Newbie question
 

I'm sorry if my question is dumb or has been asked a million times before, but here it is: I started weight training yesterday. How long before my new muscles start to show up on the scale? How much work does it take before they start to weigh?

The point of the question is: when can a stall in weight loss be attributed to muscle growth rather than bad dieting or other?

Thanks a lot
C.

Great question, chocolate :)

Muscle 'growth' takes about 6 weeks, give or take a wee bit. However, seeing the results of weight lifting on the scales can and will happen a lot faster than that. When you build muscle you have to first tear it down, literally. The period inbetween lifting is when torn muscle recovers and recruits more muscle fibers, resulting in growth. This is why it is so important you rest up and never work sore muscles. This tearing causes muscles to become inflammed and to swell; you'll see this on the scales in the form of water weight, just like any other injury.

After a big workout I can usually tell the next day how much the scale will be up based on how sore I am. It averages about 3 lbs most days.

It can take as many as 8 weeks before you start to experience the benefit of having this new shiny muscle, but you'll experience it. You'll have a faster metabolism, you'll be able to eat more and you'll be able to weigh more on the scale while wearing a smaller size.

HTH
Nat

Thanks Nat!!
 

.. for your complete replies!! That's great news because I'm sore all over and I'm eating right and the scale is snobbing me!!!

So I won't change anything and just keep on going...

Bye
C.