Why the Scale Goes Up When You Start a New Workout Plan

FARMERCHIC13
FARMERCHIC13 Posts: 7 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
After a week of working out, I've gained a pound! I've been through this this before when starting a new exercise regiment, but why does this happen???? Has this ever happened to you ? I found this informative article: 'Why the Scale Goes Up When You Start a New Workout Plan? By Chalene Johnson The motivation to start a new exercise program is almost always to lose weight. However, what most personal trainers know--and most at-home exercisers do not--is that a new exercise program often can cause an immediate (and temporary) increase on the scale. (Notice I didn't say weight gain! I'll explain.) This common increase in the scale is also the reason why perhaps millions of people start and then quickly quit their resolution to get fit. The temporary weight gain explained: When someone starts a new exercise program, they often experience muscle soreness. The more intense and "unfamiliar" the program, the more intense the muscle soreness. This soreness is most prevalent 24 to 48 hours after each workout. In the first few weeks of a new program, soreness is the body trying to "protect and defend" the effected or targeted tissue. Exercise physiologists refer to this as delayed-onset muscle soreness, or DOMS. This type of soreness is thought to be caused by tissue breakdown or microscopic tears in muscle tissue. When this happens, the body protects the tissue. The muscle becomes inflamed and slightly swollen due to fluid retention. This temporary retention of fluid can result in a 3- to 4-pound weight gain within a few weeks of a new program. Keep in mind that muscle soreness is not necessarily a reflection of how hard you worked. In fact, some people feel no signs of muscle soreness, yet will experience the muscle protection mechanisms of water retention and slight swelling.'

I don't know about you, but this deff helps me not to feel frustrated and give up early on a new exercise/diet program. Good Luck Peeps! :bigsmile:

Replies

  • Supertact
    Supertact Posts: 466 Member
    water retention
  • aneciarobinson
    aneciarobinson Posts: 60 Member
    Yes, it always happens to me too. I started a new program last week and within a few days I was up 2 lbs on the scale. I know it will come off soon. :)
  • rella_1003
    rella_1003 Posts: 70 Member
    How long does it take to come off? I've been exercising for almost 2 weeks now and my weight's pretty much stayed the same hasn't increased (except when it was my TOM so I was expecting that anyway) but it hasn't decreased either. It hasn't put me off exercising but I just want to be see the scale move so I know I've been logging accurately and not have to make adjustments

Categories