weigh before or after?
 

I like to weigh in once a week, so today I weighed in and found that I had lost approximately 8 pounds since my last weigh in. However, then I decided to double check it after I worked out because I just wanted to see it again since it felt so good! But, after working out that 8 pounds was only 2.

Is it standard to weigh more directly after exercise?

Yes, it is. With my experience from exercising vigourously in previous weeks I do in fact weigh 4-5 or more pounds afterwards. That weight comes back off though, not sure exactly why it comes on to begin with. I weigh myself severalll times a day. I usually weigh with clothes on and want my weight to be a certain amount with the clothes on, like 130, which I know will equal much lower without clothes.

thats funny. just the other day, i weighed my selfe at the gym before and after working out. i weighed 2 lbs LESS after my workout. so then i decided to try it again just for fun yesterday. and the same thing 2lbs less after working out. i do 30 min of weight training and 30 min of cardio....hummm

For many people (re)starting an exercise routine can cause water retention, so even if the scale shows a little more, you are still doing great.

There are post on the forum describing the same problem. You are in the majority if you have water retention, trust me.

I always weight more after cardio or weighlifting. I haven't been able to fully explain it though. I just don't get too caught up in what the scale says.

Kent

I always weight a pound or so more after lifting. Always figured it was from all the water I drink during. Can't see that you'd drink 5 lbs of water though.

Weight fluctuations
 

Your weight will vary as much as 5 lbs throughout the day. Depending on the foods you eat, water retention with high salt meals, and, hate to say it, but rate of bowel evacuation can all change your weight throughout the day. If you are doing a lot of cardio it stands to reason that any weight loss immediately after will be water lost through sweating and exertion.

Some suggest weighing yourself only once a week. That way one isn't discouraged by the natural every day up and down weight fluctuations. Others, like me, weigh themselves once a day at the same time every day. This will give you a more accurate idea of true weight loss, but the best is to average those weights weekly. When you chart this out over a couple months weight loss, week by week, you can actually SEE the results. If you are taking notes of cheat meals and off-diet days as well, you can really see what it does to your weight loss. Or gain :( For example, I set myself back two lbs. over a three week period by having too many free meals. It was plain as the proverbial nose on the face as I looked over my notes. :)

If you are concerned about weight gain before or after a workout, I'd suggest to refrain from weighing yourself at that time and do it once a day, at the same time every day. If you're not concerned but curious, have fun with it! See if there is a difference on hard core cardio days and weightlifting days.

Have fun!
AL