Puffy and water weight from new lifting sched?

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Thought maybe someone could help...

I have heard that a new lifting regimen could cause temporary water weight and puffiness. I feel so puffy and the scale has SHOT up! I was doing p90x and I just switched to a standard push/pull/legs split and I have been lifting heavy.

Is this normal?

Thanks!!

Replies

  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
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    Totally.

    The degree to which it happens will lessen, but it should still happen if you had a good lifting workout. Damaged muscle retains water.

    For many starting exercise, they also gain glucose stores, which stores with water. Put you doing P90X means you already got that part.
  • MrsCJ1
    MrsCJ1 Posts: 77
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    Great! Good to know. Thank you!
  • berthabunny
    berthabunny Posts: 251 Member
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    I'm struggling with this right now, too. Almost everybody seems to gain and feel somewhat bloated after a good workout.
    I always feel like I have a pot belly in the shower after a really good workout :laugh:
  • ElizabethKalmbach
    ElizabethKalmbach Posts: 1,416 Member
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    I generally gain 3-4 lbs the day after a session with heavy weights. Repairing muscle requires lots of water to replace glycogen (processing carbs, etc.). It's completely normal.
  • erindh87
    erindh87 Posts: 94
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    I always feel like I have a pot belly in the shower after a really good workout :laugh:

    Haha! That's exactly how I felt last night after an intense Jillian Michael's workout. My stomach was sticking out way more than it should have been. Thankfully it's back to it's normal size today!
  • MrsCJ1
    MrsCJ1 Posts: 77
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    I can rest assured! :smile: I was hoping this was normal. This must be the "pump" that I hear body builders talk about. It would probably be more enjoyable if I was a guy. :bigsmile:
  • kirabob
    kirabob Posts: 481 Member
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    When you are lifting, it really helps to just stay away from the scale completely. If you must weigh, then do it after two solid days of well-nourished and hydrated rest. I'm about 6 weeks in to a heavy program, and the puffiness is pretty much non-existent -although I do kinda like how 'full' my muscles look the day I lift. :smile:
  • bradthemedic
    bradthemedic Posts: 623 Member
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    Rule #1 about lifting club: never weigh when in lifting club
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
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    So true, due to either being sore and retaining, or morning after hard cardio workout, or the rest day being a bad junk day too, I haven't had a valid weigh-in for almost 2 months. This morning would have actually been it, if I'd thought to weigh before going to gym in morning to lift.
  • kirabob
    kirabob Posts: 481 Member
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    Rule #1 about lifting club: never weigh when in lifting club

    ROFL.
  • MrsCJ1
    MrsCJ1 Posts: 77
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    I like this rule! I am sticking to it!
  • Gapwedge01
    Gapwedge01 Posts: 494
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    Rule #1 about lifting club: never weigh when in lifting club

    So damn true!