Did you gain weight when you first started working out?

iris8pie
iris8pie Posts: 224 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
....Because you were gaining muscle?

Replies

  • taylor5877
    taylor5877 Posts: 1,792 Member
    yes, but I was 12 then...
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek 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.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    No, not because of muscle. It's because of water & glycogen.
  • iris8pie
    iris8pie Posts: 224 Member
    That makes sense, thanks Diane ;)
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    Not because I was gaining muscle, but because my muscle was holding more water to cushion and repair my muscles......
  • NoAdditives
    NoAdditives 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.
  • lambch0ps
    lambch0ps 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.
  • rcs7058
    rcs7058 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.
  • nwebb822_cancel
    nwebb822_cancel 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.
  • SLaw4215
    SLaw4215 Posts: 596 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.
    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...
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,329 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.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/200544-why-do-you-sometimes-gain-weight-when-starting-a-new-exercis
  • iris8pie
    iris8pie 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?
  • lambch0ps
    lambch0ps 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.
  • lambch0ps
    lambch0ps 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.

    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.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt 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.
  • Dani_wants_to_be_fit
    Dani_wants_to_be_fit 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)
  • mellenorris
    mellenorris 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!
  • jnj1013
    jnj1013 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.
  • Nelliebird1430
    Nelliebird1430 Posts: 108
    Yep! Gained for the first two months, then started losing again! Give your body time to ajust! Good luck!
  • Dani_wants_to_be_fit
    Dani_wants_to_be_fit 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.
  • plarcade
    plarcade Posts: 125 Member
    OMG, I'm so glad it's not just me!! Huge relief!!
  • Flixie00
    Flixie00 Posts: 1,195 Member
    Don't know, I didn't weigh in until I had been on MFP for 4 weeks :bigsmile:
  • Determinednoob
    Determinednoob Posts: 2,001 Member
    i stayed the same weight but lost fat
  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 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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