Hi-
When you workout, your body metabolizes resources based on what is
required for the output (glucose - glycogen if anaerobic, ATP if
aerobic). Because of the complexity of the human system, there could
be different reasons for an increase in weight immediately following
exercise. For example, if you have either consumed too much salt or
not enough water, your body will retain water either because the
increased salt in the system causes increased water requirements to
balance the salt-water levels OR because the body senses low water
stores and conserves water to prioritize the essential body functions
(such as brain function, blood flow, smooth/involuntary muscle
function, etc.).
Another possibility that the exercise level has increased heart rate
and blood pressure to a point where, once again, water is retained and
used at a higher than normal rate to compensate for a stressed
cardiovascular system. Of course, there is always the possibility
that, at the same time you are exercising, your body is digesting,
converting, storing and/or decomposing food that you consumed earlier
in the day but that had not yet been processed. This would cause
immediate weight gain following exercise if the food was not yet
available as ?fuel? during the exercise but had been converted to fat,
protein, waste, etc. by the time the workout was done.
HOWEVER, it is important to note that the ?new? fuel stores will
likely be consumed quicker than fuel not used directly following
exercise because your body?s metabolic rate will remain above normal
for an average of two hours following moderate exercise, which of
course leads to increased consumption of stored fuel (fats, proteins,
carbs). If you manage your resources and balance intake/output during
exercise, you will maximize fat loss while increasing lean muscle.
For an average exerciser (non-competitive/ non-obsessive), I?d say
that optimum weight fluctuation during exercise is plus or minus half
a pound (+ or - 0.5 lbs).
Now for the REM diet: Since you don't eat or drink when you sleep (in
most cases!), and since your body uses sleep to regulate and refresh
the "human system", most people notice a slight weight loss after
sleep based mostly on water loss - water is used for blood flow, toxin
filtering, in conjunction with sodium & potassium for muscle
relaxation and regeneration, and as the core regulator of
electrolytes. Sweating during sleep also contributes to this water
loss, as does the release of urine and/or excrement in the morning.
If you are adequately hydrated when you go to sleep and have
sufficient proteins, amino acids and electrolytes, it would not be
uncommon to lose up to two pounds during the night AND, as long as you
make sure you replenish your system in the morning, your body will
continue to serve you well.
Good question! |
