I have GAINED weight!!!!
kalfred22
Posts: 4 Member
Over the last month, I have made a conscious effort to go to the gym at least 4 times/week and do cardio - 40 minutes on the elliptical and then some weight training for arms and legs. I have also been eating a lot better, not always great, but under 1500 calorie each day. So, why have I gained weight??? I'm eating better and working out 4-5 times per week.
Should I cut out the weight training and just focus on adding more cardio? I am really feeling deflated and starting to question "what's the point?"
Thanks!
Should I cut out the weight training and just focus on adding more cardio? I am really feeling deflated and starting to question "what's the point?"
Thanks!
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Replies
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Maybe you aren't eating enough.0
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You started to increase your workout routine. Its just water weight and your muscles retaining more. Try weighing yourself again in a month.0
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Are you drinking the necessary amount of water to flush out the salt?
Do you weigh and measure all your food to know exactly what you are eating?0 -
The scale is not the only indicator of success. Take measurements and go by how your clothes feel.
Weight naturally fluctuates over the course of a month.
Also, weight training can cause water retention leading to scale weight gain. But note this is NOT fat gain, it's temporary water gain, so you could still be losing fat even though the scale tells you your weight is currently higher.0 -
are you measuring as well as weighing? Who cares what your mass is, you're more interested in your shape, right? So if you're not putting a tape round you on a fairly regular basis, you have no idea if you're making progress.
If you are suddenly doing a load more physical activity, then you are going to lose fat which weighs comparatively little, and increase your muscle mass, that comparatively weighs a lot.
In my opinion.0 -
Could be you're not eating enough. Could be fluid retention. Really hard to say.
Given that you've only got 20 to lose I would be more inclined to suggest doing less cardio and more weights, but I'm certain people more experienced in smaller quantity losses could give better advice.0 -
You started to increase your workout routine. Its just water weight and your muscles retaining more. Try weighing yourself again in a month.
^^^ this, also how often do you weigh yourself? Since I have started lifting I only do once a month. also to say you may be gaining weight but losing inches.
1- take a before picture
2- take a picture each month
3- don't worry so much about the number on the scale it will go up and down
4- keep going!0 -
Muscle Gain.
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it's not fat you've gained. You've gained muscles already. That's the cause.
To all interested, follow my blog:
www.sexyfoosa.blogspot.com
To all asian users of myfitnesspal let us all share tips and workouts here also.
www.facebook.com/myfitnesspalasia.0 -
Weight training will add muscle to your body which weighs more than fat. If you want, just try cardio for about a month to see if you maintain or lose weight. Then you'll know whether it's the weight training or not. also, as dixielawgirl said, if you're hitting the gym, you need to eat back the calories you burn so your body doesn't feel like it's starving. You don't have to eat back all of them but a very good portion ought to do.0
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I agree with everyone here. I started working out and limiting calories to 1200 about two weeks ago and already notice a difference in clothes, but there is NO WAY I am getting on a scale for two months for the reasons listed here: muscle weights more, water weight, etc. Don't be discouraged.0
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Make sure you're tracking your progress by more than just the scale. Take progress photos every few weeks, take measurements, go by how clothes fit.
Your weight will bounce around depending on fluid retention (from exercise, hormones, food, even the weather can play a role). If your "gaining weight" and your clothes are tight, then something's off. If your weight is up a little and your clothes are fitting better, give it time.
Edited to add: It's most likely NOT muscle. It takes a calorie surplus to build muscle and even that's really hard. It's more likely fluid retention and fuel storage caused by exercise.0 -
it's not fat you've gained. You've gained muscles already. That's the cause.
To all interested, follow my blog:
www.sexyfoosa.blogspot.com
To all asian users of myfitnesspal let us all share tips and workouts here also.
www.facebook.com/myfitnesspalasia.
lol, no.0 -
it's not fat you've gained. You've gained muscles already. That's the cause.
To all interested, follow my blog:
www.sexyfoosa.blogspot.com
To all asian users of myfitnesspal let us all share tips and workouts here also.
www.facebook.com/myfitnesspalasia.
Oy! Lord no!
Please don't give up on the strength training. You are probably retaining water. Give it some more time and take pics and measurements, don't go by the number on the scale it's really not as important as you think. Keep going!0 -
Maybe you aren't eating enough.
Can you explain this please?0 -
If you are suddenly doing a load more physical activity, then you are going to lose fat which weighs comparatively little, and increase your muscle mass, that comparatively weighs a lot.
In my opinion.it's not fat you've gained. You've gained muscles already. That's the cause.
To all interested, follow my blog:
www.sexyfoosa.blogspot.com
To all asian users of myfitnesspal let us all share tips and workouts here also.
www.facebook.com/myfitnesspalasia.
Sorry....not in a month.
Gaining muscle mass measureable by a scale is extremely difficult.
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Weight training will add muscle to your body which weighs more than fat. If you want, just try cardio for about a month to see if you maintain or lose weight. Then you'll know whether it's the weight training or not. also, as dixielawgirl said, if you're hitting the gym, you need to eat back the calories you burn so your body doesn't feel like it's starving. You don't have to eat back all of them but a very good portion ought to do.
It's unlikely that weight training will 'add' muscle ( in this instance ).It doesn't weigh more than fat.0 -
Weight training will add muscle to your body which weighs more than fat. If you want, just try cardio for about a month to see if you maintain or lose weight.
Sshhhh! No0 -
Drink more water and make sure you are eating enough every day.. Also it's not necessarily a bad thing, you could have gained muscle and lost body fat. Either way you should be able to see results better if you do progress pics/measurements vs going by the number on the scale.0
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Also it's not necessarily a bad thing, you could have gained muscle and lost body fat.
Not enough in a month to actually move the scale....0 -
Get yourself on a real workout routine. Legs & arms? What about your back, chest, etc.? Get out of the mindset that because you don't like the # on the scale you need to increase your cardio, and worse, cutting your weight lifting to do so. That kind of thinking will have you spinning your wheels for months. If anything you need to get on a good lifting program and cut the cardio in 1/2.
What is under 1500 calories? 1000 calories? 800 calories? I highly doubt you're eating enough.0 -
1) Take a good look at what you might not have included in your diary, sauces, make sure any equivalent foods are accurate, portions, etc...
2) Make sure you are weighing yourself consistently, and not after big meals. (Morning after bathroom is best). Also if it wouldn't make you obsessive, consider weighing yourself every morning, and taking the 7-day low. This way you can get the best idea of what you've dropped.
3) Consider dropping calories (but don't dip below 1200)
4) IMPORTANT: Make sure you are educating yourself on this process and about bodyfat %. It will keep you from freaking out and give you a troubleshooting mindset rather than an emotional one (the latter of which seems to make this process hell for women).0 -
How much weight?
I did weights for 2 months (new rules of lifting for women) and didn't lose a single lb. but I did lose 8", trust me, I am more than happy with that number. Get a measuring tape, ignore the scale and take photos. :flowerforyou:0 -
how much weight gain are we talking about?0
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Gaining weight doesnt always mean gaining fat! There is a big difference, since you said you are weight training maybe you gained muscle, which is a great thing. You have to measure yourself every 2 weeks or so, or see if your clothes fit better. The scale just show you the weight, but not if you lost fat and gained muscle.
Keep that in mind! and good luck0 -
Gaining weight doesnt always mean gaining fat! There is a big difference, since you said you are weight training maybe you gained muscle, which is a great thing. You have to measure yourself every 2 weeks or so, or see if your clothes fit better. The scale just show you the weight, but not if you lost fat and gained muscle.
Keep that in mind! and good luck
lol did you bother to read the posts prior to yours?
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Thanks everyone for your input and support! I wasn't expecting all this terrific advice - makes me feel alot better. The weight gain seems to have varied the last couple of mornings, but its about 4-5 lbs from the time I started my cardio and weights (4 weeks ago). While I am short (5'3) and have always been muscular, I just thought something didn't seem right. I was really expecting a loss, but it seems like I need to do the following to get the results I'm striving for:
1. Increase water intake (I'm drinking about 64 oz but know I could add more)
2. Start taking pictures and measurements (I've only done that once)
3. Continue my cardio and weights, but also add weight training for other parts of the body.
4. Limit getting on the scale as often as I have
5. Continue what I'm doing and not quit.
Thanks again!0 -
It has varied the last couple of mornings, but its about 4-5 lbs from the time I started my cardio and weights (4 weeks ago)
When did you weigh, was it at the same time of day as before, wearing (or not wearing in some cases) the same thing? Same scale??
There are SO many factors when using the scale as a source of progress...I have "gained" upwards to a pound just brushing my teeth. I've gained and lost about 1/2 a pound taking a leak...depending on the day. Think about that, lose fluid from the body...gain weight. The scale is good for trending over time, that's pretty much it. It will fluctuations as much as +/- a pound in the course of 10 mins sometimes.
Personally, anything around 5 lbs or less to me is what I would call "within normal operating parameters" to be cheesy and quote sci-fi. Give it some more time and look at things like measurements, the way clothes fit, take pictures for comparison. Take today for instance, I'm wearing a shirt that seemed a little too tight last week...however, the scale is higher this morning than it was when I tried this shirt on last week.0 -
Thanks everyone for your input and support! I wasn't expecting all this terrific advice - makes me feel alot better. The weight gain seems to have varied the last couple of mornings, but its about 4-5 lbs from the time I started my cardio and weights (4 weeks ago). While I am short (5'3) and have always been muscular, I just thought something didn't seem right. I was really expecting a loss, but it seems like I need to do the following to get the results I'm striving for:
1. Increase water intake (I'm drinking about 64 oz but know I could add more)
2. Start taking pictures and measurements (I've only done that once)
3. Continue my cardio and weights, but also add weight training for other parts of the body.
4. Limit getting on the scale as often as I have
5. Continue what I'm doing and not quit.
Thanks again!
Make sure when you weigh in that you're doing at roughly the same time and under the same conditions. If you haven't used the toilette, etc you also have to take into account the waste in your intestines...yes, it has weight. Also, if you've eaten or drink anything before you weigh in, that is going to have weight as well and all of this shows up on the scale. I would also advise not weighing yourself daily unless you understand daily weight fluctuations. These are completely natural and most people can fluctuate 3-5 Lbs day to day...sometimes more. I was 6 Lbs more on this past Monday than I was last Friday...and I'm 4 Lbs down today...that's all water and natural body weight fluctuations.
When you work out, you also do retain more water...this is a good thing and means your body is having a training response and holding onto water for muscle repair. If you weren't holding any water from working out it would mean that you are completely wasting your time with your exercise and you'd be just as well served to go sit your *kitten* in front of the t.v.
Also, I'm getting the distinct feeling you don't really know how much you're eating...you're just assuming you're at or around 1500 calories. You probably eyeball portions...grab hand fulls of this or that, etc and don't log it. You need to weigh and measure everything and log it; people have ****ty judgement and can be hundreds of calories off (either way) from where they think they are.0 -
Gaining weight doesnt always mean gaining fat! There is a big difference, since you said you are weight training maybe you gained muscle, which is a great thing. You have to measure yourself every 2 weeks or so, or see if your clothes fit better. The scale just show you the weight, but not if you lost fat and gained muscle.
Keep that in mind! and good luck
lol did you bother to read the posts prior to yours?
Not really, but does it matter?0
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