Help coping with weight GAIN after hard WORK!

carrie564
carrie564 Posts: 44 Member
edited October 4 in Motivation and Support
I just trained pretty hard for 6 weeks for a 5 mile trail race (before this, my longest race was a 5k), as a way to shed some pounds. Also during this training phase, I completely cut out treats/desserts of all kinds, to aid in getting in great running shape (aside from two special occasions). I didn't really weigh myself along the way, because I was feeling good & didn't want to get discouraged and have it mess with my head before a race. I just thought I'd check my weight AFTER the race, and have an awesome moment of "LOSING 5 POUNDS, HOORAY, CONGRATULATIONS, GREAT WORK!!!"

Well, the morning after race day while I was all sore, I stepped on the scale: I PUT ON THREE POUNDS! So it was a pretty sucky day, and my motivation is over.

I don't want ideas on WHY this would happen, rather INSPIRATION to keep TRYING, or sharing of similar stories & how you overcame the crush.

Also, any healthy normal tips that have worked well for you would be helpful. I have a hard time straight-calorie-counting, but I'm able to stick with strict things like "no eating after 8pm" (i've done that for years), "no treats for a certain amt of time", etc. Any other little tips to squeeze into my life would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Replies

  • deblc6836
    deblc6836 Posts: 59
    Had you been exercising significantly right before this? You may just have some muscle gains. The first time I did P90X, I decided I wasn't going to get on the scale, lest it discourage me...good thing, because after 60 days, I had not lost a single pound. I had, however, lost 4 inches from my hips, 2 from my waist, and an inch from each thigh.
  • ashnm88
    ashnm88 Posts: 748
    I just do what feelings good to me, and it has worked.
  • curlerlikeyou
    curlerlikeyou Posts: 7
    Hi Carrie,

    I definitely know what you mean. Yesterday I had a hard game of soccer and was shocked when I stepped on the scale only to see a 1.6 lb gain. I agree with the poster above who said it's probably either gained muscle or muscles holding water (trying to repair themselves), but it's hard to deal with when you've worked so hard!!

    Like you said, though, it's important not just to explain away the gain but to stay motivated. Probably my biggest advice in that respect is to consider taking measurements before and afterward, as implied by the same previous poster. Those numbers don't lie! Also, don't brush off your great achievement...a 5-mile race is nothing to balk at!

    Keep up the great work, and you'll see that scale drop in no time!
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