Gaining Weight While Exercising? Here is Why

Being menopausal really stinks some times. Not only do we have to fight everyday against what our body is doing and how it is changing, but sometimes even that does not cooperate!

Exercising on a daily basis is important; we know that. But when we exercise and then still show a weight gain, that is frustrating!

Believe it or not, this type of weight gain is usually a good weight gain. Of course, if you are eating more than you should be then this could be a part of the cause.

The good news is, however, if you are gaining weight simply because you are exercising more then you can expect the weight to come off over time, so be patient and stay the course. Drink more water and keep on doing your thing

But why does our body hang on to weight like it does, even when we are exercising more? Here are some reasons.

Gaining Weight While Exercising? Here is Why

When first starting an exercise program, your body goes through many changes. One of them is called adaptation. If you have gone from a sedentary lifestyle to a more active one by exercising, your body might be storing more glycogen, which it uses as energy to fuel your cells.

Glycogen is made up of glucose and water at a rate of one-part glucose and three parts water.

So how does this affect your weight? The average person carries about 15 grams of glycogen per kg of body weight. If we do the math, we see that a 200-pound person would carry about three pounds of glycogen.

However, when you bring exercising into the mix, the actual amount of glycogen stored can increase by quite a bit, which will show up as a weight gain. But, as your body adjusts to its new lifestyle, this excess weight will come off.

Building Muscle? It can Cause Weight Gain Too!

Another part of adaptation that can cause weight gain are the small tears which occur in muscle fibers as a result of exercising. These small tears are called “micro-trauma”. While small, they do cause inflammation in the body.

As part of the healing process, white blood cells are directed to the affected area. This can cause swelling until the tears are healed. These small tears are what cause you to be sore after your first few exercise sessions.

Another reason for weight gain is you are gaining muscle. Because muscle weighs more than fat, as you lose fat and gain muscle, your weight might actually show more on the scale, but in reality you are getting healthier.

The Scale is Only One Indicator of Healthy Changes

The number on the scale is only one indicator you should watch as you are exercising. But most people put way too much faith in that number. It can fluctuate a lot on a daily basis depending on what is going on inside your body. So only weigh yourself once a week or less.

A better indicator for your weight loss success and your dedication to a healthier you is measurements. Make sure to measure yourself weekly or every other week. You will really see the progress that you are making and not be hung up on the number on the scale!