Water Retention From Excercise?

About a month ago I started c25k and since that time I haven't lost a pound, which is a little irritating. When I started running it was really difficult for me, I hadn't run for any great amount of time since I was in 8th grade. It has taken my body a while to get used to it. I had to do the first week twice, and that's the easy one! Is it possible that all this running is stressing out my body and making me hold onto water? Or am I just in a normal plateau?

Here are my stats: I'm a 5'4, 23 year old lady who currently weighs 162 pounds, down from a starting weight of 185. I exercise about 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week (3 days of c25k and two days of strength training w/ EA Active), and I also walk to school (30 mins round trip) 5 days a week. My calorie intake ranges from 1500-1700, usually on the higher side of that.

Thanks for the help!

(I hope this is in the right section, the way I see it is weight loss that is affected by excercise)

I find that I can put on "water weight" when I change something significantly in my exercise program.  i.e. large increases in weight lifted, new activity, etc.  But that goes away within a week or so.

Sorry if that's not the answer you were hoping for! :)

Clint

The most obvious answer is dehydration. Make sure you're nice and hydrated before and after your exercises. Then again, analysing your post, it would seem you're possibly over-estimating your overall calorie intake. I suggest buying a food digital scale and properly counting calories. This should help.

Hey- I think I have been having the same problem.  I have been working out a lot more lately now that I have time to (summer quarter classes ended!) and I gained 2 lbs. instead of continuing to lose like I had been!  I am 5'8" and currently around 140 lbs.- trying to get to around 135 but I've been stuck here for a while.  It's super frustrating but I figure exercise is good for your body no matter what the scale says and also- don't forget that muscle gain can actually cause a weight increase.  I'm not going to stop working out to see if the water weight goes away so I hope it just does eventually when my body get used to it!  Anyways you've already lost a lot and you should be proud of that as well as working out so much!

"a normal plateau"

You will lose weight

• if you watch the high calorie junk foods
• eat a good, high protein breakfast
• keep doing your 5 days a week exercise, especially with the walking thrown in
• keep a positive attitude 

You are on the right track.

Best of luck in all your goals!

Keep the sodium low, and drink PLENTY of water.