Sometimes you can weigh just the same or even more than you did before starting to workout. This should not surprise you even though you might have started working out in order to weigh less. This is a complicated situation which depends on various factors.

Do You Weigh More After a Workout?

Yes, this is possible. Don’t freak out! There is a great possibility that you have started to accumulate water due to a muscle inflammation because of physical activity, rather than you are gaining fat. In a couple of days and sometimes weeks, this situation will pass and you will start noticing the results you wanted. Here are some of the reasons why someone gains weight temporarily after a workout:

1. Dehydration

Dehydration might be the cause. You probably think that by sweating during exercise, you will lose some body water and lose some weight as well. However, as your body gets dehydrated, it can retain even more fluid. This is only temporary and once you get yourself well hydrated, you will notice that the scale will start to drop back down.

2. Muscle Tears

During a workout, especially if you are doing strength training, muscles will undergo minor tears. These minor muscle tears are the way how muscles naturally build themselves up during training. Once these small muscle tears are healed, the muscles will get stronger.

Do you weigh more after a workout? Yes. As part of this healing process, the body will retain more fluid in the muscles, making you weigh more. Extra glycogen is also stored in the muscles during the healing process, which also contributes to water retention. 

3. Muscle Gain

You will normally gain some muscles if you continue to work out regularly, especially if you are doing some strength training. More muscles can cause your weight to increase.

4. Too Much Stress

Too much stress is not good, which will eliminate your workout benefit and even make you gain weight. Your body will also be under certain stress during physical activity and workout. This is a normal part of the adaption that your body undergoes. If followed by proper diet and nutrition, rest and recovery, the stress that your body is currently undergoing will fortify it for any stress in the future.

5. Wrong Diet

Do you weigh more after a workout? Well, if you don’t change your diet, you are more likely to keep gaining weight. During physical exercise, the body burns calories but it also promotes hunger by increasing the release of ghrelin. You will need to watch what you eat. Even though you are not consuming a lot of calories a day, poor food choices can make you gain weight. You will also need to watch your portion sizes. 

Should I Stop Exercising If I'm Gaining Weight?

No, you should not stop exercising. Instead, you should continue exercising regularly as the long-term results on your weight will be positive, even though it might seem that you are not getting the desired results, or are even gaining more weight in the beginning. Also, make sure to consistently create a calorie deficit in order to lose those extra pounds.

For better results, make sure to workout at least 5 days a week, for about 30 to 60 minutes. Live a healthy life as well for better results.

You Are Not Alone

Knowing other people's experience may help you understand the problem better.

I have tried this myself and it kind of freaked me out in the beginning. After a hard run, I would weigh about 2 lbs more. However, if I take a rest for a couple of days, I noticed that my weight actually went down sometimes. From what I have read so far, it all comes from a fluid retention due to excessive physical activity.

Do you weigh more after a workout? I know exactly what you are talking about. I had the same problem when I wanted to lose some weight and started to work out regularly. It lasts for about 2 to 3 days for me, but as long as I watch my portion size and the number of calories I take a day, the results start to show out.