Curious - water retention from weights? - 3 Fat Chicks on a Diet Weight Loss Community

Ry73 · 10-05-2005, 10:01 AM

Hi all,

Trying to make sense of some fluctuations I'm seeing (not bothering me, just trying to find the triggers for retention). I noticed that when I do my strength training in addition to cardio, my weight pops up a couple of pounds the next day, then goes back down when I do just cardio. I'm thinking it's water-weight maybe -- is it possible that my body is temporarily holding on to fluid from being pushed to work in ways it hasn't been doing? I've only been doing this for a week or so, so I'm pretty much brand new to the machines.

The other possibility is diet, but I noticed this happened regardless of what I ate the few days I measured it.

Just wondering if it's a possibility.

(And yes, I know weighing every day isn't something you necessarily want to do with weight loss, but I'd like to get an idea of what my body's natural cycles are with regards to weight, so I'm watching it for a while).

LovesBassets · 10-05-2005, 04:15 PM

Hi Ry,

My trainer told me that you weigh more after you work out than before you work out. I didn't believe her

so I tested it myself once. I was 3 lbs heavier AFTER working out (for an hour) than I was before.

I have no idea WHY, but I suspect water is a big part of it.

JuliaTN · 10-05-2005, 04:32 PM

Your muscles do retain water after strength training (not so much with cardio).

funniegrrl · 10-05-2005, 04:59 PM

Think about it this way: Strength training essentially injures your muscles; the repair of those injuries is what makes the muscles stronger/bigger. (The same thing happens when you break a bone -- the area broken becomes stronger than the surrounding bone when it heals.) Any time you injure yourself, the affected area swells. Swelling is the result of fluid collecting in the tissues.

I know when I work out, I drink a lot of water during the process, even if I don't sweat a whole lot. so another factor in the scale going up for you COULD be the weight of the water you've drunk.

Ry73 · 10-05-2005, 08:48 PM

Good points all, thanks for the response! I had a feeling it might be the case, but getting the thought process to explain it certainly helps.