Frustrated....

ready4change
ready4change Posts: 151 Member
edited September 20 in Health and Weight Loss
So I have been doing pretty well on my weightloss journey, at least for me anyways. Last month I had some big things happen in my life that caused me to be super busy and as a result I worked out ONCE in an entire month! I continued to eat pretty well during this time and managed to continue to lose 2 lbs. during this time.

What's frustrating to me is that I started working out again last week and I've gained 3-4 lbs.! I know it's probably muscle... but it's so discouraging. I've been doing so well, and then I START working out again and I GAIN weight!

For those of you that have experienced this, what are some things you do to motivate yourself and get you past this point?? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I'm just very frustrated right now!

Replies

  • SHBoss1673
    SHBoss1673 Posts: 7,161 Member
    While muscle is probably part of it, another big part is probably the way your body is configured. When we start a new workout program (essentially, this is what happens if you take a month off), the body starts to engage new muscle fibers, these fibers require more glycogen, and more water. You may not think of this as a big weight increase, but it is, It's quite normal for this to happen. You may have gained a little bit in muscle, but you probably gained 80 to 85% of that weight in water and glycogen stores for your new muscle fibers.

    Take heart, these new working fibers contribute to the overall metabolism of the body, and will help you lose fat in the long run. Keep up the good work!
  • LittleSpy
    LittleSpy Posts: 6,754 Member
    Your muscles are probably retaining water. They're shocked -- they havent' been worked in a while. Keep it up for a few weeks & you'll see the weight come off. But even before then, you'll see all the benefits of the exercise -- stamina improving, inches coming off, more energy, etc.
  • ready4change
    ready4change Posts: 151 Member
    Thanks for your encouragements! It's just so frustrating when you START working out and the scale goes up... :noway:
  • I understand completely... I started working out and eating less and better last Monday. I weighed myself yesterday and only lost 1 pound and I have been working my butt off!! I also did my measurements though the Sunday before starting my working out and I again did my measurements the following Sunday and lost an inch on my breasts, an inch on my waist, half of an inch around my belly button and an inch around my hips.. I would MUCH rather go by the inches than the weight any day!! That may help you instead of going solely on what the scale says, if I hadn't taken my measurements I would have been crazy discouraged but it actually made me more motivated!!
  • ready4change
    ready4change Posts: 151 Member
    Very good point -- I haven't done my measurements in like 2 months! Maybe I should do that for a little motivation!
  • stay off the scale!!! :noway: wait a little while to step on the scale til you're back in your regimen. what everyone said is right about the muscle/water weight. try and weigh yourself once a month and go by how your clothes are fitting. i just started strength training and was worried when i saw the numbers on the scale go up, but now i stay off. i've noticed by my clothes and my somewhat toned muscles that it's working, and i feel great! so who cares what the scale says anyways!! :laugh:

    best of luck to you! :flowerforyou:
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