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Exercise and weight spikes

Jthanmyfitnesspal
Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,559 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I’m doing very well since 1/1, but I see a definite trend:

I do bigger workouts on certain days, and these are often followed by a 1-2lb weight spike the next day. (An exception is if I do cardio and don’t properly hydrate.) This is kind of new as I get older. I associate it with a little swelling, which goes away in another day.

The workout could be an hour of spinning, a 45min jog on the treadmill, a hike, or a weight set, particularly involving squats (I don’t go very heavy).

Anyone else notice this? It seems like the reverse used to happen!

Anyone
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Replies

  • claireychn074
    claireychn074 Posts: 1,787 Member
    Yes it happens to me. On deload week I lose 1-2kgs - presumably as my muscles release their water. And it goes right back on when I start working hard again!
  • yirara
    yirara Posts: 10,326 Member
    Yeah, it's normal. Your body holds onto water for healing after the workout. Your body also holds onto water after flights, but only to spite you. 😈
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 35,836 Member
    When I restart lifting after a break, yes. Not usually after rowing or cycling. Since I know it's just water retention shifts, it barely registers mentally anymore.

    There are so many things that cause one to a few pound blips day-to-day for me. I just put today's weight in Libra, pay attention to the trend.

    I do suspect some of the water retention - from any cause - hangs on a little longer recently than it used to, but I haven't really analyzed it.
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,559 Member
    It happened the last time I tried jogging on the treadmill. I'm recovering from a back injury and only slowly re-introducing jogging. It makes me sore and, I guess, puffy!

    At times, I've done jogs and LOST 2 lbs overnight afterward. Now, I temporarily gain the 2lbs. It's all due to my new friend edema.
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,879 Member
    If I have any sort of DOMS, I have a jump on the scale. It's due to the retention of fluid for repair. It was disheartening at the start, but now I know to look for the ouch as an explanation haha.
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,559 Member

    Lots of exercise for the past several days. Weight has been steady, although I've remained with a calorie deficit (at least "on paper"). Today is a slow day (desk work), but I'll walk the dog at 5. Perhaps I'll show some weight loss in the morning!

  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,559 Member

    No! I had a 2lb weight spike today! Assuming my scale is working properly, maybe it's due to eating salty Thai soup for dinner. Hmmm…

  • Corina1143
    Corina1143 Posts: 4,464 Member
    edited March 7

    Yes, my weight seems to vary more than other people.

    I exercised Tuesday, always eat less on days i exercise, more the next day.

    Felt bad Wednesday so didn't eat as much.

    Exercised Thursday, then felt really bad, so didn't eat or drink much.

    6 pounds lighter today. Feel good. Eating everything in sight. I'll probably gain it all back by tomorrow.

    So exercise really affects my weight.

  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,559 Member

    @corina1143 : That sounds like me when I'm not specifically trying to cut. Particularly on the day after really big efforts, like a big hike. I'll totally let into my cravings for food! And, that's not a bad thing, as I'll need to re-feed, but only to a reasonable limit.

    The salt thing may be one of my bigger new challenges! 🤔

  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,559 Member

    @yirara : if you start reasonably light, you might surprise yourself!

  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,559 Member

    I'm finding that everything makes my weight spike these days. Male, 5'9", 185lbs, 64y makes my plan ~1450kcal/day, supposedly to induce -1lb/week weight loss.

    • In general, I've stalled in my current cut despite being consistently under my eating plan. This is getting more common. Losing the pounds is getting harder as I get older!
    • A Saturday St. Pats party that included booze, Irish soda bread and butter, and beef stew put me several pounds up on Monday, despite being on plan on Friday and Sunday. I expected I might not lose an weight, but a significant gain was unexpected.
    • A good weightlifting session bumps my weight up the next day every time
    • An hour on the spin bike with a burn of ~500kcals doesn't seem to accelerate weight loss at all, particularly if I eat those calories back. It's as though my body can go below even the RMR estimate to compensate for exercise
    • Jogging (which I've been doing only occasionally due to a back injury in the fall) seems also to give a weight spike (along with a fair amount of soreness).

    The only thing that gives consistent weight loss is eating at or below plan without much exercise. When I exercise, I try to only eat a few more calories, but it makes me hungry, so it's harder! In general, it's getting much harder to shake the weight these days. A sign of age, I think!

  • yirara
    yirara Posts: 10,326 Member

    I'm consistently 1kg heavier when doing strength training. It's what it is. I know that if I stop I'll be 1kg lower. I think it doesn't really matter.

  • elisa123gal
    elisa123gal Posts: 4,377 Member
    edited March 20

    I admire those who can weigh themselves and be unemotional about the fact the scale goes up and down. My husband uses the scale for information. He knows what foods make him gain.. what activities.. he looks at it as so interesting. He is down 50 pounds. But many weeks ..he's gone up ..then back down later. It happens ??? I'd say every month.

    The funniest thing he has discovered.. he weighs himself in the middle of the night when he gets up.. then goes and drinks a few glasses of water. Wakes up in the morning.... and almost without fail.. loses a pound or two during those few hours. ( this is when he's sticking pretty good on his plan)

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