Gained weight, feel bummed. :(

superdonna
superdonna Posts: 57 Member
in Motivation and Support
I have been trying so hard to be more healthy since Jan. 1. I have lost a good amount of weight and have gone from a completely sedentary lifestyle to walking several times a week. (for 1-2.5 hours at a time) I eat a lot healthier and log my food religiously. Sounds okay so far...until I decided to brush off the dust on my bike which I haven't rode in about 10+ years. I biked about 75 kms in three days. Now weigh in was today and I GAINED something like 3.5 pounds!!! I swear I havent gone crazy with food. If I had been going way over calories then I could understand...I am feeling sooo bummed about this. Some people are saying its muscle. (I started weight training to tone about 3 weeks ago) Perhaps not enough water? I know it sounds stupid, but this has thrown me off my game! I just bought an eliptical bike trainer for inside training last night too. Now I want to crawl into a corner and eat chocolate. Sigh.

Replies

  • McLifterPants
    McLifterPants Posts: 457 Member
    Bike riding is a real workout for your muscles, unlike some forms of cardio like elliptical. When you give your muscles a rough workout, they will hold onto more water for a bit while they heal. I suggest keeping track of your major measurements (bust, waist, hips, maybe thighs and biceps) so that you have something you can look at other than just the pounds on the scale. If you're losing inches, you're succeeding, no matter what the scale says!
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    For you to gain 3.5 pounds in three days you would have to have eaten 12,250 calories on top of your maintenance calories.. and since I assume you didn't do that, it's water weight.

    You also could be gaining a bit of muscle.. but it's highly unlikely. It's really hard for women to gain muscle.. and it's even harder to gain it in a calorie deficit.

    Just drink some extra water and wait it out.. it will come back to normal eventually.
  • tammyj83
    tammyj83 Posts: 159 Member
    I'm certainly no expert, but it sounds as though you're doing all the right things. Forget what the scale says, and keep doing what you're doing. The weight will eventually fall off; it HAS to! Keep up the good work!
  • HappyMarisol
    HappyMarisol Posts: 14
    Bike riding is a real workout for your muscles, unlike some forms of cardio like elliptical. When you give your muscles a rough workout, they will hold onto more water for a bit while they heal. ...... you're succeeding, no matter what the scale says!

    Donna don't eat that chocalate! Am I to late? :D

    My trainers mentioned the same as the quote above. When you work your muscles they will tend to flame up with water. It's their way to protect themselves and heal. Hence, the weight gain. :D

    As your body strengthens your body will heal faster and it will take on that endurance like a pro. :)
  • superdonna
    superdonna Posts: 57 Member
    Thanks all! It's so nice to have such supportive people on here. I love this app!!! I didnt eat chocolate, but I am extra hungry so I am eating more than usual for lunch. I am trying to drink more water too. I will try my bike again tonight. My faith is faltered but not lost.
  • Zalli
    Zalli Posts: 132 Member
    If I KNOW that I've been doing all the right things, if I KNOW it without a doubt, and my scale still reads a bump upwards, then I just try to laugh at it like "Hah, you CRAZY!" or "don't think you can get away with flying in the face of science, buddy!"

    Sure I'm talking to an inanimate object, but I still feel better. :)

    Obviously the scale, like anything, can have an off day.

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