I think I gain weight from lifting...

I thought you lost weight and gained muscle? I know muscle weighs more.. But I've heard people say stuff like " up the weights and watch the scale go down" ...... Hmmm maybe I'm doing something wrong?..

Replies

  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
    How long have you been lifting for?
  • MTBrob
    MTBrob Posts: 513 Member
    You understand that muscle is more dense there fore weights more than fat..

    You keep lifting and do cardio and the end result will be a lean and muscle toned body.
  • Sthrncupcake
    Sthrncupcake Posts: 79 Member
    I love lifting...and it has been the single best routine that I have done to change my body....I dont pay too much attention to the scale lately...pay attention to measurements. Lifting heavy will do wonderful things to the female body! I am still a HUGE work in progress....but check out my thread.... http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/712335-ruined-my-body-lifting-heavy-sadly-with-pics?page=13#posts-10643707...and tell me if you care about the darn scale anymore!
  • WickedBean
    WickedBean Posts: 244 Member
    I love lifting...and it has been the single best routine that I have done to change my body....I dont pay too much attention to the scale lately...pay attention to measurements. Lifting heavy will do wonderful things to the female body! I am still a HUGE work in progress....but check out my thread.... http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/712335-ruined-my-body-lifting-heavy-sadly-with-pics?page=13#posts-10643707...and tell me if you care about the darn scale anymore!

    yup this.
  • taylorwaylor
    taylorwaylor Posts: 417 Member
    How long have you been lifting for?


    Just a few months... Maybe I've just hit my "plateau". I dunno...
  • Jules2Be
    Jules2Be Posts: 2,238 Member
    what exactly are you doing when you say lifting?
    squats? deadlifts? bench press?
    how often?
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
    How long have you been lifting for?


    Just a few months... Maybe I've just hit my "plateau". I dunno...

    You haven't a plateau.

    When you first start lifting your muscles hold onto water to help repair themselves. It takes a bit for your body to get used to lifting, so give it a bit longer. Ignore the scale for now, it'll start moving again. Honest.
  • taylorwaylor
    taylorwaylor Posts: 417 Member
    what exactly are you doing when you say lifting?
    squats? deadlifts? bench press?
    how often?

    I'm new at it... So I don't really know what anything is called! I just see other people doing things with weights so I try it. I use a lot of machines..
  • taylorwaylor
    taylorwaylor Posts: 417 Member
    How long have you been lifting for?


    Just a few months... Maybe I've just hit my "plateau". I dunno...

    You haven't a plateau.

    When you first start lifting your muscles hold onto water to help repair themselves. It takes a bit for your body to get used to lifting, so give it a bit longer. Ignore the scale for now, it'll start moving again. Honest.

    Awesome! Thanks:)
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    what exactly are you doing when you say lifting?
    squats? deadlifts? bench press?
    how often?

    I'm new at it... So I don't really know what anything is called! I just see other people doing things with weights so I try it. I use a lot of machines..

    First, I'd suggest finding a "program". New Rules of Weight Lifting for Women, or Strong Lifts 5x5 are both great.

    Second, those very new to lifting CAN gain SOME weight even while on a calorie deficit but I'm pretty sure that'd require a serious program, lots of protein and it wouldn't be significant. This is not bad. Muscle is awesome.

    Third, yes there is water and glycogen weight that comes with starting a new weight lifting program.
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
    what exactly are you doing when you say lifting?
    squats? deadlifts? bench press?
    how often?

    I'm new at it... So I don't really know what anything is called! I just see other people doing things with weights so I try it. I use a lot of machines..

    First, I'd suggest finding a "program". New Rules of Weight Lifting for Women, or Strong Lifts 5x5 are both great.

    Second, those very new to lifting CAN gain SOME weight even while on a calorie deficit but I'm pretty sure that'd require a serious program, lots of protein and it wouldn't be significant. This is not bad. Muscle is awesome.

    Third, yes there is water and glycogen weight that comes with starting a new weight lifting program.

    I strongly agree with you on with point one. NRoLFW or SL 5x5 are both excellent starting points.

    Point two, I've looked at her diary and she's only eating 1200 cals a day, I don't think she's putting on much muscle TBH.
  • You probably will gain weight, because muscle weighs more, much more. If you're focusing on light weights and lots of reps you might see your weight come down some after a bit. I would say don't worry about it though.
    I've always gone with the motto that it isn't the weight that matters, its how I look and how I feel.
  • Catjag
    Catjag Posts: 107
    1lb = 1lb therefore the phrase "muscle weighs more than fat" is false. Muscle takes up less room in the body. There is a another member who has a great picture that shows this.
  • mslucy1971
    mslucy1971 Posts: 3 Member
    Hi I agree. I been working with personal trainer for a month 2 x a week. We strength train with weights. I was nervous in the beginnings I didn't want to be big and bulky. But actually I'm losing more inches than the scale is moving. So there's some logic to the madness. I do cardio in addition to 2 X's a week. Keep up the good work.
  • taylorwaylor
    taylorwaylor Posts: 417 Member
    what exactly are you doing when you say lifting?
    squats? deadlifts? bench press?
    how often?

    I'm new at it... So I don't really know what anything is called! I just see other people doing things with weights so I try it. I use a lot of machines..

    First, I'd suggest finding a "program". New Rules of Weight Lifting for Women, or Strong Lifts 5x5 are both great.

    Second, those very new to lifting CAN gain SOME weight even while on a calorie deficit but I'm pretty sure that'd require a serious program, lots of protein and it wouldn't be significant. This is not bad. Muscle is awesome.

    Third, yes there is water and glycogen weight that comes with starting a new weight lifting program.

    Alrighty, thanks!
  • nc90
    nc90 Posts: 83 Member
    1lb = 1lb therefore the phrase "muscle weighs more than fat" is false. Muscle takes up less room in the body. There is a another member who has a great picture that shows this.

    Muscle DOES weigh more than fat. If you take 1 cup of muscle vs. 1 cup of fat, the muscle would weigh more. It's like comparing 100 tons of feathers and 100 tons of bricks. 100 tons = 100 tons, but 1 brick will clearly weigh more than 1 feather.


    ETA: To the OP, just hang in there, you might try upping your calories a little to make sure you're body is getting what it needs. It might also help to drink more water! Good luck, and great job sticking with it!
  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member
    Stop focusing on weight which is an arbitrary number and focus on body fat which is what we all want to get rid of!

    Your muscles may retain water as your body begins to repair/rebuild/strengthen your muscles as you train. This can show up as a slight increase in body weight (water levels fluctuate daily - sometimes several pounds per day). But, there is no physiological reason why weight lifting that would cause your body to store additional fat if you are not eating a caloric surplus and your diet is balanced. If you are gaining fat while lifting you may need to make some changes to your diet.
  • ellie319
    ellie319 Posts: 139 Member
    1lb = 1lb therefore the phrase "muscle weighs more than fat" is false. Muscle takes up less room in the body. There is a another member who has a great picture that shows this.




    ^lies.muscle weighs more than fat yes its more compact.So when someone muscular punches you in the face theres considerably more force behind it as compared to someone flabby. But dont mind me please continue spreading lies.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,336 Member
    You probably will gain weight, because muscle weighs more, much more. If you're focusing on light weights and lots of reps you might see your weight come down some after a bit. I would say don't worry about it though.
    I've always gone with the motto that it isn't the weight that matters, its how I look and how I feel.

    Light weights are high repetition are largely a waste of time. All they do is increase endurance with little other benefit.

    I agree with those who said get an actual program. New Rule for Lifting for Women or Stronglifts 5x5 are good programs which will both push your to progress. Also, 1200 calories is very low for an 18 year old especially if you start lifting heavy.

    Read this http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

    Then ditch the scale and start lifting heavy using a good program and taking your measurements. In the long run it will give you a body to be confident in.
  • LottieLou13
    LottieLou13 Posts: 574 Member
    You probably will gain weight, because muscle weighs more, much more. If you're focusing on light weights and lots of reps you might see your weight come down some after a bit. I would say don't worry about it though.
    I've always gone with the motto that it isn't the weight that matters, its how I look and how I feel.

    Light weights are high repetition are largely a waste of time. All they do is increase endurance with little other benefit.

    I agree with those who said get an actual program. New Rule for Lifting for Women or Stronglifts 5x5 are good programs which will both push your to progress. Also, 1200 calories is very low for an 18 year old especially if you start lifting heavy.

    Read this http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

    Then ditch the scale and start lifting heavy using a good program and taking your measurements. In the long run it will give you a body to be confident in.

    ^ This completely.
  • jenneal89
    jenneal89 Posts: 243
    1lb = 1lb therefore the phrase "muscle weighs more than fat" is false. Muscle takes up less room in the body. There is a another member who has a great picture that shows this.

    Muscle DOES weigh more than fat. If you take 1 cup of muscle vs. 1 cup of fat, the muscle would weigh more. It's like comparing 100 tons of feathers and 100 tons of bricks. 100 tons = 100 tons, but 1 brick will clearly weigh more than 1 feather.


    ETA: To the OP, just hang in there, you might try upping your calories a little to make sure you're body is getting what it needs. It might also help to drink more water! Good luck, and great job sticking with it!

    Yep, 1 cup of muscle will weigh more than 1 cup of fat because its a measurement of volume not weight and the muscle would be heavier. but if you have 100 tons of bricks and 100 tons of feathers they will weigh the same. It takes a LOT more feathers and a lot more space to hold the feathers but a ton is a measurement of weight not volume. Just like another poster said 1lb=1lb yes true but it will take more room to fit 1lb of fat than 1lb of muscle because the muscle is more dense.
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    Some misconceptions in this post I'd like to clear up.

    1. The same volume of muscle does weigh more than the same volume of fat. No one thinks a pound of one substance weighs more than a pound (well almost no one). When people say "muscle weighs more than fat" they are of course talking about by volume.

    2. Most people will not gain muscle weight unless they they are eating at a calorie surplus or taking steroids, and even then this takes a few months for a 2-3 pounds. Any increase in weight seen at the start of a program is water.

    3. High reps, low weights increases muscle endurance. It is not been shown to be effective at building strength or muscle, or even maintaining muscles.

    4. Low reps, high weight is the way to go. It builds strength, and retains muscle.
  • Catjag
    Catjag Posts: 107
    1lb = 1lb therefore the phrase "muscle weighs more than fat" is false. Muscle takes up less room in the body. There is a another member who has a great picture that shows this.




    ^lies.muscle weighs more than fat yes its more compact.So when someone muscular punches you in the face theres considerably more force behind it as compared to someone flabby. But dont mind me please continue spreading lies.

    You are simply mistaking volume for weight. 1lb=1lb, regardless of the material. Its all ONE pound. Please read what member Raw6503 wrote in their reply (see #1).

    And kudos for the cheap shot about "spreading lies". You sure told me.
  • Aries03
    Aries03 Posts: 179 Member
    Ew Bump :smile:
  • MetilHed
    MetilHed Posts: 101 Member
    1lb = 1lb therefore the phrase "muscle weighs more than fat" is false. Muscle takes up less room in the body. There is a another member who has a great picture that shows this.




    ^lies.muscle weighs more than fat yes its more compact.So when someone muscular punches you in the face theres considerably more force behind it as compared to someone flabby. But dont mind me please continue spreading lies.

    Not lies. If you insist on using weight as a measurement. Everything weighs the same as everything, pound for pound (or ounce for ounce or gram fro gram). If you use volume as your yardstick, you do indeed get more weight in muscle than fat for the same VOLUME.

    Did you ever stop to consider that when someone muscular punches you in the face, they're a LOT stronger and the muscles push their fist harder and faster ?

    But, don't mind me, continue spreading your ignorance.