Losing weight does not necessarily result from exercise. Furthermore, getting fitter doesn’t always translate into a smaller weight. Weight increase following a sweat session is very natural, despite the fact that it may be discouraging to some. Numerous factors, including hormones, constipation, and even the type of food you eat after working out, might contribute to this prevalent condition. Here are some explanations for why you might be experiencing that weight gain.
1. Water holding
Your weight is significantly influenced by the amount of water in your body. For instance, what many people mistake for weight reduction is really just sweat-induced water loss. A greater score indicates that you are retaining water. Evidently, the quantity of water weight can alter your weight by up to 10 pounds! Diuretic diet drinks are popular online because they drain water out of your system without actually helping you lose weight.
2. Different types of body mass
Your scale mass is more complicated than just your body weight. Bone, fat, muscle, connective tissue, air, urine, intestinal gas, blood, lymph, and the brain are all combined in an unusual way. The complicated mass resulting from all of these elements may change right after a workout. It could change depending on your level of hydration or how inflamed your muscles are after working out.
3. Fat is less dense than muscle.
Having muscle can be more attractive than having a slim body. It gives the look of health and adds strong curves. Some of us put on muscle more quickly than others due to genetics. Additionally, the weight on the scale increases if we put on muscle. You can most definitely be reducing body weight while your scale weight increases at the same time, so it isn’t a sign that you’re “bulking up.”
4. Changes in hormones
As we previously explained, hormonal shifts frequently result in water retention, which is a primary factor in temporary weight gain. This is completely normal because pre-menopausal and menopausal women may suffer swings in body weight throughout the month. Women who are bloated before or during their menstruation experience the same thing. Water retention is also more likely to occur if you indulge in high salt foods during your period.
5. Muscle damage
Our muscles become inflamed after exercise. This is especially valid for people who lift weights. When that muscle tissue is harmed, a mending process starts, allowing the muscles to expand and become stronger. A buildup of white blood cells may result from this temporary structural damage to muscle tissue, which may manifest as weight gain after exercise. You can know that this is most likely happening to you if you experience soreness the day or two following an exercise.
6. Supplements
Gaining weight after working out can also be brought on by supplements or poor nutrition. Since exercise depletes our bodies of glycogen, we frequently refuel with carb-heavy beverages after a workout. While carbs do aid in recovery, for every gram of glycogen our body stores, three grams of water are retained. Creatine may lead to fluid retention as well.
7. Foods with fiber
if you frequently replenish with foods high in fiber after working exercise and eat a diet rich in these foods. The colon retains water as a result of fiber. Stool weight can also be increased by insoluble fiber. While you should by no means avoid fiber, you should be aware that it may cause you to gain weight before your stool is passed.
8. More cellular energy
Water retention is another way that the body’s process of supplying energy to developing muscles might cause us to gain weight. Energy comes from the conversion of glycogen into glucose by muscle cells. Your body starts to store more and more glycogen when you workout frequently to support that intensity. As part of that process, glycogen must bind with water, which initially may add a small amount of temporary weight. Muscles won’t require as much glucose once they’ve adjusted.
Does it merit our attention?
In the end, these little swings don’t represent your overall fitness progress and are of no concern. Your success shouldn’t be tracked or defined by a number on the scale. Because people are complicated, being lighter does not automatically translate to being healthy.
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