bulking up?

So despite my efforts this week, I ended up gaining weight and inches...

I did strength training 3 times this week, along with some cardio. Today I weigh in and Im a few grams heavier than last sunday, and I also have more inches everywhere in my body.....I dont know what can be causing this and I fear that its real weight.

Could it possibly be that Im bulking up? or water retentions? the inches gained seem to be mostly around the thighs and the hips....and a bit on my arms...

Im eating 1,600 sedentary days as the calculators estimated for me here, and 1,800 on active days...so I should be keeping in track pretty well....

any ideas?

bump.

No worries. You're not "bulking up" as you say. It's not that easy to gain muscle mass -- even if that is ultimately what you are trying to do (or not).

There is no way for me to know exactly what's going on with your body but it is more than likely that the weight gain is water retention and swelling in your muscles. Weight training works because it forces your muscles to exert themselves and this causes the muscle stress. If you're new at weight training, the muscle can swell -- like a bruise - but it is very temporary. And 3 times a week weight training is not enough to cause you to bulk -- even in the long term.

I'd also suspect that it is water retention. It happens to me occasionally, in exactly those same places. 

Original Post by scaroppo:

No worries. You're not "bulking up" as you say. It's not that easy to gain muscle mass -- even if that is ultimately what you are trying to do (or not).

Actually, beginners to strength training can add some muscle mass even in a calorie deficit, although I agree that this weight gain is probably mostly just water retention.

And 3 times a week weight training is not enough to cause you to bulk -- even in the long term.

Why wouldn't it be? Or, to phrase the question better, what WOULD be enough then, in your opinion?

I've been lifting in an organized fashion for three weeks or so now, three times a week, and my weight has stayed the same. But I look better, and I've become a lot stronger (despite eating under maintenance calories). I'd be very surprised if muscle gain had nothing to do with this.

Why wouldn't it be? Or, to phrase the question better, what WOULD be enough then, in your opinion?

I've been lifting in an organized fashion for three weeks or so now, three times a week, and my weight has stayed the same. But I look better, and I've become a lot stronger (despite eating under maintenance calories). I'd be very surprised if muscle gain had nothing to do with this.

 

I was simply trying to minimize the idea of "bulking up", which is a typical concern for many women who first start strength training. They imagine big, bulky muscles, which is really tough to achieve for a man let alone a woman. So when the original poster asked about bulking up, I was simply trying to point out that weight training is fantastic but will not cause "bulking" per say.

As for your question, 3 times a week is an excellent weight/strength routine in my opinon and I'm not surprised that you are seeing positive changes in your body. And you're right -- muscle has EVERYTHING to do with it. But what you're talking about, and what I am experiencing in with my own body, is not what I would consider "bulking up". And I have a tendency to build big muscle fairly easily.

As I've gained more muscle definition and lost body fat -- largely due to weight training -- people think I've lost a ton more weight than I really have. I've lost maybe 5 total pounds (on a good day). I've gained a slimmer, stronger and much leaner body. And I'm lifting some pretty heavy weights. So keep at the weight training. Together with a healthy diet and basic cardio, it is the quickest way to sculpt your body.

well all I know is that the weight stayed the same after two days (meaning a 2 pound gain) but my inches appear to have stayed the same. I dont know if with time they will increase, but for the moment they're the same. Could this be muscle gain? I mean I did lose muscle because of undereating, so maybe it could be it (lol its more wishful thinking than anything)

thanks for all the replie