8 Reasons You May Weigh More After A Workout

Working out doesn’t always equal losing weight. And becoming more fit doesn’t necessarily mean a lower number on the scale. Although it may be disheartening to some, weight gain after a sweat sesh is entirely normal. From constipation to hormones and even the kind of food you’re eating after a workout, there are tons of factors that can contribute to this common situation. Here are the reasons why that increase on the scale might be happening to you.

1.Water retention

The amount of water in your system has a major influence on your weight. For instance, what many people think of as weight loss is actually just water loss due to sweat. And with a higher number, you’re retaining water. Apparently, the amount of water weight can make a difference of up to 10 pounds on the scale! It’s why diuretic diet teas are such a fad online — they flush water out of your system but don’t actually cause true weight loss.

2. Other forms of body mass

Your scale mass isn’t just simply your body weight. It’s a unique combination of bone, fat, muscle, connective tissue, air, urine, intestinal gas, blood, lymph and the brain. Right after a workout, the complex mass from all of these factors can shift. It may shift due to how hydrated you are or how inflamed your muscles are after a workout.

3. Muscle is denser than fat

Muscle often looks more attractive than a slender physique. It adds strong curves and a healthy appearance. Due to genetics, some of us put on muscle faster than others. And whenever we gain muscle, that number on the scale goes up. But that’s not a sign that you’re “bulking up” — you can most definitely be losing body weight while your scale weight goes up at the same time.