Why did I suddenly gain 10 pounds?

[Anonymous]

I graduated from college in May and got a full-time job. During work, I'll usually eat lunch that consists of chicken/beef and vegetables. I try to avoid snacks and other unhealthy foods as much as I can. After work, I try to go to the gym 3-4 times each week. It's been 3 years since I've been to the gym cuz of the pandemic. At the gym, I would usually run 10 minutes on the treadmill, then do lifts, and do exercises that are good for having a flatter belly. Back in May, I checked my weight to be under 120 pounds. During college, I've been able to mainly maintain my weight. Sometimes I lose a pound or 2 as a result of the constant walks I take to my classes on campus. However, when I checked my weight last week, I literally weighed 130 pounds. How is this possible? Am I gaining weight cuz I haven't been to the gym for a long time? Or is it because of my eating habits?

[BoopBoopBeep]

FIrst off, you didn't suddenly gain weight it was over three years. Secondly no exercise targets a flatter belly. You can build abs and still be stuck under 4 inches of fat. It's only cardio that's going to burn significant fat and that doesn't target specific areas of the body. If you're eating the same amount as you did when you were working out, but now you're not working out, that's why you put on the weight.

[stepyo99]

Probably a little of both. As long as you're still in a healthy weight range, it's not a big deal, but you should still try to eat right and exercise at least a little regularly.

[exitseven]

You might be building muscle since muscle weighs 8 times what fat does per unit volume.

[Staximus]

There's no reason you can't go to the gym or go for a walk. Covid is over. Stop being a chicken.