Okay, so I have heard so many people complain when they are trying to lose weight. They say "I've been working out but I'm not losing weight fast enough" or "I'm gaining weight not losing, but my size is smaller". I have came to the conclusion that weight is just a number, and not what you look like. Weight reflects not only fat, but muscle as well. Working out makes you gain muscle, so if you think about it, you are losing fat and gaining muscle. I did a little research myself and found yet another reason one might gain weight when working out. According to a beach body website, when you work out, your muscles get inflamed and can cause extra weight on the scale until the inflammation goes down. It is also water weight caused by the inflammation. Interesting right? Yes, I know, I thought it was too!
http://www.beachbody.com/beachbodyblog/fitness/ask-the-expert-why-do-you-gain-weight-when-you-start-working-out
I might need to start working out to test this theory! (: haha. It is so easy to lose motivation when the scale is not showing any progress, so sharing this information is good for anyone who may be discouraged early in their workout journey! Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteI always thought that when you are working out, the number on the scale should just be dropping. I never thought about the things you may be gaining like muscle when you work out! I think that a lot of people have the mindset like me to think that working out should be dropping the number on the scale, so maybe they would be more motivated to continue to work out if they new the things like muscle gain, or water weight. Good post!
ReplyDeleteI like how you pointed out that it's muscle that you're gaining! I feel like not a lot of people realize that, & if they did, then they might even have more motivation to work out. It's also important to remember that not all of your weight is fat, like how you mentioned to remember water weight.
ReplyDeleteI have always been taught that exercising is important and that individuals should exercise for at least 30 mins, 3 times a week. However, that is easier said than done because my roommates and I say everyday that we're going to start working out and we still have not made it to the gym. I really enjoyed reading your post and I love the content that you provided about exercising. I also enjoyed reading about the theory you found as well. It got me thinking that maybe now when my mom says that it looks like I've picked up a few pounds, that maybe I can just convince her that I've been working out and it's just muscle LOL! Great post and thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteExercising is important because it clams stress, and help you maintain your health. If you workout consistently for 21 days, it will become a habit, which is a great habit to have. Working out takes time and dedication, you feel more motivated when you go friends. The content in your post was very good, I did not about inflammation of the muscles when working. Looking forward to your next topic.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about the inflammation of the muscles after working out. When people weigh themselves they need to remember that it isn't just fat being weighed, it's their entire body! I absolutely hate weighing myself and try not too because I have seen people stress about the number on the scale and I don't want that to be me!
ReplyDeleteI think people need to stop going off what the scale says and start going off how they feel. Sometimes people get to wrapped up on the number and they shouldnt
ReplyDeleteMelissa, I could not agree with you more about the number on the scale just being a number! This was m problem a few months ago. I bought a scale when I was doing a weight loss challenge and would stop on it like 10 times a day. I was obsessed with the number on the scale. It is a terrible thing to constantly worry about. I've stopped looking at number and started looking at my health overall.
ReplyDeleteI finally accepted the fact that weight is just a number and it is more important to be comfortable and confident in your own body. Muscle tends to weigh more than fat so if you really are gaining a lot of muscle then you may actually be losing fat but the scale just doesn't reflect that. Good post
ReplyDeleteThe scale is important in some ways. It's important not to be overweight, but you also do not need to obsess over what you look like.
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