weight gain when just starting out, cardio

worej
worej Posts: 108
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I just recently started working out a whole bunch, about two weeks ago. According to my calculations, I've already burned about two pounds' worth of calories at the gym, but the scale hasn't budged. (Well, it did for a bit, but then bounced right back up.)

I understand that results will probably take longer than two weeks. However, I've heard that when you start to work out your muscles a lot more, your body retains more water for a little bit while it adjusts. Has anyone else found this to be the case? Did it drop off later?

For anyone who's gone from very little exercise to near-daily exercise before, how long did it take before you started seeing results? Scale-wise and mirror-wise? Thanks!

Replies

  • AllergicToExercise
    AllergicToExercise Posts: 436 Member
    I posted a similar question as I'm in the same boat however it's been more like 6-7 weeks for me. I had hoped it would have put itself right by now but sadly not. So I'm interested in the replies too!

    Try checking your measurements as you will probably start to notice inch loss. Good luck!
  • IveLanded
    IveLanded Posts: 797 Member
    You need to track your food versus your work outs. Weight loss is just basic math......calories in versus calories out. If you're working out a lot, and haven't lost any weight, than you might be still taking in too many calories.

    Two weeks is a pretty short time time see results. However, for me, when I got serious about my weight loss, I dropped on average 2-3 lbs a week.

    The whole "muscle weighs more than fat" thing and all that related stuff is usually just stuff people say to make themselves feel better about not really losing weight.
  • worej
    worej Posts: 108
    You need to track your food versus your work outs. Weight loss is just basic math......calories in versus calories out. If you're working out a lot, and haven't lost any weight, than you might be still taking in too many calories.

    Yes, I've been doing both, maybe I should have clarified. I do eat more on workout days, but still maintain an overall calorie deficit of at least 500 daily.
  • IveLanded
    IveLanded Posts: 797 Member
    Then I would do one of two things
    1) look at the components of what I was eating and adjust.......see if I was heavy in carbs or sugars or low on protein.
    2) make a plan to go into a great calorie deficit temporarily (2 or 3 weeks)

    Also, I'd just make sure I was being REALLY honest about what I was tracking for my food. I went to measuring my food very carefully so I KNEW I was putting it in correctly. People are usually pretty bad at estimating their own food intake and it's easy to misjudge just how much you are putting into your log.
  • worej
    worej Posts: 108
    Also, I'd just make sure I was being REALLY honest about what I was tracking for my food. I went to measuring my food very carefully so I KNEW I was putting it in correctly. People are usually pretty bad at estimating their own food intake and it's easy to misjudge just how much you are putting into your log.

    Thanks for the advice; however, this really isn't the case for me. I've been tracking and measuring religiously, and when in doubt, overestimating how much I've eaten.
  • NattieBoomBattie
    NattieBoomBattie Posts: 20
    First, when people say muscle weighs more than fat, no that is not something people just say to make themselves feel better. It's actually a fact. I came on here looking for pretty much the same question you asked, worej. I've been religiously tracking and exercising for a week now and was bummed because I'm not really seeing anything. I realize that a week is nothing but when I first started MFP and was only cutting and counting my calories, I lost 2.5lbs a week so I was bummed that nothing is showing now.
    I called my brother, the Army Ranger who religiously works out every day, running a mile is like second nature, goes by military standards and has read and researched every flippin aspect of working out. He told me that one, don't expect too much at one time this time because I'm not just cutting calories, I'm working. Two- my body is retaining water for the muscle use. Three- continue taking protein after a good workout to help heal those muscles and four, count on the mirror more than the scale for the first month or so. Also, even if you get discouraged, DO NOT GIVE UP. It's not like we're going to work out and eat right for the rest of our lives and not see results.
    Also, calorie deficits are bad for our bodies. When we pick back up on the calories, our bodies then store those calories as fat for the next time you deprive yourself.
    Thanks for the boost. :) I needed to say all that for myself again as well.
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