Confusing weight gain

[Wonderwandarocks]

Hi, there! I'm petite (4'8") and have been fairly stable around 84 pounds and have been doing HiiT and strength 6 days a week. In the last month, though, without changing anything in my diet or routine, I've climbed to 89 lbs. Since the weight gain is fairly significant for someone of my height, I'm guessing it's water weight, but I'm at a loss as to what could be causing the retention, since nothing has changed and it seemed to happen out of the blue. Any ideas? I have had my thyroid checked twice and don't appear to have any deficiencies.

 

[jamie vaughn]

Hi there,
In reading your previous threads of a similar theme you appear to be in your early thirties and perhaps it's just hormone related weight gain that will sort itself out. I wouldn't be too worried about it. If anything you could try switching up your workout routine to shake things up a bit. Personally what worked for me 5 years ago no longer works for me now. Good luck and enjoy your workouts!
Jamie

 

[dawn9222]

Have you done measurements? It could be muscle gain. Do you feel like your clothes have changed in the way they fit in any way or are you feeling bloated since you mentioned you feel it's water weight?

Strength training and hiit can add muscle.

 

[Jane Power-Grimm]

I too am short in stature and gained more than 5 lbs. over a very short period. Actually this has happened to me on three occasions during my menopausal journey (once during each phase - peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause). I do not know if you have reached peri-menopause, but perhaps that is a possibility?

I found for myself that I had to look at how much sleep I was getting (i.e. not enough!), my stress levels (higher than I was admitting to myself), my eating (not as clean as menopause now required of me) and my exercise routine. I agree with Jamie, shaking things up does help! The positive thing about my sudden weight gain 'wake up call' is that it got me on the path of lifting heavier, doing yoga for stress reduction and ensuring I fit in 2-3 hiit training sessions/week (as Dawn already knows but I took 50 years to learn!).

Also, I hired a personal trainer just for one assessment so that I could get an objective idea of my fitness level (measurements, %body fat, strength and cardio levels, etc.) and to find out if I was on track overall. Weight is only one way to measure changes in the body and fortunately, is not usually the most reliable indicator. I agree with Dawn that building muscle (and therefore changing body composition) is where it's at. Keep on rockin' Wonderwandarocks!

 

[Candice2015]

I too am short in stature and gained more than 5 lbs. over a very short period. Actually this has happened to me on three occasions during my menopausal journey (once during each phase - peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause). I do not know if you have reached peri-menopause, but perhaps that is a possibility?

I found for myself that I had to look at how much sleep I was getting (i.e. not enough!), my stress levels (higher than I was admitting to myself), my eating (not as clean as menopause now required of me) and my exercise routine. I agree with Jamie, shaking things up does help! The positive thing about my sudden weight gain 'wake up call' is that it got me on the path of lifting heavier, doing yoga for stress reduction and ensuring I fit in 2-3 hiit training sessions/week (as Dawn already knows but I took 50 years to learn!).

Boy, this sounds exactly where I am at now with the sudden gaining. (I'm 5'2 and 50 yo) I am in M2 and have thought about stopping because that is the only thing I have changed and other than the clothes being tighter and weight gain, I see no other changes. I am adding in some cardio to see if that helps.

 

[complik8td]

I too am short in stature and gained more than 5 lbs. over a very short period. Actually this has happened to me on three occasions during my menopausal journey (once during each phase - peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause). I do not know if you have reached peri-menopause, but perhaps that is a possibility?

I found for myself that I had to look at how much sleep I was getting (i.e. not enough!), my stress levels (higher than I was admitting to myself), my eating (not as clean as menopause now required of me) and my exercise routine. I agree with Jamie, shaking things up does help! The positive thing about my sudden weight gain 'wake up call' is that it got me on the path of lifting heavier, doing yoga for stress reduction and ensuring I fit in 2-3 hiit training sessions/week (as Dawn already knows but I took 50 years to learn!).

Yes, @Jane Power-Grimm, you've described the scenario that most of us women must contend with as we age. Frustrating, isn't it? I know for a fact that my cortisol is high. I really, really, REALLY need to work a few yoga sessions into my week, but I am just NOT good about making the time for it. Thanks for the reminder, and best wishes to you!