Gained: muscles, water or fat?

hello to All on this freezing morning. I've gained weight... about 3lb this morning. after 53-54 lb loss and then a long stall for about 2-3 weeks. So here is my question , especially to the Veterans of this journey, and particularly to those who exercise. I joined Gold's Gym about a month ago, and I've been doing ecliptical for 30-40 min 3-5 times /week, and starting last week I've been to 2 GroupPower classes (and I am so very sore still ).So... Could that little exircise cause actual muscle mass gain that abruptly? Or is it just my increased(slowly returning) appetite that made eat a bit more recently, although nothing too carby or junky, but more amounts that made me gain this 3lb all of a sudden. I did fluctuate before by 1-2 lb. before my period, but not by 3.. Am I crzy to even complain and question about it all? Is this a trend? I was so hoping to be in Onederland by now, but instead I jumped up...Darn.. Thank you for listening to my rambles. I do appriciate any advices/shared experiences hugs, rita

my guess would be water ....You will always go up and down about 3-5 pounds while you are loseing from day to day ....So dont stress and get off the scale that is not your friend LOL ....Weigh only like once every week or two ....Which might be what you are doing now that i go back and re read ....But i would say water it has happened to all of us just about Laura

Oh, no, Laura, ..I'm doing it (weighing) daily. Can't help it, and I'm more or less content with fluctuations...I just never fluctuated by 3 up yet... But thank you for your reassurance. Rita.

I am right where you are! Close to 4 months out and stalled for a couple weeks. I'm finally getting stuff done in the gym, and I know I can take in more food. Not much, but a couple more ounces at a time. I try to make it protein, but I've cheated a little too with carbs My guess is the water and muscle-building have you in a little stall. But HEY --- what was life like a year or two ago? This isn't an absolutely steady process. There will be plateaus and blips, but then things take off again!

Carolyn, thank you for your support and encouragement. I know we are moving in the right directions....It's just not always easy. take care, Rita

1) STOP WEIGHING DAILY!!!!!!! 2) Yes it could be muscle. Unless you've had your fat/muscle ratio measured you won't know for sure though. 3) DO NOT freak over any weight gain more unless it's MORE than 5 lbs. At that point you need not even worry about it....go back to "basics" and remember that it should help you get back on track. The working out is going to be the BEST thing you can do for your self. Group power is FANTASTIC for GBP paitents as it sculpts lean muscle - and not bulk! For women that's all we really need unles you're going to suddenly become a body builder - power lifter. My main advice....GET OFF THAT DANG SCALE! I weigh myself by how I fit and feel in my clothes! (I may actually step on a scale once a month - IF I remember to do that!) Hope this helps! Dee Dee

Dee Dee, thank you for replying..I was hoping you would. First,I must say that I really like going to GOld's... actually looking forward to it now.... and that's a "first" in my exercise history.It's better than anything I've done before as far as exercise goes. Secondly, I don't think I can unhook myself from daily scale jumping. It has already become my routine, and honestly I don't see much harm in it now...It keeps me motivated. Going by the way clothing fits is very unreliable since it's all getting looser every time unless it's cotton and it's right out of laundry where it shrink a little for a few minutes first. And the reason I'm that antsy now is because I was so darn close to Onederland, I was right at 201-202, I could smell it...)... and now--"boom!"--up I go. Anyway, I know I will get back on track one way or another, and it's infintile of me to want to rush things that shouldn't or can't be...I'm just unclear on how much muscle mass gain plays into it. And regardless I'll take lean muscle heaviness over fat blob "lightness" thanks for your support Dee Dee. You are a great Motivator. hugs, Rita

My nutritionist says we can fluctuate between 3 to 5 lbs in one day. Do not weigh every day. I weigh in about once every couple of weeks and I usually get a nice surprise. And building muscle will make you gain. Remember muscle weighs more than fat

Thank you, Lynn