Could my small weight gain be due to running?

pianoplaya94

Over the past several months I have gained 4 pounds. During the school year I run about 3 days a week (7km) and briskly walk to a from school which is about 7km as well. On holidays, I run 7k everyday. During the summer months I also ran that same distance. I have lost about half an inch on my thighs and none on my waist. I am wondering if my 4 lbs weight gain could be due to my running?

jemhh

If you've been running that much long term, I wouldn't think you're experiencing water retention due to an increase in activity. It's more likely that you're eating more.

okeefester3

You may be experiencing an increase in muscle mass, which we all know is denser than fat. Do you have much fat to lose?

salsup317

Try some cross training? Belly bulge seems to be the last to go for a lot of people. And I agree with maybe you are eating more than you realize.

rileysowner

I am guessing you are eating more than you think you are. I say that because this is something that has happened over 4 months. Although 4 pounds it within the normal variations in bodyweight, the fact that it was cumulative over a long period, it makes me tend toward thinking you are eating just a little bit above your maintenance. Not a lot since the increase was overall small and quite slow.

If you are looking to lose weight, you need first of all to tighten up your logging. Make sure the food you are eating matches up with the database entry you use to log it. Make sure you are weighing solids (even those grated or ground up like grated cheese and peanut butter) with a digital kitchen scale, and liquids with measuring spoons and cups.

If you are looking to maintain, tightening up logging might be a good idea as well, but a small reduction in calories might be all you need.

While running is a weight bearing exercise, 4 pounds would be far more muscle than running would put on. Putting muscle on is a slow, difficult process. It rarely happens by accident.

Packerjohn

okeefester3 wrote: »

You may be experiencing an increase in muscle mass, which we all know is denser than fat. Do you have much fat to lose?

Long slow running is not building muscle

OP most likely eating more

Chieflrg

If you have been steadily gaining throughout it is because you are eating in a surplus.