"Peak" by stopping weight training before a big event?

reenasamaan

Hello friends,

I'm sure some may be balk at the subject to this chain but I'm completely curious. Since I've started weight training last summer I've gained weight, which is not a big deal to me cos I feel like I definitely look better. But I've heard that weight training can retain water. Now, I drink a lot of water, eat a lot of fiber (I go over every day), stay mostly away from processed foods, consume quite a bit of protein as a pescatarian, etc. I feel like I look my best but not necessarily feel it - I'm often sore and bloated! BLAH!

I'm getting married next week and basically just don't want to feel puffy. I've been feeling puffy a lot lately. It may be stress but that's not going away soon, so what can I do that will keep my energy levels up and perhaps decrease the bloat/water a bit? Again, not looking for some crap-shoot / crash diet / big exercise overhaul. My dress fits and I want to keep it that way.

I'm thinking to go off the weight training and focus on cardio for the next week. Or is that the opposite of what I should be doing?

Any other ideas? (Please don't say water pills LOL)

It's taken me 50 lbs to reach this day (not all at once), so I definitely want to look/feel the best I can! Then I'm going to France to eat everything.

Thanks!

CyberEd312

If it was me I wouldn't cut out weights all together but I may do a more cardio endurance weight training routine this week. Lower weights with higher reps (keeping strict form) and cut my rest time between sets (says 20-30 seconds rest). Congrats on the Wedding!! Best of Luck......

3dogsrunning

The water retained by weight training isn't the type that makes you bloated. Drinking water will not get rid of it.
Water retention related to weight training has to do with glycogen stores in your muscles. Glycogen requires water to be stored. These stores are used and replenished throughout the day. When you increase intensity, your body stores more glycogen in anticipation of the next workout, which also means storing more water.
This is also the same reason you see people initally drop a pile of scale weight right away when they start low carb - they deplete the glycogen stores (carbs are stored as glycogen). It is also the reason why people put on a bunch of weight when they "cheat" on their low carb diet.
It really isn't affecting size.
If you stop weight training you may see a drop on the scale of a lb or two but that isn't going to solve the bloating problem.

Rowan813

The water retained by weight training isn't the type that makes you bloated. Drinking water will not get rid of it.
Water retention related to weight training has to do with glycogen stores in your muscles. Glycogen requires water to be stored. These stores are used and replenished throughout the day. When you increase intensity, your body stores more glycogen in anticipation of the next workout, which also means storing more water.
This is also the same reason you see people initally drop a pile of scale weight right away when they start low carb - they deplete the glycogen stores (carbs are stored as glycogen). It is also the reason why people put on a bunch of weight when they "cheat" on their low carb diet.
It really isn't affecting size.
If you stop weight training you may see a drop on the scale of a lb or two but that isn't going to solve the bloating problem.

Exactly! And very well explained.

reenasamaan

Thanks guys! So stick with the weight training? I like the idea of fewer reps, lighter weights too perhaps?