Weight gain from exercise, is this normal?

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Ahluvly
Ahluvly Posts: 389 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hello,

This week I've done RPM (spinning), body pump and I tried ViPR last night with a bit of cardio. Trying to weigh myself once a week max but curiosity got the better of me this morning and since Mon I'm 0.7kg heavier.

I'm praying this will go down by Monday!

I'm assuming this is normal due to muscles retaining water?

:)

Replies

  • katparkat
    katparkat Posts: 8
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    I'd say yes, it is normal. Instead of measuring your progress with the scale, why not try tracking cm's lost instead of kilos ? That's the way I track my own progress. The weight will begin to come off on its own, but you will tend to gain a little muscle mass the more strength training you do. I'm not a fitness expert, but I was in the military and they did a mandatory company weigh-in every month and if we were overweight, they didn't automatically write us up, they measured us and then computed our BMI (Body Mass Index) and if our body fat % was over a certain amount (depending on our height/weight), then we were considered to have "busted tape". So, I'd say it's best to track fat loss by the waist, neck, thigh measurements and such, especially in the beginning.

    :)
  • rochey1098
    rochey1098 Posts: 285
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    Yarp totally normal. I was told that muscles retain water when you break them down. If you stop exercising for a while you'll lose it again so it's just phantom weight :smile:
  • marianne_s
    marianne_s Posts: 986 Member
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    Have a read of this - https://www.turbokick.com/wblog/?p=709
  • LelliAmi
    LelliAmi Posts: 327 Member
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    usually what happens is you lose a little weight (from fat), then gain some (from muscle), then you start losing again.
  • rochey1098
    rochey1098 Posts: 285
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    Have a read of this - https://www.turbokick.com/wblog/?p=709

    That's a good read, very thorough explanation... this is why I love these forums :smile:
  • TNoire
    TNoire Posts: 642 Member
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    Muscle weighs more than fat and muscle helps burn more fat :tongue:
  • Naomi_84
    Naomi_84 Posts: 197 Member
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    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/199382-why-the-scale-lies?hl=why+the+scales+lie&page=1#posts-2635350
  • marianne_s
    marianne_s Posts: 986 Member
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    Have a read of this - https://www.turbokick.com/wblog/?p=709

    That's a good read, very thorough explanation... this is why I love these forums :smile:

    Yeah, I've got it saved in my favourites.

    This is why when I change up my exercise routine... especially when I increase strength training / heavier weights... I don't worry about going up a couple of pounds.
  • engineman312
    engineman312 Posts: 3,450 Member
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    you did not gain 0.7kgs of muscle weight in just a week. its just your body doing its natural thing. just stay on track with your food and exercise, and with your weigh ins.
  • donnam40
    donnam40 Posts: 246 Member
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    Hi,

    I am a qualified Personal Trainer, so I will give you my take on this.

    Ask any body builder how long it takes to gain muscle. One week will not give you 700g of muscle. The scales will fluctuate for a number of reasons - fluid retention, undereating, overeating and sometimes for no apparent reason. It is good you are varying your training, but muscle building takes a lot longer than one week.

    Donna
  • thecrossfitter
    thecrossfitter Posts: 424 Member
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    You didnt put on that much muscle in a week. When you work out you create micro tears in your muscles. Your body holds onto some extra water to repair them. No worries :)
  • Ahluvly
    Ahluvly Posts: 389 Member
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    Thanks everyone for the advice, it really helps!!!!

    :)
  • LeanMeanFitnessMachine
    LeanMeanFitnessMachine Posts: 659
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    You weight fluxates day to day based on what you ate, water retention, and other factors.
  • hpsnickers1
    hpsnickers1 Posts: 2,783 Member
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    http://www.marksdailyapple.com/chronic-cardio/
    http://www.marksdailyapple.com/chronic-cardio-2/
    http://www.marksdailyapple.com/case-against-cardio/
    http://www.marksdailyapple.com/quitting-chronic-cardio/
    http://www.marksdailyapple.com/how-to-deal-with-overtraining/

    Mark Sasson provides references. Some are links to other of his articles which contain references.

    I take a different view on intensive cardio. It puts too much stress on the body. (Remember the heart is a muscle).

    My weight only fluctuates based on the amount of carbs I ingest that day (I eat a no grain, sugar, milk/low toxin/high-fat diet). Carbs cause sodium and water retention so that is the only thing that affects the scale number for me. Occasionally I will have a zero carb day and my weight will drop through out the day (and I'm even getting plenty of water while doing this).
  • JJinWI
    JJinWI Posts: 197 Member
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    I've been working out for a good two months now and the scale has hardly budged. BUT, I can FEEL the difference and my clothes are definitely fitting better. I'm sticking with it and I know the scale will start moving eventually.
  • BenderFitness
    BenderFitness Posts: 349
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    I shared this link recently, but it has a picture of 5 pounds of muscle vs. 5 pounds of fat. It shows why inches can often be more important than the number on the scale. If you gain some muscle from working out it increases your calorie burn and makes you lose more fat throughout the day. You will burn more calories during your workouts, and while you are resting.

    http://www.fitnessbender.com/2011/11/why-number-on-scale-isnt-everything.html
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,687 Member
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    Totally normal.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • Ahluvly
    Ahluvly Posts: 389 Member
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    Just to let you know, I didn't lose that weight! Bit gutted however I did go over my cals Fri - Sun. It only equates to 950 cals over my weekly target, but still....4 hours of working out and I gain!

    Oh well, I suppose I need to stay focused, keep calm and carry on!

    Thanks again for all of your comments!

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