There may be some stuff that might be TMI for some in this but I have to ask to understand what might be going on and Google isn't giving me the answers.

Okay so a lot has changed in the last week. I've been a good girl and have been making sure to get at least 1200 calories average (some days it's more, some it's less but it all averages out). The point being, I'm eating but not 3500 calories a day but I've gained 7 - 8 pounds the last week. I went from a lucky 177 but realistic 179 to 186 in a week. My period isn't due for a few more days, as far as I know but this gain started like 4 days ago. So here's my questions:

Can changes in physical activity such as adding bedroom activities cause weight gain?

Does your body need muscle recovery time for any physical activity or just walking, running, weight lifting?

Can you have a TOM gain almost a week and a half before you start?

Could my body be just holding on to water because I'm eating, shall we call it, "the guy's food" which is probably fairly high in salt.

Can sweets cause you to gain even if you are within plan? I never eat sweets and for some reason I've been eating those 100 calorie brownie bites and Special K fruit bars.

Oh, and do some physical activities just make you hungrier than others?

Yeah, I've been storing up the questions.

I'm just stressed. It seems like every time I give myself a mini goal (like get to 175 by my birthday) no matter how "good" I am, it never works out. I could be totally on point and still gain when I desperately want to lose. I just need others' thoughts on this gain of mine and to get out of my own head.

Thanks.

You already lost 70 pounds I am sure you are doing it right. Dont béat yourself over it stay focus. Salt is a big factor for me when I see my weight fluctuate, I am sensitive to it. I would avoid the sweets not because they are high in calorie but more because they could give you craving. You might want to Check your portion size just in case. Yes physical activities bill open your appetite.

The foods you choose are as important as staying within your calories. If you don't eat a balanced diet, you won't lose as well. Sodium is a big cause of water weight. Unless you are exercising 3-5 hours a day I doubt it's from exercise. Carbs cause the body to store 4 grams of water for every 1 gram of carbs you eat. Sweets are not a great choice. If you want something sweet, fruit can fill the bill nicely.

Your body is composed of mostly water (over 90%). The scale measures everything, fat, muscle, tissue, bone, water, etc. Fat, muscle and water can all fluctuate meaning you can lose fat without changing weight and you can gain water while maintaining muscle/fat. In my weight loss journey, I've had lots of ups and downs despite being on plan (and some ups/downs while not being on plan ). It all evens out over time. A single week is really not a good time period to judge your weight loss by.

I'll add that stress also makes your body keep the weight on, even if you have been on plan.

So, it kind of depends, the things you're asking about wouldn't, independently necessarily cause weight gain, but some of them might. TOM, the sodium, and the stress could be contributing to it.

One last thing..... I also used to have "dates" for when I wanted to reach a particular weight milestone. I realized that was just making me depressed and demotivated when I didn't reach it.

You may want to rethink how you define success in your weight loss journey.