Question

I'm pretty sure I know why this is happening but would like others opinions. I've been doing great on ww (down 17. 4 in 6 weeks) but I started going to gym 10 days ago and I'm pushing myself hard on the elliptical and bike and treadmill. Too hard i think. But tonight I weighed myself at home (usually I only weigh at ww) and I'm up FIVE lbs. So let me say (before someone makes a post complaining about this post) that I know my body changes daily. But I weigh once a week. I think it's due to water retention from going to gym. But my family says no way. they since I'm "only" doing cardio and my muscles aren't changing. How can this be? I can FEEL the muscles in my legs working and they hurt like hell. I'm being told only lifting weights will make you temporarily gain. Anyone here experience this? I have a tendency to give up when I see weight go up and I dont want that to happen this time. Sorry this is so long! Any other new gym people experience this?  

Answer 1

Yeah. I don't understand their logic. while it's highly unlikely you've put on 5 lbs of muscle in that time. there is definitely a chance your body is responding to the workouts and retaining water. there is also a chance that you are just eating the wrong things and/or not being super accurate about what you're eating. easy to do in general, especially easy when you've added working out and don't realize how hungry you are compared to before

Answer 2

Could be if you aren't hydrating enough to compensate for the gym, or not eating enough on those days you need extra protien when you are excersizing. I do feel like when I hit the gym I maintain for a couple weeks instead of losing right away but I'm honestly a newbie myself!  

Answer 3

You are building muscle just doing your cardio so yes it's probably water weight. That's how your muscles repair themselves. My scale is not moving like I want either, but I started Bootcamp last week, sometimes I can barely sit down  but I know it will even out eventually

Answer 4

Morning! You are very likely building your leg muscles on the bike and elliptical machines. Water retention. maybe. Ride it out (no pun intended! ). Please don’t listen to the “muscles weigh more than fat” bologna. a pound is a pound. Muscle is LEANER than fat. The temporary weight gain from exercise is definitely NOT worth giving up!  

Answer 5

DOMS. whenever my muscles are sore, my weight always goes up. Just keep drinking water!  

Answer 6

Do you normally weigh at night? Could just be from weighing a different time of day.  

Answer 7

It will definitely be muscle , I wouldn’t worry x

Answer 8

Never weigh yourself at night!  

Comments

@peachy my ww weigh in is at night so I'm consistent as long as I do it at night.  

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@currey/activity" class="qa-user-link">currey @currey/activity" class="qa-user-link">currey I’m a “morning” sort of gal and usually go to WW on a totally empty stomach. I’ve just switched to a noon one and I can’t figure out how to manage. I really don’t want to skip and eat nothing before the noon meeting, but i realize if I drink a full large cup of water in AM, that’s weight that will show up immediately on the scale. I do know it’s a game we play with ourselves. But I want to ask how you manage weigh in in at night. No so much the overall weight because that’s a number and every Tues at 6:00 is your measurement. But do you find yourself not eating on Tues to try to get a better result? Do you stop eating at 3:00 and no afternoon coffee/water? Just curious. (Oh, the games we play with ourselves).  

Answer 9

You may not be eating enough. track your fit points. Also your muscles retain water after excersise. And you do build muscle even doing cardio.  

Answer 10

I have to drink an extra liter of water when I go to the gym. So increase your water on these days especially. It happens to me! Also, my scale at home is off from ww and it has to be in an exact position on the floor lol

Answer 11

May be you are gaining muscles and losing fat

Answer 12

Hard workouts will have your muscles retain water

Answer 13

I wouldn't let it worry me too much. Your body will finally catch up and the lbs will go!  

Answer 14

It could be water retention from inflammation caused by the increased exercise! Be sure to hydrate and not over exert yourself

Answer 15

Thx everyone! To answer some questions: my food intake is same. I track every bite. I always weigh in at night because my ww meetings are nights. The water may be the issue. I hate water but I'm trying to drink it. I'll start drinking more. Thx!  

Answer 16

Your home scale may be different than the one at WW also. Mine at home always weighs me heavier. Weigh yourself at home before your next meeting and then at the meeting without eating anything or using the bathroom and see what the difference is.  

Comments

@shire1372 it matches exactly.  

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@currey interesting. Mines always off but it’s consistent.  

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@shire1372 Mine matches theirs within one ounce every week. I'm afraid to move it. Lol.  

Answer 17

It does take up to 14 days for your body to show the results. Hang in there! FYI. Muscle weight is the same as fat weight. Just a myth.  

Answer 18

Don’t weight yourself if it’s not first thing in the morning, I fluctuate 4-5lbs throughout the day.  

Comments

@homesick as long as I always weigh at night it's fine. It would be dufferent if I mixed it up.  

Answer 19

My weight has not changed much in the pics. However I exercise to 6 days a week up to 3 hours daily. My size and body has changed considerably. My grew 3 inches at the bottom. Keep going. It hard on those weight fluctuations as you I. prove your fitness. You will be better at the end. Check your lean muscle mass it is probably changing. I also retain water. I regret not taking my measurements early on.  

Answer 20

You absolutely build muscle doing cardio in your legs and after the gym is a horrible time to weigh because your body is inflamed from exertion and if you only weigh at WW perhaps your scales aren’t calibrated the same.  

Answer 21

Its not muscle yet. It takes weeks/months of hard work to build muscle. I started working out again and the scalecwent up 4 pounds. Muscle fibers tear and hold water to help them heal. This can show on the scale as a temporary gain, no loss or smaller than usual loss. It will go away as muscles get used to the exercise. But ease up on the exercise a bit. Exercise can help, but it shouldnt be punishment. More isnt always better. Quality is more important than quantity with exercise.  

Comments

@gunk5637 this 100%!  

Answer 22

I always deal with this as well. I have had an for injury so going to gym and working out was not happening. I’m on ww and lost 8lbs first 3 weeks and was so happy. Then started back at the gym the past 2 weeks and first week up . 2 and next week up . 4 which doesn’t seem to be a lot but it will just continue to go up. i drink so much water and not sure what else to do. Food is tracked as well. HELP

Answer 23

Never weight yourself at night! Always first thing in the AM (after you pee) lol

Comments

@depilatory my weigh in is always at night so it equals out. As long as it's always at night for me it doesnt matter

Answer 24

It’s def the water retention from more movement! Consistency is key. Don’t stop now.  

Answer 25

I was relieved to see this post. I have been slowly loosing weight over a years time. I started Orangetheory 6 weeks ago and go 5 days a week. I have not lost 1 pound. But the good news is I did do my measurements. I have lost about a inch everywhere expect my thighs. I have gained 1 1/2 inches in my thighs. Also I have went from a size 12, almost a size to to a size 8 in this 6 weeks period. Keep it up and do your measurements today and you will see the results. I do understand the frustration of not seeing the scale move.  

Comments

@lowkey tell us about orange theory please

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Orangetheory was the best choice I ever made. My sister that live in Minneapolis was telling me about it. I was telling her I want to join a gym but every time I did, I would just wonder around the room not knowing what to do. I also didn’t like the idea of hiring a coach that stands over you. So I thought I would try it out. Your very first class is free. When I showed up, everyone was so nice and had a welcome sign for me waiting. The class consist of apx. 30 people. They divide the class up in either 2 groups or 3. Every time you go you will do the water rower, treadmill and weight floor. You grab a number when you get there and on each section of floor you will always go to that number when it’s time to switch. The coach will instruct everyone what to do and always will be watching everyone if you need assistance. You wear a heart monitor and can see how your doing at all times. It shows you calories burned and how many orange or red splat points your are earning. If you get over 12 in a workout you will continue to burn apx. 350 calories for the next 24-48 hours. The music is really up beat and everyone is so supportive of each other. There are people of ALL ages there. Trust me these workouts are a challenge and each day is never the same. I do the un limited package which is 169. 00 a month and book my classes (5) a week for up to a month in advance. This has been the best 169. 00 a month I have ever spent or in vested one my self. The one I go to is in Rocklin in the Nugget shopping center. They are all over the US so if you are traveling, you can still book a class.  

Answer 26

Even if you’re only doing cardio you could still be building some muscle - think about it. Cardio uses your big muscles (legs especially) and if it’s more than you’ve been doing on a regular basis you’ll definitely gain a bit at first. Proud of you for working out too! That’s awesome.  

Answer 27

Exercise is working your muscles, so don't listen to those people, you do your thing. You may be gaining muscle (a pound of muscle weights the same as a pound of fat or a pound of feathers) so don't let that bother you because YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK. You go girl!  

Answer 28

Weighing in at the end of the day after a work out includes all the food you ate that day and large muscles from working out. It will be the heaviest you will weigh. Look deeper for the non scale victories and only weigh yourself once a week (and not after a workout. the best time to weigh yourself is the first thing in the am with no clothes on) Keep working out girl! YOU ARE DOING GREAT. your body is changing and you are getting healthy.  

Answer 29

Never weigh right after you workout and eat. I always Weight myself first thing in the morning before I even workout. All the water you drink while you are working and the retention in your muscles will show right after you workout and some days days after. I find that when I first start working out my body holds on to the water for about a week or two, which results in a higher weight and then all of a sudden it releases it and I see the fruits of my efforts. Hang in there! You are doing the right thing!  

Answer 30

I always gain when I start exercising again. I do the treadmill and it changes.  

Answer 31

Be patience! continue with activities, building muscle will gain some at first, snack after workout, fuel with protein, fats and carbohydrates. Don’t give up, move forward!  

Answer 32

You are not consuming enough calories and you need to fuel your body pre and post workout recovery. Let me know if you want some info

Answer 33

Get a measuring tape. The scale may not show the changes right away, your body will.  

Answer 34

Muscle weight will go up slightly at first but if you stick to it then a huge change can come in how your clothes fit, also check that you are eating the same calories, working out will increase your metabolism rate help burn more for a longer period of time

Answer 35

I make no claims to knowing what is happening but I have to wonder if there is really such a thing as strictly cardio. After all, your muscles are still bearing your own weight when you do the cardio workout, right?  

Answer 36

I wrote a post about how I’ve only lost 10lbs but I’m down 15+ inches total. I’m going to the gym and just doing cardio as well. you still put on muscle while doing any exercise. pay more attention to how your clothes are fitting and less attention to the scale

Answer 37

Could deff be water retention due to muscles repairing themselves. if you havent worked out before elliptical n treadmill will cause you to build some muscle too

Answer 38

Muscle weighs more than fat. You're probably loosing fat and gaining muscle simultaneously, which would register as weight gain on the scale. Don't stress about it too much. The more muscle you have, the easier it is for you to loose even more fat. Sounds like you're doing great! Keep at it!  

Answer 39

Going through the exact same thing. Don't give up! It will pass. After two weeks of the gym (4 days/wk), the scale finally started moving in the right direction yesterday Drink lots of water (my trainer wants me drinking at least 2 litres a day), it will help. I notice that I retain more water if I drink my 2L the previous day.  

Answer 40

I work with a trainer lifting heavy weights. I can tell my metabolism is changing for the better and I’m losing weight AND inches.  

Answer 41

There are several reasons, most of them are to do with water retention, glycogen, and inflammation from exercise. All normal processes within your muscles, that will eventually even out. Just keep eating as directed by WW and the weight will start to go down again. There are several good articles that explain the science of it, just google! :)

Comments

@bergquist38 I did and got conflicting info.  

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@currey I understand, I wasn't saying that to be snarky. I was just saying if you google what I said, you will find the real science behind why it happens. Unfortunately posting here will also get you 100 different reasons why. My favorite being muscle weighs more than fat, which is silly. No one can gain 5lbs of muscle a week! :) 5lbs of water is easy though! Keep working out, it's a great habit, but I understand disheartening to see on the scale!  

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@bergquist38 oh no. I know you weren't snarky! Lol. Just explaining that I tried researching before posting. So much info you dont know what to believe!  

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@currey Isn't that the truth, my husband always says if you google anything you will get two different answers and he uses the analogy, "Carrots cause cancer and Carrots cure cancer. " there are lots of websites that claim both! :)

Answer 42

Of course your muscles are changing. Ask a professional not your family.  

Answer 43

I find that killing my workouts at the gym wasn't working how I thought it would. I started using the "fat burn" option on the treadmill and the elliptical and that made a difference. You feel like its slower (it is) but by moving your body and staying at a certain heart rate window, you increase your stamina and train your body to use stored energy sources (fat). This changed the game for me! Hope this helps.  

Answer 44

I was told only weigh once a week and always weigh on the same scale every time.  

Comments

@lawler I do.  

Answer 45

Best time to weight yourself is first thing in the morning right after you go to the bathroom. This is going to be a more accurate weight. If could have said that you were up 5 pounds depending on what you ate and drank that day. Try and use the same scale everytime and in the same spot.  

Answer 46

Don't give up. You are ROCKING this. Wish I wanted to go work out!  

Answer 47

I can fluctuate 3-5 lbs from day to night and it IS frustrating. I’d suggest weighing same time and taking measurements and check those monthly. When the scale doesn’t move but the inches are coming off it keeps my head in the game. Keep up the good work.  

Answer 48

When you do any exercise, your muscles get extra blood flow. If you weigh yourself after the gym, your weight will reflect the increase in blood volume. You should weigh 1st thing in the morning right after you empty your bladder

Answer 49

Please don’t let this flux get to you. You are doing amazing, and it’s not easy. Just stay the course and you will get back to the minus side in no time. Go girl!  

Answer 50

Muscle weighs more than fat.  

Answer 51

Muscle weighs more as one looses fat . Keep up your routine

Answer 52

Weight can change dramatically over days. Could be water, bloat, constipation, that time of the month, all types of things. Just don’t give up, the downwards trend is what’s important. Also, please don’t give up on exercise - it’s def not making you gain fat - and it has SO many health benefits. (Although, exercise only helps a little with weight loss - the food is much more important). Hang in there. Keep doing what your doing and I’ll bet your weight will still trend down overall.  

Comments

@arceliaarceneaux not giving up! Couldnt get to gym tonight do doing you tube fitness videos.  

Answer 53

If you have any soreness, that means you have inflammation. Inflammation consists of retained fluid. So yes, it can be from not only gaining muscle (which you are doing despite what your family says) and the water retention. Try to get in a gallon of water a day to flush the inflammation out.  

Answer 54

So when you work out, your muscles get tiny tears in them. (Which is why you need protein to heal them. ) Those tears fill up with fluid until the healing process is done, so you WILL retain water and your weight will go up. Keep doing what you are doing. It will all even out. Good Luck! ❤️

Answer 55

You all are the best cheerleaders! ❤❤❤

Answer 56

Different scales! Makes all the difference.