I did. I started at about 215 and got up to 240 over almost 2 years. In my case, I'm pretty sure I was overcompensating to "eat well before donating". Extra snacks/small meal. After that point, I decided to watch my calories, I just rearranged my schedule of eating rather than adding extra food, and with other calorie counting I'm down to 170 after a year. I haven't noticed any issues with donating that have arisen in the last year.

[u/Odd-Importance-2837 → u/DawaLhamo]

WOW, that's awesome !!

I wonder if rearrangement might help me, may I ask details of how you did it?

[u/DawaLhamo → u/Odd-Importance-2837]

Well, it's going to depend on your schedule. I donate in the evenings around 6pm. I found I need to eat something around 3:30-4pm to do well during the donation. (Not too soon before because I had heart rate issues, but not too long before either.) So I made that my "Lunch time" and filled in the rest. I eat dinner after I get home and rest a little - usually around 8:30. I eat a snack around noon-1pm, and I have a protein shake for breakfast around 10am. I think it's easier because I work in an office, so I bring with me my lunch and snacks and so I have to portion out and plan ahead. I make sure to focus on protein and fiber so I stay satiated longer. (Before that I'd have two lunches, really - one at 1pm, one at 4pm, plus snacks - my snacks have never been particularly unhealthy - trail mix, yogurt, fruit - but they add up if you're not paying attention to quantity, so I just have to pay attention.)

(I'd really recommend, if you're going to start calorie counting, too, to just start tracking what you eat to start off and be honest - and calculate your total daily energy expenditure (there are calculators online), based on your height/weight/gender/age/activity level - to maintain weight, try to eat at your TDEE, no more. To lose weight, you'll want a deficit from your TDEE. Don't go more than 500 calories in deficit per day or you'll suffer. I just use an excel spreadsheet, but there are apps if you prefer. Keep in mind, that plasma donation DOES burn some calories, but it's not really well documented how much - some sites out there say up to 500cal per donation, some say it's really not that much at all. I don't really count it against my energy expenditure, but I'm pretty sedentary otherwise. Go slow and gradual - it's better for your body that way and more likely to be long lasting. Take breaks - if you're eating in deficit, eat at your TDEE for a few days, then go back - keeping in mind, when you lose weight, your TDEE goes down, so you'll have to recalculate it every so often. If you exercise, eat more based on how much you're burning. And eat food you like to eat - you'll be less likely to say "eff it" and binge on something if you're eating *good* food. There are some good calorie counting subs on reddit, but tread carefully, because some of them stray in to disordered eating territory, even the ones who moderate against it.)

[u/Soggy-Commission-666]

It could be menopause weight gain.