Lifting weights....gained weight!!

jubial
jubial Posts: 5 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So I started weight lifting 5 days a week on March 1, eating around 1500-1700 calories a day. Just weighed myself, and I went from 137 to 143! 6 lbs. Inches have not changed. My clothes all fit the same. :( So frustrated. I did notice lots of muscle gain in my arms though, Should I throw in some more cardio and cut calories to 1300?

Omg. Advice? :( Normal? My goal weight is 130 btw.

Replies

  • mschicagocubs
    mschicagocubs Posts: 774 Member
    I doubt it is muscle gain.

    It could be a little water weight. When you start new exercising programs that happens especially with heavy lifting.

    6 lbs seems a little on the heavy side for water weight.

    Are you weighing your food? Eating back exercise calories?
  • BattleTaxi
    BattleTaxi Posts: 752 Member
    Drink more water... 6lbs of muscle is unlikely; it could be sodium + not enough water, OR water retention..

    I'm not a fan of a scale number for a goal. I am more interested in inches, maybe you should think on that. The number on the scale is unrealistic and just reinforces the message that media sends women about body image.

    Edit to add: I can't see your diary so can't see what your food intake is. Simply x amount of calories doesn't mean you are eating the right foods. Being diligent about logging food tends to be the answer to "mystery weight gain" dilemmas.
  • grimendale
    grimendale Posts: 2,153 Member
    Water retention is completely normal when you first start a weight training program. Your body retains water to help with muscle repair (bonded to glycogen in your muscles), so you will often get an apparent weight gain initially. It usually takes 2-3 weeks for your body to adjust to the new routine and release the water. Don’t let it get inside your head.
  • danimalkeys
    danimalkeys Posts: 982 Member
    It's not just when you start weight training, it's something that will happen as long as you lift. Water retention as your muscles repair themselves. I can count on at least 3lbs difference in the scale the day after a weight session. Sometimes it's 5lbs, sometimes 2, but I always have an increase that takes several days to go back down.
  • Topsking2010
    Topsking2010 Posts: 2,245 Member
    Bump
  • Martyriv
    Martyriv Posts: 6 Member
    Just wondering…..when lifting weights should you always eat at least half of calories earned?

    Does anyone not eat the extra calories earned when exercising?

    Not losing enough weight….motivation slowing down. However, I will try drinking more water.
  • knittnponder
    knittnponder Posts: 1,953 Member
    It's typical to go up in weight when you start a new exercise and it's taken several weeks for me to see any change in measurements. My scale still hasn't budged but I can now pull a pair of pants all the way up and zip them whereas before they got stuck mid thigh. Like I said though, this has taken weeks and to be honest, it's only been recent that I've dialed in my calorie intake. You have to make sure you're logging honestly too. I'd say make sure you are correctly logging everything and give it a couple of more weeks before you reduce calories. But I'm no expert so ignore me if one of the really smart people chime in. :flowerforyou:
  • mschicagocubs
    mschicagocubs Posts: 774 Member
    Just wondering…..when lifting weights should you always eat at least half of calories earned?

    Does anyone not eat the extra calories earned when exercising?

    Not losing enough weight….motivation slowing down. However, I will try drinking more water.

    I don't calculate a calorie burn when lifting. It's really hard to estimate. Cardio, yes you should eat back 50%. Make sure you are fueling your body appropriately.
  • rebeccaolsen1
    rebeccaolsen1 Posts: 1
    I have to agree that using the scale is not the best way to measure your current success. I actually fluctuate 5lbs. per day from morning to night depending on water and food intake. When I first started going to the gym (20 yrs ago) I only did cardio. I was able to go from a size 8 to a tight 6 but that was it after 2 years. Then, I started dating my husband who was an avid weight lifter. He taught me how to train with weights. I lost 11lbs within the first 30 days but slowly put a few back on as I gained more muscle. Within a year or so I went from that tight 6 to a size 2 and have remained a size 2 for the past 12 years. So please, do not give up. Who cares about the scale??? It is all about how you look and feel:) Make sure you are eating enough calories but that you are not taking in bad fats or too much sugar. I was a trainer and too many times I would hear women complain about calorie intake. It usually turned out they were not eating enough calories so their bodies went in to reserve mode and starting storing. Take your measurements and monitor them every couple weeks or so. Think positive and you will achieve your goals!
    On another note: It never hurts to talk to your Dr. and make sure your thyroid levels are where they should be. I have hypothyroidism:happy: but have kept it under control for 20 yrs. now with the help of my Doc.

Categories