I have been on a new diet/exercise regimen for about a week now and I finally decided to check my weight. I know in a week's time I am not going to loose a huge amount of weight but when I stood on the scale I had gained 4 pounds much to my utter disappointment. The regimen includes increasing number of meals and decreasing meal size as well as at least 30 minutes on the elliptical (will build up to 1 hour). I'm usually a two-meal per day person - breakfast and dinner - both good portions. I have started a meal diary with calorie and fat counts and my smaller meals are about the same counts in calories and fat throughout the day as my 2 bigger meals were. I'm planning on sticking with it but it this a common occurrence? Do you gain weight before you lose it? I really only want to lose about 20-25 pounds. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Help, I'm so discouraged.
Livestrong.com is a great website that has a place to track your food & exercise, and also has a place that lets you plug in your height/weight and how much you want to lose per week - it will tell you what your daily caloric intake should be. I use it and love it!
Don't be discouraged, this is completely normal!! You're body is freaking out and trying to hold onto the fat. You could also be retaining water. Are you drinking a lot? With the heat and the new exercise, your muscles are probably dehydrated. It sounds backwards, but being dehydrated causes you to retain water. Drink a ton of water. Drink it often.
I usually gain 2-3 pounds when I first start working out . . . it's a pattern I've noticed.
I also do better when I don't eat after about 7 pm (no matter how many other calories I've eaten through the day).
My best weight loss comes after sustained weeks of resistance training. It takes me awhile to get started, but then - boom - I notice that my clothes are looser and I weigh less. It's a great feeling.
Hang in there and definitely keep tracking your food until you get a very good schedule down.
i agree with the other post on time of the month, night or day, after excersise...it all affects the scale. I would do first thing in the morning same day every week and not after you work out....see what next week says.
muscle weighs more than fat...if you are working out - you are adding muscle...next week - you will lose the fat...DO NOT GIVE UP....
Where are you in your monthly cycle? I always gain a few pounds of water weight in the days before my period.
I always gain before I lose. It is really frustrating. I think some people just put on muscle quicker than others, and muscle weighs.
