Work out = weight gain

[lmdx0sleeved 14]

Hey everyone- I got authorized to start working out last week from my doctor. I'm three weeks post op and have been going to the gym every other day. I noticed a 1lb weight gain this morning. Now I'm worried if I keep working out, will it slow down my weight loss? Should I hold off for a bit? I'm also coming up on the 3 week stall so I'm just thinking about everything. Based on your experiences , what have you determined about working out?

[NMJG 1,266]

I started weight training in January and my scale losses almost stopped. Picked up a touch in February but still half my loss rate previous to that . However, I lost 2 dress sizes in two months so it does work.

[Andrew0929 1,101]

I started weight training in January and my scale losses almost stopped. Picked up a touch in February but still half my loss rate previous to that . However, I lost 2 dress sizes in two months so it does work.

This could be due to adding muscle of which weighs more than fat. If you're losing inches you're succeeding.

[PdxMan 4,292]

I guess the big question is are you wanting to lose weight or lose fat?

If you are wanting to lose weight only and do it rapidly, stop working out. You will lose A LOT of muscle mass and your fat will have lots of room to nestle itself.

If you want to lose fat and retain muscle, then work out and do it vigorously.

When you work out and begin toning/building your muscles, you are also allowing them to store glycogen more efficiently. When glycogen is stored in muscles, as opposed to the liver, it is stored with 4:1 ratio with Water. So, if you are able to store and additional pound of glycogen, then you are also storing an additional 4 pounds of Water, so you will have a net of 5 pounds. This is a good thing. This is one of the reasons people who work out feel they have so much more energy and they have such great endurance. Plus, you are helping you muscles instead of losing them to the cannibalistic process of weight loss.

When you lose weight, do you really believe it is all just fat? It is not. Fat and Protein contain the same number of calories, so as the body metabolises itself for energy, it is going to chose from both repositories. Working out will lessen the effects of muscle loss.

So, you choose what you want to lose. Fat or weight. I wanted to lose fat and so I worked out like a mad-man. Got to goal and have been maintaining for over 2 years now.

[CoffeeGrinDR 148]

Pdxman is right - you're holding on to Water to repair the muscle. I did the same freak out when I started working out. I don't want to look like I'm deflated so I plan to continue working out but it is psychologically a bit of a trip. Right now I'm just adding cardio and at my next milestone will put weight lifting back in. I have to remind myself this is about health and not the number on the scale.

Edited March 18, 2014 by CoffeeGrinDR

[lmdx0sleeved 14]

Well the thing is if I stop working out and just lose weight, it's possible to get a lot more loose and baggy skin correct??? I guess I just want the best of both worlds , lose weight and be toned

[PdxMan 4,292]

Well the thing is if I stop working out and just lose weight, it's possible to get a lot more loose and baggy skin correct??? I guess I just want the best of both worlds , lose weight and be toned

Then work out ... it is the best of both worlds.

Is it important to you to lose weight RIGHT NOW or in the long run? Let's look at it this way ... what would be better for you? After a year, you have lost 75% of your excess weight and had lost a little bit of muscle mass, or lost 75% of your excess weight and lose a lot of muscle mass? This is really the question. So many folks want immediate results and don't understand that to be truly successful at this sleeved life, it is a journey.

[GottaDance1 1]

I'm so glad I happened upon this topic. I had VSG on 9/4/13 and have lost 61 pounds. The last month = my weight has pretty much gone up 1lb. and down 1lb. It would be great if I were on maintenance!

I started working out with a trainer about 6 weeks ago. I will continue and keep watching my clothes get bigger even if the scales don't show a loss.

[pat fitz 44]

I just had my 3 month post-op check up. I have lost a total of 160 lbs. 65 pre-op and 95 post op. I do between 40-60 minutes in the pool everyday. Then go lift upper body 1 day. Lower body next day. Back and forth. The weight has slowed a bit. But clothes are bigger so I am losing inches. Plus I gained 7 lbs of muscle mass so it balances it self. My big concern was losing muscle mass and bone density. My team was amazed with the gain I had in muscle mass. If you put in the effort you will reap the benefits. It all takes time. Good luck on your journey..