One of the complaints I sometimes hear when people first workout is that they’ve gained weight, not lost it. There are a few reasons your workout causing you to gain weight. A few of those reasons are healthy ones and indicate you’re getting stronger and fitter. However, there are also reasons that simply means you’re putting on extra pounds and not in a good way. Let’s start with the good news, it might be that you’re gaining muscle tissue.
Perhaps the weight gain occurred because of increased muscle tissue.
We provide a well rounded program of workouts to improve your flexibility, strength, endurance and balance. When you do strength training, you’re bound to build more muscle tissue. Now consider that muscle tissue is denser than fat tissue is, so one cubic inch of muscle tissue weighs more than one inch of fat tissue. As you decrease the amount of body fat and build more muscle, you may gain a pound or two, while still losing inches. That trend won’t continue since the more muscle tissue you have, the easier it is to lose weight. Muscle tissue burns more calories for maintenance than fat tissue does.
Water retention could be part of the problem.
The amount you sweat affects your weight and so does the amount of water you retain. If you’ve just soaked a your workout shirt with sweat and then weigh yourself. Do get jubilant about that weight loss. You’ll probably regain it as soon you rehydrate. Water retention can also have an effect on your weight. When you consider that your body is over 65% water, up to 90 % for some people, you can see how both retention and fluid loss can have a big effect on your weight.
What you eat when you’re working out is one of the biggest causes of weight gain.
If you just workout, without considering your diet, you may find that permanent pounds are added. Why does that happen? It occurs because you’re eating more or eating quick energy foods, like high calorie candy bars or junk food. It’s easy to do, since working out often makes people hungry. However, the solution is also easy. Prepare for that hunger by having healthy snacks and working with our nutritionist on a healthy meal plan to avoid the weight gain.
- If you’re trying to get fitter, don’t worry about the scales initially. You’re changing your body’s fat/muscle composition, so you may even gain a pound or two. If you want to lose weight, include healthy eating with your workout program.
- Weight loss via sweating and dehydration isn’t a sustainable way to keep pounds off. Make sure you hydrate adequately. Good hydration can help boost your metabolism. Carry a bottle of water with you and sip frequently.
- Make sure you have alternative ways of measuring your progress. Check the number of inches you lost or take pictures wearing the same clothing and using the same angle and distance from the camera.
- At 180 Fitness, we’ll help you with both your nutritional program and workout program. Our personal trainers can help you get into shape faster and healthier, while also helping you lose weight.
For more information, contact us today at 180 Fitness