Gaining weight after personal training

[chloe_girl]

I've been seeing a personal trainer for about a month now. I do two 90 minute sessions a week with her and do another on my own.

From the beginning she said it would take time to lose weight as the muscles had to get stronger first (prior to the training I had a sedentary lifestyle).

One month later I have found that I have actually gained weight instead of losing it. My family think I am mad seeing a trainer and actually gaining weight instead of losing it.

The Trainer however maintains that this is due to extra muscle and that I will see the difference when she does another fitness assessment in a few weeks.

We have increased the sessions to 3 times a week and the duration and intensity has also increased dramatically. I hope to see positive results from now on.

Have others had this experience while doing personal training?

[kungfu74]

Just remember that the scale really doesn't mean a whole lot, is your trainer tracking your body measurements? or body fat % from start to checkpoints?

[Lady C]

I would look at your diet. Did you change that or just increase your activity? Do your clothes fit the same, worse or better?

It is normal to see some weight gain but the scale is not a good tool. Either use the mirror, a tape measure or fat calipers as good tools.

[chloe_girl]

At the beginning I did not change my diet. However since the weekend I have cut out a lot of bread and am having high fibre muesli cereal instead. I find it fits me up for longer than bread.
I do not eat chocolate or sweets and eat quite a lot of fruit. I am keeping afood diary this week to show to my PT.
She has checked my body fat percentage when we started and will do a retest in a few weeks - that will show what progress I'm making. She also did a lot of different test on both weights and cardio machines which I assume she will compare when we do the retest.
My clothes fit the same no tighter no looser. I guess it just takes more time.

Hopefully the combination of more intense workouts and dietary improvements will pay dividends in the weeks ahead.

[Chain]

Listen to what Lady C said.

Don't worry about weight. I'm a trainer and this happens all the time. For a lot of people that have previously been sedentary fat loss doesn't seem to 'kick in' to any noticeable degree for at least a month. And when you begin training very often women gain weight for the first 4-6 weeks or so. Some of it is muscle gain but also other reasons which are good. So don't worry about weight.

All that being said, make sure to watch your diet and that you are getting enough protein. Fruits are good but you need protein too.

[Cort]

Muscle weighs more than fat, so if you aren't very overweight it is likely you may see weight increase first...anyway what you should really be monitoring is your bf% and how you look, not the weight ont he scale.

[chloe_girl]

I'm getting the protein already lots of meat, beans etc. Should I be taking a suppliment also? My husband takes a protein shake each morning and after he works out but he is looking to gain muscle mass. Do I need to be taking this too?

[physelite]

Originally Posted by chloe_girl

One month later I have found that I have actually gained weight instead of losing it. My family think I am mad seeing a trainer and actually gaining weight instead of losing it.

A couple of things you can do to check your progress and ensure you are gaining muscle and losing fat. First, get your bodyfat checked. Make sure you have it measured by someone who does it often and on the same day and time. Second keep track of what you are eating to make sure you aren't eating more than you may think. If you need help with your diet your traininer should be able to help you or refer you to someone that can.

[Firehawk]

Your trainer should be able to measure your BF % upon request. If she is unwilling, then tell her off and request your money back ...thats what I would do.

Focus on how you feel and how your clothes are fitting. Those are much better tell tale signs than the scale. Did you know that 1 gallon of water weighs 8 lbs? If you drink a gallon of water kinda fast, even over a span of maybe 4 hours, then go weigh yourself, you are going to weigh ALOT MORE, and it could kill your confidence. So take the scale with a grain of salt...

[chloe_girl]

I always weigh myself first thing in the morning before I eat so I figure there are fewer variables at that time. My trainer is doing a reassessment soon which will include a body fat measurement. On the plus side I have dropped three pounds over the last five days so obviously the increased intensity and longer workouts are paying off. I've also cut down on bread which I was always guilty of filling up on.
I also put on a pair of tracksuit pants that is one size smaller than my usual size last night.
That was a great feeling!

[cursor]

Originally Posted by chloe_girl

I'm getting the protein already lots of meat, beans etc. Should I be taking a suppliment also? My husband takes a protein shake each morning and after he works out but he is looking to gain muscle mass. Do I need to be taking this too?

It sounds to me like you're making good progress! : Working hard at turning your lifestyle around can be extremely rewarding. Stick with it.

Just as your husband is after muscle mass, so should you. Muscle is what keeps you mobile and alive. Gaining and maintaining that lean mass requires a quality plan of resistance training and controlled nutritional intake. Once you understand what and when to eat, you may find that using a protein supplement helps you reach your needed level of protein. Exactly what you should be ingesting in the form of supplements (if anything) should be balanced against other foods that you eat during the day, and is determined by your lean body mass and your activity schedule.

[kungfu74]

Good Job Chloe, you have to keep reminding yourself that gains don't always come fast, your at the beginning of your 'new life' so keep it up!

[chloe_girl]

Thanks guys. Yes I'm looking forward to my new life. Now I'm into the routine of going to the gym and eating better I don't think I'll ever go back to my old ways.

[chloe_girl]

Just an update

I had a reassessment yesterday and I'm on the right road. My body fat is down and muscle mass has increased also. so progress is being made. I'm told thta in the next 6 or 7 weeks I should see my body shape changing.

Thanks for the support

Chloe

[MissG]

that's great chloe! well done, keep us up to date on the changes you start seeing. It is so exciting when you look in the mirror and, for the first time, start SEEING your hard work paying off! keep up the good work!