How fast do you gain weight?

[mangotango]

When you stop working out and veer off track of your diet (just a little) how long does it take before you notice a weight gain? I notice one just a few days later, but I'm wondering if it is all in my head or hormonal. I seem to return to normal about a week after getting back on track. I wonder if I really do gain and lose weight easily, or if I just get really great "feel good about yourself" benefits from exercise.

[.V.]

That's difficult to say. Even when I'm "off" I find something physical to do. A weight gain in only a few days is likely water retention rather than a fat gain.

I gained about 2lbs last month but I'm trying to gain slowly without getting fat. We all have the same worries though. I still have to wonder if I'm gaining fat or muscle. No way to know until cutting time comes and I see what's left when that's done.

[Merrida]

I tend to agree with the water retention thing. Note that water retention isn't just from your period, but when you "go off" your nutrition plan and consume extra carbs, that can contribute to your body holding onto a little bit more water than it does when you're eating clean.

Carbs,...they're nasty buggers, and they have tricks up their little sleeves.

[CF-OC_gal]

I have an awful time gaining weight. All I get from a layoff is a change in the quality of my skin. I actually lose a few pounds when I lay off from training. The muscle doesn't come off for a long while though.

Any weight changes within 3-5 lbs don't concern me. It's often dehydration.

As an example my workout schedule has been more sporadic over the last month yet I dropped another pant size (to a 4 now ?!?).

If you are maintaining a pretty healthy weight/bodyfat level for your physique the fine tuning your looks and weight comes more from dieting than from exercise anyway.

[Gooseneck]

I lose weight when I stopping working out and eating right.

[Doc2029]

Unless I am working out and counting my calories, if I look in the general direction of food I gain a pound!

[EliteLift]

Originally Posted by Gooseneck

I lose weight when I stopping working out and eating right.

same thing with me.

my assumtion is that if I never started weightlifting, watching my diet, or the other physical thing i'm into I would probably be about 130lbs right now. instead im a massive 155lbs lol.

[Maxgain]

Originally Posted by Gooseneck

I lose weight when I stopping working out and eating right.

Ditto. Away last week on holidays lost 5lbs. Would of been even more except fot thos supplemental drinks i brought.

[Gooseneck]

Originally Posted by EliteLift

same thing with me.

my assumtion is that if I never started weightlifting, watching my diet, or the other physical thing i'm into I would probably be about 130lbs right now. instead im a massive 155lbs lol.

Same here. I was 130 lbs when I graduated high school ten years ago, now I'm 188 lbs, give or take a pound.

[adori66]

Originally Posted by orkydoc

Unless I am working out and counting my calories, if I look in the general direction of food I gain a pound!

i'm glad i'm not the only one