Running... and gaining?

lilandizzysmamax
lilandizzysmamax Posts: 6 Member
edited November 16 in Health and Weight Loss
So In the last couple weeks I started to run a trail near my house.
I do interval running, and I am a beginner.

Before the warm weather hit, I used to use the elliptical for cardio, I also lift weights twice a week.

I have lost 24lbs sofar, but since running, I have gained 3lbs back?

I am wondering, am I doing something wrong? :(

Replies

  • barbecuesauce
    barbecuesauce Posts: 1,771 Member
    I maintained my weight for the first 3ish weeks after I started running, then I lost 4 pounds in a couple of days. Maybe your muscles are holding onto water? The alternative is that you're eating too many of your exercise calories back, but that's a stretch (10,500 calories over).
  • atypicalsmith
    atypicalsmith Posts: 2,742 Member
    Running is more intrusive that elliptical. Your body is holding onto water to repair muscles. Give it another week or so and you'll see a big difference.
  • Spyer116
    Spyer116 Posts: 168 Member
    Depends over what period of time. Depends on lots of factors.

    - Metabolism could've slowed down and body starting to save fat if you're eating at a big deficit
    - Maybe its water weight
    - Maybe you've eaten a bit extra the previous night before measuring
    - Maybe you're not logging everything you're eating, or are eating back all the calories mfp says you 'burned' (which could be 50% or even more overestimated)
    - When doing exercises, the body eventually adapts to them, and becomes more efficient in providing for you to do those exercises, so that overtime, the same thing would burn less calories than it did to begin with

    After losing 24 pounds, have you recalculated your BMR and/or TDEE and set yourself a new daily calorie limit/deficit? (eg. at 150 pounds, your TDEE might be 2k calories. at 125 pounds it might be 1700 calories, meaning you then have to lower your daily calories a bit more, or do more exercise without eating the burned calories)

    Also sometimes the body decides to stop losing weight during a diet. It can help to stop dieting for 1-2 weeks, eat at maintenance calories. Then restart the dieting again. And see how that goes.
  • lilandizzysmamax
    lilandizzysmamax Posts: 6 Member
    Thank you both, I feel better, it makes sense.

    I have been eating the same way I usually do, so I am guessing it is the water.
  • alliesgettinghealthy
    alliesgettinghealthy Posts: 87 Member
    Whenever you start a new exercise routine you can expect a slight gain. It's most likely fluid retention, but it should go away within a few week as long as your logging is accurate. I highly doubt you have gained 3 pounds of fat. :)
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    It's water retention due to the new exercise. Patience.
  • lilandizzysmamax
    lilandizzysmamax Posts: 6 Member
    Thank you everyone I appreciate it!
  • pahlam
    pahlam Posts: 1 Member
    It also could be muscle gain. Muscle weighs more than fat. So by starting to run, you are strengthening muscles you maybe haven't used in a while.
  • choconuts
    choconuts Posts: 208 Member
    pahlam wrote: »
    It also could be muscle gain. Muscle weighs more than fat. So by starting to run, you are strengthening muscles you maybe haven't used in a while.

    No one gains muscle that quick and at a deficit.

    It's water retention from the new exercise, I'm struggling with it now as well.

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