muscles retaining water

amymeenieminymo
amymeenieminymo Posts: 2,394 Member
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I hope to start hitting the gym again next week and getting circuit training with weights back into my routine (been doing mostly cardio) so I am worried about my muscles retaining water since they aren't used to being worked specifically. I know this will go away, but even if I know it's likely water weight, ANY increase on the scale right now is going to shatter my self esteem and motivation (which has already been really low) so I'd like to try whatever to avoid that. Any tips? Just drink a ton of water? Will stretching help with water retention?

Replies

  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    Having your muscles retain water after a workout is a good thing, it helps them repair, why would you not want that? It will go away after a few days, why not try not weighing yourself for 2 weeks after you start up at the gym again, that way by the time you do weigh in there should be very little water left.
  • sallyLunn
    sallyLunn Posts: 381
    Don't step on the scale the day after you do strength training. Works for me.
  • LauraKristin
    LauraKristin Posts: 1
    Drinking lots of water will help with water retention. It will help flush the fluids and toxins out of your muscles and the rest of your body. Strength training will also have the added benefit of making your metabolism work long after you finish your workout, thereby adding to your calorie burn.
  • SharonsJetSet
    SharonsJetSet Posts: 159
    Try measuring yourself instead of weighing in. I would bet your clothing will fit a whole lot better. If you're getting toned, losing fat and inches, why does the scale matter?
  • lizzys
    lizzys Posts: 841 Member
    your doing great.water keeps your muscles from getting sore. i just started exercising really hard, for the past 7 days, i go from 219.8 on the days i do weights to 219.6 on the days i do carido.witch is not bad im so fat and flabby that it going to take two week just to build a littel muscle so i can really make all this cardio pay off
  • MsElphaba
    MsElphaba Posts: 432 Member
    Amy,
    You have lost 41 pounds. Yeah you! You already know you may expect a bit of a weight gain by doing something that is good for your body and will ultimately lead to more weight loss, so don't beat yourself up when it happens. Drink plenty of water, keep up good protein to feed your muscles and they will pay you back in the long run.

    L
  • amymeenieminymo
    amymeenieminymo Posts: 2,394 Member
    Try measuring yourself instead of weighing in. I would bet your clothing will fit a whole lot better. If you're getting toned, losing fat and inches, why does the scale matter?

    Because right now before my wedding, I am only focusing on the 10 pounds that I've put back on in the last 8 months....it came off, then back on, so I know it can come back off again. I don't think I would lose enough significant inches or see a big difference in how my clothes fit (except for in my dress since I currently cannot get a deep breathe in it) in just 10 pounds so I'm going by the scale.

    I've been VERY lazy lately with food and working out, thus the 10 pounds coming back, so it's time I get serious again like I was to get the weight off in the first place. So ordinarily no, I would not be obsessed with the scale, I would focus more on just being healthy and looking good, but I am very upset with myself that I let this ten pounds creep back so I am determined to get it back off. If I absolutely have to, I'll have the dress let out, but I have some time to try to get the weight off.
  • amymeenieminymo
    amymeenieminymo Posts: 2,394 Member
    Having your muscles retain water after a workout is a good thing, it helps them repair, why would you not want that? It will go away after a few days, why not try not weighing yourself for 2 weeks after you start up at the gym again, that way by the time you do weigh in there should be very little water left.

    That's a good idea, I may just have to skip weighing next week so I won't freak out over any gain.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories