Why Do You Gain Weight When You Start Working Out?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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A new exercise regimen puts stress on your muscle fibers. This causes small micro tears, also known as micro trauma, and some inflammation

. Those two conditions in your muscle fibers are the reason you may gain some weight.

Why am I gaining weight while dieting and exercising?

Body weight tends to fluctuate by a few pounds.

It depends on the foods you are eating, and hormones can also have a major effect on how much water your body retains

(especially in women). Also, it is possible to gain muscle at the same time as you lose fat.

Why am I gaining weight instead of losing when working out?


Glycogen Conversion

Glycogen has to bind with water in order to fuel your muscles. As exercise becomes more routine over time, your muscles will become more efficient and need less glycogen to maintain your energy. As that happens, your muscles will retain less water and you will see that added weight come off!

Why can’t I lose weight when I exercise and eat right?

One of the main reasons why burning calories through exercise may still not result in weight loss is due to

overexertion, or inflammation of your body

. If you exercise too hard on a daily basis, there is an excess of inflammation in your body. All the added up inflammation makes you gain more weight than lose.

Why have I gained 10 pounds since working out?


A new exercise regimen puts stress on your muscle fibers. This causes small micro tears, also known as micro trauma, and some inflammation

. Those two conditions in your muscle fibers are the reason you may gain some weight.

How long does it take to see results from working out 5 days a week?

You’re putting your whole heart and soul into the fitness regimen, going to the gym five days each week. You should be able to notice visible changes after about

two weeks

of training 5 days a week.

Why am I not losing weight when I barely eat?


Not eating enough calories every day also causes you to lose muscle tissue

. This loss of muscle weight may cause you to think your diet is “working,” but the loss of muscle tissue slows down your metabolism, soon stunting your ability to lose weight.

How long until you see results from working out?

Within

three to six months

, an individual can see a 25 to 100% improvement in their muscular fitness – providing a regular resistance program is followed. Most of the early gains in strength are the result of the neuromuscular connections learning how to produce movement.

How do u get rid of water weight?

  1. Reduce sodium (salt) intake. Share on Pinterest Water weight may feel uncomfortable and cause bloating or puffiness in the body. …
  2. Drink more water. While counterintuitive, drinking water can actually reduce water weight. …
  3. Reduce carbohydrate intake. …
  4. Supplements. …
  5. Exercise. …
  6. Water pills.

How many days a week should you exercise to lose weight?

How much weight you lose depends on the amount of exercise you’re willing to commit to and how closely you stick to your diet. If you really want to see results reflected on the scale and continue to make progress over time, you need to commit to working out at least

four to five days per week

.

How long does it take to start losing weight?

The first stage of weight loss is when you tend to lose the most weight and begin to notice changes in your appearance and how your clothes fit. It usually happens

within the first 4–6 weeks

( 1 ). Most of the weight loss in this stage comes from carb stores, protein, and water — and to a lesser extent, body fat.

Can a woman gain weight from working out?

“When you start exercising, your muscles start gobbling up fuel called glycogen,” says Krista Scott-Dixon, Ph. D., Director, Headspace Adjustment Bureau, Precision Nutrition. Since glycogen stores water,

you could gain up to 10 pounds in water weight alone

, says Scott-Dixon.

Why is my belly getting bigger with exercise?


Your muscles are retaining water

.

Newly strengthened muscles retain water, and for good reason. Weight training exposes muscles to stress to strengthen them, and the resulting soreness causes the surrounding tissues to swell until things calm down.

How do I know if my weight gain is muscle or fat?


When you gain muscle, you’ll notice that your muscles naturally look more defined and are more visible

, Berkow said. (To see your abs specifically, you’d have to also lose fat.) Your muscles would also be larger in size or feel “harder.” If you gain fat, you’ll notice more softness, she said, and you’ll gain inches.

How much weight can you lose working out everyday?

Working out every day for a month can enable you to lose about

4.5 lbs

., although the exact weight loss will depend on the type of workout and your weight. A well-rounded workout consists of aerobic activity, which you can do for one hour each day, and two days of strength training each week.

How long should I workout a day?

As a general goal, aim for

at least 30 minutes

of moderate physical activity every day. If you want to lose weight, maintain weight loss or meet specific fitness goals, you may need to exercise more. Reducing sitting time is important, too. The more hours you sit each day, the higher your risk of metabolic problems.

Is 1 hour of exercise a day too much?

According to a study published in the American Journal of Physiology, 30 minutes of daily exercise is just as effective for losing weight as 60 minutes.

How do u speed up your metabolism?

  1. Eat Plenty of Protein at Every Meal. Eating food can increase your metabolism for a few hours. …
  2. Drink More Cold Water. …
  3. Do a High-Intensity Workout. …
  4. Lift Heavy Things. …
  5. Stand up More. …
  6. Drink Green Tea or Oolong Tea. …
  7. Eat Spicy Foods. …
  8. Get a Good Night’s Sleep.

Why am I not losing weight if I only eat once a day?

Consuming only one meal every day may lead to weight loss in the beginning because

you are most likely consuming fewer calories than you would typically

. This can lead to weight loss, but over time it can slow your metabolism and lead to a plateau that can be difficult to break.

When should you weigh yourself?

Most researchers agree that it’s best to weigh yourself

first thing in the morning

. That way, you’re more likely to make it a habit and be consistent with it. Weighing yourself in the morning helps especially with age-related gains, which can be more difficult to control.

Will I lose weight if I exercise every day?

It isn’t bad to work out every day. Doing some form of physical activity each day is smart when you’re trying to slim down. But if you want to lose weight,

repeating the same workout mode, intensity, or duration day after day won’t work.

What are the stages of weight loss?

  • Phase -1 – GLYCOGEN DEPLETION. Glycogen Depletion: …
  • Phase -2 – FAT LOSS. This is the sweet spot for healthy weight loss. …
  • Phase -3 – PLATEAU. …
  • Phase -4 – METABOLIC RECOVERY. …
  • All the Phases of Weight Management:

Should you do the same workouts every week?



I recommend doing the same workouts for at least two weeks in a row

, and then you can change them up,” says Victoria. “The reason for that is because if you change workouts every single week, you will not be able to keep track of progressive overload and if you are truly increasing reps or weight from week to week.”

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.