Weight is not necessarily a good indicator of health. The size of someone\u2019s body doesn\u2019t say anything about their lifestyle, including what they eat, whether or not they smoke, so don\u2019t get too focussed on the scales.<\/p>\n
Remember that it\u2019s very normal for your weight to change, in fact it can fluctuate between 5-10 pounds from day to day. So don\u2019t get discouraged when you see your weight go up. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going in the wrong direction.<\/p>\n
Here are 3 less obvious reasons you might be gaining weight…<\/p>\n
Another reason you might have gained weight is because you\u2019re retaining water. Did you know that water makes up about 65-90% of your weight? That\u2019s why even a small variation in your water content can make a big difference on the scales.<\/p>\n
Often your body will retain water when you exercise, this is totally normal and is actually part of the healing process. It\u2019s your body\u2019s way of getting glycogen to where it\u2019s needed more efficiently.<\/p>\n
Muscle is more dense than fat, but it takes up less space. What does that mean?<\/p>\n
Well, if you gain muscle, the weight on the scales may go up even though you\u2019re getting slimmer and more toned. You\u2019ll probably find that you\u2019re still losing inches from your waist and thighs.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why taking progress photos is often a much better and more reliable way to measure your progress. Start by taking photos every 4-5 weeks at the same time and day of the week. Read my post on 5 empowering ways to measure your fitness progress<\/a><\/p>\n When you start exercising, your body won\u2019t always respond to it immediately. A lot of the time, your body needs to recalibrate itself. You may well have changed your routine and eating habits so you need to give your body a chance to respond.<\/p>\n I suggest you give yourself at least several weeks to let your body respond to the changes you have made. Remember, you didn\u2019t gain weight in a few days so you won\u2019t lose it that quickly either.<\/p>\n During your fitness journey you\u2019re likely to have a few setbacks like illness or maybe even injury. That\u2019s completely normal and should be factored into your plan.<\/p>\nYou’re not giving your body enough time to respond<\/h4>\n