Stalled after starting weight training

[bigloser2014 144]

I am stalled after I started weight training and working with a trainer. I had heard of that before but never experienced it. Weight is stuck at 215-216 for the last 2 weeks. Anyone else experience this? Very discouraging.

[Nicey2u 228]

I had a 3 week stall and upped my calories to get it moving! I was doing 600 and upped it to 800. If you are weight training you could be building muscle that weighs more than fat. I read that if you weight train you should have carbs before and Protein after? I am not going to start weight training until I get down to a decent size. I am more focusing on cardio right now.But ask your trainer!! Or doctor!

[McButterpants 2,846]

You may need to increase your calories if you're lifting. Make sure you're getting your Protein in. Also, your body may be holding on to Water - your muscles need Water to recover.

[patsy1947 42]

same with me i started with a trainer 3 weeks ago and havent lost a lb since . my trainer said same thing that muscle weigh more. so i upped my cardio hoping to burn more and start losing again. sure hope it works. its depressing not to lose

[BitterSweet* 835]

Don't quit weight training and throw away that scale. You do need to up your calories and increase Water intake. Stay focused on keeping your skin tighter as opposed to the number on the scale. The weight training will not betray you and when you come out on the other end, you will be lean with tighter skin, instead of a low scale number with loose, hanging skin.

[patsy1947 42]

thank you i will

[HaddocksEyes 205]

I am stalled after I started weight training and working with a trainer. I had heard of that before but never experienced it. Weight is stuck at 215-216 for the last 2 weeks. Anyone else experience this? Very discouraging.

I am wondering if you have lost inches because you are replacing fat with muscle? I plan to also hit the weights as soon as I am able. I think I will take measurements before I start. I agree it is discouraging when the needle on the scale doesn't budge. If you can see success elsewhere I will bet that will help motivate you!

Edited July 17, 2014 by HaddocksEyes

[Forsythia 882]

I try to eat at least 1000 calories on days I lift weights. And I am in the weight room for about an hour. I am in the weight room about four days a week. I do about an hour of cardio on those days too. This seems to work for me. Since I've upped my calories on gym days I have had pretty steady weight loss each week.

[Fiddleman 4,376]

No worries - your body is just adjusting to new found muscle building exercises and is retaining some Water at the same time. You are also losing fat. So even though it looks like a wash on the scale, know that your body is undergoing some amazing changes to support the new stressors placed on it. It is natural for a persons weight to climb a little when first working out with resistance training before dropping. Be patient! I am sure you will love the overall results.

[patsy1947 42]

my clothes keep getting bigger so i guess i am losing inches should i be drinking Protein drink before working out or after?

[McButterpants 2,846]

Take your measurements! I saw the truth in the measurements before I saw the scale move. If I had to do it all over again, I couldn't weigh - it's bad for your soul!

Also, take lots of pictures to document - it's fun to go back and look at pics of the "old" you!

[Forsythia 882]

my clothes keep getting bigger so i guess i am losing inches should i be drinking Protein drink before working out or after?

You want to have your Protein AFTER you work out. That way you can drink/eat it and it will go to all those muscles you have worked and depleted. Try to have your protein no more than 30 to 45 minutes after. I've taken to carrying a Quest bar in my back pack so I can take a bite or two while I am waiting for the bus post gym.

[patsy1947 42]

ok thank you i will do that I will carry a Protein drink with me to drink after workout.

[Fiddleman 4,376]

Try also to get a 4-1 carb to Protein ratio after the workout. Your body needs these carbs to assimilate the protein properly.

[patsy1947 42]

ok thanks everyone for all the help