Weight gain after starting running?

[PastaFasool]

Hi all, just looking for some advice.

I've been trying to lose weight, currently 80.5kg and 5 foot 5in, so quite overweight. I'm perimenopausal and find it really hard to shift the weight, but managed to drop a few kilos by calorie counting, eating more protein, cutting out alcohol, cutting back on sugar, etc.

I've recently taken up running again, as I'd also like to be fitter. The running isn't intended for weight loss, but I'd like to be less fat AND fitter.

However, after doing 3 runs of 3km this week (starting slow), I've noticed I've gained a kilo even though I've been sticking to the same calories for eating.

Could this be due to muscle / water weight? Or is it more likely to be that I need to be more careful with what I'm eating? I'm not planning to drop the running, just a bit disheartening to see a sudden jump up on the scales.

When I first started running my appetite massively increased and I really had to be firm with myself and track my calories to make sure I didn’t eat all that I’d burnt back - could this be similar for you? If not, then I would say that it’s a blip and just water weight that should settle.

Before anyone comes and tells you that exercise is only 20% and yada, yada, yada...

I'll start by saying that I started my running journey at 83kg and 5ft2, so bigger than you :)

Now, I never religiously counted calories, but reduced my intake (I never stopped drinking BTW) but did start running quite a bit (albeit gradually). In the end I lost around 33kg and was able to run a marathon within 9 months, and then a sub 4 within another couple of months.

To answer your question... It could be a million different things, but most likely your muscles are swollen and thus retaining fluid, eventually you'll get there :)

When I exercised often, I was a good bit heavier than I am these days but I was the same size. I don't think you'd be there right now though - it's probably just normal weight fluctuation. I am quite capable of gaining two pounds just from being awake for an hour.

I know you want to see the weight drop off, but I really recommend concentrating on gaining stamina and strength instead. The rest will follow if you concentrate on improving on your previous performance. You're better off judging your weight by how your clothes are fitting rather than your weight anyway, bloating notwithstanding.

Most likely exercise induced water retention

Thanks all. I won't jack in the running because I feel great for it, so I'll try hard to not eat more, and give it a few weeks to settle down.

Weight loss us SO slow for me since perimenopause so a kilo feels like a big jump, but I'll stick with calorie counting and keep running.

I started running in June and ran 3k or 5k three times a week. After a month I had lost 5 kg. I didn't change my eating habits but I don't generally snack and I don't like sweet things. Unfortunately I did too much and pulled two muscles on my left leg. It has taken several months them to heal. I am planning to start again after the streets are clear of snow. I have to be careful not to overdo it and to warm up and not to forget stretching.