Strength Training and Weight Gain

readanddance
readanddance Posts: 311 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Good morning!

I began a pilates strength training class two weeks ago. And, while I've seen increased definition in some areas of my body (especially legs), I've also seen the scale increase. I expected this (especially as muscles weighs more than fat). What I didn't expect was the fact that the number continues to increase. I am not eating the strength training calories back, as I haven't been logging it as "exercise." Therefore, I've maintained my deficit throughout the two weeks.

I will take measurements again next week to monitor change. However, I wonder how long to expect an increase before I see a drop? With over 80 pounds left to lose, the scale will absolutely continue to move...it's just a matter of when. (My ticker only shows how much is left to my halfway point.)

Have any of your experienced this? If so, when did you begin to scale-move? And, was it a sudden whoosh?

Replies

  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    gonna burst your bubble sorry...

    The increase is not from muscle gain....and no muscle does not weigh more than fat..

    You are retaining fluid due to a new fitness routine and it will go away shortly.
  • readanddance
    readanddance Posts: 311 Member
    gonna burst your bubble sorry...

    The increase is not from muscle gain....and no muscle does not weigh more than fat..

    You are retaining fluid due to a new fitness routine and it will go away shortly.

    Thanks for the thoughts! Is it accurate to assume that I will see an increase each time we do exercises that shock the body?
  • bluebird321
    bluebird321 Posts: 733 Member
    Best to focus on bodyfat percentage and measurements.
  • readanddance
    readanddance Posts: 311 Member
    Best to focus on bodyfat percentage and measurements.

    Thanks! I will. Primarily, I'm wondering at what point the scale will move down....
  • helpfit101
    helpfit101 Posts: 347 Member
    Stopped reading after "two weeks ago..".

    The answer is: give it more time.
  • SuperCrsa
    SuperCrsa Posts: 790 Member
    Best to focus on bodyfat percentage and measurements.

    Thanks! I will. Primarily, I'm wondering at what point the scale will move down....

    All depends on your body, I only saw the scale drop after 6 weeks.
    Track your losses with measurements instead. If your cm's are going down you are on the right track.

    That scale is a *kitten*!
  • readanddance
    readanddance Posts: 311 Member

    All depends on your body, I only saw the scale drop after 6 weeks.

    Thanks!!
  • SailorKnightWing
    SailorKnightWing Posts: 875 Member
    Two weeks is within the time frame that your body is retaining water to repair your muscles. You wouldn't be building muscle yet, but also I'm not sure if you'll build any noticeable muscle at all doing Pilates. It's designed more to retain muscle than to build more. I may be mistaken.

    The good news is it shouldn't be long until your muscles don't need that extra water and you'll experience something people call the "whoosh" where that water weight will disappear all at once.
  • 3laine75
    3laine75 Posts: 3,069 Member
    Just water for recovery like others have said. Don't worry, it'll come off :)
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    For me it was months but it was a whoosh after that, and the scale did 'catch up' to about where deficits predicted it should be.
  • readanddance
    readanddance Posts: 311 Member
    For me it was months but it was a whoosh after that, and the scale did 'catch up' to about where deficits predicted it should be.

    Thank you! I appreciate the feedback!
  • readanddance
    readanddance Posts: 311 Member
    Just water for recovery like others have said. Don't worry, it'll come off :)

    Thank you. I know it will....I just get impatient when I start a new training program. :-)
  • readanddance
    readanddance Posts: 311 Member
    Two weeks is within the time frame that your body is retaining water to repair your muscles. You wouldn't be building muscle yet, but also I'm not sure if you'll build any noticeable muscle at all doing Pilates. It's designed more to retain muscle than to build more. I may be mistaken.

    The good news is it shouldn't be long until your muscles don't need that extra water and you'll experience something people call the "whoosh" where that water weight will disappear all at once.

    Thank you! I appreciate your thoughts!
  • KristinaB83
    KristinaB83 Posts: 440 Member
    As others have said, don't sweat it and just give it some time.

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