Why have I gained 5 pounds, when i go to the gym 3 times a week and eat relatively the same as before?

Question

Around february of last year i began eating more responsibly, cutting out major calorie killers like cosmic brownies, hostess cupcakes, and poptarts. By being more aware of what i was eating i lost 30 pounds by the end of the summer.

For a little more than a month (september and some of october) i managed to only gain 3 pounds without being so strict on my diet.

I decided to begin to exercise, for about a month now i have been going to the gym 3 times a week, running for 20-30 minutes and doing a 30 minute nautilus circuit

I have now gained 5 more pounds

will i keep gaining or will i eventually end up loosing weight

my bmi has now shifted from healthy to risky


is the gym not for me?

Answer 1

If you're body is not getting enough calories, it goes into 'starvation mode' and holds on to the fat, thinking it may not be getting another meal. If you were eating a certain number of calories before and not gaining and now that you are excercising and eating the SAME amount, your calories should be increased.

Increasing your food intake might just be what your body needs. Increase using veggies first or some dairy or whatever you may be lacking. Don't forget all your waters, especially since you're
working out! Water retention? Have you also made sure that even if you're eating the same amount of calories, that you haven't increased your carbs to feel more full? Because that will put on the pounds instantly.

Answer 2

This is a question that would best be answered by a doctor who can see you. But here are two answers (from an uneducated person):

1. Your diet is going super, and the gained weight is actually muscle tissue (which weighs more than fat.)

2. All human bodies tend to appreciate routine. When you suddenly decided to go on a diet and start working out, your body (not being very smart) interpreted it as a famine and is storing up fat. But, as long as you keep up your diet routine, your body should get used to it and you will be healthier for your persistence.

Again, you are best off going to see a doctor for answers.

Answer 3

That is one thing a lot of people don't realize, don't always count on the scale- take measurements if you want to know if your losing weight. When your working out, you'll be gaining muscle, which always weighs more than fat. So you may be losing fat and not even realize it because your watching number on the scale. Measure your neck, waist, hips and thighs, and keep track of your measurements. That will tell you.

Answer 4

Worry not about weight...Fat is being burned. You gained weight because you are actually gaining muscle! Your exercise will cause a small gain in weight but you will begin to loose fat at a great rate. BMI does not matter nearly as much as your % Fat. Good Luck!

Answer 5

your body is going through a change by you going to the gym. your are probably gaining weight because you could be reatining water. a natural reaction to the body when put under different types of change.

also you could now be gaining muscle mass.
if you really serious about losing weight you should see your doctor. your body could be crying for help.

Answer 6

You're probably just not as toned as you were before. I'm sure you look fine, though! Just get back on track if you'd like :)

Answer 7

maybe its muscle.. Do you look like you gained five pounds? Or is that just what the scale says. Maybe ur just gettin toned.

Answer 8

you could be gaining muscle weight, muscle weight is twice as heavy as fat...so do it to tone up but not gain muscle unless that was ur goal to begin with

Answer 9

Muscle weighs more than fat.

Answer 10

mussel ways more than fat but is more defining and titer so you will look better.