Put on 7lbs in a month!!

dianejanegilbert
dianejanegilbert Posts: 5 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
ive been a long term calorie counter, used mfp for a good few years on and off. I have successfully used it to lose weight on a number of occasions in conjunction with exercise, mostly 30ds and swimming so I know it works. I've been hovering at around 143lbs and would like to get under 140lbs. Around 5 weeks ago I decided to get into a proper running plan with the aim of running a 10k (which is next week). I've combined with this 30ds and also a longer Jillian Michaels DVD. I've averaged 2 runs (between 5-10k each) a week and 2 workout DVDs. It's the most dedicated I've been in a long time and the most exercise I've ever done. I've been tracking calories and whilst there have been days I've gone over my allowance, I've not been anywhere near maintenance on any day.

I have definitely slimmed so I weighed myself yesterday expecting to see a loss - 152lbs!!!!!! How the hell is that possible?? I feel so demotivated, I haven't weighed this much since I gave birth to my son.

I'm pretty sure it's impossible that I could have added that much muscle in such a short time, so has anyone got any ideas what's going on?

Replies

  • rtp_slg52181
    rtp_slg52181 Posts: 73 Member
    You have been training harder so there is prob water retention due to increased activity and need for quick muscle recovery.
  • dianejanegilbert
    dianejanegilbert Posts: 5 Member
    But doesn't 7lbs seem excessive for that? I've started to worry there is a medical problem to put on so much weight so quickly
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    If you haven't been overeating then it is almost certainly water. And as noted above, the added exercise makes that very probable.
  • dianejanegilbert
    dianejanegilbert Posts: 5 Member
    Is that likely to level out, or will I retain that much water as long as I'm training? I did run 10k yesterday before I weighed myself so perhaps I should wait and try again after a few rest days?
  • LovingLife_Erin
    LovingLife_Erin Posts: 328 Member
    I agree water weight... But is pregnancy also a possibility?
  • holly_roman
    holly_roman Posts: 116 Member
    in 5 weeks you could possibly add a couple lbs of muscle along with water retention. I would say 2lbs muscle and 5lbs water retention. But it also is possible it is ALL water retention. You retain a lot when you are doing intense training.
  • dianejanegilbert
    dianejanegilbert Posts: 5 Member
    Definitely not pregnant!! Well it's reassuring that it could be 'good' weight. It's hard to get my head around it when I've managed to lose so much weight by diet alone in the past, to think that adding exercise can have the opposite effect. I know it's just a number on the scale but I really don't like being this heavy
  • segacs
    segacs Posts: 4,599 Member
    Water weight, hormones, general fluctuation. Could be some combination of those three. If your clothes are fitting looser, then you're losing fat. Focus on that. The scale will follow when it's good and ready.
  • VintageFeline
    VintageFeline Posts: 6,771 Member
    If you aren't eating above maintenance it's not muscle and certainly not 2lbs worth, muscle is difficult to gain, even more so if you're female.

    But for sure water weight, I'm carrying about 3-4lbs due to upping my strength training after letting it slide for a few weeks. I know I'm still in a deficit so it's nothing to be concerned about.
  • CoffeeNCardio
    CoffeeNCardio Posts: 1,847 Member
    VintageFeline wrote: »
    If you aren't eating above maintenance it's not muscle and certainly not 2lbs worth, muscle is difficult to gain, even more so if you're female.

    But for sure water weight, I'm carrying about 3-4lbs due to upping my strength training after letting it slide for a few weeks. I know I'm still in a deficit so it's nothing to be concerned about.

    Ditto. I've gone up 7 lbs in a DAY from water weight during some weeks of the month.
  • beechd94
    beechd94 Posts: 4 Member
    It is most likely water weight. Everyone's body retains more water during active times due to muscle repair and what not. Women are also more prone to retain water around their periods (i.e. bloating) and thus gain weight. My girlfriend has gained 5 lbs in day without exercising from being bloated so it's easy. Just relax and don't focus so much on the scale. If you look better and you feel better why does it matter what the number on the scale is?

    This is a common psychological battle people losing weight have, they either focus too much on the scale or too much in the mirror and lose sight of the progress they are making and become discouraged. The important thing is you're dedicated to your goal and you're doing it day after day. Don't get discouraged, a bad week is just a bad week, the long term goals are what we search for and what we stay dedicated for. Stay strong and motivated and good luck on your 10K.
  • cerise_noir
    cerise_noir Posts: 5,468 Member
    edited November 2015
    clgaram720 wrote: »
    VintageFeline wrote: »
    If you aren't eating above maintenance it's not muscle and certainly not 2lbs worth, muscle is difficult to gain, even more so if you're female.

    But for sure water weight, I'm carrying about 3-4lbs due to upping my strength training after letting it slide for a few weeks. I know I'm still in a deficit so it's nothing to be concerned about.

    Ditto. I've gone up 7 lbs in a DAY from water weight during some weeks of the month.

    Same here! Isn't it nuts?
    It is not unlikely to fluctuate 4-5lbs in a typical day due to food, water weight and fluid retention itself.

    I'm not sure if I missed this, but how much sodium do you consume daily? Have you had a high sodium week?
  • dianejanegilbert
    dianejanegilbert Posts: 5 Member
    Thanks this is all v reassuring. I don't eat a lot of sodium (eat clean and never add it to cooking). My muscles are feeling very sore after my last few days training so I'm going to pin it down to storing water and keep on going!
  • BurnWithBarn2015
    BurnWithBarn2015 Posts: 1,026 Member
    yes can be water weight
    And 7lbs is very good possible too

    I noticed when i did my exercise up a few weeks ago and was a bit more sore than normal that my weight was like a roller-coaster. But in the end the trend was downwards :) lol
    So still lost my lbs that month.

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  • PinkPixiexox
    PinkPixiexox Posts: 4,142 Member
    Water weight - it'll go in a few days! Don't panic :)
    You are doing GREAT!
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