Anybody else? It seems every time I work out, I gain a pound, hang on to it for about 48 hours, then lose 2. Granted I only go to the gym 2 or 3 days a week with an additional day of yoga on saturdays.
Am I right in thinking that muscle tends to hold on to some water after you work out?
Definitely need to flush that water retention out. Try upping your water & see if that helps. I drink 4L of water a day & exercise 6 days a week, & I really don't see much in the way of water weight.
I was just wondering about this a few days ago. I always weigh myself first thing in the morning and I hate seeing that either the scale didn't budge or it went up, after exercising really hard the night before.
Good to know, it makes me feel a little better lol.
this depends alot of the person. how hard you worked. heavier weights, doing things your body isn't used to. i think this increases the chance there's swelling, retention, DOMS- delayed onset muscle soreness. i didn't personally notice a huge difference, even using weights alot. but i just expect the fluctuations from day to day. learn your pattern, and try not to stress about it.
I work out in the morning so I see the weight gain immediately and shrug: "Well, those three refills of my water bottle had to go somewhere." Ran 4.5 miles today so it might be interesting to see what happens tomorrow with DOMS. Random regain when we're not even misbehaving is SO depressing, though.
After a hard workout my jeans sometimes will be really tight and I don't dare go near the scale, but within about 24 hours the water drops and they are loose. Don't weigh yourself after working out, or if you are learning something new (and therefore developing new muscles) don't go near the scale for a few days or you'll go crazy!
Plus if you are working out, its likely you take a water bottle with you and drink from it right? Thats extra water right there, that you wouldnt have normally if you didnt work out, that's going to show on the scale
Thanks for this thread... it might explain the weird scale behaviour from this past week. I definitely upped my exercise, but I don't think I've been hydrating nearly enough. Think I'll run off and start correcting that...
It happens to my mom and I every time we change our workout routine. We both usually gain a pound or two (even though we are eating properly and working out vigilantly). By week two it evens itself out and usually have a big loss, like 5 or 6 pounds in one go. It's totally weird, and when I ask my friends if it happens to them I get blank looks. Seriously don't worry about it!
So you're saying that I can expect a big loss in a few days during week 2? :P
How big of a loss, exactly? I am already owed 1.7 lbs from this week, according to my calorie calculator. That plus the 2 lbs of whatever-the-heck I've gained + 1.7 lbs for next week = 5.4, right?
It's so individual. It sounds cliche but every body really is different. Depending on sodium intake, hormones, whatever, it fluctuates wildly, but, I would say that...yes. Expect a windfall either this week or next. When you build muscle your body hangs onto the extra water for dear life for a week or so, but it does eventually come off. When it rains it pours, don't worry!!!
Exercise and weight gain?
