does anybody NOT retain water after exercise?

pearshapedmum

I often hear that if you are suffering from DOMS etc, or had a change in exercise routine that you are likely to hold on to a little extra water weight. I have had days where I have had a nicely sore body all over from lifting, but have not seen even a slight shift on the scales (I weigh every day just because, but only log once a week). Although I am trying to lose body fat, I have not shifted a single pound in 6 weeks of lifting (strong curves) and jogging, whilst eating around 1500 calories. I guess this is my maintenance level!

so back to my question, does anyone else think that they don't really get the water retention after exercise?

DavPul

What makes you think you aren't retaining water?

What makes you think you haven't been retaining a baseline amount for weeks and weeks that doesn't change because you're in a perpetual state of muscle recovery?

What makes you think you haven't lost 2 pounds of fat over the past several weeks but your scale weight is being affected by additional water retention?

pearshapedmum

DavPul - thanks -some very good points! My assumption that there was no water retention is because I had about a 4 day break from training. At the end of the 4 days there was no loss, and after a lifting session followed by stiff muscles there was no gain. I did not even think about fat loss being hidden by water retention. I keep seeing people suggesting muscle gain is masking fat loss, but have assumed that I must have grown very little, if any, muscle in only 6 weeks.

I guess I will just keep plugging away for a few more weeks to see if any mass starts to shift, before I reconsider my diet.