Is it normal to gain weight when you first start working out

timeforme23

For the past two weeks Ive been working out 6 days a week (sometimes twice a day), Ive been eating healthy, staying under calorie goal, and Ive gain a pound and a half! I don't think my measurements have changed either. Im beyond frustrated! Is this normal? Did it happen to you? If it is, how long does it take before the weight starts dropping?

sweebum

Yes, yes, yes! It takes about 2 weeks. Check this article, it helped me not lose focus: http://www.dailyspark.com/blog.asp?post=why_the_scale_goes_up_when_you_start_a_new_workout_plan

absolament

You will gain weight if you increae strength exercises and that will build muscle and burn fat when you don't exercise... takes a week or two to notice a difference. You will also gain weight if you don't eat enough to fuel your body so make sure you are eating back your exercise calories. Lastly, you will gain weight if you stress yourself.... you need to give your body a rest to repair itself, you can go for walks, but I would steer away from any strength training or intense cardio for two days a week.

I know what's worked for me. It only took me 2 months to lose my last 8 pounds by incorporating 30 minute daily walks into my usual 5 day a week strength/cardio routine, eating my exercise calories, and giving my body some vacation days including a full 7-8 hours of sleep.

bmontgomery87

It's most likely water weight.

It'll start coming off soon.

Hannah_Banana

This actually just happened to me 2 weeks ago. I just started working out (6 days a week/sometimes twice) and I gained 2lbs the first week. Needless to say, I was devestated. But, while I am interested in dropping pounds, I'm just as interested in leading a healthy lifestyle, so it didnt deter me (if anything, it really kicked my butt into gear) and I dropped those 2lbs this week. I plan to continue that trend. :bigsmile:

foreverjade

very very normal if you are new to working out. See below from beachbody.com

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 with 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.

toniharridge

I know this is a late post, but thank god I found it!

I have had the same issue, and was starting to worry :-)

Now I feel better and will just keep at it....

chamellie1

Same here:)

TheBaileyHunter

very very normal if you are new to working out. See below from beachbody.com

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 with 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.

THANK YOU!!!!

This happens every time I've started a new exercise program with weight loss and in past has deterred me. This time I'm more focused and intent, so I'm not letting it, but I still wanted to understand WHY?!?!

Thanks again for the knowledge.

MzBLW

I'm so glad that I saw this post! I weighed in today and gained exactly three pounds after starting water aerobics and going 3 days this week. I have never burned so many calories in my life, so imagine my disappointment when I stepped on the scales. My WW leader assured me that it was very normal when beginning a workout regiment. I wasn't 100% convinced until readng this. Good info!

dittmarml

Yes.

ajbloomu

It is very normal. Don't worry it will be worth it!

TheDarkestStar87

Muscles are heavier than fat, so yes, it's normal for the scales to go up a bit. Try measuring yourself for a second reference, it'll most likely show that you toned up and lost inches even if the scales don't budge.

Liz_Mfp

Yes it's normal for me, the two-week weight gain
I've notice it several times
:-)
Don't overdo it , but keep in keeping on

sugaree1202

Yes, it takes me about a month of gaining and losing the same 5 pounds to have new weight loss and start losing steadily. Taking measurements help me see I am making progress regardless of what the scale says. Just don't measure right after a workout sinceyour muscles retain the most water then.

MsEndomorph

So glad this post was bumped up! I just started working out again a week ago, have been absolutely meticulous about calories (eating my exercise calories back, as well) and was a little bummed that I gained weight. Water retention makes complete sense, though, especially considering the shock my body must be in from sudden heavy lifting.

alethea88

Weight fluctuation is very common. Don't worry about it. I posted the same question in mfp forum when I was just started using mfp. My weight fluctuate from 1-4 lbs. Its just water weight. It will go away in 1-2 days. If you had done some weight lifting, it could be the muscles weight that you gain.

RGv2

Muscles are heavier than fat, so yes, it's normal for the scales to go up a bit. Try measuring yourself for a second reference, it'll most likely show that you toned up and lost inches even if the scales don't budge.

Ya....not 2lbs of muscle in 2 weeks.

Most likely water retention for muscle repair.

ToBeCountry

Needed to read this today. Just started some classes at the YMCA. I obviously get too scale obsessed.

maddawg88

I feel so much better after reading this post! I just started going to the gym daily (sometimes twice a day) and counting every calorie and when I got on the scale today, I had gained almost five pounds! safe to say I was freaking out. I know I shouldn't obsess over every pound, but it's hard not to!

TeckyL

Wow! I just started working out and I've put on 5.6 pounds! I'm devastated!!!! So i'll keep an eye one it and will post again next week to see if it starts leveling out.

ndj1979

drink a crap ton of water and that will help release any water retention...

mercyphoenix

very very normal if you are new to working out. See below from beachbody.com

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 with 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.

Thanks for the info!!

Flab2fitfi

When I started T25 my weight went up but everyone was noticing I was getting smaller. Dont let it put you off and there are many other ways of measuring success.

links_slayer

Muscles are heavier than fat...

lolololol

muscle is more dense than fat. there's a difference.

nathanthe007

definitely common, I currently started working out again about two weeks ago, i have managed to put on 12 pounds, although devastating for my goal and quite the increase in a small amount of time, it is mostly due to water weight, change in diet, and muscle memory. This being the largest ive gained in two weeks, but what has happened in the past is the same and after about 3 weeks or 4 and the metabolism really kicks in, the lbs melt away at a decent rate.

jodycoady

Me too! I just guess it was because all my fat is turning to muscle. (I remember reading it many years ago - this was before the Internet, lol) But it's still tough to keep at it when you don't see results right away. Add me if you'd like.

I'm lazy and only work out an hour 3 to 4 times a week....keep up the good work though....I'd love to have to drive to w/o 6 times a week!

Topgun77822

Same thing happened to me! In August of this year I decided to get back into shape. I started at 207 pounds. I got my nutrition in check and decided on a 400 Kcal per day deficit. I added 3 day a week 10 minute High Intensity Cardio along with 3 day a week progressive weight training. Note: I usually eat back my exercise calories. For 2 weeks my weight did nothing but go up...up...up. In fact I stopped weighing myself when I hit 211 pounds. It took about 2 weeks for the process to reverse itself.

My interest is a body composition change to be more muscular with less bodyfat. My fat levels have dropped very consistently now.....but initially that was not the case. My strength levels are still increasing.

In summary maintain a slight caloric deficit....eat nutritiously...train hard....rest hard....and nature will make you the best version of you possible....give it time and keep your head on straight.

Enjoy the journey!

nathanthe007

yeah man how she goes, i quit weighing as well for now, im currently 258, was 246, i am leanin up but ill weigh myself next week. I did a crossfit course yesterday for power, high intensity which was quite the experience other than standard weight training, i have been implementing about 20 to 30 min of running 4-5km runs, before my strength training, cause im going for immediate weight loss, already have the size lol. im trying for 5-6 days a week.

and jodi, it is hard to go 6-7 times a week, 3-4 is way better than nothing, keep it up. lifes a busy b#$% haha do what you can

trowb20a

This had me discouraged numerous times during my weight-loss "journey" (which I usually gave up on after a few days). I wouldn't bother eating right because I'd see the numbers on the scale climb after high-intensity cardio, for example. Then I'd just give up.

However I've been doing the first month of Insanity (about 1/2 way through) and I see the numbers on the scale increase but my measurements are decreasing, and I feel better in my clothes! I think it's true your muscles store water/fluids to protect themselves after rigorous exercise, and the scale does lie. However, I recommend focusing on how you feel, what you see in the mirror, and your measurements. We all know muscle is denser than fat, and becoming leaner may cause the scale to increase for a bit. Just keep chugging through! I'm trying not to be discouraged myself, because if I step on the scale during different parts of the day during a given week, the # fluctuates ~5lbs! so if your'e easily discouraged I'd say stay away from the scale until you're self-assured enough and are sticking with your workout and food regimens well enough to not let something like the scale deter you.

jodycoady

[/quote]
"and jodi, it is hard to go 6-7 times a week, 3-4 is way better than nothing, keep it up. lifes a busy b#$% haha do what you can"


thanks...I also do cardio before my weights....20 mins cardio, 30 mins weights, then another 10 mins of cardio to finish off.