Help with understanding weight/exercise.

blueraven44

Hello everyone -

I started eating better about 5 months ago. (No calorie counting, but just making smart choices.)

I started going to the gym 1 month ago.

I lost about 30 pounds while eating better, however my weight loss has stalled since I started exercising.

I understand that muscle weighs more than fat, however isn’t there a limit to that? I weigh 234, I can’t imagine that I have built so much muscle that I would still weigh the same.

Any help is appreciated, thank you!

nutmegoreo

Exercise can cause some water retention. The muscles use it for repair. If you are certain you are doing everything else right (particularly eating in a calorie deficit), then give it some more time. Are you losing nothing at all, or just slower than you had been?

GrumpyHeadmistress

blueraven44 wrote: »

Hello everyone -

I started eating better about 5 months ago. (No calorie counting, but just making smart choices.)

I started going to the gym 1 month ago.

I lost about 30 pounds while eating better, however my weight loss has stalled since I started exercising.

I understand that muscle weighs more than fat, however isn’t there a limit to that? I weigh 234, I can’t imagine that I have built so much muscle that I would still weigh the same.

Any help is appreciated, thank you!

Muscle doesn’t weigh more than fat - it’s a common myth. 1lb is 1lb whether it’s made up of fat or muscle.

The same VOLUME of muscle weighs more than fat which is where some people get confused. So if your measurements had stayed the same but you had gained weight, a muscle gain could be to blame.

But if you are eating at a deficit then you are unlikely to be putting on that much muscle.

More like a combination of water weight, waste in system, TOM (if you are female) or potentially a faulty CICO calculation if you aren’t weighing and tracking everything you eat and drink.

TeaBea

blueraven44 wrote: »

Hello everyone -

I started eating better about 5 months ago. (No calorie counting, but just making smart choices.)

I started going to the gym 1 month ago.

I lost about 30 pounds while eating better, however my weight loss has stalled since I started exercising.

I understand that muscle weighs more than fat, however isn’t there a limit to that? I weigh 234, I can’t imagine that I have built so much muscle that I would still weigh the same.

Any help is appreciated, thank you!

Water retention is a possibility. Weight gain from (adding lean muscle) in 1 month of gym time? Not likely. Muscle gain is a slooooow process.

Are you still eating "better" or are you actually measuring your calorie intake now? Sometimes people assume calorie burn is larger than it actually is and they end up eating a bit too much.

DancingMoosie

You need to make sure you are still in a calorie deficit after losing weight. Your body needs fewer calories at your new weight. Also, make sure you aren't over estimating your calories burned through exercise.