Need Comments on Exercise Weight Gain

nancytyc

Went on a Century Ride this past Saturday (103 miles) averaging 12 mph, followed by a 56 mile ride on Sunday (also at about 13 mph speed). Expected to gain about 3 to 4 pounds from the workout (through water gain to repair muscle tissue) and then drop that back off in about two to three days. This IS what happened for my husband, but NOT what happened for me. I gained a total of 8 pounds over the two days after the ride, then dropped off just under two pounds by the second day post ride....but am now 7 days post ride and still up exactly 5.0 pounds.

I have kept my calories ULCHF and taken a few days rest from riding. Since Sunday, I have only gone out on one ride. I was a little sore and work got busy. I have kept my calories at my macro level (1440 intake per day) or slightly under. I have maintained my fat content (%) right at the 70% level and made sure that I maintained a good protein level to stave off muscle loss.

I am a little surprised at the weight gain, given the amount of exercise and deficit I enjoyed on those two days. While realizing that some is muscle weight, it is not possible for one to gain 5 pounds of pure muscle over two days of intense training. There has been a recognizable change in body composition. I am concerned, as I will be completing more and more century rides over the weekends, as my husband and I prepare to do a cross country ride in 2016. Our goal is to be able to put in 70 - 100 mile days without it being that big of a chore.

I would enjoy some helpful insights as to others thoughts on this. I am still in Ketosis (extremely heavy for three days post ride, and today, small amount). I was thinking cortisol response, so I have allowed myself to come out of heavy Ketosis to lower the cortisol levels. Some helpful insights would be welcomed.. Has anyone else experienced this?

Leonidas_meets_Spartacus

It took me 4 weeks to drop the extra weight gained after my races. Don't worry about body weight, just go with body composition. Your body will retain water for healing and for me it's been different most of the times.

deansdad101

Went on a Century Ride this past Saturday (103 miles) averaging 12 mph, followed by a 56 mile ride on Sunday (also at about 13 mph speed). Expected to gain about 3 to 4 pounds from the workout (through water gain to repair muscle tissue) and then drop that back off in about two to three days.
(snipped)
I am a little surprised at the weight gain, given the amount of exercise and deficit I enjoyed on those two days. While realizing that some is muscle weight, it is not possible for one to gain 5 pounds of pure muscle over two days of intense training. There has been a recognizable change in body composition. I am concerned, as I will be completing more and more century rides over the weekends, as my husband and I prepare to do a cross country ride in 2016. Our goal is to be able to put in 70 - 100 mile days without it being that big of a chore.

I would enjoy some helpful insights as to others thoughts on this. I am still in Ketosis (extremely heavy for three days post ride, and today, small amount). I was thinking cortisol response, so I have allowed myself to come out of heavy Ketosis to lower the cortisol levels. Some helpful insights would be welcomed.. Has anyone else experienced this?

Nancy;

Allow me to preface my remarks by saying that "no, I have not experienced this" (since the last time I rode a bike more than 2 miles was many decades ago - could do it then but 70-100 miles in a day, now, would be the death of me <g>).

I envy not only your ability to do so but your desire to, as well and you should be proud of your accomplishments.

What I can say though (and do so here only because your thread title is likely to attract those concerned about "exercise weight gain" who are "exercising" at FAR lower levels than are you and Leon and their responses unlikely to mimic yours.

I totally defer to both of you regarding your levels of expertise concerning the effects of both exercise and the respective weight issues of which you speak. However, I doubt if the effects are similar to those experienced by folks performing what might be called more "normal" (average) levels of cardio exercising (walking, running on a treadmilll a couple days a week e.g.).

The preponderance of recent study results have demonstrated that "normal" cardio exercise routines have little to no effect on weight loss or gain - yes, I realize that such talk borders on heresy in many quarters around here, and NO it does NOT mean that cardio isn't "good for you" for a million other reasons - it IS, just not specifically when it comes to weight loss.

Simplest (over simple) explanation is that the increase in consumption brought about by the exercise itself, more than offsets the gain achieved by "burning" cals which results in a net cal (and weight) gain. It's much more involved than that to be sure but, once again, what "appears" to be common sense (or wisdom), might be "common" but it's not necessary "sensible" or "wisdom".

Resistance exercise (weight lifting e.g., which I also don't do) actually does have positive weight reduction impact.

Moral of the story - while the effects Nancy and Leon are describing "affect" them (due to the "extreme" level of cardio they engage in), they most likely do not (at least IMO) produce a similar response for those of us engaged in what might be described as more "light to moderate" cardio "exercise".

sljohnson1207

Cortisol response?

Or perhaps this coincides with other events during the month???