Gaining Weight When Starting to Workout?

B

BBKT

New member
Hello,
I'm new to the forum! :blush5:

I'm about halfway to getting to my goal weight (145). I've lost 40 lbs. since January by basically watching what I eat and counting calories. However, yesterday I decided to get back on my treadmill because I figured I'd lose weight faster if I actually got off my bum and worked out a bit. I weighed 185 yesterday, walked about a mile and a half last night, walked another mile and a half this morning, and then weighed myself again and now I'm at 188. Am I missing something? Is it normal to fluctuate a bit and then get to losing again? I feel GREAT and have tons of energy, so working out is not really a chore. But I'm just going to stick with walking/running on the treadmill, because it's in front of my TV and I'm addicted to my TV. :biggrinjester:

So any help as to how or why I put on weight when I started walking/running would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!!
 
It's fairly normal for your muscles to retain some water when you work out hard or when you change things up. Even if you've been working out a while, if you really push yourself, it might happen. It doesn't happen to everyone ... but for a lot of people it's an issue.

In fact I'm dealing with a bit of that frustration myself. I added in 5k training to my regular workout schedule last week and I've noticed that the days after my interval runs, my weight is up. It's kinda frustrating, but I know that if I stick to my plan and eat healthily it will, eventually, go away.
 
What you should do is a BMI check.
There are free BMI calculators online, better yet get your hands on a machine that'll do it for you.
My instructor at the gym hands me the machine once a week, what a relief when I find that it isn't always fat that I'm gaining *phew*!
 
KaraCooks,

I have never heard that. Is it really true or just something you heard?

Chip

KaraCooks said:
It's fairly normal for your muscles to retain some water when you work out hard or when you change things up. Even if you've been working out a while, if you really push yourself, it might happen. It doesn't happen to everyone ... but for a lot of people it's an issue.
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Yes, Troutman... that's true. It's discussed in the stickies a bunch if you're interested in some clarification. That's why it's discussed ad nauseam around here that using the scale as your only metric can really toy with your emotions.
 
troutman said:
I have never heard that. Is it really true or just something you heard?
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What do you think causes your muscles to "pump up" after a really intense workout? Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (the ache/pain you feel for anywhere from 2-5 days after a really intense workout or starting a new routine) also includes swelling and fluid retention as one of the symptoms. It's a combination of water, blood, and other fluids - all part of the process to heal the muscles that you've just worked.

But don't take my word for it. :) I'm a big fan of providing independent confirmation from reputable sources.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1608/is_5_18/ai_85011010/

IF YOU'RE JUST starting out on a weight-training regimen, don't be surprised if you happen to gain three or four pounds in the first few days. No, this doesn't mean that you'll look like you have a gland problem by the end of the week. Inflammation can make muscles enlarge and swell, trapping water in the muscles, says William Kraemer, Ph.D., an exercise scientist and professor at the University of Connecticut, in the Georgia Tech Sports Medicine & Performance Newsletter.
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http://www.johnberardi.com/articles/training/weightlifting.htm

Muscle swelling, as a result of fluid accumulation and immune cell delivery, occurs almost immediately after exercise. This swelling typically lasts 3-4 days but may take as many as 7 to subside
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Muscle Soreness on MedicineNet.com

[Muscle pain is from] swelling in the muscle compartment that results from an influx of white blood cells, prostaglandins (which are antiinflammatory), and other nutrients and fluids that flow to the muscles to repair the "damage" after a tough workout. ... The swelling and inflammation can build up for days after a workout, and that's why muscle soreness may be worse two, three, or even four days after a workout (it can take up to five days for muscles to heal completely depending on the intensity of the workout).
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And if you really want to get into the nitty gritty of it, here's an article from the British Journal of Sports Medicine that talks about swelling, fluid retention, and DOMS after working out and after injury:
Muscle soreness, swelling, stiffness and strength loss after intense eccentric exercise.
 
First of all, congratulations on your weight loss. That's something to be proud of.

Secondly, it IS normal to gain weight when beginning a new exercise regimen. When you exercise you break your body down, and it rebuilds itself to be harder and stronger... in other words, heavier. Keep up the good work.
 
Oh and just for the record, I don't tend to post "something I've just heard" when responding to questions from people who are new to diet and exercise.

If I do provide an answer of something I haven't researched myself, then I'll say so and indicate why I think what I have to say is valid.

Otherwise, if I post something, you can be pretty sure that it's something that I've done some research and reading on. :)
 
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