What are the reasons for weight gain after exercise?

Weight gain after exercise may be caused by overeating, muscle growth, water retention, hypothyroidism, or Cushing's syndrome, and can be improved according to different situations. It is recommended to visit a hospital promptly and receive treatment under a doctor's guidance.

1. Overeating: During fitness training, some people may experience increased appetite after exercising or believe they have burned more calories, leading to excessive food intake. This results in a caloric surplus and subsequent weight gain. It is recommended to control food intake, ensuring daily consumption is less than caloric expenditure. Maintain a balanced diet and avoid binge eating or consuming high-calorie foods.

2. Muscle Growth: Regular exercise stimulates muscle fibers, causing them to thicken and repair, thereby increasing muscle mass. Since muscle is denser than fat, it weighs more for the same volume, which may cause an increase in body weight. This is a normal phenomenon and should not be a cause for concern. Continuing to exercise consistently helps improve basal metabolic rate, leading to a more toned physique over time. Adequate protein intake, such as from chicken breast, fish, shrimp, or protein powder, can support muscle growth and repair.

3. Water Retention: During exercise, the body loses water through sweat. After exercise, when fluids are replenished, the body retains some water to maintain internal balance, which may temporarily increase body weight. It is recommended to hydrate appropriately before and after workouts, drinking in small amounts frequently. Avoid consuming large amounts of water immediately after exercise; body weight will stabilize as metabolism regulates itself.

4. Hypothyroidism: Insufficient thyroid hormone production due to autoimmune conditions or other causes can slow metabolism and reduce the body's ability to burn calories, potentially leading to weight gain. Symptoms may include fatigue, drowsiness, and cold intolerance. Patients may take medications such as levothyroxine sodium tablets, thyroid tablets, or hydrocortisone tablets under medical supervision to alleviate symptoms.

5. Cushing's Syndrome: Excessive secretion of glucocorticoids by the adrenal cortex may cause redistribution of body fat, resulting in weight gain, a round "moon face," a "buffalo hump" on the back, and purple skin stretch marks. It is recommended to follow medical advice and use medications such as ketoconazole tablets, mifepristone tablets, or bromocriptine mesylate tablets to alleviate symptoms.

In daily life, it is recommended to establish a healthy eating plan, ensuring caloric intake matches energy expenditure, increasing the proportion of vegetables and protein, and reducing consumption of processed foods and high-sugar items.

References:

[1] Liu Lixia, Fu Qun. The Realistic Foundation, Core Characteristics, and Path Selection for High-Quality Development of the Fitness Industry Driven by Technology [J]. Journal of Sports Education, 2024, 40(04): 38-45.

[2] Qi Xiuzhong, Yang Minghui. Professor Yang Minghui's Experience in Treating Hypothyroidism Using the Method of Nourishing Kidney and Enriching Marrow [J]. Shizhen Journal of Chinese Medicine and Materia Medica, 2024, 35(13): 3051-3053.