Weight gain after beginning to workout again

JCE0129

Hi all. I have a question I was hoping someone may be able to answer. Due to illness, I took about 6 months off from working out. Over the last week I have gotten back into my gym routine, which includes cardio & weights. I have put on about 4 lbs of what feels like water weight. I understand I may gain some weight from muscle, but I'm not at that point yet. Anyone know what this is from? I drink a ton of water. This happened the last time I started a fitness routine as well. I know it will eventually go away, but it is really discouraging to start going back to the gym just to feel bloated.

RGv2

It's water weight.

Whenever you take and extended period away from exercise, increase intensity, start a new program, etc... your body retains water for muscle repair until it adjusts to the added stress.

cwolfman13

your muscles require more water for muscle repair...therefore you retain more water...thus you gain a bit of water weight when you start working out or increase intensity.