Weight gain and exercise

[Mabelshouse]

After years of cardio I finally started using weights instead about 6 months ago. I mainly do body pump stuff but also some functional strength training, I’m the most toned I’ve been in years but I’m also the heaviest I’ve been in years. I am half a stone heavier than I would like to be. Is there any possibility that this could be due to the weight training?? I’m exercising 4 days per week and feel good but the scales say 11 stone which is top end of my bmi.

I think if you do any amount of exercise you need to go off body size and how your clothes fit as much as the number on the scales. As a woman it’s hard to build big muscles unless you lift seriously heavy weights (and probably take supplements) but it any weight training makes a difference. I’ve been tracking calories and exercise - the 10 days when I had covid I lost over a kg despite eating normally and doing no exercise. Since then I’ve gained most of it back yet I’ve averaged 12,000 steps a day, plus swimming and 3 weights sessions a week. I remember going to a hospital appointment and the nurse was shocked how much I weighted for my size. I’m definitely a smaller clothes size compared to when I weighed the same and didn’t exercise so much.

do your clothes fit the same, OP?

Yes my clothes fit. Still 12/14.

Yes I need to stop thinking about weight. I feel good and am more toned.

I would stop focussing on weight and if you are concerned, measure your waist, arms, thighs and hips.

I do lots of strength training and regularly measure my waist etc rather than just the scales.

Strength training is amazing and bring toned is great.