I'm working out and now gaining weight? wtf?

[Anonymous]

I started working out hardcore about one week ago so in total 2 weeks of this. I'm doing 5 days a week of cardio including some lower body resistance stuff (squats, lunges, and leg raises) and then upper body free weights (doing 5 exercises with 7.5 lbs dumbells) And now I'm noticing my belly is getting fatter which unusual b.c. the place where I gain weight first is my hips. But anyways I'm weighing myself eating properly... around 1250 calories a day and yet I'm gaining weight? I drank tea 30 min after I workout today (is that something I should avoid). Any ideas if this is normal or can I do something different... kind of worried I'm doing kickboxing, zumba and running.

[WeaponZero]

1. Muscles in a state of repair from a recent high intensity workout retain water. In other words, you bloat while recovering from a workout.

2. You can not gain muscle on a calorie deficit beyond initial stimulus to previously untrained muscles ("Noob gains.")

3. 1250 Calories is NOWHERE NEAR enough for an active person. Only a sedentary girl who is already very small should be eating that little. I strongly advise you to use this calorie calculator link to find out how much you should be eating. The number it says for BMR? That is a number you should NEVER EVER EVER go under otherwise your metabolism begins to slow and you could be putting yourself more at risk for injury during workouts. Treat the calorie goal it gives you like a goal to meet, NOT a ceiling to stay under.

[Asker]

My doctor told me that I wasn't loosing weight because even at 1600 calories (before) was too much, even myfitnesspal told me to eat that much but I've been to so many docs who refuse to increase my thyroid meds and say that's not the issue because the blood test is in the right right or whatever. Sigh guess I'm Ill just live with being fat, I try so hard it f***ing sucks.

[WeaponZero]

First of all, very few doctors know anything at all about nutrition. It's actually a completely different specialization than what doctors go for. For nutrition advice you should seek a dietitian, NOT a doctor. And no, you don't have to live with it. But you do have to educate yourself a bit more on the actual science behind fitness, and how things work. Many people, especially girls, only know what myths tell them, NOT actual science.

[Theguyoverthere]

Check online for a "calorie calculator" and input your stats there. It'll give you an idea of how much of a calorie deficit you should be in. You could throw in a quick ab workout because those are designed to burn fat by being quick(5 min). The stomach is usually the first place fat is stored but also the last place the body takes fat from so that is annoying. Also, check the nutrition facts on the back of EVERYTHING for "Calories from fat." That is very key. A calorie is not just a calorie. I don't think tea is bad. But I know sugar is something to always avoid. You're already active so I won't recommend any advice there.

[Asker]

Yes, I use myfitnesspal and check ingredients too. Monitor my fat intake and make sure I'm not eating "empty calories". I'm a vegetarian though so I don't know if my weight gain has anything to do with that.

[Anonymous]

You are probably gaining muscle and muscle weighs more than fat.

[Asker]

can you really gain muscle with doing about 40 min of free weights a week:S and those free weights are only 7.5 lbs

[Opinion Owner]

yeah... you seem like you are doing a lot as well. Either way, it will all even out so don't worry :)

[Anonymous]

well you might be getting more muscle from the kickboxing.

[Asker]

kickboxing can do that... k imma google it lol

[TheGoodTheBadTheHOT]

A great bit of advice when it comes to exercise; don't do it by weight, do it by how you look.

This is for a number of reasons:

1 - muscle weighs more than fat. If you gain equal mass of muscle to the mass of fat you lose then your weight will go up.

2 - you bodyweight can fluctuate quite dramatically during the day and over the period of the week. This is mostly due to water retention and your digestive process.

[NotJustAnotherGuy]

..if you gain equal mass to the amount you lose, you stay the same weight.. or they are not equal in mass. one + (-1) = 0 just a quick FYI. lol

[TheGoodTheBadTheHOT]

Ugh, I know that. I typed this at 1am, was slightly tired haha.

[Anonymous]

It must be that there's something wrong with your diet.

[Anonymous]

I guess its because of the kickboxing giving you muscles.

[quietvixen17]

lower your calories.

[WeaponZero]

No. If she's already eating 1250 that's probably already too low given her activity level.