My question wasn't answered....WEIGH IN....Exercise??

Don't stress about it - I know it seems critical today, but the long term picture is really what matters. There are so many things that can affect weighing in - your level of hydration, your monthly cycle, sodium you've eaten recently etc. I've heard that exercising (presumably fairly hard) causes your muscles to retain water as they heal, so that might make a small difference.

But really, there isn't a lot you can to this minute that will affect your weigh in tomorrow. If you've done the work you will see the results - if not this week, then next week or the week after. I can see a definite pattern of weight loss by charting my weight monthly - whereas weekly you see lots more fluctuation.

You might also like to search for a thread called "why the scale lies" to read more about NOT putting all your hopes and faith in a number on the scales.
Here you are, read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/350212--why-scales-lie?hl=Scale+lies&page=1#posts-4730712

If you really busted *kitten* in a workout and you're sore the next day, that soreness is inflammation in your muscles. Inflammation = fluid retention = temporary weight changes.

But like everyone said in the other thread... you need to look at the big picture and not stress about a weigh in. I know lots of people don't like the idea of weighing yourself every day, but it's a good way to get used to your body's normal changes and fluctuations if you're not going to beat yourself up if the scale swings the wrong way every so often. I know I'm going to temporarily show a gain if I do a lot of lifting, or eat foods high in sodium. Heck, I gained 8# in one weekend when my brother had a luau!

What I'd really suggest is getting in your bathing suit, tank top and shorts, or even your undies and snapping some "before" pics if you haven't already. Front, back and side. No matter how you feel about them, don't delete them. Next month, take another set of pictures and compare. You don't need to show them to anyone else. They're just for your own motivation and inspiration. The scale might not move like you want it to. It might be hard to get excited about a quarter of an inch change in measurements. It's really hard to see changes in the mirror when you see yourself every day. But it's hard to ignore a month's progress in photos.

I weigh myself the same time on the same day, when I do. (Right now it's about every other week, since I'm still reaping what I sowed at Christmas)

But I wouldn't avoid working out just to affect my numbers on the scale, even if they did. I have never read that in all my years as a personal trainer. Sweating means the numbers will be down, but that's why I weigh the same time and the same pattern every time. If you're eating a big meal tonight, and exercising tonight, and it's not normal for you, then you might just want to wait a few days until you get to a day that is more normal for you. That's what I would do.

I don't have any advise other than what was already said above, but I can empathize with you. I just posted this morning that these last chance workouts on the Biggest Loser were ridiculous because everyt ime i weigh in the day after a work out really hard, the number on the scale is disappointing. While the number on the scale is a motivator and very discouraging when it doesn't go down and instead goes up, that's when I pull out the measuring tape. I know I worked out hard this week, and the scale didn't show it, but the tape did and that's going to keep me going. I can totally understand the instant gratification of the scale going down, but I still understand the long term effects and goal.

Here is the explanation someone else posted on another list I am on:

The T-Factor Diet by Martin Katahn, page 211:
"An increase in exercise time or intensity can lead to a **brief** [asterisks mine] gain of a few pounds... If at any time you... suddenly increase your exercise time or intensity a significant amount... you may gain a couple of pounds overnight. This will be gone in a matter of 1-2 days. It occurs because a sudden increase in exercise... will cause your exercised muscles to take in an extra load of glycogen from subsequent meals. Since glycogen is stored with 3-4 parts water, it means a considerable weight gain..."

My hubby in particular will gain after starting a new activity or doing a particularly hard workout. He freaks out, and I ask him every time "Do your muscles hurt? That's where your extra water weight is."

Pam