Anyone else lose easier when they do not exercise but net the same?
Verity1111
Posts: 3,309 Member
I net the same as always, sometimes less, but since exercising daily my weight has slowed way, way down. Anyone else experience this more often then not? I though it would stop after a week or two. Do you lose easier with or without exercise? Im thinking Ill start alternating between days I exercise and days I dont. It bugs me not seeing results at all. I used to lose weight easier when I exercised but my body seems to hold excess fluid now a lot more than before..maybe too much salt idk. But its irritating.
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Replies
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Probably just water retention, the scale didn't move for 6 weeks for me when I started intense exercise. But you know this. You've been told this. Repeatedly.24
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VintageFeline wrote: »Probably just water retention, the scale didn't move for 6 weeks for me when I started intense exercise. But you know this. You've been told this. Repeatedly.
So whats your point? I am asking if it is more common for people or less common. Not asking why. And if you dont like it you can always not respond.
EDIT: There I edited for clarification.1 -
Is it common: Yep, seems to be from my experience of these forums.
It's either:- Your overestimating your exercise calories
- Your retaining water due to exercise
It's often a combination of both.15 -
It is common to retain water weight if you've only started exercising - that can affect the scale reading for a few weeks I've found.1
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Yes, it's common. Weight loss will pick back up again and you get to eat a little more food. Don't stop exercising.4
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If you focus only on the short term and the scale, yes, it's common.
If you are focusing on longer term goals and overall fitness and body comp, no, I don't think that it is common for weight loss to be "easier" when you don't exercise. In that I could eat more and exercise helped me focus on fitness and give me a reason for weight loss, I found it easier when I did exercise. In terms of how much I lost in a month, I think if you keep the deficit the same it is not meaningfully different (this was my experience comparing light exercise to harder and more frequent exercise).
As others noted, it can be hard to estimate the calories burned from exercise, so if you overestimate and eat them back that can obviously make it harder.4 -
Water weight =\= fat loss. You need to stop being so hyper focused on the number on the scale, it's just a metric and can be an unreliable one at that. Don't stop exercising just because you can't deal with water retention. And you may even exacerbate the issue by exercising more irregularly.13
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Verity1111 wrote: »I net the same as always, sometimes less, but since exercising daily my weight has slowed way, way down. Anyone else experience this more often then not? I though it would stop after a week or two. Do you lose easier with or without exercise? Im thinking Ill start alternating between days I exercise and days I dont. It bugs me not seeing results at all. I used to lose weight easier when I exercised but my body seems to hold excess fluid now a lot more than before..maybe too much salt idk. But its irritating.
Yes, because most people overestimate their caloric burn from exercising.3 -
I have totally seen this! It frustrates me but I keep thinking that part of the reason is because I'm not (hopefully) losing muscle weight as fast since I'm lifting and doing some cardio. When I don't exercise, I drop really fast. It can be totally depressing at times but I keep telling myself that if I keep lifting and eating less then I will eventually lose all that I need to. It's just going to be slower then I want it to be.1
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Yes, my weight goes done a bit faster without exercise.
However with exercise (specifically lifting) I lose a tad slower scale wise, but lose more inches and fat. This gives me a leaner look and I fit into smaller clothes sooner compared yo not working out. I also have more energy and just plain feel better.
Personal experience:
I went from 260 lbs to 170 lbs before becoming pregnant with my second.
After my 2nd was born I couldnt workout for almost 3 months (c-section complications). I did lose about 20 lbs in that time (212 - low 190's/high 180's). When I compare pics from approximately same weight before the pregnancy to after, I am definitely bigger in the after pregnancy pics even though Im approx the same weight. Difference was working out vs not working out.5 -
If you're netting the same, I assume that you are eating back your exercise calories...you're most likely overestimating those burns and therefore, in reality, netting more.
I have a great deal of difficulty losing weight or maintaining weight without regular exercise because calorie targets are lame without exercise and I like to eat.5 -
It's very common and there can be a variety of reasons.
1. Over estimating burn
2. Water weight
3. Maintaining muscle, some of what you lose without exercise is muscle unless you are working to preserve it.
Either way I still think it's healthier to work out of you are able. You might lose a little slower at times but you are getting stronger and improving cardiovascular health.4 -
This is why measurements are a great tool. I relied on them more than the scale.3
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I have definitely found my measurements to be a more motivating factor with the slower scale loss.4
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Verity1111 wrote: »VintageFeline wrote: »Probably just water retention, the scale didn't move for 6 weeks for me when I started intense exercise. But you know this. You've been told this. Repeatedly.
So whats your point? I am asking if it is more common for people or less common. Not asking why. And if you dont like it you can always not respond.
EDIT: There I edited for clarification.
For the reasons that were quoted to you in the post you took issue with, it is very VERY common. That being said, water retention is transient, and exercising is healthy.6 -
Hmm i find it easier to focus on diet for calorie deficit then working out, eating more to recover, and seeing the scale not move or even go up. It demotivates me.2
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Verity1111 wrote: »VintageFeline wrote: »Probably just water retention, the scale didn't move for 6 weeks for me when I started intense exercise. But you know this. You've been told this. Repeatedly.
So whats your point? I am asking if it is more common for people or less common. Not asking why. And if you dont like it you can always not respond.
It's very common and I think the point is that you should make a distinction between water weight and fat weight because everybody's real goal is fat loss, and understanding the difference will help you achieve it more easily.4 -
coreyreichle wrote: »Verity1111 wrote: »I net the same as always, sometimes less, but since exercising daily my weight has slowed way, way down. Anyone else experience this more often then not? I though it would stop after a week or two. Do you lose easier with or without exercise? Im thinking Ill start alternating between days I exercise and days I dont. It bugs me not seeing results at all. I used to lose weight easier when I exercised but my body seems to hold excess fluid now a lot more than before..maybe too much salt idk. But its irritating.
Yes, because most people overestimate their caloric burn from exercising.
I dont eat them back. I only eat back part.0 -
ronjsteele1 wrote: »I have totally seen this! It frustrates me but I keep thinking that part of the reason is because I'm not (hopefully) losing muscle weight as fast since I'm lifting and doing some cardio. When I don't exercise, I drop really fast. It can be totally depressing at times but I keep telling myself that if I keep lifting and eating less then I will eventually lose all that I need to. It's just going to be slower then I want it to be.
See thats how I feel too. Its like sometimes I just want to go back to only dieting. Same amount of food or very little difference and yet I lose quicker or at all? I stall for so long when I exercise.2 -
shadow2soul wrote: »Yes, my weight goes done a bit faster without exercise.
However with exercise (specifically lifting) I lose a tad slower scale wise, but lose more inches and fat. This gives me a leaner look and I fit into smaller clothes sooner compared yo not working out. I also have more energy and just plain feel better.
Personal experience:
I went from 260 lbs to 170 lbs before becoming pregnant with my second.
After my 2nd was born I couldnt workout for almost 3 months (c-section complications). I did lose about 20 lbs in that time (212 - low 190's/high 180's). When I compare pics from approximately same weight before the pregnancy to after, I am definitely bigger in the after pregnancy pics even though Im approx the same weight. Difference was working out vs not working out.
My pants are falling off lol I guess thats a plus...not in a dirty way I mean like theyre too big :P lol0 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »If you're netting the same, I assume that you are eating back your exercise calories...you're most likely overestimating those burns and therefore, in reality, netting more.
I have a great deal of difficulty losing weight or maintaining weight without regular exercise because calorie targets are lame without exercise and I like to eat.
Well I guess netting the same is off netting in the same range and no I wouldnt maintain. I net like 1200 calories. even if I was off by 300 calories and netting 1500 I should lose weight. Im 2060 -
successgal1 wrote: »Hmm i find it easier to focus on diet for calorie deficit then working out, eating more to recover, and seeing the scale not move or even go up. It demotivates me.
I agree. 100%. I am more motivated by actual weight loss right now especially since Im in a contest still. Im close to winning and it would get me money for my kids for Christmas. I might stop exercising daily until it's over in 10 days.0 -
Thanks all. I was just wondering what's more common because this didn't happen to me the other times I lost weight (I gained it back twice from pregnancy and once this time from severe injury/being bedridden). Its all weird to me. Calories are fine since I doubt I maintain at 1500 and Ive lost there before so even if I eat over my goal of 1200 I shouldnt stall. It has to be water. I was just wondering if this happens more often to people or less and how long it lasts. For me it has been weeks of exercise and I stall for a week at a time then drop a couple pounds.0
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double post0
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Verity1111 wrote: »ronjsteele1 wrote: »I have totally seen this! It frustrates me but I keep thinking that part of the reason is because I'm not (hopefully) losing muscle weight as fast since I'm lifting and doing some cardio. When I don't exercise, I drop really fast. It can be totally depressing at times but I keep telling myself that if I keep lifting and eating less then I will eventually lose all that I need to. It's just going to be slower then I want it to be.
See thats how I feel too. Its like sometimes I just want to go back to only dieting. Same amount of food or very little difference and yet I lose quicker or at all? I stall for so long when I exercise.
You should not care about just the scale.
You are still quite overweight. There is a lot about this process you have to learn and one of those things you could wrap your head around is the idea that you're trying to form healthy habits for life.
Do you realize that there's a National Weight Control Registry of successful maintainers? They all have some things in common, and one of the things they have in common is exercise. They all found exercise to be very important when it came to the maintenance phase of weight loss.
Furthermore, the closer you get to goal, the harder it is to form a deficit, and exercise can eliminate some of the problems that might arise from logging errors.
Not only that, exercise is a healthy habit that does your joints, bones, heart, and lungs a world of good.
And you're willing to put aside all of these benefits for a number on the scale.
Relax. It's not a race.9 -
Verity1111 wrote: »ronjsteele1 wrote: »I have totally seen this! It frustrates me but I keep thinking that part of the reason is because I'm not (hopefully) losing muscle weight as fast since I'm lifting and doing some cardio. When I don't exercise, I drop really fast. It can be totally depressing at times but I keep telling myself that if I keep lifting and eating less then I will eventually lose all that I need to. It's just going to be slower then I want it to be.
See thats how I feel too. Its like sometimes I just want to go back to only dieting. Same amount of food or very little difference and yet I lose quicker or at all? I stall for so long when I exercise.
There are many things that are more important than just the scale...1 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »Verity1111 wrote: »ronjsteele1 wrote: »I have totally seen this! It frustrates me but I keep thinking that part of the reason is because I'm not (hopefully) losing muscle weight as fast since I'm lifting and doing some cardio. When I don't exercise, I drop really fast. It can be totally depressing at times but I keep telling myself that if I keep lifting and eating less then I will eventually lose all that I need to. It's just going to be slower then I want it to be.
See thats how I feel too. Its like sometimes I just want to go back to only dieting. Same amount of food or very little difference and yet I lose quicker or at all? I stall for so long when I exercise.
There are many things that are more important than just the scale...
Not right now Im in a weight loss contest lol afterward yes I care more about measurements than weight0 -
GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »Verity1111 wrote: »ronjsteele1 wrote: »I have totally seen this! It frustrates me but I keep thinking that part of the reason is because I'm not (hopefully) losing muscle weight as fast since I'm lifting and doing some cardio. When I don't exercise, I drop really fast. It can be totally depressing at times but I keep telling myself that if I keep lifting and eating less then I will eventually lose all that I need to. It's just going to be slower then I want it to be.
See thats how I feel too. Its like sometimes I just want to go back to only dieting. Same amount of food or very little difference and yet I lose quicker or at all? I stall for so long when I exercise.
You should not care about just the scale.
You are still quite overweight. There is a lot about this process you have to learn and one of those things you could wrap your head around is the idea that you're trying to form healthy habits for life.
Do you realize that there's a National Weight Control Registry of successful maintainers? They all have some things in common, and one of the things they have in common is exercise. They all found exercise to be very important when it came to the maintenance phase of weight loss.
Furthermore, the closer you get to goal, the harder it is to form a deficit, and exercise can eliminate some of the problems that might arise from logging errors.
Not only that, exercise is a healthy habit that does your joints, bones, heart, and lungs a world of good.
And you're willing to put aside all of these benefits for a number on the scale.
Relax. It's not a race.
Again I care more about measurements but Im a contest right now so its irritating. That said I also just wanted to know if other people get as affected by it as I do. I feel so bloated too. A mix of sodium intake and the exercise regimen I think. Wish I could figure out what foods or drink might help. Trying higher fiber and stuff but idk what else. Its hard to keep sodium low too because I need to go shopping. Canned vegetables are not as good as fresh. Anyway my joints are in bad pain. I probably need a day off anyway.0 -
Verity1111 wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »Verity1111 wrote: »ronjsteele1 wrote: »I have totally seen this! It frustrates me but I keep thinking that part of the reason is because I'm not (hopefully) losing muscle weight as fast since I'm lifting and doing some cardio. When I don't exercise, I drop really fast. It can be totally depressing at times but I keep telling myself that if I keep lifting and eating less then I will eventually lose all that I need to. It's just going to be slower then I want it to be.
See thats how I feel too. Its like sometimes I just want to go back to only dieting. Same amount of food or very little difference and yet I lose quicker or at all? I stall for so long when I exercise.
There are many things that are more important than just the scale...
Not right now Im in a weight loss contest lol afterward yes I care more about measurements than weight
That's not what I was talking about....
Regular exercise is essential to overall wellness and good health...weight is only one tiny aspect of health...4 -
Verity1111 wrote: »GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »Verity1111 wrote: »ronjsteele1 wrote: »I have totally seen this! It frustrates me but I keep thinking that part of the reason is because I'm not (hopefully) losing muscle weight as fast since I'm lifting and doing some cardio. When I don't exercise, I drop really fast. It can be totally depressing at times but I keep telling myself that if I keep lifting and eating less then I will eventually lose all that I need to. It's just going to be slower then I want it to be.
See thats how I feel too. Its like sometimes I just want to go back to only dieting. Same amount of food or very little difference and yet I lose quicker or at all? I stall for so long when I exercise.
You should not care about just the scale.
You are still quite overweight. There is a lot about this process you have to learn and one of those things you could wrap your head around is the idea that you're trying to form healthy habits for life.
Do you realize that there's a National Weight Control Registry of successful maintainers? They all have some things in common, and one of the things they have in common is exercise. They all found exercise to be very important when it came to the maintenance phase of weight loss.
Furthermore, the closer you get to goal, the harder it is to form a deficit, and exercise can eliminate some of the problems that might arise from logging errors.
Not only that, exercise is a healthy habit that does your joints, bones, heart, and lungs a world of good.
And you're willing to put aside all of these benefits for a number on the scale.
Relax. It's not a race.
Again I care more about measurements but Im a contest right now so its irritating. That said I also just wanted to know if other people get as affected by it as I do. I feel so bloated too. A mix of sodium intake and the exercise regimen I think. Wish I could figure out what foods or drink might help. Trying higher fiber and stuff but idk what else. Its hard to keep sodium low too because I need to go shopping. Canned vegetables are not as good as fresh. Anyway my joints are in bad pain. I probably need a day off anyway.
Are you drinking 8 cups or so of water daily, spread through the day? There are lots of opinions about how much water (or equivalent liquid) is necessary, but certainly if your sodium consumption is higher, drinking enough water (don't need to go crazy with it) is one thing that helps some flush out the water weight (I know that sounds odd - drink water to reduce water weight, but it's true. You maybe can kind of think of it as diluting the effect of the sodium).
Also, with the understanding that you are trying hard temporarily to lose the maximum in order to win a contest that will help you give your kids a better Christmas - you might not want to greatly increase your fiber intake right before a weigh-in, since the weight of food in your system and water in your system is a contributor to scale weight. Do get enough fiber to keep things moving, though!
But I'd feel like I was being irresponsible if I didn't say this, too: I think it is risky behavior to do less healthful things in order to win a contest, and it's not something I'd encourage or recommend. I understand that you are doing it for selfless reasons, but it might also be good to consider the effect of your health (good or bad) on your family via mood, susceptibility to illness, fatigue, etc., and the effect on your children of seeing you model less-than-ideally-healthful things.
Best wishes to you, and your family!3
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