Expert: Brandon Briggs, MS - 2/6/2008

Question
hi,i am a female,5"5 and weighed 10stone9,i started using the gym,starting on a rowing machine(15mins)cross trainer(15mins)bike(15mins)and arm weights on alternative days.i go 5 out of 7 days and burn roughly 400cals & some night take a swim,iv been going now for a month and lost 6pound in 2weeks,then down to 10st1...but i have now noticed my weight is creaping up again altho im working harder at the gym,but i can see the better changes in my body so i dont understand why the scales are going back up??thanks mel

Answer
There are a couple things you can consider here. Before starting this program were you a sedentary individual, or did you already take part in a fitness program? Without knowing that I can speculate 1 of 2 things. Your caloric intake has increased as your workouts have become more intense, thus adding calories that are not being expended. Another reason for the negative weight gain could be the development of lean mass. When we replace fat on our bodies with lean muscle mass we can gain weight but become healthier. Muscle takes less space and helps burn calories faster making our bodies more efficient.