Needs some encouragement?!
As you know, if you've been reading this blog for even a short time, I am in the process of "learning to " run. I am running around 3 miles a day, skipping a day here and there to recover but I figure it's at least 15 miles a week or better. I'm also doing some weight training. In my mind (and it could just be in my mind) I think I look a little thinner but I can't tell by my clothes.PLEASE TELL me it's normal for the scale to say I am heavier!
Some of my readers HAVE to be athletic and have been through this before...weight gain before the loss. Please tell me I'm not a freak of nature and that I'm NOT gaining weight and getting fatter while working out. I feel like I'm running my literal butt off. I keep telling myself it's muscle but I need to hear it from somewhere besides my own head.
I will LOVE you for your words of encouragement and if they aren't encouraging, be gentle and I'll still love you.
Muscle weighs more than fat, so you could be "gaining weight" but not gaining fat. Your leg muscles are probably toning up nicely, which is probably what's causing the "weight" gain. Don't worry, you'll be fine!
ReplyDeleteI'm not running, but exercising every day, shredding with jillian, doing step aerobics, eating smart...and the scale HASN'T budged.
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain.
(hugs)!!!
Muscle weighs more than fat! Totally normal for the numbers to be higher than before. If your clothes are fitting better, then you're losing "weight." Measure in inches, not pounds! Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteI am going through the same thing right now. I have been working out for the past two weeks and about cried when I got on the scale on Sunday and had gained two pounds. I feel like I have toned but the scale doesn't reflect it. Hang in there though!
ReplyDeleteThe older I get the longer it takes for the scales to go DOWN- anything up to 3 weeks before they starting heading in the right direction. Remember too it is a lifestyle choice, not a quick fix.
ReplyDeleteToned muscle is more compact...and the scale often doesn't agree with lean muscle...you can look a lot thinner and wear smaller sizes even if the scale doesn't show a loss.
ReplyDeleteEveryone who posted is right. I'm a Pilates instructor, and often hear that the scale has gone up not down. Initially your weight will go up, it's muscle mass being increased. Through continued exercise and eating well, the fat will start to come off, and muscle will continue to increase. It is totally likely that on your scale you have only dropped 10lbs, but actually lost more than that in fat. You've just "replaced" some of the fat weight with muscle weight. See if your gym has a complimentary fitness evaluation included in your membership. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful for your blog posts, especially Mission 52. Thank you!
Oh this is exactly what happened to me when I started cardio and weights training! I got BIGGER and HEAVIER! I was horrified, but thank goodness it was just an adjustment period and the kilos started to fall off once I'd got a fitness routine established. Hang in there, it's just a small hiccup xx
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are increasing your muscle mass which is a good thing.. Muscles weigh more than fat and the more muscle weight you have the more calories you burn. You have probably lost fat and grained muscle. This is good! Keep going it is going to pay off for you.
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