Water weight :(

beautyforashes0890

I'm sure this has been posted a lot, but as someone who's new to working out .. I'm feeling a bit discouraged. I've been counting calories for a few years now and successfully lost 20 or so pounds with eating less and mild exercise. However, I'm at a pretty good weight now and I don't need to lose weight. I am going from being obsessed with the number in the scale and being "skinny" (losing a couple pounds because I'm dehydrated and cutting calories to quickly lose but no real loss).... to actually wanting to make healthy decisions. With all that said, I finished my first week of working out (cardio mainly but I'm starting to get a little more brave and use weight machines) and I'm up 1.5 lbs. I've been drinking more water and although my eating hasn't been perfect every day, I know I haven't eaten enough to gain. (I've eaten much more before and not put on a pound) is this normal for the changes I've been making?

MissusMoon

If you've started using weights yes, absolutely yes you are going to retain water for muscle repair. And in general, it's very easy for a woman to gain that much water while ovulating, during her cycle, or just because it's a day ending in Y.

sammyliftsandeats

Yes, it is entirely normal. Not only do our bodies fluctuate each day, using our muscles in new ways can draw water to them for repair.

If your eating is on point - I wouldn't worry about it.

tulips_and_tea

Yes, it's normal. Yes, it's just water weight. 1.5 lbs is nothing, really. A scale is a good thing to use to keep track of where we are, but it's not the ONLY tool. Do you take your measurements? Either way, I'm pretty sure almost everyone fluctuates 1 - 2 lbs, if not more, throughout the day.

Just keep doing what you're doing and don't stress about the little numbers.

JeromeBarry1

Those "Y" days are the worst.

singletrackmtbr

I agree with all of the above.

I will add that you should check your sodium intake. If it's high you may be retaining more water.

That said, 1.5 pounds isn't enough to get worried. If you're going to watch the scale pay attention to trends and not individual gains or losses. Good luck!

cgvet37

Don't obsess over the scale. You may be 1.5 lbs. heavier the next day, then be back down to where you were. It does not mean you are not on track. As others have said, your muscles will pull in water to repair.

DvlDwnInGA

Agree with single track. Watch your sodium intake. It can cause you to retain a good amount of water daily. Get that in check, and drink a lot of water daily to flush as much out as possible. Don't dehydrate yourself being worried with the scale fluctuating a pound or 2 a day. As long as it is trending down, that is all that matters.