"But I worked so hard this week and gained?" Explained

thecrossfitter
thecrossfitter Posts: 424 Member
edited November 8 in Health and Weight Loss
Dear Friends,

Please, please, please, please, please do two things. 1- Weigh in in the morning after you go to the bathroom for consistency purposes. 2- Only weigh in after a rest day.

To illustrate my point, I decided to conduct my entirely fool proof, and scientific experiment (that's sarcasm, by the way). I currently weigh 142.7lbs, and have received this number in the morning following a rest day (I've consistently been in the 142s for 2 weeks following rest day, not one fluke low number).

For kicks and giggles I decided to weigh in this morning, following 3 days of working out (cardio and lifting) in a row. Due to all the microtears I created in my muscles recently, my body is retaining water to repair them. That is why, when I stepped on the scale today (clad in a light t-shirt and leggings - it's cold!) the scale read 145lbs. No I did not gain 2.3lbs of fat in one week. My body is just repairing and getting stronger :)

Thanks :)

PS - Lastly, please keep in mind the following if you are NEW to strength training. You, whom I greatly envy, are blessed by being in a magical time frame where your body is able to both build muscle and lose fat. It doesn't last too long, and you won't be able to build A LOT of muscle, but certainly some. Especially if you aren't obese, please put the scale away. There is far too much going on in your body and the scale isn't going to be very useful to do anything other than frustrate you. Pull out a tape measurer and a camera! And whatever you do, do not stop exercising to see if that makes the scale drop! If your eating is in check, you will be fine! The scale may show slow movement compared to those who diet alone. But when you only diet, you are losing both fat and lean muscle mass (which lean muscle mass helps you burn more calories a day by just living). It's better to lose weight slower if it's just fat loss and you can preserve that muscle!

Best!
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Replies

  • kbmnurse
    kbmnurse Posts: 2,484 Member
    Stop weighing yourself so much. If you feel leaner, stronger and more fit. Be HAPPY. Remember, it is only a number.
  • engineman312
    engineman312 Posts: 3,450 Member
    Stop weighing yourself so much. If you feel leaner, stronger and more fit. Be HAPPY. Remember, it is only a number.

    i think you need to read the original post a little closer.
  • ironanimal
    ironanimal Posts: 5,922 Member
    :love: this post :love:
  • MaximalLife
    MaximalLife Posts: 2,447 Member
    :love: this post :love:
    :drinker: THIS:drinker:
  • snowfox92
    snowfox92 Posts: 100 Member
    Haha agreed ^^
  • hbrenegan
    hbrenegan Posts: 3
    Thank you! This was very helpful. I have been amping everything up, and my clothes are fitting looser, and I love the way I look, but some days the scale numbers are all over the place. This may be why! I will concentrate on the number *even less* than I do now. :)
  • LadyKT
    LadyKT Posts: 287 Member
    I can't stand it when people weigh themselves daily or even more than 1x a week and say "but i'm not losing weight!". People become far too obsessed with the scale and they really need to stop it! Case in point: Staci on NerdFitness. She's 142 lbs (i think?) but has a very low bf%. Honestly, I wish we measured progress in body fat rather than weight. That's really what people should be focused on.
  • Finney88
    Finney88 Posts: 46 Member
    This was EXACTLY what I needed to read this morning! Thank you! I didn't know about weighing after a rest day, and I was getting so frustrated that I was considering the no-exercise-just-cut-calories route. This has showed me that all the new strength training I'm doing will pay off!
  • twinmama1987
    twinmama1987 Posts: 566 Member
    weeeeeeeeee!!!!!
    Yup.. I weigh in daily.. but i am startin to just not see the point anymore, I guess its just habit now. I have done it everyday for almost 3 years. The fluctuations dont bother me, because now I know my body :) I definitely know what you mean though. Been there.. with every weight loss program, p90x.. insanity.. (twice for each).. I would only lose 7 lbs for each program! but LOTS of inches! I just started Turbo fire 7 days ago!

    Here are some of my results. I love to share them, especially in a post like this!!!


    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/twinmama1987
  • samatalma
    samatalma Posts: 197
    Stop weighing yourself so much. If you feel leaner, stronger and more fit. Be HAPPY. Remember, it is only a number.

    i think you need to read the original post a little closer.

    I think she was agreeing with OP...
  • Herownself
    Herownself Posts: 56 Member
    Were you in my house this am? Seriously, the similarities are ridiculous. I've just started to add strength training. I've been working hard for the last few days and what do you know! I've gained two pounds and now weigh 145. Stop stalking me, ok.

    Actually thanks for the info. I wasn't freaking out or anything but it's good to keep in mind.

    cheers
  • RoboLikes
    RoboLikes Posts: 519 Member
    Thanks for this post! When I first started doing cardio and saw the scale go up, I was going insane! This is great explanation, thanks
  • ButtercupSprad
    ButtercupSprad Posts: 117
    Woow....i didnt know that you should weigh yourself after a rest day......good info
  • 71camogirl
    71camogirl Posts: 1
    Very helpful thanks.
  • stroken96
    stroken96 Posts: 436 Member
    Dear Friends,

    Please, please, please, please, please do two things. 1- Weigh in in the morning after you go to the bathroom for consistency purposes. 2- Only weigh in after a rest day.

    To illustrate my point, I decided to conduct my entirely fool proof, and scientific experiment (that's sarcasm, by the way). I currently weigh 142.7lbs, and have received this number in the morning following a rest day (I've consistently been in the 142s for 2 weeks following rest day, not one fluke low number).

    For kicks and giggles I decided to weigh in this morning, following 3 days of working out (cardio and lifting) in a row. Due to all the microtears I created in my muscles recently, my body is retaining water to repair them. That is why, when I stepped on the scale today (clad in a light t-shirt and leggings - it's cold!) the scale read 145lbs. No I did not gain 2.3lbs of fat in one week. My body is just repairing and getting stronger :)

    Thanks :)

    PS - Lastly, please keep in mind the following if you are NEW to strength training. You, whom I greatly envy, are blessed by being in a magical time frame where your body is able to both build muscle and lose fat. It doesn't last too long, and you won't be able to build A LOT of muscle, but certainly some. Especially if you aren't obese, please put the scale away. There is far too much going on in your body and the scale isn't going to be very useful to do anything other than frustrate you. Pull out a tape measurer and a camera! And whatever you do, do not stop exercising to see if that makes the scale drop! If your eating is in check, you will be fine! The scale may show slow movement compared to those who diet alone. But when you only diet, you are losing both fat and lean muscle mass (which lean muscle mass helps you burn more calories a day by just living). It's better to lose weight slower if it's just fat loss and you can preserve that muscle!

    Best!

    Thank you
    1 question: what do you mean by a rest day? No Exercise, and/or increase calories?
  • LovingCruz
    LovingCruz Posts: 634 Member
    :love: this post :love:
    :drinker: THIS:drinker:

    This :bigsmile: :bigsmile:
  • thecrossfitter
    thecrossfitter Posts: 424 Member
    Thank you
    1 question: what do you mean by a rest day? No Exercise, and/or increase calories?

    Rest day = no exercise (maybe a light yoga session to stretch, but that's it)
  • Incunabulum
    Incunabulum Posts: 41 Member
    Thank you for the awesome words of advice!
    Dear Friends,

    Please, please, please, please, please do two things. 1- Weigh in in the morning after you go to the bathroom for consistency purposes. 2- Only weigh in after a rest day.

    To illustrate my point, I decided to conduct my entirely fool proof, and scientific experiment (that's sarcasm, by the way). I currently weigh 142.7lbs, and have received this number in the morning following a rest day (I've consistently been in the 142s for 2 weeks following rest day, not one fluke low number).

    For kicks and giggles I decided to weigh in this morning, following 3 days of working out (cardio and lifting) in a row. Due to all the microtears I created in my muscles recently, my body is retaining water to repair them. That is why, when I stepped on the scale today (clad in a light t-shirt and leggings - it's cold!) the scale read 145lbs. No I did not gain 2.3lbs of fat in one week. My body is just repairing and getting stronger :)

    Thanks :)

    PS - Lastly, please keep in mind the following if you are NEW to strength training. You, whom I greatly envy, are blessed by being in a magical time frame where your body is able to both build muscle and lose fat. It doesn't last too long, and you won't be able to build A LOT of muscle, but certainly some. Especially if you aren't obese, please put the scale away. There is far too much going on in your body and the scale isn't going to be very useful to do anything other than frustrate you. Pull out a tape measurer and a camera! And whatever you do, do not stop exercising to see if that makes the scale drop! If your eating is in check, you will be fine! The scale may show slow movement compared to those who diet alone. But when you only diet, you are losing both fat and lean muscle mass (which lean muscle mass helps you burn more calories a day by just living). It's better to lose weight slower if it's just fat loss and you can preserve that muscle!

    Best!
  • alphabettie
    alphabettie Posts: 43 Member
    Keeping in my topics, thanks!
  • monkeymouse74
    monkeymouse74 Posts: 288
    :love: this post :love:
    :drinker: THIS:drinker:

    This :bigsmile: :bigsmile:

    And yet again,,, This^^^:heart::heart:
  • Whodatgirl77
    Whodatgirl77 Posts: 238 Member
    Thanks for this reminder!
  • beckipercy
    beckipercy Posts: 160 Member
    This was a great post :)

    I always record my weight first thing on a Tuesday morning. I sometimes weigh myself more during the week, just out of curiosity, but the scales are always all over the place, but come Tuesday morning.. They tend to tell me what I want to know!
  • Pepathlete
    Pepathlete Posts: 1
    Thank you so much for this post!
    I've noticed that I gain weight when I work out a lot (as in everyday-swim, run, zumba, kettlebell).
    I seem to weigh less during the weeks when I only two or three workouts.
    I plan to alternate hard and easy weeks in order to gain benefits through recovery and adaptation.
  • emilyc19
    emilyc19 Posts: 71 Member
    bump for later :)
  • Kellie0710
    Kellie0710 Posts: 95 Member
    never thought about it like this, but it makes sense! =)
  • Tootie512
    Tootie512 Posts: 12 Member
    This was much needed for me. My Type A personality is getting the best of me when I step on the scale. I just know im eating better and doing my workouts and sweating like a pig but my number just wasnt budging - however when I woke up this morning (my rest day) I looked the mirror and just stared at myself...there really is a difference since I began my journey two weeks ago!! So I cant say that I wont stay off the scale cause its my motivation to keep going however it is no longer the "end of all things" for me! Good luck to everyone!
  • divasaint
    divasaint Posts: 8
    Thanks for this. I recently signed up for a 10k run for charity, and was appalled when I put three pounds on in a week, after 2 Zumba sessions and 3 runs! Now, I realise that I just need to continue to eat well, and know that when my body aches so much, to rest it for the day and let it repair itself, then that water retention will drop and whatever weight I've put on will be lean.

    Keep going guys! x <3
  • Cassi_Eats_Apples
    Cassi_Eats_Apples Posts: 235
    Thanks for this advice! It never occurred to me that I might be heavier as my muscles are repairing.
  • SheriRuth
    SheriRuth Posts: 10 Member
    You must have heard me snivel to my husband in frustration this morning. Thanks for posting :)
  • Panda86
    Panda86 Posts: 873
    Thank you! I knew this, but I think I tend to forget. Thank you for the reminder!
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