Running and weight gain... retention?

Health_Lady
Health_Lady Posts: 29
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi there!
I have recently started running within the last week almost every day. I do a lot of intervals... jogging for two minutes and walking for one, etc. but the scale has been increasing! Despite the fact that I have stayed within my calories. I am eating 1550 PLUS whatever I burn while exercising.

Also, on Thursday I weighed in at 120 lbs but today (3-4 days later) I weighed in at 125 lbs. same time of day, etc. (I had eaten some crud for about 3 days, but there is no way I ate that many calories. I am new to this and I am not sure what is going on.)
Thanks for your help!

Replies

  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,237 Member
    If you ate "crud" for 3 days, it's likely water weight due to cruddy food and not from running. Depending on what you ate of course. If you ate at restaurants (where the sodium content is off the charts), it's very likely just water weight from the food.
  • ladynocturne
    ladynocturne Posts: 865 Member
    I wouldn't stress, when you start a new workout your muscles store water while they are repairing themselves.

    Unless you ate an excess of 17,500 calories in 3-4 days, it is not possible that you gained fat.

    Keep at it! 1550 + exercise calories sounds awesome.
  • grimendale
    grimendale Posts: 2,153 Member
    I wouldn't worry about it. Between the "crud" and the new exercise, I would expect you to be retaining some water. Give it time. Make sure you give yourself rest days so you don't burn out your legs.
  • Health_Lady
    Health_Lady Posts: 29
    Thank you for those who took the time to respond already! :) Any new comments or suggestions?
  • jenniferwoodweeg
    jenniferwoodweeg Posts: 45 Member
    I wouldn't stress, when you start a new workout your muscles store water while they are repairing themselves.

    Unless you ate an excess of 17,500 calories in 3-4 days, it is not possible that you gained fat.

    Keep at it! 1550 + exercise calories sounds awesome.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,432 MFP Moderator
    How are you estimating your exercise calories?
  • ken_hogan
    ken_hogan Posts: 854 Member
    I was going to repeat what everyone else said...I don't have any other 'new' ideas but the advice you got sounds like a lot of other posts I've seen to similar questions...good luck!!
  • jenniferwoodweeg
    jenniferwoodweeg Posts: 45 Member
    This is exactly what happened to me last week! Started lifting and gained back 3 pounds! But, today (5 days later) lost the 3 gained plus 1 more! Likely inflamed muscle tissue causing gain. If you do not see a change in a week re-consider the amount of cal you are eating per day may need to be lower or don't eat the cal burned back..
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Yup, definitely water retention between the crud (usually high sodium and high carb) and increasing the intensity of your exercises. Make sure you're stretching well after your workouts to reduce DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness), drink plenty of water (at least 8 cups, 10-12 cups on your active days) and try to watch your sodium intake. Oh and of course take rest days to allow your muscles to recover and heal. If you want to be active every day, make it active rest - something low key like walking or swimming.

    Most of all though, just don't worry about it. Know that it's normal fluctuations that will happen. TOM, high sodium, humidity, constipation/irregular BM, etc all can contribute.

    Also, you said you weighed the same time of day but were you wearing the same thing? Clothes can make a big difference. A friend of mine has a sweater she wore to a WW weigh in and was bummed that she was up, then she realized she had the sweater on and it was a 3 pound difference!

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