Was cautious of CICO and exercise but I gained weight?

ChristineNguyen95
ChristineNguyen95 Posts: 4 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I definitely look slimmer and more toned, so my friend said I was building muscle instead. Is he right? I haven't exercised this much (1 mile a day for 5 days) since high school and I was definitely not a fan of even running so this is pretty new to me. :o

Replies

  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    If this is a relatively new routine, it is probably water retention caused by the extra exercise masking weight loss. It's hard for women to build muscle. I have heard about newbie gains, but that applies to weightlifting. Keep at it though, the water retention is temporary and will drop off at some point drop off.

    Just my thoughts on it though :smile:
  • ChristineNguyen95
    ChristineNguyen95 Posts: 4 Member
    Yeah, this is definitely a relatively new routine LOL. I've never heard of water retention before so that could be probably be the reason why my scale says I weigh more than before. Thanks!
  • Jozzmenia
    Jozzmenia Posts: 252 Member
    Try to add a little bit each day to your run. you'll be surprised. There are apps that can help with that. I started with couch to 5k and ease into 5k. Then I switched to runkeeper because my friends were on it and we can watch and comment on each other's runs. Whatever works for you. I went from not being able to run a full lap on the track to my first half marathon in November. Lost 40 pounds in the process and still going.

    Good luck!
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    ChristineNguyen95 wrote: »
    Yeah, this is definitely a relatively new routine LOL. I've never heard of water retention before so that could be probably be the reason why my scale says I weigh more than before. Thanks!

    Water retention happens for a few reasons. Increased sodium, TOM, and exercise can all do it to you. If you are noticing changes in your body, I would just be patient.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,973 Member
    ChristineNguyen95 wrote: »
    I definitely look slimmer and more toned, so my friend said I was building muscle instead. Is he right? I haven't exercised this much (1 mile a day for 5 days) since high school and I was definitely not a fan of even running so this is pretty new to me. :o
    Steady state cardio doesn't build muscle, it builds endurance. Weight gain is most likely due to water retention and a higher glycogen storage.

    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
    9285851.png
  • Wetcoaster
    Wetcoaster Posts: 1,788 Member
    You have not gained muscle
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Not muscle but on the right path

    Keep it up ...
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    ChristineNguyen95 wrote: »
    I definitely look slimmer and more toned, so my friend said I was building muscle instead. Is he right? I haven't exercised this much (1 mile a day for 5 days) since high school and I was definitely not a fan of even running so this is pretty new to me. :o

    No. You are not going to build muscle running 1 mile per day.
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    Weight loss is not linear.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10084670/it-is-unlikely-that-you-will-lose-weight-consistently-i-e-weight-loss-is-not-linear/p1
  • ChristineNguyen95
    ChristineNguyen95 Posts: 4 Member
    ^__^ Thanks for your replies, guys!
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    edited January 2016
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    ChristineNguyen95 wrote: »
    I definitely look slimmer and more toned, so my friend said I was building muscle instead. Is he right? I haven't exercised this much (1 mile a day for 5 days) since high school and I was definitely not a fan of even running so this is pretty new to me. :o
    Steady state cardio doesn't build muscle, it builds endurance. Weight gain is most likely due to water retention and a higher glycogen storage.

    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
    9285851.png

    Any progressive muscular stress builds muscle over time, including ss cardio (although not at levels of weight lifting). However, for the scope of this thread, building muscle isn't a concern. 5 days of elite level training might have build 1/4 of a lb, for the op it's inflammatory response to change in regimen, or other weight fluctuations.

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