We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Start lifting, gain weight not lose...

rmsturdy
rmsturdy Posts: 73
edited January 26 in Fitness and Exercise
Ok so I recently started CrossFit and I LOVE it. Problem is, I gained two pounds after my first week. Now I know that's not a lot, but when I'm trying to lose, it's frustrating.

It always seems to happen when I start lifting after some time away. If the pattern holds true, the weight will come back off after a few weeks and then I'll steadily lose if I stick to my clean eating/working out habits. Does this happen to anyone else?? I THINK it might be some extra water retention in my muscles, but any other input would be much appreciated.

Oh and it's not that I'm eating extra calories. I actually eat much cleaner and healthier when I work out because I know I have to fuel my workouts.

Replies

  • Iron_Lotus
    Iron_Lotus Posts: 2,295 Member
    It's water retention. Let me ask you something. If the scale kept climbing but you looked stunning would you still care about that stupid number? Or would you like to see that number way down and look like a sagging bag of milk?

    Toss the scale you are weight training now, go by look and measurements.
  • rmsturdy
    rmsturdy Posts: 73
    I figured that's what it was. I just didn't know if there was something else contributing that I didn't know about. I know I should just use measurements, but it takes so long for the tape to move and I want something I can see from week to week. I measure about once a month.
  • suelegal
    suelegal Posts: 1,281 Member
    It's water retention. Let me ask you something. If the scale kept climbing but you looked stunning would you still care about that stupid number? Or would you like to see that number way down and look like a sagging bag of milk?

    Toss the scale you are weight training now, go by look and measurements.

    exactly!
  • Iron_Lotus
    Iron_Lotus Posts: 2,295 Member
    I figured that's what it was. I just didn't know if there was something else contributing that I didn't know about. I know I should just use measurements, but it takes so long for the tape to move and I want something I can see from week to week. I measure about once a month.

    Well, for me anyway the tape moves much quicker than the scale whilst weight training. Please remember something the scale is just a number it does not dictate how you look. I wish people wouldn't focus so much on that one number, there are so many other numbers that are soooo much more important.

    Good luck love
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Agree with the water retention suggestion.

    On a side note, make sure your mentality is correct. Ideally you want to be using your diet for weight control and exercising for health/physique benefits. IMO, far too many people exercise to lose weight, which is a losing battle for most.
  • joleenl
    joleenl Posts: 739 Member
    Agree with the water retention suggestion.

    On a side note, make sure your mentality is correct. Ideally you want to be using your diet for weight control and exercising for health/physique benefits. IMO, far too many people exercise to lose weight, which is a losing battle for most.

    ^^ agree about 50%

    Both eat and exercise for health. Restrict calories for weight loss.
  • rmsturdy
    rmsturdy Posts: 73
    Thanks for the reinforcement guys! And don't worry about me, I LOVE my muscles! The goal is to look like some of the other lady crossfiters at my gym. They're totally ripped! I just know I need to lose a little weight for those muscles to show more :)
  • bostonwolf
    bostonwolf Posts: 3,038 Member
    I figured that's what it was. I just didn't know if there was something else contributing that I didn't know about. I know I should just use measurements, but it takes so long for the tape to move and I want something I can see from week to week. I measure about once a month.

    You need to recalibrate your expectations and the timeframe at which changes will occur.

    You need to lose some fat and gain some muscle for the muscles to show. If you lost two pounds of fat but added three pounds of muscle, that would be a fair trade and the difference would be noticable.

    My suggestion would be to ditch the scale entirely for two months, take measurements once a week. Weight in at the beginning and get a BF measurement if you can. Do it again at the end of the two months.

    I think you'll be very surprised at the results.
  • HeatherRoseJWR
    HeatherRoseJWR Posts: 1 Member
    I lost 4 inches in my waist before I even lost more than 2 pounds.. :/ My old personal trainer (I don't use a PT anymore, this was my PT from high school) told me that it takes your body about 5 weeks to get used to your new routine and to start making changes. Stick to it! It held true for me! I didn't lost more than 2 pounds in the first month of working out (I was doing at least 30 to 45 minutes a day 6 days a week) and after that 4th week was over I was down 10 pounds.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,145 Member
    Thanks for the reinforcement guys! And don't worry about me, I LOVE my muscles! The goal is to look like some of the other lady crossfiters at my gym. They're totally ripped! I just know I need to lose a little weight for those muscles to show more :)
    You can get defined and not lose weight. If you end up becoming a more fit and defined person, you'll soon understand that what the scale says won't mean anything. Your best gauge at this point is a mirror and pictures.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
This discussion has been closed.

Categories