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    Did you gain weight when you first started working out?

    Posts: 224 Member
    edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
    ....Because you were gaining muscle?

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    Replies

    • Posts: 1,792 Member
      yes, but I was 12 then...
    • Posts: 14,776 Member
      It's pretty common to put on a couple of pounds when you start exercising because your body floods sore muscles with excess water to help them heal. It's far more likely to be water weight rather than muscle gain.
    • Posts: 8,980 Member
      No, not because of muscle. It's because of water & glycogen.
    • Posts: 224 Member
      That makes sense, thanks Diane ;)
    • Posts: 4,089 Member
      Not because I was gaining muscle, but because my muscle was holding more water to cushion and repair my muscles......
    • Posts: 4,251 Member
      Nope.

      And I avoided holding on to excess water by drinking a protein shake immediately after working out. I was lifting heavy and wasn't overly sore ever. Before I started drinking protein shakes I would be so sore that I couldn't even hold my kids.
    • Posts: 79 Member
      It's pretty common to put on a couple of pounds when you start exercising because your body floods sore muscles with excess water to help them heal. It's far more likely to be water weight rather than muscle gain.

      Yes! and I was worried but someone posted an article by Charlene Johnson that explains why the above happens and I was soooo relieved. I wish there is some way we could feature this article all the time because there's like a daily post with the same concern.
    • Posts: 25
      Fat does not turn into muscle as quickly as you think. It takes a while to change your body composition. If you gain weight right away it's not from gaining muscle.
    • Posts: 69 Member
      Wow! I didn't realize that weight gain was due to muscles holding water for repair. I'm day 20 of 30DS and haven't lost any weight despite a strict diet and daily exercise. Learning this is helpful.
    • Posts: 596 Member
      show previous quotes

      Yes! and I was worried but someone posted an article by Charlene Johnson that explains why the above happens and I was soooo relieved. I wish there is some way we could feature this article all the time because there's like a daily post with the same concern.
      Can you message me the link? I would LOVE to see that article. I started going to the gym in May and gained 10 pounds in 2 months but my pants still feel the same. I know I am getting something out of the cardio classes because my breathing and stamina are much better and I feel physically better but the gaining weight wrecked my confidence and I stopped going the past 2 weeks. I'm going back. I miss the exercise. But at 260 pounds I can not afford to gain weight and I need to figure out what is happenging to me...
    • Posts: 8,359 Member
      show previous quotes

      Yes! and I was worried but someone posted an article by Charlene Johnson that explains why the above happens and I was soooo relieved. I wish there is some way we could feature this article all the time because there's like a daily post with the same concern.

      http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/200544-why-do-you-sometimes-gain-weight-when-starting-a-new-exercis
    • Posts: 224 Member
      ooh, and I have another question: How long after you started working out on a regular basis, DID you start seeing the numbers go down?
    • Posts: 79 Member
      ooh, and I have another question: How long after you started working out on a regular basis, DID you start seeing the numbers go down?

      It took me almost 4 weeks, but I'm old.
    • Posts: 79 Member
      show previous quotes

      It took me almost 4 weeks, but I'm old.

      oooohh - just remembered - that's why it is important to measure. I did lose inches during those 4 weeks - that and how your clothes fit gives you confidence that SOMETHING is happening.
    • Posts: 10,413 Member
      ooh, and I have another question: How long after you started working out on a regular basis, DID you start seeing the numbers go down?

      Depends on your diet.
    • Posts: 550 Member
      No, not because of muscle. It's because of water & glycogen.

      ^^ this. When you workout you make little tears in the muscle and for them to be repaired (and grow later on) they absorb water and glycogen to heal. (I can't explain this that well, it's just what I remember when I started)
    • Posts: 99 Member
      YES. I've been at this game for 65 days today, following restrictions to a T (minus three or four days), and working out more than ever (I've been exercising, but not tracking my food intake, for about two years now). My clothes fit differently (in a good way), but I've gained three pounds. It's insane. I'm just keeping the scale at arm's length for now, maybe I'll hop on the scale in a month or two. For now, I'm just going to keep at it!
    • Posts: 27
      Thanks for the article, I just started a bootcamp about 10 days ago after losing 17 pounds and went up 2 pounds. I was so depressed that I considered having a cheeseburger for breakfast! This really helps.
    • Posts: 108
      Yep! Gained for the first two months, then started losing again! Give your body time to ajust! Good luck!
    • Posts: 550 Member
      Yep! Gained for the first two months, then started losing again! Give your body time to ajust! Good luck!

      I just want to say thank you so much for that comment! I've really increased my workout regime and have seen 0 weight loss in a month (inch loss yes, but no weight loss) Gives me hope and motivation to carry on for another month =) I know working out means muscle gains water but I was starting to worry I was doing something wrong.
    • Posts: 125 Member
      OMG, I'm so glad it's not just me!! Huge relief!!
    • Posts: 1,195 Member
      Don't know, I didn't weigh in until I had been on MFP for 4 weeks :bigsmile:
    • Posts: 2,001 Member
      i stayed the same weight but lost fat
    • Posts: 2,720 Member
      I carb cycle so after 2 or 3 low to medium carb days, I can easily gain 4 lbs by the end of the night due to water and carb loading. When I go back to the light and moderate days, my weight drops back to normal until the next carb load day.
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