2 weeks workout completed, but got bigger?

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NoMeat101
NoMeat101 Posts: 20
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm about to start week 3 of T25 Alpha phase tomorrow. I took my measurements at the beginning, of course. But so far my measurements are yet to go down, they've actually gone up a bit... It's quite discouraging.

I'm definitely feeling the burn in my legs, to a point where I can't get through all the exercises in each session, but I did a lot better this week than I did in the first week.

I've also noticed that during workouts, cellulite on my legs looks TERRIBLE! Some days I used to only see it on my left leg, which I've had an awful lot of issues with my left kneecap so I assumed it was worse on that side due to my knee. But in resting, like now, my legs look fine, but during workouts it's bad! Why is that?


I don't think I'm drinking enough water, I'm trying to work my way up to it. Could that be the cause for measurements going up? Water retention? The scales are still the same but actual measurements increased rather than decreased.


*note: I only started tracking my diary on here yesterday - let's not try and base my diet on yesterday's foods haha.

Replies

  • kgeyser
    kgeyser Posts: 22,505 Member
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    I just finished Week 5 of Alpha, and I have experienced the same thing. My weight is the same and my measurements have gone up. I completely agree, it is discouraging, especially if you've never done a workout like T25 before. You would think as much as you sweat and with all the hard work you put in, there would be some visible, positive change. I also hear you on the cellulite, I try not to look down at my legs when I'm in plank position, although I can attribute to gravity. :)

    As far as the no weight gain but measurement changes, here are some of the possible reasons I've seen as to why that is happening, in no particular order, so you can pick whichever one is most reassuring to you:

    1. You are burning fat but gaining muscle, and the associated water weight is causing the increased measurements. Basically when you start working out, your body stores more fuel in your muscles to be able to get through your workout. The process of converting glucose (carbs) into glycogen (the fuel) requires three molecules of water per molecule of glucose, so your body retains water like crazy to help build up those glycogen stores so you can continue being awesome at your workouts. As you continue exercising and your body gets used to the newfound level of activity (as well as all that extra muscle you've built), it will stop acting like it is in water crisis mode and start shedding the water weight.

    2. This is typical of Shaun T workouts, you'll see no change for weeks and boom, you'll start dropping weight.

    3. You're eating more than you think you are or not eating enough to compensate for the level of exercise and your body is holding onto the extra calories.

    4. You've been so blinded by neon and the miracle of Derek's A-MAZ-ING squats that you're not reading the tape measure correctly.

    I know it is incredibly frustrating, but it will get better. I'm also working on improving my water intake; some days I'm awesome, others I only manage to drink water with my workout. I'm trying not to think too much about the measurements (yes, I am lying, but let's pretend I'm not) and have been focusing on other changes I've seen. I'm definitely able to do moves at the high impact level longer than I was at the beginning, even though I also have a bum knee, and I don't look at the clock in shock anymore that only two minutes have gone by before I feel like I'm going to die (it's moved to around the 12 minute mark). And I stuck with it for five weeks and managed to get in at least 5 of the 6 weekday workouts a week, that alone deserves a medal.

    Stick with it and you will see changes - just doing this workout each day makes you awesome, because it isn't easy. I'm about to start Beta and from looking at the workout reviews, I think I'm going to like it (and it has weights!). Keep pushing play for no other reason than being able to look at the calendar at the end of Week 5 and say "I never have to do Total Body Circuit and watch that oiled up blond girl fold herself in half during pike ups EVER AGAIN!"
  • NoMeat101
    NoMeat101 Posts: 20
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    I just finished Week 5 of Alpha, and I have experienced the same thing. My weight is the same and my measurements have gone up. I completely agree, it is discouraging, especially if you've never done a workout like T25 before. You would think as much as you sweat and with all the hard work you put in, there would be some visible, positive change. I also hear you on the cellulite, I try not to look down at my legs when I'm in plank position, although I can attribute to gravity. :)

    As far as the no weight gain but measurement changes, here are some of the possible reasons I've seen as to why that is happening, in no particular order, so you can pick whichever one is most reassuring to you:

    1. You are burning fat but gaining muscle, and the associated water weight is causing the increased measurements. Basically when you start working out, your body stores more fuel in your muscles to be able to get through your workout. The process of converting glucose (carbs) into glycogen (the fuel) requires three molecules of water per molecule of glucose, so your body retains water like crazy to help build up those glycogen stores so you can continue being awesome at your workouts. As you continue exercising and your body gets used to the newfound level of activity (as well as all that extra muscle you've built), it will stop acting like it is in water crisis mode and start shedding the water weight.

    2. This is typical of Shaun T workouts, you'll see no change for weeks and boom, you'll start dropping weight.

    3. You're eating more than you think you are or not eating enough to compensate for the level of exercise and your body is holding onto the extra calories.

    4. You've been so blinded by neon and the miracle of Derek's A-MAZ-ING squats that you're not reading the tape measure correctly.

    I know it is incredibly frustrating, but it will get better. I'm also working on improving my water intake; some days I'm awesome, others I only manage to drink water with my workout. I'm trying not to think too much about the measurements (yes, I am lying, but let's pretend I'm not) and have been focusing on other changes I've seen. I'm definitely able to do moves at the high impact level longer than I was at the beginning, even though I also have a bum knee, and I don't look at the clock in shock anymore that only two minutes have gone by before I feel like I'm going to die (it's moved to around the 12 minute mark). And I stuck with it for five weeks and managed to get in at least 5 of the 6 weekday workouts a week, that alone deserves a medal.

    Stick with it and you will see changes - just doing this workout each day makes you awesome, because it isn't easy. I'm about to start Beta and from looking at the workout reviews, I think I'm going to like it (and it has weights!). Keep pushing play for no other reason than being able to look at the calendar at the end of Week 5 and say "I never have to do Total Body Circuit and watch that oiled up blond girl fold herself in half during pike ups EVER AGAIN!"

    Brilliant response, just what I needed! Although I'm a little sad you're at end of week 5 and still the same! I'm not sure I could be encouraged that long! Good on you!

    I've never done any kind of workout thing, I've tried a few times to start P90x, 10 Minute Trainer or T25 but only ever lasted a week in anything.. So I'm feeling pretty accomplished so far with two weeks totally completed! But measurements increasing just makes me want to stop.

    I know I'm not eating enough calories, not quite at 1200, I find that a bit tough, I'm working on it though as well... that and water intake, maybe increasing those two will do me a world of good!

    Definitely looking forward to seeing how Beta goes for you, hopefully it'll finally just DROP off! If it does for you, that'll be huge encouragement for me, the aim to just reach Beta! Haha.
  • kgeyser
    kgeyser Posts: 22,505 Member
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    Weeks 3, 4, and 5 were the hardest for me. Weeks 3 and 4 because that's right around the time behavioral specialists say you either adopt a behavior or drop it, and there were days I wanted to drop it. Week 5 I was just getting bored and ready to move on.

    Please, please eat more calories. 1200 is around the bare minimum that a person needs just have their body function at rest - blood pumping, organs doing their thing, etc. There are calculators out there on the web that can give you your resting metabolic rate (RMR) for your weight, height, and age if you want to get a true sense of what it would be for your body. When you add exercise on top of that, you need to make those calories up to get your intake back up to or above your RMR. That alone could be a huge part of why you are not seeing any changes. If you're not doing it already, drinking some kind of post-workout shake would help replace those calories and maybe get you up where you need to be. It might be worth it to give it a try for a week and see if there is any change in your stats. I just started drinking one this week because I need to get more protein in my diet and the vitamins seem to help with the muscle recovery, especially with the leg soreness. The leg soreness was a big reason why I wanted to quit in weeks 3 and 4.
  • NoMeat101
    NoMeat101 Posts: 20
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    I'm not entirely hungry right now but I'm making myself another serving for diner to up those calories, then I usually have tea a bit later, still leaves me with 24 calories for today.... tough. better than yesterday!

    Would I be better trying Shakeology, or something recovery? I kind of want to try Shakeology but it's so expensive.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
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    Please also stop stressing about what you look like WHILE working out- I make ridiculous faces- and ridiculous grunts- and cellulite- and all sorts of not pretty EVERYWHERE.

    it's part of working out- just do the darn thing and get to working- it'll make you better.

    Don't sweat the details- least not right now :D
  • NoMeat101
    NoMeat101 Posts: 20
    Options
    Please also stop stressing about what you look like WHILE working out- I make ridiculous faces- and ridiculous grunts- and cellulite- and all sorts of not pretty EVERYWHERE.

    it's part of working out- just do the darn thing and get to working- it'll make you better.

    Don't sweat the details- least not right now :D

    Oh I definitely don't care what I look like, I just meant I thought it was strange that the cellulite appears like that ONLY while working out, just don't understand why that is haha.
  • jaz050465
    jaz050465 Posts: 3,508 Member
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    Try high calorie healthy foods like nuts, peanut butter and avocado.
  • jaz050465
    jaz050465 Posts: 3,508 Member
    Options
    Please also stop stressing about what you look like WHILE working out- I make ridiculous faces- and ridiculous grunts- and cellulite- and all sorts of not pretty EVERYWHERE.

    it's part of working out- just do the darn thing and get to working- it'll make you better.

    Don't sweat the details- least not right now :D

    Oh I definitely don't care what I look like, I just meant I thought it was strange that the cellulite appears like that ONLY while working out, just don't understand why that is haha.

    Could it be the light? I know if light is coming from below me, it makes my cellulite look a lot worse.
  • NoMeat101
    NoMeat101 Posts: 20
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    Try high calorie healthy foods like nuts, peanut butter and avocado.

    I can't stand the texture of nuts, and I try and try to like avocado but just don't. Going to try getting some peanut butter but not sure what to put it on/with. I've managed to hit over 1200 the past two days now though!
    Could it be the light? I know if light is coming from below me, it makes my cellulite look a lot worse.

    Hmm, maybe light! Didn't think of that. I don't have a proper ceiling light in my living room so it comes from the kitchen behind me or lamp in corner in front of me...
  • kgeyser
    kgeyser Posts: 22,505 Member
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    I know a lot of people who swear by Shakeology, and others who think it is overpriced junk. Truthfully, you can get a recovery drink at pretty much any health food store if you want to see if that makes a difference in helping you meet your calories, or decreasing muscle soreness, or giving you more energy. I personally wouldn't drop the money on Shakeology until I'd gotten my diet and exercise regimen squared away and really felt like I could justify the cost. The other issue with Shakeology is that it has ingredients that suppress appetite, and that sounds like the opposite of what you need right now if you are barely hitting your minimums.

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