Exercise and temporary weight gain?

Hi,

Yesterday I had my first game of netball for the season (I'm not sure if you have it in America, it's similar to basketball). Anyway I stretched before and after the game but I still woke up with fairly sore muscles and a 2lb weight gain. Of course the gain is not really possible as I had a 500cal deficit yesterday.

So what I would like to know is, is the gain caused from sore muscles and if so, why? Is it something to do with my muscles retaining water to repair themselves? How long before the scales drop and should I keep exercising during this time?

Thanks

I sometimes see a gain of 2 to 4 pounds after a particularly intense exercise session.  As far as I know, it's water retention in your muscles due to them recovering from your workout.  It usually takes awhile for that weight to leave me... Longer than if I just had a bad sodium day.  But within 5 days, anyway.  It usually goes up for 2, then starts dropping.

I keep exercising, but sometimes I take it easier if my body is really sore.  More based on pain than weight.  It usually happens when I have back to back leg days (i.e. biking and running), or if you do something new. 

Good luck!

Clint

thank you very much.. i have seen a 1lb drop already :)

That always happens for me when I start a new exercise routine.  I'm usually up 3 pounds for a week or so, and I have to assume it's just water since I know I'm eating fewer calories than I'm burning.