Gain/loss/workingout/rest days

fitmek
fitmek Posts: 277 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Ok I'm just at a loss. I give up on trying to figure out what I can count on my body to do. I have been counting calories forever and ever. I decided i would try and step things up and start walking. So the past 3 weeks I have tried to walk 3 miles a day, at LEAST 3-4 times a week. I got on the scale and sure enough, I gained a pound.

Then I had a few days when I didn't work out and didn't eat the best and I lost 2 pounds.

On days that I get my walk in or anything over 10K steps, plus eat pretty good and keep calories under my goal, I gain 1-3 pounds!. When I take a few days off and eat more (for example, last night i had low fat ritz and low fat whipped PB before bed!!), I lose weight.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to stop walking and I'm not going to start eating unhealthy, but I just dont get it. It makes it really hard to get excited about working out. I'm TRYING to lose 7 more pounds. If I were at my goal weight, it wouldnt be such a "mental" barrier.

And no, that time of the month hasnt had much of an effect---and I'm trying to get at least 32-40 oz of water a day in my system.

Anyone else have this going on?

Oh and I have taken measurements of my waist, thighs and hips, and when I was gaining weight last week and this weekend, I thought maybe I had lost a little in the inches category and nope....no change.

Grrr

Replies

  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    You start a new exercise you will gain weight at the start as your body will retain more water after a few weeks it will settle down
  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,590 MFP Moderator
    Your muscles are probably retaining some water as they recover from the new exercise. I had my long run yesterday and I was up a lb this morning. When I am working out regularly and then take a few days off I will drop a lb or 2 from it. It is just one more thing that will add to your daily fluctuations, but exercise is good for your cardiovascular health and will help you lose weight in the long run. Just keep logging and tracking your weight and try to look at the trend line and not every day alone.
  • sean_d33
    sean_d33 Posts: 40 Member
    I have turned from the scale victories to non-scale victories. I was getting too frustrated trying to figure out what was going on with my lbs gains/losses. My personal goal is to workout because it will make me a healthy human being, I feel better and I look better. Damn the scale and its witchcraft! Get healthier for yourself and your family.
  • Tim_CNY
    Tim_CNY Posts: 25 Member
    When I started exercising my weight stalled for a full month. I just kept going and suddenly one morning it dropped 7 lbs and didn't go back up the next day.

    Don't let it discourage you, as long as you're accurately logging your calories I would be 99% sure it's just your body retaining water.
  • fitmek
    fitmek Posts: 277 Member
    When I started exercising my weight stalled for a full month. I just kept going and suddenly one morning it dropped 7 lbs and didn't go back up the next day.

    Don't let it discourage you, as long as you're accurately logging your calories I would be 99% sure it's just your body retaining water.

    Thanks! I sure hope so! It's frustrating right now, that's for sure!
  • albayin
    albayin Posts: 2,524 Member
    Your muscles are probably retaining some water as they recover from the new exercise. I had my long run yesterday and I was up a lb this morning. When I am working out regularly and then take a few days off I will drop a lb or 2 from it. It is just one more thing that will add to your daily fluctuations, but exercise is good for your cardiovascular health and will help you lose weight in the long run. Just keep logging and tracking your weight and try to look at the trend line and not every day alone.

    I experienced the same with my long runs...but more like 4 pounds up...it's so discouraging...I rarely do long runs any more...
  • fitmek
    fitmek Posts: 277 Member
    So, if I continue with the walks/jogs---eventually will I see a difference in inches/weight, or will I always be this same weight, battling to get down to the size I would like? Should I focus on weight loss through diet only right now until I get down to what I would like, THEN incorporate the walks/jogs/weights into the picture?
  • Branstin
    Branstin Posts: 2,320 Member
    You don't have to stop exercising. Just make sure you are eating at a calorie deficiency and have patience. You will drop the weight and inches. Give your body the time it needs to do its job. It will happen.

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