my personal weight gains while training and trying to lose fat..is this bad??

 Hello ,
 I am a 38 YO woman / 5'10" / 190 / BF%33
 I lost 50 pounds during the last year, but that was while I was on a strictly low caloric/ fat/ carb diet. I was looking for a quicker way to loose with all my health problems that were happening. It did work, but I also lost alot of lean muscle mass. Due to the low calorie intake I did not work out at all then. I made it down to 180. I started working out more seriously 5 week ago. I do a split weight routine 4 days and 5 days of cardio . On weight days I do no more than 30 min cardio and on my off days I will do 45 min of walking or elliptical.
 I have gained around 5-8 pounds since starting this routine.  After searching the forum I do realize that my diet could be the culprit. I am not a perfect clean eater , but I do count my calories in the day and try not to go over 2000( I am usually around 1500) on any given day.
 I am wondering if this gain can be from my work out routine or is it from something else? I try to drink 2 -3 litres of water per day also.
 I tried to do a full body 3 days but it was too much in the beginning.  I do not usually exercise on the weekends.
  Will this weight eventually start to reverse?
   Should I get a new BF% since the last one of 33% was before I started weights ? I am now using the fitday.com to track all my stuff and hopefully that will help.
 I am seeing parts go down but other parts getting bigger...I am the same size as before but weigh 10more pounds?  So all I really am asking is :  is it normal to gain weight when weight training in the first month?

Yes it is normal to gain weight in the beginning. You are doing precisely what you want to do.. gain lean muscle mass. Frequently called newbie gains.

If you are measuring your body, and you must be to know what has gone up and what has gone down, then you know you are on the right track. Unless your calves are getting smaller while your belly is getting bigger ; ).


remember muscle weighs more than fat does, so a smaller volume of muscle can account for a weight gain even while you are loosing fat (inches).

Be less concerned about weight and more concerned about your measurements, as long as your figure is headed down the road towards your ideal, then who gives a rats ass how much you weigh.
 

Congratulations on your successes, now we just need to get you on a three day full body....

 Thanks so much for replying to my question. I feel alot better about it.  I felt it was impossible for me to be gaining fat with all the hard work and eating so much better. Like I said I am not a clean all the way eater but I really try to watch and get in all my stuff I need.
  I am wondering about the 3 day full body.....if I do a full body day at the gym how long do I wait until doing another full day...also when would I do cardio...before...after ...or on non weight days...?  I find the split so much easier to get in my cardio with.
  Thanks again for your input...you seem to know what you are doing!

Check out this site http://www.exrx.net/Lists/WorkoutMenu.html
it gives some info on 3 day full body, split workouts and the like.
 
Just stick with it and changes will happen. Good Luck!
 

Team Keine Ausreden = No Excuses
mein scheinehund ist daheim
48 yrs young
6'5" 270 Lbs

Read up on Wetdawg's link, and then read this one http://www.discussbodybuilding.com/3-DAY-FULL-BODY-m303404-p1.aspx , I would choose the first routine in that thread.

 You would do weights every other day with weekends off if you would like. You can continue to do cardio, 5 days a week if you would like to, on non weight training days when ever, and on weight days either first thing in the morning or after you lift (assuming you lift in the evening time).

 thanks for the links!
 I did overtrain in the beginning by not eating enough and not enough rest. I got mono during that first week some time or maybe I had it already. I got a really bad cold for sure.
 I had to split the full body routine the trainer gave me into 2 and then I alternate it:
 Mon - upper body
 Freestyle row 3x15= alternating weight 30-40
 Cybex chest press 3x15 alternate  15-20
 freestly press 3x15  35-45 
 triceps rope pull 3x15  40-50
 dumbbell overhead - 3x15 alternate
 bar curl  3x15    25
( always increasing weight when I feel it is getting too easy)
tues lower body
 Squat machine 50-60 3x15
hamstring ? ( don't know what it is called cybex) 3x15 alternate 10-15-17
hip adductor 50-60   3x15 ( in the laying down position)
hip abductor 50-60  3x15 ("")
then laying down leg extensions ( I have degenerative disc disease so I cant do crunches too well and this is what I was told to do instead)
 I take off weds or do just cardio ..then repeat thurs fri
 All work outs begin with a 10 min warm up walk in treadmill 3.5-3.8 MPH
 then weights, then cardio 20 min on elliptical somedays with HIIT
 all work outs end with a cool down and then stretch.
 I work out generally early AM because it is the only time I can do it basically.with out it taking up all of my time
 I always eat a bowl of steel cut oats and a fruit of some kind before...then after coffee and am EAS Shake and/ or egg white with veggies and Low fat cheese.
 I get in around 1500- 2000 cal per day I do eat really good... lots of water
 Do I need to get more calories to make up for the fact that I work out or is 2000 or under just fine.
 I had my BF%(33%...holy cow!!)pre weight training,  checked via some kind of laser thing at the gym...should I get a caliper test done instead ...is this better?
 

http://www.discussbodybuilding.com/How-Many-Calories-Do-You-Need-Calorie-Calculators-Includes-Quick-Spreadsheet-Too-m45013.aspx

to determine how many calories you need, follow that link ^. 1500- 2000 should be ok, but it is dependent on your activity level, and some other things. For instance I am about 157 -163 for me to loose my calories are minimum 1900, 2400 is my maintenance.

If your happy and motivated with the routine you are doing and you are progressing, then that is fine I won't medal, you would get more benefit by doing it all in one day... I strongly dislike it however, it is all machines. I understand you don't want to be a body builder or a weightlifter, or have that extreme a body, your just looking to build a little muscle and get fit and lean. But, free weights are the way to go. AS you confidance in working out increases I STRONGLY urge you to pick up a bar bell and start squatting, pressing, deadlifting, rowing.

Get this book out of the library if you have a chance and give it a read. (I don't train like this personally... It doesn't really fit my goals,) it might be right up your ally in the near future. http://www.amazon.com/New-Rules-Lifting-Women-Goddess/dp/1583332944

 I do appreciate your replies...you are way ahead of me in this and I will gladly take all of your critiques and advice. 
     I have 2 brothers who are body builders...one is extreme ( riods and huge, 30 and his health is already going down from abuse)one used riods for a bit and now chooses to be all natural( they live far so I dont use them for any training)...I know it is in my genes I just have to bring it there...
    I am not against being a little extreme in my physique ( I know that will be a while away)I am 5'10 and could  wear  it well ....my back injuries are my only fear, but the trainer who gave me this routine said the same thing...I was on all more lamer machines for a while and not really getting anywhere so he was introducing me with just cable machines and dumbbells and bars...but I will go for it soon!
       it has only been 6 weeks and now the last 2 of facing that facts that I must eat a proper diet. I agree with you and I must try to do some more free weights. I am going to asses my progress at 12 weeks and then turn it up a notch..
      .thanks again for your input. How did I let myself get this out of shape!lol  at least I am on the right track finally after all these crappy diets.

maybe this link will help you

http://www.discussbodybuilding.com/tm.aspx?high=&m=111175&mpage=1#111175

Sorry I didn't notice the back injury part.... I do try to be thorough in my reading when giving real advice. (instead of just shooting the sh*t).

Good luck your on the right track stick with it, your brothers will be uber impressed when they see you the next time!

 Well things are finally going pretty good. This is the end of the 7th week of keeping this training routine 100%.  I had days were I just hated it , but I still forced myself to go and was happy I did. I am finally seeing some weight drop, but not much (around 4 pounds).  My pants are still tight, but I am glad for it because it is in my thighs and butt and I know it is muscle under fat.
  I have added whey protein here and there and stick to really clean eating during the week. Usually I allow myself one meal out on the weekend. ( not the old me style of eating)...I find that I just don't crave bad foods at all except when the monthly visitor comes and then it is just chocolate. I don't miss those bad foods and I think it is because I focus on eating healthy carbs every meal.
 I will go to the nurse at the gym again after 12 weeks of this and get another body analysis to see where I am.
 I hope to join the ranks of the few ladies here some day.
 I will maybe start a journal here to keep my progress. 
 Thaks for all the info and links ..I found some good stuff in them.