Gaining weight whilst running?

[Speedydonzalez]

Is it normal to gain weight whilst running? I seemed to have toned up and not changed my diet , though now doing dry January, but had a bit of a shock when got on the scales?? I've been doing about 4.5 -5k 3 X a week?

[Ibis3 Graduate]

Muscle is denser than fat, so this is pretty normal, I think. I also found when I started running that I was a lot hungrier and started eating more, but that leveled off eventually.

[Hidden]

It is a weird one but yes to agree with Ibis3 muscle mass weighs heavier than fatty tissue 👍

[Hidden]

Ive been running for 3.5 years now. I weigh a little less, but not much. However, I take up MUCH less space. So I’d advise binning the scales and taking measurements instead. 😃

[Speedydonzalez Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply, I thought it was strange as I've lost 3" off my waist!!

[Hidden in reply to Speedydonzalez]

The first science homework I had at secondary school was ‘which weighs more, a ton of lead or a ton of feathers?’

Muscle is denser than fat so whilst they weigh the same, muscle is more compact.

Enjoy your new compactness!

[Frenc Graduate]

I think it can be relative. I’m used to going to the gym 5x a week to do weights, but in tier 4 this is no longer possible. For work I would naturally walk about 5 miles a day - getting to and from, and at work. We’re closed at the moment. So even with running 3x a week, I don’t expect my body to look the same or necessarily lose weight. BUT! I can run for 28 minutes straight, and that’s wonderful. Happy 🏃‍♀️😀

[nowster Graduate]

I've toned up and also lost some weight. At the start I did gain weight, though. There are several factors that contribute to that: better hydration, micro-inflammations causing muscles to retain more fluid, adding muscle without burning the fat.

I'm now approximately at a weight I'm comfortable with, having lost some inches at the waist. From this point on any weight gain is probably going to be from adding on some muscle.

There remains some visceral (core) fat, something guys are more prone to, that I'd be happy to shift for health reasons.

What does help is reducing the calorie intake slightly, and I mean slightly, by cutting out the little extras like sweeties, cakes and biscuits. You don't want to make a drastic change to your diet and put your body into starvation survival mode. That's counter-productive and can ultimately lead to weight gain. Avoid sugars, processed fats and excessive salt.

My job is sedentary, sat in front of a computer all day. And with lockdown the small amount of activity associated with commuting, etc., that I did get was denied me.

There are genetic factors involved too. I used to be a "eat anything, never put on an ounce" person when younger. Running has restored that to me.

[FreedomToRun Graduate in reply to nowster]

Great post. Really helpful.

[FreedomToRun Graduate]

I remember it was inches that went quite quickly. By the end of the programme I got lots of comments. But weight not so much, maybe a kilo or so. To be fair I didn’t really change my diet. Overall I looked fitter and jeans looser!

Sounds like this is normal from what everyone has said.

[nowster Graduate in reply to FreedomToRun]

Yes, exactly the same for me.

It actually went from my face first. People started saying "You're looking well!" unprompted.

Then I noticed that I was using a notch on my trouser belt that hadn't been used for a while.

[Cmoi Graduate]

I started running in mid-May 2020 and initially gained weight. It then levelled off, after which I lost weight very gradually, about a kilo a month. I found I was less prone to comfort eat, so that played a part too. I'm currently 6 kilos lighter than I was at this time last year (that's a loss of near enough 10% of my starting weight) and much more toned.

[FreedomToRun Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

Exactly what I found. Toning was big. But you lose it too. I sort of gave up and now back for second C25K !

[Speedydonzalez Graduate]

Thanks for all your comments and support makes me feel so much better. I'm not particularly overweight at all but just couldn't understand it, could be my age as well! 👍

[Indielass00 Graduate]

I’m seeing a difference with my clothes getting baggier. Losing inches and ignoring my scales as like others have said muscle weighs more than fat.

[Speedy60 Graduate]

Throw your scales away and use a tape measure 👍

[Peter44 Graduate]

Hide the scales, just think how good you feel after a run! ☺Ps. I'm in the same boat, weight about the same, but feel so much better!