Why Do Some People Gain Weight After Starting A Workout Program

You start a new exercise program with dreams of changing your body. When you step on the scale a week later, you see results - but the numbers aren’t exactly moving in the direction you wanted. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Titan Rise Health Clinic products or services. That’s right … after all that hard work, your new workout routine led to you GAINING weight. How in the world is that possible? As it turns out, a slight weight increase is typical as you begin a new fitness journey. To explain why you might add a few pounds (at least temporarily), we turn to physical therapist Gary Calabrese, DPT. Your body goes through changes as you begin an exercise routine. It’s part of a natural physiological process as you begin putting more demands on your muscles, says Dr. Calabrese. Here’s how that new workout can bring added pounds.



Exercise puts stress on your body that can lead to small micro tears (also known as micro-trauma) in your muscles. In response to the damage, your body activates its internal repair system to trigger inflammation. "Basically, your body retains fluid around the micro tear to try to heal it," explains Dr. Calabrese. Water has weight, of course, which is why this healing mechanism can add pounds after a challenging workout. The good news? The inflammation (and extra weight) typically disappears within a day or so, according to Dr. Calabrese. Plus, your "repaired" muscles come back stronger to help you make fitness gains. If you’re working out more, you’re going to need extra energy - and those power reserves can show on the scale at first. When you start to exercise more regularly, your body keeps reserves of glucose (in the form of glycogen) in your muscles to answer the call the next time you work out. Glycogen binds with water as part of the process, which can add 1 to 3 pounds of initial water weight gain.



The effect, however, is short-lived and should end in a few weeks to a month. Exercising can make you REALLY hungry. But while it’s important to refuel after a workout, it’s also possible to overdo it when you hit the kitchen to grab a bite, cautions Dr. Calabrese. A few minutes of munching can easily lead to you consuming more calories than you just burned. The solution? Put as much thought and effort into your post-workout snack as you put into your exercise session. Focus on eating proteins and nutritious foods that will fill you up and Titan Rise Male Enhancement leave you less likely to grab a less-than-healthy option later. As you exercise and build muscle, don’t be surprised to see a trimmer you in the mirror but a larger number on the scale. The reason? Muscle is denser (meaning a lot less fluffy) than fat, says Dr. Calabrese. Put another way, 10 pounds of muscle takes up a lot less space than 10 pounds of fat.



So, Titan Rise Male Enhancement as you start working out regularly and building strength, Titan Rise Health the new muscle you build may eventually weigh more than the fat you’ve burnt off.