Fitter but heavier

[Donkey75]

Hi, I am in week 7, I feel fitter, but have put on a couple of pounds!

I weigh 16 stone and keen to reduce weight, not add it.

Any advice?

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Welcome.

Would you rather be that couple of pounds lighter and not have your new fitness level? I’d hope not. Very well done so far on the running plan.

Have you taken measurements? Often as we start to develop muscles you can see a loss in inches and a gain in weight... usually a couple of pounds here and there... this is because muscle is denser than fat. A tape measure, or the fit of your clothes will show you a bigger picture than the scales will.

Also, many new runners start to learn about hydration and having just a litre of extra water in your system than you used to have would be 2.2 pounds extra in weight... your entire gain in one bottle of water.

Whatever is happening, 2 pounds gained is expected and you are now fitter, stronger and healthier than before... which is more important than weight. Running won’t lose you much, if any weight... and it will continue to slow weightloss for a few more weeks/months until your muscles are fully developed and conditioned. After that running will continue to be a fat burner (1 pound every 35 miles) and a toner... combined with a good nutritional plan you’ll see that weight loss return to normal, and you’ll like what you see in the mirror far sooner than by diet alone.

Keep up the good work, you’re changing and extending your life.

[Donkey75 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Hi. Thanks and also appreciate your words. I didn’t take measurements, but have noticed that my shape is changing. So something is going on..

[Hidden in reply to UnfitNoMore]

"muscle is denser than fat" 👍

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Ive learned not to pay too much notice to the scales since I started c25k as my weight loss has slowed down but what you will notice as the weeks go on is the change in body shape. Keep at it the rewards come eventually , also watch what you eat good luck

[Donkey75 in reply to Buddy34]

Thanks and you are right, I have noticed the change.