gaining 5 pounds from gym?

[vitaminc]

kay, either i ate a little too much this week or i mustve been gaining muscle.
ive been going to the gym for about 1 1/2 weeks straight now every day for about 1 and 1/2 hours per day. i've been eating right and only cheated once but it was very minor. it was just one oatmeal cookie,.

[fluffyman]

Going to the gym for 10 days in a row, working that hard, can definitely cause significant muscle weight increase. You are building muscle, which is more dense than fat and is metabolically active. Also, that much working out, especially if you haven't in a while, can cause your muscles to hold extra water weight as the muscle fibers heal from exertion (that's how they grow). While the cookie didn't help - probably knocked you out of ketosis or at least slowed it down- the working out is probably the major reason you gained. In the long run, this new muscle will help you burn more calories and fat per day, even at rest.

Keep up the good work!

[chinadoll]

That cookie might very well have thrown you out of ketosis in which case if you are eating substantial calories they are going to stop you dead. This is why people gain so fast when they get off track. Back to induction is the only way to restart the fat burning machine.

You may also be retaining some extra water. When you strain the muscles, the body sometimes cushions the areas with fluid, that will show on the scale.

If you are hungry, eat! But make sure it isn't something loaded with starch and sugar like even one cookie. You turn off the body chemistry that is allowing you to lose. The best advise is to read the book and understand the process. That one cookie with this way of eating is a lot bigger deal than just 50 calories. One cheat like this can take three days to get you back into ketosis. It just isn't worth it.

[vitaminc]

i thank everyone for their replies. and yes, im starting back on induction again today. i just didnt think i'd gain that much weight from going to the gym. i was actually startled.

[chinadoll]

I can gain that much overnight, and have done so many times. It is usually water. Sometimes it will hang on for a week before I drop back down. One thing about Atkins, your weight does not necessarily come off steadily. Mine jumps up, down and all around. Don't lose faith. You will lose. Best alternative is to weigh in weekly or every other week. If you can't stay away from the scale, then give it three months of tracking to see if you notice a pattern.

My own pattern is I will drop 3-4 pounds then be right back up where I was (or even a little higher) the next day. My body clings to the higher weight for a week or so and then I will drop back down those three pounds to stay. It is bizarre, but it has happened often enough that I don't freak out anymore. Usually a dip like that is encouraging because I know I will be there soon enough. Hope this helps

[SunnySmile501]

Even competition body builders only put on 5 to 8 pounds of muscle in a YEAR. You probably are holding a lot of fluid from stressing your muscles as well as the cookie cheat. When you stress the muscles, your body bathes the tears with fluid to heal them. As you build yourself up physically, your body won't need as much fluid to heal the sore muscles.

Don't ruin the good you have achieved by eating cookies and junk foods. Find something very special, but legal, for a treat when you want to cheat.

Sunny!