New Exercise...Weight Gain Normal?

lucypstacy
lucypstacy Posts: 178 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Last week, I decided to give Daily Burn a try. I like it, and I think it's helping me strengthen my core. I know I'm aching today. LOL. Anyway, my weight was up about 2lbs this week. I know weight loss isn't linear and two pounds isn't anything to worry about, but I was curious if it might be water weight from the new exercise. If it is, how long does the water weight last from a new exercise routine?

Replies

  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    Yes. You are correct. How long it lasts is very individual. I've seen people report anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks.
  • Silentpadna
    Silentpadna Posts: 1,306 Member
    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    Yes. You are correct. How long it lasts is very individual. I've seen people report anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks.

    Agreed. Totally normal. I "gained" about 4 pounds after overdoing a HIIT workout. I was exceptionally sore for the next week. On this past Friday I weighed in at 206.0. The next day I weighed in at 200.2.

    I didn't suddenly gain 4 pounds of fat, nor did I suddenly lose 6 pounds of fat. My body was retaining water to repair the muscles I overworked.

    But yes, in general, changing up exercise will do that. Water retention for that purpose is a good thing.

    As an aside, many bodybuilders use creatine, which has the effect of helping your body to retain water specifically for the purpose of faster muscle repair.
  • Sheisinlove109
    Sheisinlove109 Posts: 516 Member
    I think I read it's because our muscles retain water to help with repair. Can someone verify that?
  • lucypstacy
    lucypstacy Posts: 178 Member
    I figured as much. I'm trying to strengthen my core, and this new routine seems to be helping. It feels like someone has been using my hips as a punching bag. I had been very sedentary for years due to a kidney disease and ehlers danlos hypermobility type, so this is all new for me.
  • animatorswearbras
    animatorswearbras Posts: 1,001 Member
    Yes at the beginning it took ages to drop off after I started HIIT now the scale goes up a little for a day even after months of this routine, I just keep that in mind the morning after a HIIT session. :P But it'll be different for every individual as quiksylver said. Just keep it in mind. :)
  • Geocitiesuser
    Geocitiesuser Posts: 1,429 Member
    Thank you so much for this topic. Sometimes I forget that changes in my routine can affect the scale just as much as food can. I had a little spike recently and it never occurred to me it was because my routine had changed.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    Biological systems don't like change, especially big ones and will typically defend against this. One of these defense mechanisms is increased cellular absorption - water weight. Our bodies are ~55-65% water, so gaining or losing a few pounds of water is normal.

    If this is related to salt intake this will normalize in ~5-7 days.

    If hormonal this will normalize (if hormones balance) in ~2-8 weeks.

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