Why Have I Gained Weight Since Working Out?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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When you exercise regularly,

your body stores more glycogen to fuel that exercise

. Stored in water, glycogen has to bind with water as part of the process to fuel the muscle. That water adds a small amount of weight, too.

Why am I gaining weight when I’m eating less and working out?

A calorie deficit means that you consume fewer calories from food and drink than your body uses to keep you alive and active. This makes sense because it’s a fundamental law of thermodynamics:

If we add more energy than we expend, we gain weight

. If we add less energy than we expend, we lose weight.

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.

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 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.

Why can’t I lose my stomach weight?


Unhealthy eating is the biggest driver of big bellies

. Too many starchy carbohydrates and bad fats are a recipe for that midsection to expand. Instead, get plenty of veggies, choose lean proteins, and stay away from fats from red meats. Choose healthier fats in things like fish, nuts, and avocados.

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.

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.

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.

Can too much cardio cause weight gain?

According to Noah Abbott, a CrossFit coach in Brooklyn, prolonged, steady-rate cardio can deplete our body’s Triiodothyronine, or T3 hormone. This hormone is responsible for metabolism, and a depletion of this hormone can cause the body to go into a mode where it stores and gains more fat than usual.

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 can a big girl lose weight?

  1. Cut Down on Refined Carbs. …
  2. Add Resistance Training to Your Routine. …
  3. Drink More Water. …
  4. Eat More Protein. …
  5. Set a Regular Sleep Schedule. …
  6. Do More Cardio. …
  7. Keep a Food Journal. …
  8. Fill up on Fiber.

How long does it take to start losing weight after working out?

In terms of losing weight through exercise, he says people can start seeing results in

two to three weeks

. But he explains that if you want to keep the weight off, you’ll need a routine that progresses slowly and steadily instead of one where you’re going all out.

Do squats make your belly bigger?

You cannot spot reduce fat from anywhere on the body; it’s impossible. With that said, squats are such a good exercise for burning body fat and building lean muscle that

if you’re doing them regularly, you’re highly likely to start dropping body fat all over, including the belly and thighs.

How many times a week should I do cardio to lose belly fat?

To shed that stubborn belly fat, you should work your way up to 30 to 60 minutes of moderate-intensity activity

four to five times a week

. That sounds like a lot, and if you have a busy schedule, it may be difficult to find the time.

What part of the body is the hardest to lose weight?

As against areas such as legs, face and arms, our stomach and abdominal regions possess beta cells that makes it difficult to reduce the fats easily and lose weight in these areas. However, as per research,

belly fat

is the most difficult to lose as the fat there is so much harder to break down.

What causes a lower belly pooch?

Causes include

poor diet, lack of exercise, and short or low-quality sleep

. A healthy diet and active lifestyle can help people lose excess belly fat and lower the risk of problems associated with it. Noom helps you adopt healthy habits so you can lose weight and keep it off.

What causes big stomach in females?

For many women,

gaining fat in the stomach area occurs with age

. As you get older, your metabolism slows down and doesn’t burn as many calories. Menopause can also cause insulin resistance and lead to excess belly fat that is hard to lose with just diet and exercise alone.

How did I gain 3 pounds overnight?



After a heavy workout, especially if you perform big, compound movements that recruit a lot of large muscles, you can easily weigh a few extra pounds for several days

,” Fear says. Those microscopic tears that occur in your muscle cells after every workout heal through a process of natural inflammation.

How do I know if it’s water weight or fat?

You can compare your current body fat percentage to your body fat percentage one month ago. If the current one is more, then obviously you have gained fat weight and

if your body fat percentage is same or has decreased but you have gained weight, it is water weight

.

How can I reduce my stomach fat?

  1. Eat plenty of soluble fiber. …
  2. Avoid foods that contain trans fats. …
  3. Don’t drink too much alcohol. …
  4. Eat a high protein diet. …
  5. Reduce your stress levels. …
  6. Don’t eat a lot of sugary foods. …
  7. Do aerobic exercise (cardio) …
  8. Cut back on carbs — especially refined carbs.

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.

Why can’t I seem to lose weight?


When you don’t get your ZZZs, it can make it harder to lose weight

. Your metabolism may slow and you won’t burn calories as fast as you’d like. You may also have less energy when you don’t get enough sleep. That makes it harder to exercise.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.