New Exercise...Weight Gain Normal?

lucypstacy

Last week, I decided to give Daily Burn a try. I like it, and I think it's helping me strengthen my core. I know I'm aching today. LOL. Anyway, my weight was up about 2lbs this week. I know weight loss isn't linear and two pounds isn't anything to worry about, but I was curious if it might be water weight from the new exercise. If it is, how long does the water weight last from a new exercise routine?

quiksylver296

Yes. You are correct. How long it lasts is very individual. I've seen people report anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks.

Silentpadna

quiksylver296 wrote: »

Yes. You are correct. How long it lasts is very individual. I've seen people report anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks.

Agreed. Totally normal. I "gained" about 4 pounds after overdoing a HIIT workout. I was exceptionally sore for the next week. On this past Friday I weighed in at 206.0. The next day I weighed in at 200.2.

I didn't suddenly gain 4 pounds of fat, nor did I suddenly lose 6 pounds of fat. My body was retaining water to repair the muscles I overworked.

But yes, in general, changing up exercise will do that. Water retention for that purpose is a good thing.

As an aside, many bodybuilders use creatine, which has the effect of helping your body to retain water specifically for the purpose of faster muscle repair.

Sheisinlove109

I think I read it's because our muscles retain water to help with repair. Can someone verify that?

lucypstacy

I figured as much. I'm trying to strengthen my core, and this new routine seems to be helping. It feels like someone has been using my hips as a punching bag. I had been very sedentary for years due to a kidney disease and ehlers danlos hypermobility type, so this is all new for me.

animatorswearbras

Yes at the beginning it took ages to drop off after I started HIIT now the scale goes up a little for a day even after months of this routine, I just keep that in mind the morning after a HIIT session. :P But it'll be different for every individual as quiksylver said. Just keep it in mind.

Geocitiesuser

Thank you so much for this topic. Sometimes I forget that changes in my routine can affect the scale just as much as food can. I had a little spike recently and it never occurred to me it was because my routine had changed.

CSARdiver

Biological systems don't like change, especially big ones and will typically defend against this. One of these defense mechanisms is increased cellular absorption - water weight. Our bodies are ~55-65% water, so gaining or losing a few pounds of water is normal.

If this is related to salt intake this will normalize in ~5-7 days.

If hormonal this will normalize (if hormones balance) in ~2-8 weeks.