HELP! I've gained 2 pounds :(

DreeDub

Since I started the Insanity workout program last week (Jan. 10th) I have GAINED 2 pounds...WTH!!! I did up my caloric intake just a tad based on my exercise calories burned. My base is 1260 calories a day plus whatever I burn during my workouts which is 500-650 calories a workout. I try to eat most of my burned calories but not necessarily all of them...it's too much to eat!

Any advice out there? I'm SUPER frustrated with working so hard only to see an increase in the number on the scale!!!

cindaroses

I gained with p90x too My inches didn't go down, but I was more tone and way more firm. I read with these types of workouts that is common, but if we stick to them after the 30 days, that's when we see some difference.

aprettykitty84

This is to be expected with anyone just starting to workout. Muscle weighs more than fat so as your fat is being burned and you are gaining muscle, you will gain weight but may notice your clothes fit a little looser. That is why the measurements are the best way to gauge body change in the beginning.

traceyblt

Hi i,m no expert but they do say muscle weighs more than fat so it could be u have toned up a bit, also i find at certain times of the month my weight does seem 2 go up. Stick with it and don,t give up X

cakeordeath

could be new muscle, or water weight. dont sweat it. the body fluctuates about 3lbs daily. try measuring yourself for a little while instead of weighing yourself.

FaeFae

if you are working out a lot it could be increased muscle. Also are you weighing yourself everyday? They say you should only do it once a week or so. Its hard I know but I like to see the bigger number at the end of the week or two weeks rather than a small if not any number any day. Be patient it will all even out! Take your measurements as well as your weight! It doesnt always matter what the scale says but how your body feels and looks. You could be losing inches!! Good Luck!!!

Adsnwfld

How are your clothes fitting? A slight change in diet can change the amount of water you are retaining and reflect a few pound gain. You could also be putting muscle on and that weighs much more then the same volume of fat.

So don't freak out yet, be careful and watch what you are eating, but it is probably just water weight.

zydratethief

This is to be expected with anyone just starting to workout. Muscle weighs more than fat so as your fat is being burned and you are gaining muscle, you will gain weight but may notice your clothes fit a little looser. That is why the measurements are the best way to gauge body change in the beginning.

Muscle does not weigh more than fat. It may be denser, but a pound of fat is the same as a pound of muscle....

Have you been eating salty foods? Have you been drinking a lot of water? All of these factors can and will contribute to your weight. More importantly, is this weigh-in part of your regular check in? or is it a sneak peak?

If its a peak, i suggest you wait untill your actual weigh in day

capecodgirl1

I have several friends that have done Insanity! Trust me, the two pound gain is nothing. THe overall body makeover gain is INCREDIBLE. my friends bodies changed DRASTICALLY! Seriously, listen to what the others have said and remember,the tape measure works best!!

helenbeee

This is to be expected with anyone just starting to workout. Muscle weighs more than fat so as your fat is being burned and you are gaining muscle, you will gain weight but may notice your clothes fit a little looser. That is why the measurements are the best way to gauge body change in the beginning.

This is what has happened with me Ive fitted into 3 items of clothes I couldnt even get past my knees or head before christmas that fit perfectly yet the scales tell me I only lost 0.8kg this week. So dont panic it actually takes a month for it all to start really working some people even longer but mark my word if you eat less than you burn then you will lose weight. Its a simple formula and it works. My advice maybe dont weigh yourself as often let your clothes tell you what is really happening.

kimstn

It's perfectly normal to see a small gain when you begin a new program. You are adding muscle, which does weigh more than fat, and your metabolism is adjusting to the new energy levels required to do the new workouts. Keep up the workouts and monitor your calories....you will see results soon:)

DanL66712

Muscle does not weigh more than fat. It may be denser, but a pound of fat is the same as a pound of muscle....

Thank you! There needs to be something done to debunk the 'muscle weighs more than fat' myth!!

erickirb

This is to be expected with anyone just starting to workout. Muscle weighs more than fat so as your fat is being burned and you are gaining muscle, you will gain weight but may notice your clothes fit a little looser. That is why the measurements are the best way to gauge body change in the beginning.

Muscle does not weigh more than fat. It may be denser, but a pound of fat is the same as a pound of muscle....

Have you been eating salty foods? Have you been drinking a lot of water? All of these factors can and will contribute to your weight. More importantly, is this weigh-in part of your regular check in? or is it a sneak peak?

If its a peak, i suggest you wait untill your actual weigh in day

Actually mucsle does weigh more than fat, just like iron weighs more than feathers. A pound of feathers weighs the same a a pound of iron but that is not the point being made. When someone says muscle weighs more than fat they are implying that a square inch or some other volume measurement of muscles weighs more than the same volume of fat. Why do poeople keep arguing this point, it is obvious that they mean in equal volumes please give up this argument. A pound is a pound but people are referring to volumes

erickirb

Muscle does not weigh more than fat. It may be denser, but a pound of fat is the same as a pound of muscle....

Thank you! There needs to be something done to debunk the 'muscle weighs more than fat' myth!!

Actually it weighs quite a bit more, in your argument then everything weighs the same. a tree weighs the same as a flower?? Or would your argument be a pound of a tree weighs the same as a pound of a flower. Or me as a 145 lb man weigh the same as a 300 lb man, well 1 pound of my 145 weighs the same as 1 pound of the 300 lb man, what a horrible argument.

erickirb

Most likely the OP is ex experiencing water retention due to a new strenuous workout, not muscle not fat, just water. Your body stores water around the muscle when starting a new program or increasing intensity to protect and help repair the mucsle tissues broken down during the workout. After a few days/weeks your muscles will get use to it and no longer have the need for the water weight and shed it.

Stop paying so much attentions to the scale people, it is by no means an indication of health or fitness. Body fat %, resting heart rate, how you feel, how your close fit are all better indications of how you are doing.

RayRay58

Muscle does not weigh more than fat. It may be denser, but a pound of fat is the same as a pound of muscle....

Thank you! There needs to be something done to debunk the 'muscle weighs more than fat' myth!!

If muscle is denser (which it is) then per volume it does weigh more then fat. I can say a pound of bricks weighs the same as a pound of feathers which is true but you are going to need alot more feathers then bricks to get that pound.

carolinegeorgia

http://www.onemorebite-weightloss.com/muscle-to-fat.html

muscle does not weigh more then fat.....

onmywaytoskinny155

Help I've gained 30lbs! Don't worry about 2 lbs. Worry about a 10lbs weight gain so you don't let it get to out of control

erickirb

http://www.onemorebite-weightloss.com/muscle-to-fat.html

muscle does not weigh more then fat.....

Yes it does, look how much smaller the muscle is than the fat, now take the same size piece, which would weigh more. Of course the muscle, then you can clearly say that muscle weighs more than fat. This is the worst argument ever, not sure why it even gets debated.

Dobsaya

It's the muscle mass. I always gain 2 to 3 pounds when I start doing resistance and then the muscle starts to burn the fat and I start to lose weight. Also, I look much better with the 2 to 3 pounds because of the toning.

mmmary201

This is to be expected with anyone just starting to workout. Muscle weighs more than fat so as your fat is being burned and you are gaining muscle, you will gain weight but may notice your clothes fit a little looser. That is why the measurements are the best way to gauge body change in the beginning.

Muscle does not weigh more than fat. It may be denser, but a pound of fat is the same as a pound of muscle....

Have you been eating salty foods? Have you been drinking a lot of water? All of these factors can and will contribute to your weight. More importantly, is this weigh-in part of your regular check in? or is it a sneak peak?

If its a peak, i suggest you wait untill your actual weigh in day

Actually mucsle does weigh more than fat, just like iron weighs more than feathers. A pound of feathers weighs the same a a pound of iron but that is not the point being made. When someone says muscle weighs more than fat they are implying that a square inch or some other volume measurement of muscles weighs more than the same volume of fat. Why do poeople keep arguing this point, it is obvious that they mean in equal volumes please give up this argument. A pound is a pound but people are referring to volumes

...and thank YOU for making this point. I have a lot of muscle (more than average) for a woman and yet someone else who weighs the same as me, or even sometimes less than me, that has a lot of fat, is larger than I am.

hemlock2010

Yes to everything that's been said--about how your clothes fit, not the scales and about water weight--but a lot of people also find that MFP's exercise calories are on the high side, so maybe try to eat only half of your exercise calories.

Holly

karenmi

Hmmmm. A pound is a pound, no matter what the object is.

Regardless, I seriously doubt that you will gain 2 lbs of muscle after one week of working out. I'm no expert but it just doesn't seem possible to me.

The 2 lbs of weight gain is likely fluid; it wouldn't be fat unless you ate at least 7,000 extra calories during that time, which I also doubt.

Don't obsess over the gain of 2 lbs. I know it's frustrating mentally, but if you're in this for the long haul then a gain of 2 lbs is nothing. If you continue to gain then I'd get concerned.

Reward yourself for the progress you've already made, you're doing a great job!!!

erickirb

Hmmmm. A pound is a pound, no matter what the object is.

Of course it is but when people say muscle weighs more than fat they are comparing equal volumes. Or at the same weight you will take up less space (volume) with muscle.

Muscle density is 1.06 g/ml and fat density is (about) 0.9g/ml. Thus, one liter of muscle would weight 1.06 kg and one liter of
fat would weight 0.9 kg. In other words, muscle is about 18% denser than fat. then 1L of muscle weighs more than 1L of fat. This is what people mean when they say muscle weighs more than fat, it just takes less time to leave out the volume part as it is assumed you are referring to the same volume

kerriBB37

Hey girl, I have had issues this past week with with weight after starting Insanity with you! I actually went out and bought a new scale because I didn't believe it! I think we will be fine. I am drinking TONS of water ALL DAY. I suggest getting a Nalgene bottle (32oz) and fill it up all day long while you're teaching. See if this helps. My trainer told me that if you start to feel thirsty your body is already getting dehydrated! CHIN UP!! Talk to ya soon.

Kerri

Beegale

Muscle is heavier than fat.....by volume.

There you go, myth cleared up!

DanL66712

Muscle is heavier than fat.....by volume.

There you go, myth cleared up!

I'll accept that...it's a matter of poor English that can cause the confusion. Regardless, two pounds of muscle in a week would be a hell of an achievement! More likely that you will gain a couple of pounds of muscle a month, as opposed to a week.

Katherine912

I'd say that you shouldn't eat all of what you have burned. The calories you do burn are just an estimate and not completely exact. Since I'm trying ot lose weight I look at my work-outs as extra work and calories burned off, so I don't eat them. I would do that more if i was trying to maintain. If you are extra hungry, I'd say you can eat some of those calories, but don't eat them all, just to be safe.

carl1738

Most likely the OP is ex experiencing water retention due to a new strenuous workout, not muscle not fat, just water. Your body stores water around the muscle when starting a new program or increasing intensity to protect and help repair the mucsle tissues broken down during the workout. After a few days/weeks your muscles will get use to it and no longer have the need for the water weight and shed it.

Stop paying so much attentions to the scale people, it is by no means an indication of health or fitness. Body fat %, resting heart rate, how you feel, how your close fit are all better indications of how you are doing.

Exactly. People put too much emphasis on a random number on the scale, thinking that if they reach this magic number they are automatically "healthy". It is better to put more stock in your body measurements and how you look in the mirror. Since I started lifting weights again, my weight loss has been very slow, but my body's transformation has been amazing. I've taken almost twelve inches off of my waist, but have added almost two inches to my arms, and can see quite a bit of muscular definition in my arms, legs, and shoulders. I can truthfully say that I look and feel a lot better, but I would have been greatly discouraged if I was just going by the scale. Don't focus so much on the scale!

iplayoutside19

Hmmmm. A pound is a pound, no matter what the object is.

Of course it is but when people say muscle weighs more than fat they are comparing equal volumes. Or at the same weight you will take up less space (volume) with muscle.

Muscle density is 1.06 g/ml and fat density is (about) 0.9g/ml. Thus, one liter of muscle would weight 1.06 kg and one liter of
fat would weight 0.9 kg. In other words, muscle is about 18% denser than fat. then 1L of muscle weighs more than 1L of fat. This is what people mean when they say muscle weighs more than fat, it just takes less time to leave out the volume part as it is assumed you are referring to the same volume

So we're really arguing over semantics. Weight is a measure of mass. What people mean to say is muscle is more DENSE than fat. Weight is weight regardless of it's density.

Besides, we're missing the real point here. You CANNOT gain muscle with a week and a half of plyometrics and having a calorie deficit. If any thing you need several weeks of training and a calorie SURPLUS. How can a living being create enough energy to build something, while at the same time it doesn't have enough energy to maintain it's mass? Can't happen.

Like Eric said, most likely the muscles are looking bigger because they're retaining water and other fluids because the body is repairing them. It's an adjustment peroid.

I would also like to echo that the scale is not the best indicator of health. Society and the fitness industry put too much credence in it. When they should be worried about Body Compeistion and other factors.

DreeDub

Hey girl, I have had issues this past week with with weight after starting Insanity with you! I actually went out and bought a new scale because I didn't believe it! I think we will be fine. I am drinking TONS of water ALL DAY. I suggest getting a Nalgene bottle (32oz) and fill it up all day long while you're teaching. See if this helps. My trainer told me that if you start to feel thirsty your body is already getting dehydrated! CHIN UP!! Talk to ya soon.

Kerri

Hey Kerri...I already do carry around my Nalgene (32 oz.) water bottle every day. I usually drink 2-3 bottles of water by the time I get home from work and then another one during/after my workout.

Am I retaining some of it maybe? I'm taking in a TON of water every day!