Exercise & Weight Gain

Before anybody gets a chance to go off on me and tells me to ignore the scale, it's not that kind of question!

For those of you who used to not exercise, and when you finally incorporated a workout routine into your schedule, did the scale show an increase in your weight? (from holding extra water, glycogen, all that fun stuff) And when it finally began showing results, how long did it take for your body to "even out"?

I'm just curious to see the differences between everyone, as some say they saw weight loss right away, others say they seemed to gain then had a big drop. Post away!

after any intense workout I generally gain between 1 and 2.5lbs, I do yoga mostly which isn't that intense but once or twice a week I'll try to encorporate an hour or so of cardio and a half hour of muscle training. Within a day or two of not doing an intense workout my weight goes back down and I definitely get rid of the excess water weight. It works differently for everyone, but its certainly not a "real" gain

Yeah, I'm similar. Doing cardio isn't so bad, but when I weight train it takes anywhere from a few days to a week to go back to normal. If I've really slacked off on the gym, once I start back up that "gain" can last almost a month.

I only weigh myself once a week and since incorporating exercise, I've only seen weight loss.  I do strength training 3 times a week and cardio 3 times a week.

Original Post by ezzied:

Before anybody gets a chance to go off on me and tells me to ignore the scale, it's not that kind of question!

For those of you who used to not exercise, and when you finally incorporated a workout routine into your schedule, did the scale show an increase in your weight? (from holding extra water, glycogen, all that fun stuff) And when it finally began showing results, how long did it take for your body to "even out"?

I'm just curious to see the differences between everyone, as some say they saw weight loss right away, others say they seemed to gain then had a big drop. Post away!

4-6 Weeks after initial water weight loss. Keep in mind to incorporate a tape measure because muscle will remain and fat goes.

I am so glad someone posted this question, I've been toying with the same thing over the past couple of days.  I went from a complete couch potato to doing Turbo Jam 6 days a week (I just can't get enough of it!).  I lost 7.2 lbs so far (diet started 12/16/08) and it was a struggle.  I've been eating very well, my analysis is never below B.

I started the working out 6 days a week on Jan 8th so I figured it would take my body some time to get used to the new schedule so I'm hoping that within the next month or so that I will see a good drop in weight.  I've took my measurements when I started and am going to wait until 1 month to take them again. 

29.8 lbs to go!

Am glad to see this discussion. I started with a new trainer about 4 weeks ago after not weight training heavily for 4/5 months. I gained 3lbs after the first heavy leg workout! one where I was sore for 6 days afterward! We did whole body yesterday and I was up 1.5 this morning.

I weigh 2 lbs. heavier this morning after I did a circuit of weights last night. I'm a tad sore, not too bad, I can at least still move my body parts. LOL

if i gain due to exercise, i have no idea. now that i'm developing a more regular routine, my body wants more calories, but im much leaner, my metabolism feels like its running a bit hotter, i drink a ton of water, and its easier to run a decent daily deficit. 

if there is some sort of daily gain, i haven't figured that out yet. my daily weight seems more about volume of food i ate the day before and bowel schedules than the prior days amount/quality of exercise. 

my body is happy to be rocking out massive muscle building and dropping flabby fat! its happy. im doing my best to co-operate, no gain related to muscle building noted, but the fat is going away, pounds are dropping, and im shrinking out of my cloths. . .. way cool! 

is that your question? 

I purchased a treadmill and have been walking/running at least 4x a week.  After a big run (40mins) the next day the scales are always up - which sucks cause you'd think after the hard work you'd see a drop (?).  I haven't been running long enough to see a physcial change in my body but there are some benefits already.

I am sleeping better
I am breathing better
I generally feel healthier.

GI-Jane posted this to me last week (as I was frustrated with the scales) and its helping me get past the numbers and stick with the fitness program

Run because you like running.  Do exercise because you like feeling fit.  Eat healthy food because you enjoy it.  Watch the portions if you need to lose weight.  Stay off the scales for a week between weigh-ins so that one small upward blip doesn't sink you into despair.   

The number on the scales will go down.   But that's only one measure of success.  Your body-shape is changing, your risk of serious diseases is getting smaller, your energy levels are improving, your lifestyle is healthier.    Just because the number on the scales goes down a little slower than you'd like doesn't make what you're doing any less of a good idea.