Running and gaining weight?

Question

Help! I started running 3 weeks ago about 4-5 times a week and about 3-4 miles each time. It's more exercise than I am used to and I think I am firming up but I am gaining weight. I am eating healthy and drinking water so I don't think it's that. How long before I start to see a weight loss? How long did it take you guys? Thanks!

Answer 1

Don't worry. You are building muscle mass. Muscle weighs more than fat. But a pound of muscle burns 35 - 50 calories more per day.
It really depends on your fat percentage how fast you will start to lose weight. It took me a good few months but I was already rather thin.
Keep up the good work though it will pay off, don't pay too much attention to your scales and don't weigh yourself too often.

Give your body some time to adjust.

Answer 2

Be patient. 3 weeks isn't very long. 3-4 miles 4 to 5 times a week is good, but its not so much that weight is going to fall off you in a big hurry.

Lets estimate 100 calories per mile, 16 miles a week. If you ate EXACTLY the same as you did before, you would lose a bit less than a pound every two weeks.

If you were hungry after your runs and added a little snack, you might well gain weight, as you apparently have.

Answer 3

could you be bloated?

it sounds like you need to monitor your food intake, because you could be overcompensating for the calories you've burned exercising. it's a common problem, as people often get hungrier when they start a dramatic exercise routine that their body is not used to.

Here are some tips:
- write down everything you eat and drink in a day (try to keep slightly above or below 1500 calories), do this for a week or until your weight goes down.
- drink plenty of water
- talk to your doctor
- don't give up if the weight doesn't come off a quickly as you'd like, just keep it up and you'll see results eventually
- if you can, work with a trainer or nutritionist
- if you feel faint or tired while running, slow down and walk. make sure you're eating enough, and getting the proper nutrition so that your health will not be compromised.
- do squats and lunges on your off days to strengthen your knees, as running can do a lot of damage to your joints.
- you may want to incorporate walking into your life. it burns calories, it's not really harsh on your joints, and it can build your endurance.

good luck.

Answer 4

It is different for everyone, but give it another couple of weeks...and do not get so attached to number on a scale....how do you look and feel. 15 to 20 miles a week is good mileage. You will be fine and healthy no matter what the scales say...Measure your waist now....and again every couple of weeks...this will show exactly what is happening. Also when you weight yourself, only do it once a week, on the same day and roughly at the same time...this will give you a better idea about your true weight each week.

Answer 5

Are you counting calories? You need to know what you are putting into your body. "Eating healthy" means you are eating the "right" things but maybe not the right amounts. You need to determine what your basal caloric requierments are to maintain your current weight. Then in order to lose a pound a week you need to either exercise or cut 500 calories a day from that number. Go to www.dietitian.com to determine your base number. Then go to http://exercise.about.com/cs/fitnesstools/l/blcalorieburn.htm to figure out how many calories your burning by running. This is a VERY rough estimate and I would search for a better one that takes into consideration age and the terrain but it will get you in the ballpark. Also, are you raising your heart rate while running? What's your base heart rate? In order to burn fat you a 30 year old needs to raise thier heart rate to 115-130bpm for an extended period. Running + Eating Healthy + Water != Weight Loss (always). Read up and figure out what you need to do a littel knowledge will help you out a lot.

Answer 6

While your running, your obviously burning calories. THat is one of the keys to losing weight. Along with drinking ALOT of water and eating healthy.
But, although your eating healthy it might be what you are eating and when you are eating it. Foods with excessive sugars and carbohydrates will practically cancel the calorie buring you are doing. If your eating right before bed and missing a healthy breakfast will affect your weight lose goals as well.
Finally, your body will adapt to the running. You may need to ocassionally change the lenth of your run, maybe add weights to your ankles or try another aerobic exercise. Changing all the time will not allow you body to adapt as easly. This will demand your body burn the calories you need to burn to lose weight.

Answer 7

I depends on if your just going by the number on the scale. If you're building muscles in your legs and other areas from running and this is replacing fat, then the scale would reflect a weight increase. You can use other markers for improvement such as how your clothes fit, your fitness improvement, and just the fact that you're doing something good for yourself and your body. If you want to check to see how many calorie you need, go to www.mypyramid.gov and then record the amount of calories you eat on www.fitday.com. This may give you a better indication of your diet.

Answer 8

if you are running above your aerobic zone than your building muscle and not helping your body lose the fat or burn it.vigorous running will build leg muscles and hence increase your weight overall.buy a polar watch and try and run in your aerobic zone-depends on age+fitness level+body mass index..

Answer 9

continue with time u will see the result.

Answer 10

you might not be losing weight because your fats are becoming muscles which is actually heavier