BodyBuilding-Weight Gain And I'm Not Sure Why

nasja1984

I was losing weight between 1 to 2 pounds per week steadily. Everything was fine. I eat cleanly, mostly vegetables, some fruits, some greek plain no fat yogurt for extra protein but that's the only dairy product. Little to to no processed foods all in all. I had 20 pounds to go and so I started weight lifting and strength training about 1 month or so ago. Now I have gained weight. My calories level if fairly low (1200-1500). I exercise daily (spinning which is minimally a 400 calorie burn) (weight lifting 1 hr per day). I WAS eating some protein bars a couple of weeks back but was still within my calorie limit. Is it normal to gain a substantial amount of weight? I've heard you gain weight when you strength train but I'm talking around 7-8 pounds!!! Bonafide weight-not just water.
I do like the results I;m seeing but I do not like the weight gained last week.
I would really like to hear from someone who has been THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE a while ago and LIFTS A SUBTANTIAL AMOUNT OF WEIGHT and is familiar to this story. I am about ready to quit and just do cardio so I can go back to weight loss. but my gut tells me to hang in there a while. I am a female and am not trying to look like a bodybuilder, just trying for some definition..
Thank you in advance for your help.

Sidesteal

Is it normal to gain a substantial amount of weight?

When you first start weight lifting, yes.

Bonafide weight-not just water.

It's likely to be mostly fluids unless your calorie intake count is drastically off.

I do like the results I;m seeing but I do not like the weight gained last week.

If you like what you see in terms of results, why on earth would you ever be concerned with what the scale does? Doesn't the mirror (and your lifts) tell you that you are succeeding? Unless you have to make a certain bodyweight for a competition or for specific health reasons, then why would you care provided you're clearly making progress and looking better?

I am a female and am not trying to look like a bodybuilder, just trying for some definition..
Thank you in advance for your help.

Throw away your scale for a couple of months.

victoria4321

^What he said.

Personally, I put on like 5lbs when I started and they stayed on for around a month. I'm eating way more than you though so it could be different.


How much are you actually lifting? I would be starving if I ate as much as you. I lift twice a week and just started crossfit three times a week though.

nasja1984

^What he said.

Personally, I put on like 5lbs when I started and they stayed on for around a month. I'm eating way more than you though so it could be different.


How much are you actually lifting? I would be starving if I ate as much as you. I lift twice a week and just started crossfit three times a week though.

Well the max I net is 1200 and I still have body fat available so I doubt I'm in some sort of "starvation mode". I calculated it all out and I should get maybe 1600 maximum calories with my height 5' 10", age, and activity level which was set to sedentary until I upped-it for lifting and strength training. I can handle 5 pounds or even 7 but I still want to get down in body fat at least. I suppose I'm looking for some reassurance that I won't gain 10 lbs back.

Yanicka1

Unless you write your weight on your forehead nobody know what you weight but they can see what you look like.

At a deficit, you can gain a bit of what is called newbie muscle gain but it is not significant. You are retaining water and believe me you won't end up looking like a bodybuilder.

lambertj

Take photos, I am up 2 lbs from increased calories and weight training but I look way better. My left profile photo was one month ago at 126 lbs, the right photo was recent at 129 lbs.

autumnk921

Check out these groups b/c for lifting you may not be eating enough calories & your body is going to hold on to everything:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/771-women-strength-training

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/3817-eat-more-to-weigh-less

nasja1984

Yes I probably should physically throw it away. It's usually off anyway and I have to go by the gym's scale.

nasja1984

Thank You

Flixie00

I put on weight, not a lot, and I have since lost it. It did not bother me as during that period (about 6 weeks) I started to get muscle definition and I dropped a dress size. I was warned by my PT that this might happen, but it still was a bit disheartening.

lambertj

Yes I probably should physically throw it away. It's usually off anyway and I have to go by the gym's scale.

I locked mine in my husbands trunk. It was useless to me, photos tell a truer story especially when it comes to weight training.

astrampe

I have not lost an ounce since I started lifting two months ago, but I fit back into my denim shorts that I last wore in November (when I was 7 lbs lighter) and could not get over my hips after Christmas...

Frankly, I don't give a damn about the scale anymore - I look better, I fit into my clothes, so what does a number on the scale matter?? It's not on my resume, and neither is it tattooed on my forehead, so why even bother with it??

nasja1984

To those who say I'm retaining water....Isn't water retention temporary as long as you aren't eating too much sodium? I took a water pill because I DID have a few days of higher than normal sodium but even taking the lasix (i got it from mom RX) I did not lose the water. I only took a half a pill though.

nasja1984

I have not lost an ounce since I started lifting two months ago, but I fit back into my denim shorts that I last wore in November (when I was 7 lbs lighter) and could not get over my hips after Christmas...

Frankly, I don't give a damn about the scale anymore - I look better, I fit into my clothes, so what does a number on the scale matter?? It's not on my resume, and neither is it tattooed on my forehead, so why even bother with it??

For Insurance reasons- I want to be at the bottom of BMI. Shopping Insurance Now

nasja1984

I put on weight, not a lot, and I have since lost it. It did not bother me as during that period (about 6 weeks) I started to get muscle definition and I dropped a dress size. I was warned by my PT that this might happen, but it still was a bit disheartening.

Thanks, good to hear. I'll just try to ignore it then.

shannoni_23

I haven't gained anything since I started lifting weights, but I'm not losing much anymore either. I lost 40 lbs in 4 months. I didn't start lifting weights until about 3 months in tho. But each week I can feel my clothes getting looser. So that's all that counts. I was happy to get a big chunk of weight off in the beginning, but now I'm not as concerned with the scale.
My old trainer showed us research about women bulking up, and you have to go to some pretty drastic measures to get "manly". Even with protein bars/shakes everyday, lifting HEAVY weight, I never got manly. And that was like 2 years worth of that routine w/ him. So I wouldn't worry about bulking up.

nz_deevaa

I put on weight, not a lot, and I have since lost it. It did not bother me as during that period (about 6 weeks) I started to get muscle definition and I dropped a dress size. I was warned by my PT that this might happen, but it still was a bit disheartening.

Thanks, good to hear. I'll just try to ignore it then.

I started lifting heavy and upped my calories from 1200 - 1600 in the same week and put on 2.8kgs (6lbs)... it all came back off again within 2-3wks.

victoria4321

^What he said.

Personally, I put on like 5lbs when I started and they stayed on for around a month. I'm eating way more than you though so it could be different.


How much are you actually lifting? I would be starving if I ate as much as you. I lift twice a week and just started crossfit three times a week though.

Well the max I net is 1200 and I still have body fat available so I doubt I'm in some sort of "starvation mode". I calculated it all out and I should get maybe 1600 maximum calories with my height 5' 10", age, and activity level which was set to sedentary until I upped-it for lifting and strength training. I can handle 5 pounds or even 7 but I still want to get down in body fat at least. I suppose I'm looking for some reassurance that I won't gain 10 lbs back.

I doubt you're in starvation mode too but you'll have a hard time making strength gains if you're eating so little. Maybe you can try to net around 1800.You'll lose weight but it'll just be a little slower. That's better than stalling all together though.

I'm 5'3 134lbs and I aim to net around 1700 but its really more like 2000ish cause I'm always going over now. I've been doing it this way since I weighed 135 and started to lift heavy. At first my weight went up with the increase in food but now its going down and I'm a lot smaller.

Yanicka1

To those who say I'm retaining water....Isn't water retention temporary as long as you aren't eating too much sodium? I took a water pill because I DID have a few days of higher than normal sodium but even taking the lasix (i got it from mom RX) I did not lose the water. I only took a half a pill though.

It is not the same. Think of it as inflammation. Your muscles have tiny tears in it and your body is trying to repair them...... it is a good thing so no need to try to get rid of that water. Also I would recommend eating way more or you will burn out hard and fast. I am a 4'11'' girl and I eat between 1600 and 1900 calories a day

3dogsrunning

To those who say I'm retaining water....Isn't water retention temporary as long as you aren't eating too much sodium? I took a water pill because I DID have a few days of higher than normal sodium but even taking the lasix (i got it from mom RX) I did not lose the water. I only took a half a pill though.

No. It also has to do with glycogen storage in the muscles that cause water retention.

Honestly, no expert here, but I dont get the taking diuretics. In my experience messing with that can cause you to end up retaining water if you end up dehydrated. Like others have said, the scale is just a number and is not necessarily an accurate reflection of what you look like.

Like someone else above, I maintained a higher weight for several weeks when I started lifting heavy bit saw considerable changes in my body. I'm in the throw the scale put club. And the diuretics (just because it is rx doesnt mean it is good for you to take)

3dogsrunning

To those who say I'm retaining water....Isn't water retention temporary as long as you aren't eating too much sodium? I took a water pill because I DID have a few days of higher than normal sodium but even taking the lasix (i got it from mom RX) I did not lose the water. I only took a half a pill though.

It is not the same. Think of it as inflammation. Your muscles have tiny tears in it and your body is trying to repair them...... it is a good thing so no need to try to get rid of that water. Also I would recommend eating way more or you will burn out hard and fast. I am a 4'11'' girl and I eat between 1600 and 1900 calories a day

And this.
I am shorter than you and I eat more.

suziecue66

But those that say they eat a lot more - are they able to do that because they have a lot more muscle mass and increased metabolism. When you start weight training I imagine you have to eat a bit more but not a lot? I am asking questions as not experienced in this topic at all.

As an example see this weight lifting programme and the very low calories. You can scroll all the way down to see the diet and lifting plan. This is a muscle building programme. Can you build on low calories:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/felicia-romero-muscle-building-program.html

3dogsrunning

But those that say they eat a lot more - are they able to do that because they have a lot more muscle mass and increased metabolism. When you start weight training I imagine you have to eat a bit more but not a lot? I am asking questions as not experienced in this topic at all.

As an example see this weight lifting programme and the very low calories. You can scroll all the way down to see the diet plan and nutrition. This is a muscle building programme. Can you build on low calories:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/felicia-romero-muscle-building-program.html

I wasn't clear but even when I started weight training I ate more.

1200 calories net is far too low based on her height regardless of muscle mass. And she will end up losing muscle with too large of a deficit.

suziecue66

But those that say they eat a lot more - are they able to do that because they have a lot more muscle mass and increased metabolism. When you start weight training I imagine you have to eat a bit more but not a lot? I am asking questions as not experienced in this topic at all.

As an example see this weight lifting programme and the very low calories. You can scroll all the way down to see the diet plan and nutrition. This is a muscle building programme. Can you build on low calories:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/felicia-romero-muscle-building-program.html

I wasn't clear but even when I started weight training I ate more.

1200 calories net is far too low based on her height regardless of muscle mass. And she will end up losing muscle with too large of a deficit.

What do you think of the Felicia Romero Muscle Building Program?

suziecue66

I have not lost an ounce since I started lifting two months ago, but I fit back into my denim shorts that I last wore in November (when I was 7 lbs lighter) and could not get over my hips after Christmas...

Frankly, I don't give a damn about the scale anymore - I look better, I fit into my clothes, so what does a number on the scale matter?? It's not on my resume, and neither is it tattooed on my forehead, so why even bother with it??

Something like this happened to me a while back. I was doing body weight training and was able to fit into trousers that I wore at a lower weight. The pants shouldn't have fit me but I must have just weighed more because more muscle.

3dogsrunning

But those that say they eat a lot more - are they able to do that because they have a lot more muscle mass and increased metabolism. When you start weight training I imagine you have to eat a bit more but not a lot? I am asking questions as not experienced in this topic at all.

As an example see this weight lifting programme and the very low calories. You can scroll all the way down to see the diet plan and nutrition. This is a muscle building programme. Can you build on low calories:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/felicia-romero-muscle-building-program.html

I wasn't clear but even when I started weight training I ate more.

1200 calories net is far too low based on her height regardless of muscle mass. And she will end up losing muscle with too large of a deficit.

What do you think of the Felicia Romero Muscle Building Program?

Felicia Ramero is 5'3. OP is 5'10. Big difference.
I didn't go through all the exercises but to recommend everyone eat 1310 calories makes melong a fan of the program. Aside from newbie gains, which wouldn't be huge, she would not gain muscle on such a deficit.

suziecue66

But those that say they eat a lot more - are they able to do that because they have a lot more muscle mass and increased metabolism. When you start weight training I imagine you have to eat a bit more but not a lot? I am asking questions as not experienced in this topic at all.

As an example see this weight lifting programme and the very low calories. You can scroll all the way down to see the diet plan and nutrition. This is a muscle building programme. Can you build on low calories:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/felicia-romero-muscle-building-program.html

I wasn't clear but even when I started weight training I ate more.

1200 calories net is far too low based on her height regardless of muscle mass. And she will end up losing muscle with too large of a deficit.

What do you think of the Felicia Romero Muscle Building Program?

Felicia Ramero is 5'3. OP is 5'10. Big difference.
I didn't go through all the exercises but to recommend everyone eat 1310 calories makes melong a fan of the program. Aside from newbie gains, which wouldn't be huge, she would not gain muscle on such a deficit.

Yeh, I checked Felicia's profile and saw she was 5' 3" and low weight.

meeka472

When I started strength training with my trainer I put on 2lbs and plateaued for about 2 1/2 weeks. Finally on the 3rd week I dropped like 4lbs and have been losing steadily ever since. My trainer told me that when I gained the 2lbs it was probably only water weight and that I shouldn't worry. Even though I wasn't losing weigh during that time my body fat percentage dropped 2% and I was still losing inches. I think it has to do with muscles holding water.

nasja1984

To those who say I'm retaining water....Isn't water retention temporary as long as you aren't eating too much sodium? I took a water pill because I DID have a few days of higher than normal sodium but even taking the lasix (i got it from mom RX) I did not lose the water. I only took a half a pill though.

No. It also has to do with glycogen storage in the muscles that cause water retention.

Honestly, no expert here, but I dont get the taking diuretics. In my experience messing with that can cause you to end up retaining water if you end up dehydrated. Like others have said, the scale is just a number and is not necessarily an accurate reflection of what you look like.

Like someone else above, I maintained a higher weight for several weeks when I started lifting heavy bit saw considerable changes in my body. I'm in the throw the scale put club. And the diuretics (just because it is rx doesnt mean it is good for you to take)

I don't typically take them (diauretics) That is why I had to find someone who had one (Mom). I was just so curious as to how I could retain water over multiple days. I drink over 10 Cups of water a day easily. I've been on 1200 +/- Calories since January and only started netting around 1200 when I was ready to do strength. I am solid muscle including the area where "love handles" typically are, except the tail end of my belly fat that lays on top of my muscular abdominal area and is shrinking daily. I called it my bagel but now it is more like a donut. I know I will need to increase my calories once my fat stores are depleted and I'm fine with that, I just want to get rid of all the excess fat first.

nasja1984

When I started strength training with my trainer I put on 2lbs and plateaued for about 2 1/2 weeks. Finally on the 3rd week I dropped like 4lbs and have been losing steadily ever since. My trainer told me that when I gained the 2lbs it was probably only water weight and that I shouldn't worry. Even though I wasn't losing weigh during that time my body fat percentage dropped 2% and I was still losing inches. I think it has to do with muscles holding water.

Thank goodness! That is what I'm hoping for too. I got pretty brave until the scale went up......I knew it would go up a bit but it went up so much that it was not possible to be actual weight gained. I just needed some explanation and someones response who has been through this already. Thank you.

There's comfort in numbers:)

nasja1984

^What he said.

Personally, I put on like 5lbs when I started and they stayed on for around a month. I'm eating way more than you though so it could be different.


How much are you actually lifting? I would be starving if I ate as much as you. I lift twice a week and just started crossfit three times a week though.

Well the max I net is 1200 and I still have body fat available so I doubt I'm in some sort of "starvation mode". I calculated it all out and I should get maybe 1600 maximum calories with my height 5' 10", age, and activity level which was set to sedentary until I upped-it for lifting and strength training. I can handle 5 pounds or even 7 but I still want to get down in body fat at least. I suppose I'm looking for some reassurance that I won't gain 10 lbs back.

I doubt you're in starvation mode too but you'll have a hard time making strength gains if you're eating so little. Maybe you can try to net around 1800.You'll lose weight but it'll just be a little slower. That's better than stalling all together though.

I'm 5'3 134lbs and I aim to net around 1700 but its really more like 2000ish cause I'm always going over now. I've been doing it this way since I weighed 135 and started to lift heavy. At first my weight went up with the increase in food but now its going down and I'm a lot smaller.

If I ate 1800 calories a day, I'd probably weigh 180 pounds!! Maybe not. I will adjust up once the weight is off. Maybe 1800 is fine but according to my calcs, I should be around 1600 with my age and activity level..