This is a question I get asked every week from clients and friends. It is important to know that this doesn’t happen to everyone, but can definitely be frustrating for those that see it happen. The key thing to remember is that this isn’t real weight gain or body fat, but rather temporary water weight due to inflammation. Give your body some time to adjust and it will pass.
If this has already happened, or you want to help prevent this from happening, there are a few things you can try. Of course, keeping your diet healthy and allowing for adequate rest and recovery will help speed up the inflammatory phases of recovery, but the main key is to keep going! If you are new to fitness, or trying out a new workout, there’s going to be a lot of adaptation going on and therefore a noticeable level of inflammation and soreness. After a few weeks it will subside!!!
One other situation I’ve seen pretty often is that because you started a new workout regimen, you think you are hungrier and are therefore eating more. Unfortunately this can mean that you are putting on fat. Following a meal plan that includes healthy foods that promote fat loss is the key to seeing weight loss. Exercise does burn calories, but it also releases a hormone that promotes hunger, so being aware of your calorie intake is crucial.
Of course we all know that exercise is such an important part to any weight loss plan. And you should be so proud of yourself for adding fitness into your life. Before you freak out and quit your new workout routine over the number on the scale, remember that just because you gained weight, it doesn’t mean you didn’t lose fat. You have to measure your body fat if you want to know what is really going on. Measuring your percentage of body fat will tell you how much of that weight gain was lean body mass and how much of it was fat. Your scale won’t do that. You can easily use body fat calipers at home to check your percentage of body fat, or find someone who can test your exact numbers using an InBody Scale.
Don’t let weight gain discourage you as you begin your new exercise regimen. Continue eating healthy and drinking water, and before long your sweat sessions at the gym will start showing up on the scale!
Live Fitt!…Be Fitt!