Weight gain after exercise?

OK, I'm hoping someone may have an explanation, or can confirm my suspicions.  Here's the situation.  I'm not a regular exerciser (yes, I know, I should be.  I'm working on it), but occasionally do aerobics (30-45 minutes, 2-3 times a week).  The day after I exercise, I always show a weight gain of about half a pound.  I watch what I eat, so diet is not changing.  Any idea why?  I'm thinking maybe my body retains fluid to help repair muscle.  It's kind of discouraging, but I keep plugging along!  I'd just like to see a LOSS instead of a gain!  LOL   Thanks for any info you can give.

Kathy

I dont have an answer but I just wanted to say hi. I also am a Dr. Valin patient.

There are studies that show that extended exercise can increase appetite but what you explain is different than that. Hmm.

Your assumption is very possible quite accurate.  Usually weight loss immediately after exercise is due to fluid loss to dehydration/sweat.  What you seem to be experiencing may very well be the process the body uses to repair or grow muscle fiber from complex carbs and/or protein and water.  While your workout doesn't seem killer to someone that runs a marathon or does a ironman, it is maybe a good workout for your body and your degree of physical health.  Your body if this is in fact what is happening is doing a good thing. While your weigh loss maybe slowed, it is burning calories to build muscle that rehapes your body in a god way and more muscle means more ability to burn calories long term which will benefit you in the long-run (puny isn't it??).  Just keep with it.  The weight will come off as your body is convinvced you are doing this regulary and it wasn't just a crisis to manage.  As you get farther out, endurance and clothes size is more important to track than what the scales saw.  But the scales are amazingly rewarding in the beginining 12-24 months,...barring the periodic stalls or plateaus.
Work the plan; protein water and exercise/move your body. The plan works.

Your muscles definitely retain water when they are doing heavy repair. This is why they tell us not to weight ourselves every day. Not that it stops me.

1/2 pound? So do you gain a half a pound every day you excercise? So, if you excercise 4 times a week you gain 2 pounds? in 4 weeks you gain 8 pounds? Throw your scale away! Unless my above questions are answered affirmative, then it's time to start looking at your diet...

Thanks for the encouragement everyone.  I know I shouldn't weigh myself every day, as what shows up today is not necessarily a reflection of what I did yesterday.  Trying to cut back!  I'll keep working the program.  I get plenty of protein and water.  The missing link is the exercise, which I'm working on.  It just gets discouraging sometimes.  I guess we all want instant gratification   Hey Scott, hi to you too!  I saw your disboards link quite a while ago and read all about your trip there.  Being a big Disney fan, I'm always interested in others' experiences there.  Maybe someday I'll be motivated to try a half marathon there! 

Kathy