I'm gaining weight

Hi everyone, I just joined CC and I love it!  I'm trying to lose weight and have been pretty sucessful for the past couple of months. However, I haven't really been exercising, so the weight loss was mainly due to my diet. About two weeks ago I decided to start working out doing both cardio and free weights to help me out. I seem to be gaining weight though? I'm up like 5 lbs. My pants feel a little tighter and I feel heavy. I haven't changed my eating habits at all and I stay within my calorie range. Aren't I suppose to be losing since I'm eating well and exercising? I'm confused... please help me!?

Like they say... Muscle weighs more than fat.

You're probably gaining muscle.

Also, does your diet consist of alot of protein?? If so, that could also be a problem. I'm starting to think that was one of my problems. I started eating only things like tuna fish, egg whites, and turkey. Turns out they're all high in protein. Protein is used to build muscles, and what you don't use for turning into muscle, turns into fat.

So you could be gaining muscle and fat?? Try to cut down on lots and lots of protein, keep them in descent amounts.

Also, FRUIT is not always a good thing either. They say that one serving of fruit is good enough, probably in your breakfast time frame. Since Fruit has alot of fructose, your body will only absorb so much fructose before it starts turning it into fat.

Good luck!

ALSO be sure to drink LOTS and LOTS of WATER!

It helps your body function, recover, helps with metabolism, and also gets rid of a little bit of hinger and cravings.

Good luck! I'm in the same boat with you. But I'm sure if we stay motivated we'll reach our goals. :)

I'm still confused... I thought it wasn't that easy for women to build muscle, especially as soon as I start working out?

Well, even woman might have less tendency to build muscle, the protein that you consume, if you dont use it for muscle, it might turn in to fat, what i recomend you is that you should change your exersice to running 30 min or doing bike 30 min, if you do it properly trying your best, you will start seeing results!

I might add also that the body retains water to repair muscle fiber.  After a race, I would stop working out, and I would literally shed like 8 pounds, then slowly start to put it back on.  Keep at it and give your body time to make adjustments!

This also happens to me.  You should just stick to what you were doing and not worry so much about the exercise.  I also gain weight and inches, my stomach puffs out as much as an extra inch or two especially when I do cardio. So if just the diet thing works, stick to that. Sometimes I think people push the exercise thing a little too much.  Getting thin is 90% diet and 10% exercise.  I'm sure that comment will cause an up roar! Exercise is great for your heart but I don't know how great it is for your diet!!

Also, tuna, egg whites, and turkey, all proteins are good for you and you should eat fruit also. 

I haven't gained any inches (actually I've lost 0.5" on my waist) but I have gained weight. I don't know what to do then? I'm eating a well balanced diet... not too much of one thing, and doing a variety of exercise. Anyone else have any input?

I think the weight gain is actually water weight, because as wesmckean said your body retains water to repair muscles, especially if you are new to exercise or change your routine. I would suggest that you keep doing what you are doing, and it will eventually even out. You are doing right by exercising and creating a deficit, so just be patient and the number on the scale will start to go down again.

Thanks for the replies!

The exercise is what will make your body a healthy looking skinny, rather than a flabby one.... 

You should keep your diet the same, and definitely keep up the exercise. You're probably gaining muscle and retaining water. Did your weight go up by 5lbs. in one day, or was it over the course of a few weeks? If it went up in 1-3 days, it's most likely water retention and not real weight gain.

Exercising builds more muscle, and muscle burns more calories (but is more dense, therefore causing you to weigh a little more).

Obviously, I completely disagree with one of the previous posters that says that exercise is good for nothing but your heart...