Don't loose weight when working out!

[helpamummaout]

Argh I've found this before! When I start going back to the gym I stop loosing weight. I've lost 3 stone so far and still some to go, but find when I start exercising it just comes to a halt. I know I shouldn't be bothered by the numbers on the scale but I can't help it! I feel better mentally and physically for being back at the gym so it's frustrating to let it get to me. Does anyone else find this? Or have any advice.
I calorie count, I was having 1,300 a day but found since going to the gym I was constantly snappy and hangry! So I've put them up now!

It could be you've put them up too much, or it could be you're gaining muscle, it's hard to tell. As you loose weight generally you need to slowly also reduce your calories too as it takes less to maintain uour new weight. How do your clothes feel on you? Are you physically shrinking? A tape measure is also important. I don't use scales at all, I only go by my clothes.

Generally eating back your calories if you're still trying to loose isn't the best idea. You still need a deficit.

Also it's easy to over estimate how many calories you burn off in the gym. Often things like fitbits or the equipment is not reliable.

Well I don't know if you've heard of "James Smith pt" but I used his calculator and people have been raving about him, I only upped my calories on Monday tbf and also stopped intermittent fasting so my body has probably gone into shock 😂. I should probably just hide the scales as my clothes feel good!

Have you considered not weighing yourself and measuring yourself in cms instead? I have just signed up to this- amyelisabeth.co.uk/30-day-challenge and she encourages you to take photos and measure various body parts instead so that might be worth trying. As you say ultimately the number doesn't matter so if you feel better try not to let it get you down!

Same happens to me, it slows right down. People often say muscle weighs more than fat so maybe there’s truth in that. Your body is adjusting - You’ll probably find you’ll have a big loss at some point.
Don’t give up - exercise is so good for your general wellbeing and MH - so long as you continue with calorie counting there’s no physical way you won’t carry on losing at 1300 per day (and I wouldn’t recommend going lower than that anyway - it’s no way to live and unsustainable).

People often say muscle weighs more than fat so maybe there’s truth in that

There isn't; you'd have to be packing on an awful lot of muscle for it to make a difference. A competitive bodybuilder will be at the peak of muscle mass at the time of a competition but will still weigh significantly less than they do off season

Thanks for your advice guys. I think I am going to put the scales away, weigh monthly rather than weekly and do pictures and measurements instead

You must be eating more calories than you think.

It is very common for people to eat more when they start working out, and they don't even realise all the extra calories they're taking in. If you're not losing, you're eating too much.

Fluctuations are completely normal. Watch this

It is a YouTube video about weight fluctuations during dieting by a guy Jordan Syatt who has loads of videos about his sensible realistic approach to weight loss.

Will watch that when I've finished work @everycowandagain thanks.

I'm tracking everything eat so I'm not over eating above my calories.

If you're doing James Smith, OP, you need to do it properly not just cherry pick the bits you like.

It's not just get your calories and crack on.
He states quite clearly the reasons scales don't work.
He also explains what will happen if you've been on poverty calories then start eating correctly again.

Maybe sit and watch the introduction videos again and read through the basics, otherwise you're just going to jack it in saying his theory doesn't work when it's you not understanding it correctly.

I've only just got the book yesterday. Someone recommended him to me that's when I got the app to look what he was about so I'm not cherry picking I just haven't read it yet.

When you start exercising two things can happen that can affect your weight. Your muscles hold onto more water while they repair (which can mask weight loss), also you get more hungry and eat more! You are extremely unlikely to be putting on enough muscle that quickly to affect your weight. It's a hard slow process for women to gain muscle - maximum of 1 pound a month (and that us lifting really heavy weights in a progressive weight training plan).

^this^

I work extremely hard to gain muscle (6+hours a week) and can only really put it on during a bulk (eating more than I burn). I did manage to gain a small amount of muscle while losing fat during a year of recomping at maintenance. But putting on large or even moderate amounts of muscle is not something that us ladies do easily.

But our weight can fluctuate for many reasons, after a new or hard workout we can gain water as our muscles repair. This gives our muscles a pumped look (which I love) but obviously also translates to the scales. (I have been known to put on 13lb in water weight with the combination of my first half marathon and time of the month). Time of the month also affects weight, I can gain and lose 5lb overnight

Thanks both of you for your replies! Very insightful. I've decided to just put the scales away for a while and carry on what I'm doing at the gym as I'm really enjoying it and don't want what the scales say to put me off.

I never weigh the day after a longer workout as I get fluid retention and I'm always disappointed. If you're working out a lot, you may have this. I would switch to measuring inches rather than pounds.

Good luck! Glad you're enjoying the exercise 😁

I do at least 3 sessions a week and walk the dog a lot too! Will start writing inches today. Thanks again for the good advice xx