Retaining water from exercise

[Alexa]

Hey all,

I seem to be heavier when I exercise intensely - especially resistance exercise. It seems more acute when my muscles really ache - is this likely to be the case or am I kidding myself?

Does anyone else get this? What do you do about it? Does stretching intensely make it better or worse?

[Alexa]

Re: Retaining water from exercise

Sorry - I put this in the wrong place! I was on autopilot and went into challenges. Oops.

[julirama723]

Re: Retaining water from exercise

Alexa, I always weigh more after intense exercise. That's just how it works! When your work your muscles (in resistance or strength training) you actually make lots of miniscule tears in the muscle fibers. The fibers repair themselves and get larger in the process. This, of course, requires lots of water. Muscle repair/intense exercise is probably the the main causes of water retention for me.

Stretching helps to reduce/remove the lactic acid in the muscles (which I believe is the cause of the soreness) but I don't think it has any effect on the amount of water retained. Just keep yourself hydrated, drink before, during, and after exercise. Drink lots of water to help flush out the retained water.

[Alexa]

Re: Retaining water from exercise

Thanks Julie, I thought that would be it!

It seems to be hanging around a lot more this time. Off to get some more water...