Water retention and adaptation to training?

[Ceebs]

I recently changed my excercise program from weights 4 days per week, and medium duration high-intensity cardio 2-3 days per week, to weights once a week, and long duration low-intensity cardio every day. I have a renewed zeal for working out thanks to this change, and I've even lost a bit of bodyfat without trying, but I'm experiencing strange water retention.

It used to be that when I'd eat carbs, or it would be my time of the month, I'd retain fluid in typically estrogenic areas - thighs, glutes, and knees. However, since I changed my program and started going for hour-long evening strolls, my midsection gets squishy, and the rest of me is dry as a bone. I'm not complaining about this at all, I'm just at a loss as to the biochemistry at work. I haven't changed my diet or supplements. Does anyone have insight, or a similar experience?

 

[BrickGirl]

go back to the weights, screw the cardio, how much water are you drinking a day?

 

[SteelWeaver]

Well, that's very interesting! What an odd reaction! Hmm, I'd also be very interested in finding out what the biochem is behind this. I noticed post-comp. that my water retention was quite a lot less bad than the first time, and I attribute it partially to eating a lot of veggies that week, (on top of a lot of yoghurt covered oatmeal slices, chocolates, some pizza and other crap) and drinking lots of water, but mostly to 3-6 hours of heavy hiking every day along with weights every 2-3 days.

Extra cardio should help with losing water, but I suppose it's not as simple as cardio making one sweat more, lol.

btw, why not just change up the weights routine instead of dropping most of it?

Oh, and welcome to the squishy midsection club (I'm the president)

 

[MS]

Your change in fluid retention could be due to a relative decrease in estrogen, an increase in testosterone, or a relative increase in insulin resitance. It's pretty hard to nail it down without seeing/working with you in person. It could be age/genetics/diet/exercise or more likely an interaction of all of the above.

If nothing else has changed, my hunch would be an increase in insulin resistance. If this is the case, then you would really be better off in the long run to bring back the weight training. If it's not insulin resistance then you should have your other hormones checked.

 

[gotmilk]

It happens to guys too...especially if one adds calories while reducing exercising and not realizing you have increased caloric intake.

You kind of answered your own question. Think about it. You have altered your intensity and frequency and therefore decreased your weekly "time under tension".

You reduced your intensity by decreasing your weight lifting. You reduced your frequency also but never replaced the loss of tension you place on your stomach area.

If low-intensity cardio worked, there would never be a fat person alive.

Also, and this is rare, but sometimes people experience a change in water absorption when they change their exercise habits. You could be experiencing a lymph clog and the lack of intense exercise has created an atmosphere where your blood flow is not removing the extracellualr fluid like it used to.

 

[Ceebs]

Upping my weight sessions isn't really an option. I'm recovering from mono right now, and low intensity cardio is all I have my doctor's clearance to do. (I know, I know, most GP's don't know jack about fitness, but better safe than sorry - see my post a few weeks ago about having a D&C. My body was not happy.) I doubt it's insulin resistance, as I'm young, I eat vegan low carb, and I take ALA, but that's an interesting thought.

Thanks for your responses, I can't wait to start training heavy again.

 

[MS]

Mono in itself can cause an increase in insulin resistance, and could easily explain your change in fluid distribution too! The loss of fluid from your typical female depots may be due to a decrease in estrogen....this could be due to illness, low bodyfat levels or something else. If it were just a lymphatic problem, I doubt you would have less fluid in your legs than before. But mono certainly screws up your lymphs in general.

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

Well also having a D&C changes temporarily your hormonal situation and throws the body into a loop. All of the above could be true -- the mono coupled with the d&C could add up to water retention.

I had a D&C at the ripe old age of 26....which resulted in a bloatedness that stayed with me until my normal menstrual cycle resumed....which was not for about 8 weeks.

 

[gotmilk]

If it were just a lymphatic problem, I doubt you would have less fluid in your legs than before. But mono certainly screws up your lymphs in general.

Mono can be site-specific..meaning...it can cause temporary blockages in only a few areas. Usually, it's the throat and upper chest, but the stomach can puff out due to the lymphs having nowhere to drain into during a period of sickness.

Mono sucks.