Scale down more the day after rest than the day after exerci

Amy_B
Amy_B Posts: 2,317 Member
edited September 23 in Health and Weight Loss
I have noticed that my weight fluctuates within a pound or two throughout the week when I am consistently eating well AND exercising. When I take a rest day, I am always down even more the next day than when I exercise the day before. Why might that be? Is it normal? In other words, why after one day of not exercising is the scale lower than if I do exercise? Sometimes the scale is even up more the day after exercise (regardless if it's strength or cardio).


I know I shouldn't worry too much about the scale, but after being on a plateau for an entire year, I am trying to figure things out.

Thanks!

Replies

  • sweetie89207
    sweetie89207 Posts: 361
    idk what to say...i exercised every day for 2 weeks and gained 2 lbs, then hurt my back - didnt exercise at all for 1 week and lost 2 lbs lol...our bodies are crazy crazy things!
  • ebkins7
    ebkins7 Posts: 427 Member
    your body needs rest. If you train and train and train your not giving your body time to recoop! For me Rest days are A MUST! this doesn't mean sit on the couch being lazy all day. No, you still eat healthy maybe do some stretching to stay loose but no hard training! Your body with thank you for it later!
  • tlwatson
    tlwatson Posts: 9
    Ive had the same problem and what i was told. When we are exercise were building muscle. So i guess that means its the good kind of weight. Im 4-5 lbs away from my goal and have been for 2 months. I cant get rid of it and im doing more cardio than ever before and have gain a lb or 2.....I feel your pain...
  • Laceylala
    Laceylala Posts: 3,094 Member
    Exercise causes the muscles to essentially rip, then the muscle swell with water to repair themselves...so yeah you gain water weight after a good work out. This is put in very simplistic terms since I don't have the right words, but you get the gist.


    I do an every other day sort of thing - hard work out, easier lighter work out, and make sure that the easier work out happens the day before I weigh myself.
  • alantin
    alantin Posts: 621 Member
    I hear that the muscles tend to retain some water when recovering. Also, there tends to be more waste in the system when exercising too, just because you need to eat more on those days.

    I suppose that the body gets a chance to find a balance and flush itself on the rest days, and that shows on the scales too.

    Yeah. It's normal.
  • MelleyJ
    MelleyJ Posts: 198
    It takes a deficit of 3500 calories to see a difference on the scale. So, unless you burned a 3500kcal that day, you won't see a big jump most likely. Got to let it all add up. One thing you might notice, too, is that when your body is recovering from exercise there is some inflammation associatied with that. It could be part of the reason you notice a more drastic drop the day after rest.
    Just don't get caught up in the number if you weigh everyday. I do the same thing.. I weigh every day. But, I use the reports to show myself that there are little up spikes, but they are usually followed by down spikes and, ultimately my weight is decreasing. I just chalk it up to exercise and weight fluctuations associated with that, among other things. Just look at the overall picture. If you still get discouraged, try measurements every so often to prove to yourself that you are seeing an improvement. I know when I look at myself, despite the numbers, I still don't see that "change" in my body. But, the numbers are there. I don't do pictures, but I know if I did comparison shots I would see the difference.
    Good luck and don't let it discourage you! You CAN do it!
  • shreddingit
    shreddingit Posts: 1,133 Member
    Fat loss happens 24-48hrs after exercise...
  • DJJW
    DJJW Posts: 519 Member
    I've done the same thing...twice now? Seems like its a reward for giving yourself a break!! Wouldn't do it if I started taking too many breaks though.LOL
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