How Much Weight Should I Gain When Starting Exercise?
 

I have been LCing for almost nine months now and am guilty of not exercising. I have been happy with my weight loss to date, but I know if I started working out (cardio & light weights) regularly, the last 4.5 lbs. will go quickly. I have not made any dietary changes. My TOM is coming in 2 weeks, so it’s not that. So, I started working out Sunday and my weight has been steadily increasing each day, to the tune of 3 lbs. But I know not to FREAK out because I am gaining muscle mass. But therein lies my question. I read somewhere on here that muscle volume weighs twice the amount of fat volume. So how much should I expect to gain? I don't have anything to judge it against since I've not really exercised while losing the first 21 lbs. I am sore all over, I am discovering muscles that I never had.

I just figured I am so close to goal that now is the time to focus on continuing to eat healthy and to make sure I get some exercise.

Don't know the answer but suggest trying general exercise forum. I do know, however, that when you strart to do strength training your body will hold on to water (your muscles do actually) so that could account for some gain. Maybe you could go by your measurements more than the scale?? Hope somebody else can answer your question, specifically!

N.

My trainer once told me that the average woman, anyway, doesn't tend to put on more than 2-3 lbs. of muscle when lifting weights over four months - though that translates into lots of muscle. I had the same question for him when I had a weight gain, and he said that it was water - which it was. Not TOM water, but water that your body needs to repair muscles. Don't worry!

paradise, I consistently gain 3-4 lbs of water every time I step up my exercise routine, and hang on to it for about two weeks. I gained it when I started lifting weights, then again when I added in cardio, then again when I upped my weights, and I'm sure I'll gain it yet again now that I'm starting Body for Life. Like orzabelle said, it's just the effect of stressing your muscles. If you're working to the point of being sore, it's breaking down muscle fibers, which need additional water to repair themselves.

If you're not already doing so, take your measurements -- exercise really does make a difference there, and it's a big mental boost to see that you're still getting smaller even if the Devil Box disagrees :).

The Devil Box - ha ha - never heard that before. :daze:

I gained almost 10 lbs on Tuesday morning after intensely exercising on Monday. It seemed I could drink, drink, drink, and drink some more water and not have to use the bathroom much :)

but what a trade off...
 

since the muscles increase your metabolism - you'll come out ahead in the long run!

Jan

Mini-Whoosh?
 

Thank you all for your very helpful replies. This morning, I got on the scale and 2.5 lbs. of the 3 lbs. of exercise "water" was gone. Does this qualify as a mini-whoosh? I took a break yesterday, my muscles are no longer sore. Time to hit the weights again.

I am a semi weight lifter

When i weight lift 4 times a week I tend to see my weight go up 5-7lbs while when I rest I lose 2-3lbs

I mean look at it this way.. I basically eat the same thing everyday for 4 months and see a steady weight loss but then boom I hit the weights for 2 weeks and all of a sudden gain 5-7lbs... Me being conscious I think I'm gaining weight.

But logic tells me I'm gaining lean mass.
Which will help in the long rong.

Just have to stick with the mentality that not all weight gain is bad as long as you are regularly exercising then you need not to worry.

wes

I gained 2 lbs but lost many inches. Actually have been stuck at 158 for a while (was down to 156). I love the fact the inches are sliding off but I wish I could the scale go down as well :)

This is so reassuring! I too started exercising last week and I have seen a 2.5 lb weight gain. Now I know it's not all in my head, it's all in my muscles! :D