Just started Caroline Girvan and I've put on weight - normal?

[Stumpedasatree]

I am a regular runner for fitness and have just started incorporating some weights following CG's youtube workouts - probably around 30 mins 2-3 times a week. I am pretty sure my diet has remained the same - possibly slightly hungrier with the addition of weight training. But my weight has increased in the last week by approx 2kg /4.4lb! Is this normal? I don't really want to put on any weight.

Muscle is denser than fat so the number on the scales may go up but you shouldn't be bigger. Do your clothes feel the same?

Hang on - in a week?
Sounds like water retention.

It’s water retention.

Temporary inflammation as your body repairs muscles.

I had to give up Caroline G because of having fairly major surgery and the water weight came off. Hoping to start again soon. I recovered quickly and I’m sure it was because of her.

Well maybe a week and a half! Ok, water retention I can live with. My clothes feel the same but noticing muscle changes.

It will revolutionise your running, yes the scales may go up (water weight initially and then because muscle is denser than fat) but I've found that I'm so much stronger running now I've started weights alongside. Lots of single leg work is good eg lunges

@TheFutureIs this is the goal, and great to hear! How long have you been doing weights for?

About a year or 2 and been running about 4 years. Still not exactly where I want to be with my body but the changes are noticeable and my pace has significantly improved

@TheFutureIsthat's fantastic! I have been running 8 years or so, have done several half and a few full marathons. I have a very slim runner's build although my legs are lightly muscled as I do a lot of trail running and hills, but I don't really want to noticeably bulk up as I feel that may slow me down? I just want to be stronger.

I'm the same, run ultras but want to be stronger!

@Ninacampbelltiled same - and I wouldn't mind being a bit faster and finding the dreaded hills easier too!

I'm not a runner, but I've been doing Caroline's programmes for about three years. The increase in my fitness has been truly phenomenal.

At the time I was about 6-8 lb overweight. These days I'm still about 2 lb 'overweight' on paper - but I am actually leaner than I used to be. And all my old clothes fit again. So go by your tape measure, not your scales!!

I have defined muscles and strong shoulders, but I haven't 'bulked up'. Moreover, because my core is now really super strong - and I've got abs!! - both my posture and my stamina are much improved.

@PaminaMozart that sounds promising! I always hated weight training previously and would avoid it, but CG is quite addictive. The only thing I don't really like is the mat work.

Substitutions are allowed! Just do something similar, but upright if you dont like the mat stuff. I HATE Bulgarian lunges and often do something sedate like leg circles instead!

Though doing core/abs exercises and planks is ultimately very rewarding. I can lift heavier and do more reps because of my strong core. I do Caroline's Braced Abs & Core about once a week. Plus my daily Bowflex plank. Or Caroline's 15-minute plank when I'm in the mood.

Ooh thanks for the recs, I shall look those up when I feel in the mood to throw up! I have no idea even what a Bowflex plank is..?

Here you go

I weight train (low reps, high weights - often my bodyweight eg pull ups). It is very hard for women to build muscle - for most women it is a long, slow process. So any weight gain is likely to be temporary changes because of water retention etc. When I started, I was also REALLY hungry and needed to eat a bit more to fuel my workouts.

Over time, my body adapted, my weight has been more or less stable for years now (varying by about 2/3 kg up and down) but I have increased my strength and my body shape has changed. I think with strength training, you play the long game. If you are eating sensibly, enjoying your workouts, sleeping well, feeling good, and seeing strength gains, then don't worry about minor fluctuations on the scales.