Expando-Quads?

[Biciclista]

woW! water? how about muscles!! You can pump up your muscles temporarily, they contract more. Body builders know this, it's probably the same thing that happens to you high powered cyclists.

[Eden]

I don't think muscle building happens quite that fast - My theory, when you work out hard you make a lot of little micro tears in your muscles. With injury there is inflammation - thus the swelling that Lime is experiencing (and why it goes away- the jeans are acting as compression). I usually experience a temporary weight gain after hard workouts too - another reason I think it must be retained water.

[esmorin]

Agreed. I think its probably BOTH muscles swelling and water retention. I went on a long hike last weekend, and drank my whole 100oz camelbak and ate sugar/salt foods to keep my electrolytes up, and after showering upon return, could barely button my jeans. Next day - totally fine.

[Catrin]

hmmmm is this why I weigh more after a long ride?

[OakLeaf]

Do be careful of over-hydrating though - I've read that the best predictor of hyponatremia is weight gain during exertion.

[Catrin]

Do be careful of over-hydrating though - I've read that the best predictor of hyponatremia is weight gain during exertion.

It isn't much, only a pound or so. While I do drink quite a bit, I still don't drink the "recommended" amount per hour... I have found the harder I work on a given day, the higher the scales seem to be - and the weight doesn't go until I take a day off - and I know it isn't from over-eating. I suspect that I am retaining water for some reason.