[AnaisK]

Has any body ever heard that your muscles hold onto water when you first begin excercising? And that you can actually gain a couple pounds before you lose?? I think I remember reading that somewhere once.

Of course, the reason i ask is because I am very careful with my calorie counts...and my water intake...but the scale not budging!!!!! It's been 3 weeks of consistency on my part and I'm getting frustrated!

I'm still going strong, but knowing that this is true would help keep me motivated.

Anybody??

A.

[AnaisK]

ps Woo hoo!! I see my weight tracker is finally published!!! Yay!

[mandalinn82]

It is well known that a new exercise regime can cause your body to hold onto a little extra water.

Have you seen our excellent "Fluctuations in Scale Weight and Water Weight" FAQ?

[ShrinkingShrink]

I have never read that... But I have definitely had that experience more than once!!! Especially when I return to weight training, the scale may go up a little bit and it will take me a week or two before I see any changes.

[AnaisK]

Found the following on the internet...

IF YOU'RE JUST starting out on a weight-training regimen, don't be surprised if you happen to gain three or four pounds in the first few days. No, this doesn't mean that you'll look like you have a gland problem by the end of the week. Inflammation can make muscles enlarge and swell, trapping water in the muscles, says William Kraemer, Ph.D., an exercise scientist and professor at the University of Connecticut, in the Georgia Tech Sports Medicine & Performance Newsletter

Also, that was a great link Mandalinn!! Thanks for including! I'm so relieved!!!

[MBN]

It's not just with weight training. I am a runner, and I find that on the days after a long run (especially 10 miles and longer), I can weigh a couple of pounds more, even though I've eaten on plan. I've read that as the body replenishes glycogen stores, it stores water along with it. And since I've pretty much temporarily depleted the muscle glycogen stores during the long run, the muscles try to put all of that back and MORE for next time. For me, it evens out in a day or two.

[MalibuBeachBound]

Oh yeah...this definitely happens. Water cushions your muscles to help them heal. It is very common if you are working muscles you haven't used in that way recently. Happens to me every time...can be as much as 2.5 lbs in my case. It's normal.