Bikram yoga is making me gain weight???

KirstinB

I just started taking Bikram yoga classes...been about 7 or 8 times so far.  While most people experience major weight loss....I have actually GAINED 4 pounds.  I love the way I feel after a class, but I'm far too vain to think that feeling is a good trade off for weight gain.  I tried googling it and a couple message boards surmised it could be due to NOT drinking enough water and retaining it instead.  Has anyone heard of this issue before?

erollis

Have you lost any inches? I rely on inches because I always gained muscle weight easily. When I was at my slimiest I looked to be 90- 100lbs but weighed 120-130. 

Also try drinking more water and fluids to see if that helps at all.  

vlagrl29

I don't think yoga makes you gain weight.  add more water to your diet and make sure you are eating right

erollis

I forgot about diet. You may feel hungrier and eat more when working out because of all the calories being burned during yoga. Eat healthier and keep your portions what they should be. 

KirstinB

I eat healthy daily, and I haven't changed those patterns at all, so it seems like it would have to be the only thing that has changed, which is the yoga.  Almost 5 pounds is a lot in less than 2 weeks.  Love doing this bikram...but I can't afford a new wardrobe, lol.

annersayspoot

It is probably water retention. Whenever you start a new program, your muscles tend to hold onto water. It is part of the healing process of the micro-tears that build muscle. Try drinking more water before and after and adding lemon or lime (diuretic)  to 1-2 of those glasses. 

 

ETA: If you greatly increase your activity level, and you were already eating a lower calorie diet, you can also gain weight because your body will try to hold on to whatever nutrients you are taking in in order to protect itself. You may want to consider adding more lean protein on days you practice.  

vlagrl29

annersayspoot:

It is probably water retention. Whenever you start a new program, your muscles tend to hold onto water. It is part of the healing process of the micro-tears that build muscle. Try drinking more water before and after and adding lemon or lime (diuretic)  to 1-2 of those glasses. 

 

ETA: If you greatly increase your activity level, and you were already eating a lower calorie diet, you can also gain weight because your body will try to hold on to whatever nutrients you are taking in in order to protect itself. You may want to consider adding more lean protein on days you practice.  

 

this is true as well.  every time i start lifting weights again I gain couple pounds for the first couple weeks then it goes away and i start loosing. 

Just H

I have been doing Bikram 3/wk for a year and have not had any issues.  I agree, you should make sure you are really well hydrated and probably need some sort of low cal/sugar electrolyte drink as well to replinish.  I have had issues in the past with balancing the increased hunger of working out with a healthy diet.