Weight training and water retention

cynthiatwayne
cynthiatwayne Posts: 71
in Fitness and Exercise
I've read a few times briefly about weight training and water retention. Does anyone else notice that the morning after a weight training session that you retain water? Why does this happen (if you think it does for you) and is there any way to counter balance it? I'm very curious because I don't understand why everyone keeps telling me how awesome I look but the scale just isn't or is barely moving. I'm wondering if it is because I keep weighting in the morning after a hard workout and I'm fighting water retention issues. I know my rings feel tight today for sure.
Thanks
Cyndi

Replies

  • Dewdropps
    Dewdropps Posts: 111
    When you stress your muscles, they will always hold a bit of water to aid in healing themselves. You have to stress your muscles to make them stronger, but this is what people mean by them needing to repair. You should give yourself a day of rest before weighing in to get a more accurate reading. <3
  • Marcia661
    Marcia661 Posts: 183 Member
    I am having the same issue. I feel fantastic and feel the inches slipping away but not seeing the numbers go down. I've decided to step away from the scale and weigh once a month. I don't like being tied to a number and then feeling down when I don't see that number....working too hard at this.
  • Rosamia41
    Rosamia41 Posts: 17 Member
    I worked out on Saturday and was sore the entire day on Sunday then weighed myself and was almost 5 lbs heavier. But why? My diet didnt change at all, I was so distressed.
  • cjpembo
    cjpembo Posts: 42 Member
    According to the Mayo Clinic:

    So how much fluid does the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate need? The Institute of Medicine determined that an adequate intake (AI) for men is roughly 3 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day. The AI for women is 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day.

    ... and MORE if you workout.

    I read somewhere that when you keep well hydrated, your body will in fact retain less water - as there is no reason for it to hoard when water is plentiful.

    I'd suggest trying to drink more... and let your body decide whether or not to retain it.
  • flanary888
    flanary888 Posts: 158 Member
    If you are weight training then don't worry about the scale! Go by inches!! I was discouraged at first too when the scale wasn't moving, but then did my measurements and lost over an inch off my waist and hips! I will take it. Muscle weighs more than fat, so as long as that muscle is burning off the fat and I am "shrinking" then I am good!! Stay off the scale :)
  • Jennisin1
    Jennisin1 Posts: 574 Member
    It happens.. I have really killed it the last few days as indicated by my inability to move without saying ouch...

    but geez, the scale is just a number... and the water weight will go away in a couple of days... why stress about it.

    I am only 4lbs smaller than I was pre-baby but two sizes smaller.... so which do you think matter more in how I look... the number on the scale or my measurements?

    Honestly, If I ended up not losing another pound, but dropped another pants size, I would be estatic and probably call that goal. And.. besides, the more muscle your put on the more you get to eat.. so your goal should be how dense can I be so I can eat all the foods and still look like a sexy beast.
  • shellsrenee01
    shellsrenee01 Posts: 357 Member
    So happy I found this thread. I've been off the message boards for quite some time, and I forgot how helpful they can be! I just started weight training this week (for the first time, ever) and I weighed myself this morning and was shocked to see an almost 5lb gain from last friday. This is also day 4 of no soda for me, so I was even more discouraged to see the gain :sad: I took my measurements this morning, and noted my body fat %/weight. I am going to stay off the scale for at least a week, if not longer, and stick to measurements to determine if this will work for me.

    I'm training for my next Spartan race (Spartan Beast in Monterey, CA...12+ miles, 25 obstacles :noway:) so I need the strength training to ensure I can survive the course.

    Here's hoping!

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