Hi Wendy! I'm sorry to hear that you are feeling so bloated lately. While I don't think it's due to STS directly, I think it could be related to the fact that you are introducing your body to a new training approach. Your body will retain water as it acclimates to the new workouts....this is basically a natural body reaction to the recovery process. Because this system is so new to you and the fact that every workout is so different and you are lifting more weight than you typically were used to, there is most likely just a longer recovery and adaptation phase you are experiencing. Once you get the first mesocycle under your belt and find your groove in the program your muscles will recovery a little faster.
Other things to consider is if you are eating higher sodium foods, having your menstrual cycle, not drinking enough water per day (especially in the summer), not working out as intensly with your cardio or currenly experiencing a lot of stress or change in your life. Many of these elements add up to water weight gain.
You mention that you are injured, and I truly am sorry to hear that, Wendy
But perhaps (just food for thought here) it is a few things working here 1) the stress of the injury plus obviously not being able to sweat as you are usually used to with your typical cardio workouts and 2) the fact that you are introducing yourself to a new workout program and new weight increment, and 3) the additional recovery time needed as a result of this, has over a three week period caused you to retain more water.
Also it is possible that the fact that you stopped and went back to what you are familair with reduced some stress for you and so now you are more relaxed and losing the water.
Again, just some food for thought and not suggesting this is exactly what is happening to you but it could be a possibility. If it helps you to hear what happens to me at all, I can fluctuate 4 pounds day to day when I introduce my body to a new program and if it is during my cycle I can fluctuate up to 6 pounds within two days. Thank goodness its temporary and even if it isn't any fun while its happening, in the end I come out better for working through it.
Lot's of luck to you and keep us posted
Have a nice vacation....go relax...ahhhh! Hawaii did me wonders
So I finally did my 1RM's and started STS a few weeks ago. I completed the 3rd week of meso 1 on Sunday and haven't touched it since. Thinking of putting it on the shelf. I am leaving for a beach vacation tmrw and up until today was absolutely dreading it because in 3 weeks I had gained 5-7 pounds, bloated up like a balloon, lost my ab definition and felt like I was going to split my pants because my legs and rear end were so huge. I know about the whole water retention deal when you first start a heavier lifting program then what your body is used to but having it get increasingly worse with no end in sight for 3 weeks was just too much for me! I stopped and have been doing cardio only this week. The weight is dropping off now and my body is beginning to feel/look more like it's former self again though I'm still not totally there. So anyway, my point is...if this is what STS is going to do to me then I am not interested in finishing it but if you can honestly tell me that at some point all of the yucky stuff will turn around and I will likely be happy with the end result then I will give it another shot...but probably not until swim suit season is over.
Thoughts? TIA!
