I've put on weight and don't know why

[okimy]

I've been cycling for 2 years now and my weight has always been relatively steady around 64 kg. But lately it's gone up to around 66.5 kg and I don't understand why. I haven't changed my diet and trained as much as in summer, although now I'm on the turbo. It could be that I'm building up muscle (but why only after 2 years?), that my scale is off more than usual (it generally varies around 2 kg; last summer my weight was between 62 and 65 kg, now it's between 65 and 68) or that I've simply put on fat. Since I'm only 17 I reckon building up muscle is somewhat likely but I'm still interested in what you think.

[TobinHatesYou]

Don't worry about 2.5kg.

[bm0p700f]

Ha I gained that last Christmas and still got it. It was not muscle either

[AJS914]

If you are only 17 then you are still growing.

[BitGid]

Have you compared chest, weight, and hip measurements? Are your clothes feeling tight?

If the weight gain isn’t due to muscle mass and you want to reduce weight - and you mention eating more due to all the biking - you will need to change your meal plan.
But that doesn’t seem like the answer you want to hear.

[d36]

If you want the full story you really need to get a dexa scan
I've done cheapo tests/scans/bmi calcs and they were way off

Couple things I picked up (used to be high 70s pre cycling now low 60ish)

Water weight is a real thing
Fitter you get the more muscle you gain (but also fat loss)
Riding in summer = major water loss means my weight can yoyo 1-2kg (40 degree celcious days)
High carb diet = more water retention
High level of fitness = more carb/energy storage
High volume = Rediculous appetite means its easy to overeat (i.e gotta be disciplined on recovery days/weeks)
Low body fat (say 6-7%) = Makes it possible to put on a kg or two literally overnight (survival mechanism imo)

[okimy]

Thanks for the answers. My chest and hip measurements have stayed the same but I've decided that i'll try to adjust my diet anyway. I haven't really got a plan but for now I'm cutting out some sweets and will see what works as I go along. Getting a scan probably isn't worth it and I'll continue to work on my power and endurance.

[MattMay]

Wouldn’t happen to be getting taller would you? At 17 you’re still growing...up.

[okimy]

Wouldn’t happen to be getting taller would you? At 17 you’re still growing...up.

Yeah I've checked that. Still 178cm, same as 1,5 years ago.

[joeyb1000]

If you just switched to the Turbo and you are sweating a lot, you may be just retaining water.

[flying]

10 seconds naked in front of a mirror will quickly tell you if you gained 2.5kg in muscle or fat 5.5lbs is a bit

[LewisK]

Check out this weeks cycling weekly, there is a good topic on indoor vs outdoor training. It did mention that when training indoors different muscles are used and you tend to use your quads more - this could lead to putting on a bit of muscle? Mind you, doubt you'd have put on over 2kg of muscle.

[okimy]

Check out this weeks cycling weekly, there is a good topic on indoor vs outdoor training. It did mention that when training indoors different muscles are used and you tend to use your quads more - this could lead to putting on a bit of muscle? Mind you, doubt you'd have put on over 2kg of muscle.

I'll check it out, thanks for the recommendation. Putting on 2kg of quads seems a bit nuts, but I'm not just cycling. I do a lot of corework and tried out a climbing gym yesterday.

[okimy]

Well, thanks for the answers everyone. After a week of training, a day of rest and an FTP test I'm back to my previous weight. I'm still wondering what kind of weight I put on (and lost now) but now I can at least stop worrying about losing it.

[Leviathan]

for me, that weight is a hefty shit after a curry night. Honestly, 2.5 kgs one one sample isnt a real "gain" or loss.