Weight gain - water retention??

[kaza10]

I have been running approx 5k around 2 or 3 times a week. My weight has gone up by 4lb I have tried cutting back on food but it mad no difference, am now thinking it could be fluid retention - wondered if anyone else experienced this and how to treat it?

[Scarlett_K Graduate]

I wouldn't pay too much attention to the scales - my weight went down by 5lb overnight once and it's quite normal for there to be fluctuations. You might also be putting on muscle weight

[Nerdio Graduate]

I am no expert on this, but a lot of people have talked about not losing as much weight as they thought they might. In my case I initially lost a bit of weight, then stabilised, then went up a little.

The bottom line is, muscle is denser than fat, so if you lose some fat, and gain some muscle, you could end up the same weight, but 'smaller'. If you know what you mean. That meant for me, new shirts because the old ones were too baggy, and an extra notch on my belt.

So, has your shape changed? (you don't need to answer that of course, but you will know)

[stu1303]

I have the same issue but think it is my body adjusting to the new physical routine. What I have concentrated on is my ability to run further and faster. Started by struggling to run 1 mile in 14:min's I am now doing 3 plus 3 times a week averaging between 10:30 and 11:00 min miles, I have always said I do not want to focus on the weight I want to focus on the fitness and the weight will take care of itself.

[Oldgirl Graduate]

I agree with all that's been said and after all this C25K is a running program not a weight loss one. It will make you fitter, it will in some cases help with weight loss, more so if its combined with a weight loss program. It will teach you how to run. If you are still worried about your weight try the tape measure once every 3-4 weeks take your measurements, it won't lie.

Fluid retention can be helped too in eating strawberries, much nicer way than taking tablets, just miss out the cream though!!

[kt12345 Graduate]

I think that our bodies are programmed to run and so we actually do it more efficiently then we think. I found that I lost weight when I was running 20k plus a week. Part of this was due to exercise regulating my blood sugar levels so I ate less sweets and chocolate. I've had to have a week off because of injury and I've noticed that I have really craved sugary food and drink (and eaten it too!)

[NeverthoughtIwouldrun Graduate]

Having for the last year been on diets and been running sometimes both sometimes just 1 i notice my dieting has a lot bigger impact on my weight than running but i feel a lot better from running so keep it up but yeh if you want to loose weight concetrate more on what you eat than exersize in my opinion but ofcourse running is great and has far more benifits than weight loss