Can Exercise Make You Gain Weight?

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It's not so much IMMEDIATELY after exercising, it's a few hours later, or by dinner. I think it is best to eat protein half an hour before exercising. I have not tried this, but it makes sense. Also, vitamins play a part. I have been hungry on a vitamin regime.
Between vitamin intake and exercise, I am starving. Is it because of energy being expended and food is the fuel?

Joyce of CA 2:00AM February 21, 2009

I have hired a trainer 3times a week.I have eaten good, not so good like I'd like.Also have gotten 2 fourty minutes of cardio. I think i have gotten fatter can't seem to get into my pants. It's worse than when i wasn't working out.Why is that????

erica of TX 10:23AM February 06, 2009

cn someone plz tell me some excersices that will hlp me gain wieght... plz, i really need em... m 16 years old boy but ma wieght is only 48 kg... !!

Pragy Agrawal 3:00AM January 09, 2009

I purchased a treadmill this winter. I have been walking at a brisk pace every day for 30-45 minutes. I have gained 15 pounds over 5 months! I am not quite sure if I am eating more due to the exercise, but I am not happy at all! I found that for me, it is MUCH easier for me to lose weight by controlling my diet rather than depending on exercise.

Margaret of MI 10:40AM April 11, 2008

Mmm... delish!
Joking aside, though, I heard two useful hints by a radio host, Steve Harvey.
One is "eat for what you're going to do." As in, if you're going to run for an hour, eat hearty, Marty. But if you're going to watch a little tv and then turn in for the night then you sure don't need heroic portions of cookie dough to fuel that venture.
The second hint is that when you go grocery shopping, stay on the outside perimeter of the store for food buying. Eggs, broccoli, chicken, frozen veggies, etc. The inside aisles have the so tempting, but so bad for you stuff. Cake mixes, cookies, chips,
For my part, I cut out the vending machine. I also try to eat only what I cook/make/put together. No more Mickey D's or KFC.

White Rat of FL 4:00PM April 04, 2008

I agree with the comment above. If you are exercising only to eat - Not good. Exercise is to strengthen the body, help with weight management and loss, if that is the goal. It is so important to understand what the body needs and provide it. The body does not require loads of trans fats, high fructose corn syrup or other empty kcalories as noted. It requires nutrients such as vitamin A, C, the B's, D, E,K and all the minerals God provided. Those nutrients can be found in food. You just have to identify them. I believe once a conscius effort is made to learn what you need and where those nutrients are, you'll be better equipped to make healthier food selections, make a daily caloric deficit and lose the weight desired.

Alberta Scruggs of OH 7:23AM April 03, 2008

Did you know that in history and in science it has found that if you don't eat often enough in your daily life or your diet lacks nutritional benefits because of a lack in supply or because of economic or financial factors your body stores fat to help prevent starvation during these periods. Also it has been found that emotional starvation for whatever reason can be a contributing factor, you know the different things in life that can cause stress. Disabilities also create difficulties in maintaining healthy body mass, as well as in organs and tissue.
I wonder if the people promoting weight loss in Americans have considered any of these health issues when telling people they should lose weight for whatever reason they deem it neccessary. I read a lot about the fat issue, but I dont see enough about the causes of what creates unhealthy weight and how these contributing factors can be addressed for a successful weightloss program in the media and their advertisors. Just a thought!

Teresa of IA 4:59PM April 02, 2008

It's very important to regulate how much and what type of foods are eaten after exercise. You'll be hungry after intense exercise and the best time to snack on a small recovery meal is within 30 minutes after your workout. That's the best time to replenish the body's glycogen stores and will prepare you for the next day's exercise. Bananas and other fruits are good post-exercise choices. Follow the simple rule of burning more calories than consuming, and the weight will vanish.
www.cyclingnutrition.blogspot.com

VeloSwiss 4:17PM April 02, 2008

My question is what are you eating after your workouts? If you are gaining weight you are probably eating the same food that got you to your present weight. Try a protein shake which I use as a meal replacement. Instead of chips or pretzels try flavored rice cakes. Weight loss, exercise and modifying your eating habits are not a fad or something you are trying in order to lose weight, it's a life-style change. It has to become part of your daily routine and once you can wrap your mind around that, the weight will fall off. Also, as you start losing weight, your back will feel better.
Remember the old adage, muscle ain't cheap!

John of GA 8:09AM April 02, 2008

I am so glad to see this article because that is exactly what has been happening to me. It is so furtrating I am 5'1" 285 pounds, I just joined a Gym a month ago and I brought it to attention of the girls that I exercise with, about how hungry I get after I am done exerciseing. I have actually gained weight. I was during the ground excerise bur because of two herniated dics L4/L5 it got so painful I had to go to water aroebics and that did not help the situation. Maybe you get used me in your experience. Also my two partners have experience the same thing. Oh yea, I have chnage my schedule all around just to see if it happened during a certain time of the day, that did not matter either.

LORETTA JONES of OK 8:49AM April 01, 2008