Nothing can frustrate a person more than starting a fitness routine, only to find they are gaining weight. That was the case for me when I began my journey of a healthier lifestyle.
I remember after nearly a month of exercising at least 30 minutes most days, the scale was going the opposite direction than I expected. At one point I was in near tears…until I started doing some investigating and uncovered several possible reasons.
One reason for gaining weight is that you are putting on more muscle. We automatically assume the weight gain is fat but muscle is much denser. What you should really be looking at is if you are losing inches.
That’s why I always encourage people to start off their fitness program not only indicating what their current weight is, but taking measurements of their arms, chest, abdomen, hips, thighs and calves. You will likely notice that the inches come off first and eventually the weight will.
Of course, this isn’t the only reason. It could be that while you may be exercising, you are also eating too many calories. In fact, you may find that you get hungrier more often now that you are active. It’s a good idea to keep track of the foods you are eating, so you can know how much in calories you are actually consuming.
On the other hand, eating too few calories can also cause weight gain. That’s because your metabolism will slow down. So you need enough calories to sustain the amount of activity your body is now engaged in.
Finally, remember that results take time. Just as we don’t become overweight overnight, we won’t lose it right away. Your body has a lot of adjustments to make.
However, it could be a thyroid problem or another medical condition. It’s a good idea to make sure you receive a thorough medical examination whenever you start a new fitness program.
Related Articles:
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Measure Your Inches Not Your Weight
Gaining Weight Due to Water Retention
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