Does more exercise = more water retention?

xjessicaxrx

Hello, i am no exercise expert so- i have been eating well all week like usual (maybe even better this week without any alcohol), usually i lose 1lb a week like clockwork. I have lost 22lb in total since the 1st of June. This week I have done more exercise than I usually would, I have been on 3 runs as oppose to nothing, and my legs are still aching. Just done my weekly weigh in and no change this week how demotivating! Can anybody advise please?

ninerbuff

Yes.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

xjessicaxrx

Please elaborate?

DavPul

xjessicaxrx wrote: »

Please elaborate?

Yes, it does

DavPul

You've lost 22 pounds in 10 weeks and the first day the scale doesn't move you get anxious? Your body isn't a machine and weight loss isn't always linear and predictable. Come back in 3 weeks and if the scale still hasn't moved we'll talk then.

gaborszollosy

DavPul wrote: »

xjessicaxrx wrote: »

Please elaborate?

Yes, it does

Patttience

Its because you have over exercised and created inflammation. Inflammation will retain water. Also the bigger your muscles the more glycogen your muscles can hold but that's a good thing and probably not the issue here.

fknlardarse

Thanks for that kinder reply, I was having the same issue so read this post with interest but most of the earlier replies are quite curt.

DavPul

Answering a yes or no question with "yes" or "no" is considered being curt?

xjessicaxrx

I appreciate your input lol! I dont weigh every day I weigh once a week at the same time in the morning. Suppose I should be grateful that I havent gained atleast! I Just found it odd and demotivating since I have been eating right and making the effort

KittensMaster

My legs will hold 3-4 lbs of water after a 40+ mile bike ride if I push it on high speed.

Part of that pumped feeling when you are sore is the added water.

It will flush back out.

Don't change your protein intake for sure! You need the calories to repair your muscles. The water will drop off naturally soon and you will be a little more lean

Hang in there. What is happening is normal.

xjessicaxrx

Thanks that is helpful! How long should I wait to see the water retention go back to normal do you know?

LivingtheLeanDream

Patttience wrote: »

Its because you have over exercised and created inflammation. Inflammation will retain water. Also the bigger your muscles the more glycogen your muscles can hold but that's a good thing and probably not the issue here.

^^ This.... don't worry about it ok, you will start losing again, the scale can be affected for around 3 days after exercise especially when its something you haven't done before. Well done on losing so much already

You need to be realistic though and realise that you probably wont continue to lose at the same rate every week, again its perfectly normal. Weight can stall at times despite doing everything right....

xjessicaxrx

Thank you only half way there yet!

pondee629

DavPul wrote: »

Answering a yes or no question with "yes" or "no" is considered being curt?

Yes. "curt[ kərt ] ADJECTIVE adjective: curt rudely brief:"

A followup, or further explaination, is always helpful. A simple yes (or no) is the defination of curt.

DavPul

xjessicaxrx wrote: »

Thanks that is helpful! How long should I wait to see the water retention go back to normal do you know?

Never.

Because you don't work out one day a week. You'll pretty much always have some area holding water for recovery, just with some areas/days more than others.

DavPul

pondee629 wrote: »

DavPul wrote: »

Answering a yes or no question with "yes" or "no" is considered being curt?

Yes. "curt[ kərt ] ADJECTIVE adjective: curt rudely brief:"

A followup, or further explaination, is always helpful. A simple yes (or no) is the defination of curt.

Strange. When I ask a yes or no question and instead of getting yes or no, I get a long string of words, I consider that being verbose.

"verbose" adjective: rudely wasting my time by taking too much when a simple yes or no would have answered my question.

jesha00

I have the same issue. It is very demotivating, I would agree! But I have noticed if I don't workout for a week I will lose 3 or so pounds. Once I start back up, the 3 pounds comes right back. It's frustrating!

TwistedxSinner

DavPul wrote: »

xjessicaxrx wrote: »

Please elaborate?

Yes, it does

This exchange made my day XD

xjessicaxrx

Asking someone to advise, in my book is asking for explanation? Not a 1 word answer lol

KittensMaster

xjessicaxrx wrote: »

Thanks that is helpful! How long should I wait to see the water retention go back to normal do you know?

Leg workouts are the ones where I hold lots of water weight. It usually goes away in two days.

Upper body will hold some water weight but there is less muscle mass. The weight gain is less dramatic.

When I do my stretch of riding at normal distances to burn off calories, 25-30 miles, the soreness water retention goes away.

I'm more about losing that last 10 pounds now so I may take a week and just ride to burn off fat.

It is cool to see the scale drop at the end of that week. That is my true weight.

The water retention will happen as long as you lift and get sore.

It's nothing to worry about, just a body thing to understand.

And keep up the good work!!