Starting out

carolm21880
carolm21880 Posts: 4 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I started going to the gym last week. I didn't change anything with my diet but I added an extra hour of exercise into my regular routine and I did cut back on some food that I didn't do previously. Anyway when I weighed myself over the weekend I had gained 2 lbs. I figured just adding the exercise would help me either stay at the current weight or lose but instead I gained. I am not sure what I should do because it was kind of discouraging.

Replies

  • kmann76
    kmann76 Posts: 68 Member
    You could just be retaining some water as your muscles adjust to your new regimen, I wouldn't get discouraged, I would keep at it for another week or two and weigh in again.
  • carolm21880
    carolm21880 Posts: 4 Member
    Yeah that is what I am going to try to do. I don't want to give up before I even get started. I just hated seeing the bigger number on the scale but I know it has to help in the long term.
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    A couple of things:
    1. One week isn't long enough to know if something is working, even if you are being perfect.
    2. New workout can cause muscles to retain fluid.
    3. If it is TOM or you have eaten salty foods, you could be retaining water.
    4. Sometimes when you start a new exercise, it makes you a bit hungrier without you noticing. And since you are exercising more, your sub-consciously feel like you are ahead anyway, so your portion size perspective can be off.
    5. This s why it is often said that diet is the key to weight loss - First because it is easier to eat 100 cals less than to burn off 100 more cals with exercise, and second because exercise can affect your appetite and your perspective on food without you realizing it.

    Please don't take this the wrong way, but if you are getting discouraged after one week, you have a tough road ahead of you! Weight loss is a long term proposition, and maintenance is forever, so the quicker you can start looking at it that way, the better. Get those good habits down and be patient for the long term results. Good luck!
  • carolm21880
    carolm21880 Posts: 4 Member
    kimny72 wrote: »
    A couple of things:
    1. One week isn't long enough to know if something is working, even if you are being perfect.
    2. New workout can cause muscles to retain fluid.
    3. If it is TOM or you have eaten salty foods, you could be retaining water.
    4. Sometimes when you start a new exercise, it makes you a bit hungrier without you noticing. And since you are exercising more, your sub-consciously feel like you are ahead anyway, so your portion size perspective can be off.
    5. This s why it is often said that diet is the key to weight loss - First because it is easier to eat 100 cals less than to burn off 100 more cals with exercise, and second because exercise can affect your appetite and your perspective on food without you realizing it.

    Please don't take this the wrong way, but if you are getting discouraged after one week, you have a tough road ahead of you! Weight loss is a long term proposition, and maintenance is forever, so the quicker you can start looking at it that way, the better. Get those good habits down and be patient for the long term results. Good luck!

    Thank you!! I know. I always start and get discouraged quickly. Which is why this time around I am going to try to make it work!
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    carolm21880 wrote: »
    kimny72 wrote: »
    A couple of things:
    1. One week isn't long enough to know if something is working, even if you are being perfect.
    2. New workout can cause muscles to retain fluid.
    3. If it is TOM or you have eaten salty foods, you could be retaining water.
    4. Sometimes when you start a new exercise, it makes you a bit hungrier without you noticing. And since you are exercising more, your sub-consciously feel like you are ahead anyway, so your portion size perspective can be off.
    5. This s why it is often said that diet is the key to weight loss - First because it is easier to eat 100 cals less than to burn off 100 more cals with exercise, and second because exercise can affect your appetite and your perspective on food without you realizing it.

    Please don't take this the wrong way, but if you are getting discouraged after one week, you have a tough road ahead of you! Weight loss is a long term proposition, and maintenance is forever, so the quicker you can start looking at it that way, the better. Get those good habits down and be patient for the long term results. Good luck!

    Thank you!! I know. I always start and get discouraged quickly. Which is why this time around I am going to try to make it work!

    :drinker:
  • jjburger77
    jjburger77 Posts: 31 Member
    Being discouraged is fine as long as you don't give up!

    Getting started is easy when compared with making a daily decision to eat better and move more. And if you are anything like me, you need to think in terms of this being a life change instead of a diet. Think marathon and not a sprint. :smiley:
  • carolm21880
    carolm21880 Posts: 4 Member
    Im happy. This week im down 4lbs. Which is better then last week....
This discussion has been closed.

Categories