Why am i gaining muscle but not gaining weight. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically.
Why am i gaining muscle but not gaining weight Sudden, unexplained weight gain can actually be a symptom of an underlying health concern. You Try to Stay Lean all the Time. Advertisement "Muscle weighs more than fat, so it is possible to see the number on the scale go up if you're also gaining muscle. I can do machine leg extensions, hamstring extensions, calf raises and hack rack calf raises comfortably but not with huge weight. You do not gain mass from working out. Muscle is more dense than fat and takes up less space, so it is possible to be overweight but have a low body fat percentage. But as an analysis published in the April 2014 issue of Exercise and Sport Sciences Well, according to a study, published in the Journal of Obesity, no amount of walking can prevent weight gain by itself. Am I gaining weight in muscle or fat? Knowing the answer to this often-asked question requires knowing a bit more about your body composition. A lot of times this is boiled down to how many challenging sets you complete for a given muscle group. Yes, it can. However, unexplained weight gain and fatigue can sometimes be Gaining weight after working out is likely due to muscle fiber inflammation, muscle glycogen and water weight gain, and over time, muscle mass gain. Search r/Fitness Wiki - Muscle Gain 101. Sleeplessness Impacts Hunger: Lack of sleep increases cravings for high-calorie foods. Weight gain is not linear, just like weight loss isn’t linear either. Shouldn’t I be gaining muscle mass? Since I started two months ago, I went from 156 to 147. Lean meats, legumes, dairy, and protein supplements can No, I'm definitely trying to gain weight-- I'm only 120lbs right now. Ways you can boost your fat burning. Exercise can cause short-term weight gain due to increased muscle, water retention, inflammation, medication, or thyroid issues. By contrast, you could be in a surplus, but not see any weight gain for a few days. (e. If you’re gaining weight but not muscle, then you’re not lifting heavy enough. Weight gain is common when you start a new workout program. It’s not all about weight loss — it’s about being the healthiest you can be. So you can imagine my shock when I looked at the scale and saw that I added 5kg to my previous weight. The more muscles you engage in a movement—whether it's a compound lift or an isolation move—the more weight you can handle, and the more weight you can handle, the more your muscles are going to grow. Why am I gaining weight even though I'm eating healthy and working out? Those fluctuations in hormones, along with other factors, can result in rapid weight gain. Building more muscle is gonna increase your weight on the scale but it could also mean you’re losing fat and gaining more muscle in it’s place, if you’re eating right then this is probably you just gaining way more muscle and you probably won’t go up a pant size just because you weigh more. The good news is that it is possible! In this article, you'll learn: The science behind muscle gain. If I’m not eating more than 4K a day, I’m not gaining a single pound. ) 10 reasons you're lifting weights but not losing weight 1. Share Sort by: New. 10. If you think that you might be experiencing weight gain due to muscle damage or water retention and you’re exercising multiple days a week It seems to be impossible for me to bulk up, I’ve heard people saying things like “eat more” but i just can’t, I currently eat 3000 kcal a day, sometimes even more, and I just can’t gain weight, not even a pound, I tried eating more but I just end up feeling like i have to puke, every time. Lucy Related Posts. If you can easily do more than 10 . These include hypothyroidism and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) ( 32 , 33 ). Muscle Gain. Then all of a sudden, you get a big jump in weight. Adding muscle mass Compound exercises not only add muscle but will make you stronger, and the stronger you are, the more muscle fibers you can engage. You seem pretty lean already so there isn't much muscle to gain from re-comping. November 16, 2023 from your digestive tract to your body weight to building muscle. , If you weigh 150 lbs, eat 150g of protein. Why am I These are commonly prescribed for high blood pressure or heart conditions. If you strength train regularly and improve your fitness level, your weight on the scale may increase while your body fat percentage decreases. You can’t somehow outwork the first law of thermodynamics; it takes calories to build muscle and not just protein! Full stop. Sufficient Sleep is Key: Poor sleep disrupts hormones that regulate hunger. When I started my weight loss journey, I focused on gyming and calorie deficit methods. You seem to be losing fat at a higher rate than gaining muscle hence the decrease in weight. Key Takeaway: Water retention can be a major factor contributing to weight gain during fasting. If you’re serious about gaining muscle, getting enough protein should be a top priority. They tend to start out as red or purple and might become silver or Your body composition may be another reason why you are still gaining weight while in a calorie deficit. Definitely happy with my progress on that front, I just wish it Weight gain after losing weight can occur due to metabolic adaptations, hormonal changes, muscle loss, emotional eating, social pressures, and reverting to old lifestyle habits. "All body tissues have weight, so if you're not simultaneously losing body fat, gaining muscle is gaining weight. ADVERTISEMENT. Gaining strength and muscle is the result of progressive overload, or gradually increasing If you have low protein intake, your body struggles with the rebuilding of muscle fibre, causing muscle protein breakdown. However, it may also indicate an underlying medical condition, such as kidney disease, insomnia, and cirrhosis. Stretch marks (also called "striae") are indented streaks that appear on the abdomen, breasts, hips, butt, thighs, upper arms or lower back, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Here’s what you need to know about why you may be gaining weight even if you’re exercising more. If you’re serious about gaining muscle, getting Lifting weights can be an excellent way to slim down while getting toned. The question arises—why am I gaining muscle but not losing weight? This phenomenon often leads to frustration, especially when the effort seems to outweigh the results. Wellbutrin: Wellbutrin doesn’t cause weight gain. is how you make sure the mass you gain is muscle. Key Takeaways: Why Am I Exercising But Gaining Weight? Body composition matters: Muscle gain can offset fat loss on the scale. Pancreatic problems. Sugar prompts your body to generate an inflammatory response, and when this happens, your body opts to store fat around your midsection [7]. What it does mean, is that losing Weight training can cause weight gain due to an increase in muscle mass. 12/02/2025. 4. Your thread will be removed if it can be answered by any of the above. Here are 9 reasons you may be gaining weight unintentionally. Desserts. In this scenario a child may have bulky, frothy, loose So, here are some reasons why you might actually gain weight when running: Why am I Not Losing Weight Despite Running Often? If the scale were a human, he/she would be considered a deceptive trickster. A reader wrote in wondering why he was losing weight, even though he had started weight training in order to build muscle. According to the Mayo Clinic, strength training can help you reduce your If you’re jumping from exercise to exercise or workout to workout without a plan, you shouldn’t expect to see consistent results. So if someone isn't losing weight, it's far more likely they are not creating a proper deficit. How the fat loss process REALLY works. When you eat a healthy diet rich in protein and combine that with strength training workouts, your muscles start to bulk up. Weight gain isn’t always about calories in versus calories out. Today, we're here to Learn why you may have difficulty gaining weight, and what you can do it about it. Weight gain and fatigue are common issues that many people experience. This is a coveted state that is ideal for maintaining fat loss. It’s as simple as that. This does NOT mean you have to adopt one of the latest fad diets. If you have low protein intake, your body struggles with the rebuilding of muscle fibre, causing muscle protein breakdown. Key Takeaways: Weight Gain While Working Out Caloric Balance Matters: To lose weight, burn more calories than consumed. Eat 1g of protein per pound of body weight daily. You’re doing too much cardio and not enough strength training. 5kg (179. To combat this, it is important to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. You will NEVER gain mass unless you eat more calories than your body needs to maintain its current weight. Muscle fibers can be made to grow with a variety of rep ranges and loads, ranging from light to medium to heavy. However, a slow walk for a short distance does not burn a significant enough number of calories on its own to promote weight loss. Regardless of why you want to increase your weight, it’s generally best to gain muscle without accumulating too much extra body fat. I started this journey at about 83kg (182. Certain medications can also r/Fitness Wiki - Muscle Gain 101. Why am I not losing weight on Mounjaro? Maintaining and possibly gaining muscle mass is crucial for long-term weight loss success. It is important to monitor calorie intake [] Why Am I Gaining Weight While Working Out? There are several potential reasons why you might be gaining weight after working out. Why do beta-blockers cause weight gain? Beta Other warning signs include fatigue, muscle cramps, and lightheadedness when standing up. It seems like you have a lot of the right tools and skills, but you struggle with consistency. Here are some of the primary causes of weight gain despite working out. Medication Side Effects: Some prescriptions may directly affect appetite and "You're gaining weight in muscle and losing weight in fat, but due to the [mass] difference of the two, you may see a weight increase when you're first starting out," says Heather Anderson, expert Pilates instructor and founder of New York Pilates. If you are gaining weight on your current food and exercise plan, you need to tweak your routines to burn more calories than you consume. Track a weekly average. There may be times when you're putting in a lot of work in your daily routine and not achieving the results you're looking for. Are you working out, eating right, and still wondering - why am I not gaining muscle? Here’s the thing. A scale only provides one number, your absolute weight, which isn’t always an accurate measurement of what is happening in your body. You're likely still making muscle gains, but gaining muscle is a very time and energy intensive process. If weight loss is your goal, seeing an increase on the scale when you've been making an effort to exercise can be frustrating. The added pounds may be due to inflammation, water retention and increased muscle mass. If you have a higher body fat percentage and lower muscle mass, then you are probably burning fewer calories than if you had more muscle mass. When they say they want to gain weight, most lifters want the majority of that weight gain to come in Why am I gaining weight doing yoga? If weight gain is not one of your goals, but you find your weight increasing despite hitting the mat regularly, then you might want to take a closer look at the intensity of your yoga practice and eating habits. Why am I gaining weight after working out? You may start gaining muscle but not losing fat when you first start your barre routine — and it’s perfectly normal. This may sound harsh, but it’s true — you may think you’re gaining muscle if you’ve been eating a lot of food and working out There could be many possible answers to the question “why am I not gaining weight”. Aim for 1g of protein per pound if body weight, and lift to or near failure. My goal is to be muscular and around that weight, but I've been gradually gaining back for months (still nothing compared to my 300lb starting weight a couple years ago) and after this last month I really can't understand why I would GAIN Some of these folks want to gain weight because they are underweight, while others want to be stronger and more muscular. Why Am I Not Losing Weight When I Exercise? Here are a few possibilities: You’re gaining muscle mass. In fact, it aids in weight loss, although it’s minimal. If you’re not gaining mass, you simply need to eat more. For many people, making these simple changes is enough to To prevent muscle loss, you are advised to do more strength training/weight lifting. Better to try a 500 cal surplus as you will definitely be above maintenance. Also, the type of exercise you are doing may not increase muscle mass. You need to be consistently getting stronger and lifting heavier or else your body will have no reason to continually add muscle. If you’re gaining weight from running, that may not be a bad thing. Since I started working out, I’m losing weight instead of gaining it. When I started my fitness journey, I learned that muscle is denser than fat. You could do weight training until a point of exhaustion and follow a diet plan religiously, but unless you do it right and make some changes to your overall lifestyle, you won’t gain muscle mass. I’ve noticed how much stronger I am and that i’ve lost a fair amount of fat so far but I’m confused why the number isn’t changing. Are you eating enough calories? If you eat too few calories, your body may adjust, making weight loss I have done everything the challenge said so far, yet, somehow, I am not only not losing weight, but gaining some. Doctors explain the causes. Which, to be clear, is a good thing! The more you lift, the more muscle you build. Muscle vs. Here Why are You Gaining Weight from Running? Let’s take a look at the possible causes of gaining weight from running: 1. You’re not getting enough sleep. The important thing to think about is the reason(s) why you are gaining weight. Why Am I Not Losing Weight from Running? 1. You’ve probably heard the phrase, “abs are made in the kitchen,” which means that exercise and diet go hand in hand when it comes to slimming down or toning up. Stress Impacts Weight: High cortisol levels can trigger unhealthy food cravings. 23/01/2025. 5 to 1 pound each week. You may gain more, but it's more likely that will be a gain in fat, rather than muscle. You’re not increasing your mileage You’re building muscle mass. What causes menopause weight gain? The decrease in estrogen and progesterone, along with aging in general, triggers metabolic changes in the body. This loss of fat-free mass and muscle mass is usually seen in the Weight gain during marathon training is more common than one might think. A child who can’t properly digest food because their pancreas has poor capacity may also not gain weight well. As you gain more muscle mass, you may also lose body fat. You’re Not Burning Enough Calories. Overcompensating for your energy expenditure, however, is something you can fix to get back on track. My name is Katie and I am a dietitian who helps people gain weight! In this article we’ll review some of the possible reasons you are Eating a poor diet can cause you to put on weight across your whole body, but there are certain foods that may specifically trigger abdominal weight gain. It may be weeks or months before you really start to notice any changes. These bodybuilding exercises will not only prevent muscle loss, but can also build muscle where there once wasn’t any which can help prevent weight gain. In order to build muscle, you must break down muscle tissue using a weight that is challenging enough to cause micro-tears, which when repaired, form denser, stronger fibers. Snacking, consuming too many calories, alcohol, and lack of muscle mass are the most common culprits of weight gain on keto. "What's important is to look at the results, rather than how much you weigh. I started working out and after 6 weeks I visibly noticed more muscle definition but decided extra effort to lose fat was still needed so added in CICO. If you’re building muscle but not losing weight, then your body is undergoing a process commonly known as body recomposition. I’m over 200 pounds and 5’6. These symptoms are often natural consequences of dealing with everyday stressors and a lack of sleep. However, the weight gain is rarely due to increased fat but due to muscle gain, water retention, or overtraining symptoms. You’re experiencing water retention. You’re not gaining muscle . The Bottom Line. Some want to gain weight for sport, e. I understand that my muscle gain is compensating for the fat loss. But while I gain in size in my upper body, I am lagging in the lower body and it's frustrating, I do But while it's easy to attribute weight gain to the usual culprits, that doesn't mean that lack of exercise is always to blame. fat weight. If you’re not gaining muscle, it will be If you're tracking and hitting this number each day for a few weeks and still not gaining weight, increase your caloric intake by five percent until you're gaining 0. Still noticing more muscle definition and truly feel like I’m still gaining some muscle while cutting weight since I’m There are many reasons why you may be gaining weight on a low-carb diet. Walking raises your heart rate and burns calories. Hydration is Key: Dehydration can mimic hunger, leading to unnecessary snacking. Drinks. You gain mass from eating. I kept pondering why I am not losing weight even though I was observing a strict calorie deficit Also haven’t felt muscle soreness the whole program am I not training hard enough? Should I be going heavier than the program suggests? This is a sub for petite women to come talk all things weight-loss, weight-gain, and fitness. in Healthy. Open comment sort options. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. It has more to do with body composition—having more muscle mass and less fat mass. Search During body recomposition, it's vital to remember that gaining muscle could mean gaining weight on the scale, and that the scale is a very narrow and limited predictor of success. You should consume around a gram of protein per pound of your body weight daily. Rapid weight gain may be caused by lifestyle changes like quitting smoking. Muscle gain and fat loss are intricately linked yet distinctly different processes. 5. Key Takeaways: Why am I gaining weight if I barely eat? Metabolism Matters: A slower metabolism can lead to unexpected weight gain. ) Here’s what you need to know about why you’re gaining weight, and when weight loss will kick in. I’ve been working out for 3 months doing cardio and weight lifting (2x a week for an hour and 15 minutes) . You Might Be Overcompensating by Eating Too Much. You’re not sleeping What am I doing wrong?? I was down to the 170s last year and have been gradually gaining back. It’s not perfect for every person and if you’re truly eating 3k a day and not gaining, you’re not eating enough. Archived post. Even if you [simultaneously lose] body fat, it's absolutely possible—and okay If you find yourself gaining muscle but not losing fat, you may need to hack the system and go against nature. Add weight to the bar as often as possible. Metabolism varies: Age and hormones affect how your body processes food. If the average hasn’t changed in two weeks, time to increase. An increase on the scale of a couple of pounds over a period of a few days is not "rapid weight gain. After all, the extra weight could just be you building muscles. Weight loss is more common. Confused to why am I gaining weight so rapidly . Another important thing to consider is if any weight gain you may be experiencing is truly from muscle and not fat. But sometimes, that Healthy weight gain generally involves choosing a good balance of healthy high-calorie foods and building muscle through weight training. Shucks man! Also, the study says that the widely practiced standard of pacing 10,000 steps a day to lose Some medical conditions can drive weight gain and make it much harder to lose weight. These factors combined can lead to an increase in calorie intake and a decrease in energy expenditure, resulting in weight regain. more muscle you have in your body, the more calories you burn every single day. This small bump should help provide you with the energy needed to maximize the muscle-building process. Fat: Gaining muscle can offset fat loss, affecting scale readings. " Likely you are retaining water or you need Gaining or maintaining muscle will simply change our body composition at that new weight. r/Fitness FAQ - Why can't I gain weight? Have I gained too much weight?! The 6 month Gainit Recommended Routine. Weight gain can be extremely frustrating, especially when you don’t know what’s causing it. (referring to the absence of menstruation) and am wondering if that’s a big factor in why am unable to put on any weight/muscle. One change is a decrease in muscle mass, resulting in fewer calories being burned. You’re not monitoring your calorie intake. Top Recent research notes that if you start to change your body composition with your workouts — by building more dense muscle mass and decreasing your body fat — your scale weight may increase, while your body fat percentage may decrease. In fact, Lower resting metabolic rates are mostly due to a decrease in fat-free mass and muscle mass—both of which also tend to decrease as you age. Gaining inches around your waistline without weight gain could also mean you’re eating just slightly more calories than you burn each day. Being fit is not just about losing weight. Hi, I (20F SW: 71kg CW:62) I’ve been losing weight for about 6 months now (taken a couple months break in between) and I have lost around 12 kgs. You're gaining more muscle mass. Post your progress pics, workout routines, rants about TDEE, and more! Members Online. Ideally the weight I gain would be muscle, but I still look like I really don't have muscle at all even though I'm much stronger than I used to be. No calculator in the world will estimate me at 4K a day. So far I have seen a nice change in muscle and am proud of the results, however I am a little confused with my weight. Medications like metoprolol (Lopressor) or atenolol (Tenormin) may also lead to weight gain. This means that you might not look like you’ve gained weight, even though you have. Zoloft: Weight gain isn’t a notable side effect of Zoloft. Increased calorie intake, especially from unhealthy or processed foods, can be a significant contributor to weight gain during fasting. FYI it’s extremely difficult for me to gain weight as a 32/M. It's too easy to underestimate actual cals due to natural variations in food and inconsistencies in nutrition profile. What about gaining weight from building muscle? Cardio workouts like jogging and running aren't necessarily associated with building big muscles. And we’re not just talking about a popular 20f 40kg 5’2ft I want to build muscle and gain weight, but I’m having trouble. 2. Dolgan says these changes happen over weeks and months, not hours or days, so the scale is useless when tracking them. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. 📊 Past stu The biggest driver of hypertrophy is mechanical tension. You have ovarian cancer. Are you choosing healthy foods? You can out eat any weight loss medication with high-calorie, high-fat foods. Many convenience foods such as processed meats, sausages, and pork rinds contain added 7 Reasons for Unintentional Weight Gain: Why Am I Gaining Weight? 1. 7. Sugar is one of those foods. 6767 pounds). A lot of people bulk up before slimming down, especially when they’re new working out. " Trazadone: Used to treat depression and insomnia, Trazadone is unlikely to cause weight gain. You have an underlying medical condition. Stress affects fitness: High cortisol levels can lead to fat retention. How to Fix It. Whether it’s due to genetics or an underlying medical condition, maintaining a healthy weight I’ve received a ton of messages over the years from guys claiming that they’re “gaining fat, not muscle”, but when I ask about their program in more detail it turns out that they’ve only been training for a few consistent weeks A 200 cal surplus is not much for gaining muscle. (Learn more about muscle weight vs. To increase weight and "Building muscle means adding new tissue to your body and/or increasing the size of existing muscle tissue," says Amanda Capritto, CPT with PTPioneer. g. Which yoga is best for gaining weight? 5 muscle-building yoga poses . How to Drink Apple Cider Vinegar for Fatty Liver. Even though I track literally every calorie that comes into my body, including freaking lettuce (max 1800 calories), I only eat what I personally cook (that is part of my diet in this challenge), so everything is whole food, non Why You Are Losing Weight Rather Than Gaining Muscle. Diet impacts weight: Overeating post-workout can negate calorie burn. , to move up a weight category. by Lucy. “Random exercises get you random results,” says Tonal coach and certified personal trainer Joe Rodonis. 984 pounds) and currently weigh about 81. So strength training is the best way to gain Eating processed junk food will not help you gain weight. Why Am I Gaining Weight Eating 1200 Calories Next Post Why Am I Having a Hard Time Gaining Weight. Yes, you can still gain weight while doing high-intensity interval training, but as explained above, this kind of weight gain is likely not something to worry about. With a healthy diet and regular fitness routine, you’ll start to develop longer and You may be gaining muscle mass. This will help with muscle repair and growth. Why am I not gaining muscle while lifting weights? It’s possible that you’re not eating enough calories or protein, not using proper form or overtraining. The age-old saying still rings true, “You can’t out train a bad diet” but it goes both ways - muscle gain or fat loss. If you gain weight but do not exercise regularly, it is most likely an Instead, if you haven't been gaining weight and your muscles are not growing, then a good recommendation is to take your current caloric intake - and increase it by approximately 10-20%. What foods help you burn fat and gain muscle. According to ExRx, a pound of muscle can burn up to 50 calories in a day, which is why muscle improves your metabolism and is so important to your health and wellness. Working out, along with protein goals, proper rest, etc. A small daily surplus of just 50-100 calories can lead to gradual fat gain over time, even without the numbers on the scale going up significantly. Best. The fourth reason why you might be gaining weight on carnivore diet is that you are consuming too many convenience foods. Increased muscle mass and glycogen storage are good things. As you age, your metabolism naturally slows down. Why You’re Not Gaining Muscle—The Overlooked FactorTraining hard but not seeing muscle growth? The problem isn’t your workouts—it’s your calories. Just like with weight loss, slow and steady wins the race. Aging. You’re experiencing other health issues Am I craving less junk Why Am I Not Losing Weight but Gaining Muscle. psielyuqrktucsxgmixedgtikwiymdyqxbepwvjwpkdclantpeglvsoxchjcdcghnnuqncchhwpxdqnd
